Streaming Role Reversal for Flexible Media Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital media streaming technologies are limited to one-way transmission and reception between computing devices, restricting flexibility and efficiency in content sharing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that enables seamless role reversal between source and destination computing devices, allowing either device to switch between transmitting and receiving digital media content based on capability negotiation and offload determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If one-way transmission/reception is used for digital media content streaming, then the system setup is simple and straightforward, but the flexibility and efficiency in content sharing are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in content sharingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic role assignment where computing devices can switch between source and destination roles based on real-time capability negotiations. The system dynamically determines which device should process and transmit content by evaluating processing capabilities, network conditions, and content characteristics, allowing flexible adaptation without fixed transmitter-receiver designations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables computing devices to perform multiple functions by making them capable of both source and destination operations. Through capability negotiation protocols, any device in the network can assume the role of content processor or content receiver based on current system needs, making each device universal rather than specialized for a single function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If processing capabilities are concentrated on one device, then the transmission process is simplified, but resource utilization across the network is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent sharing efficiencyVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of network devices by dynamically evaluating their processing capabilities, available resources, and current workload. Based on these parameter assessments, the system optimizes content processing assignments to utilize network resources efficiently, selecting the most suitable device for processing based on real-time conditions rather than static configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service capability negotiation where computing devices automatically assess their own capabilities and negotiate their roles with other devices in the network. Each device independently determines its suitability for content processing or reception based on its own resource status, eliminating the need for centralized control while optimizing resource utilization across the entire network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If role reversal capability is implemented between devices, then flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but the device complexity and negotiation overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in content sharingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs capability negotiation and role assignment as preliminary actions before actual content streaming begins. By pre-assessing device capabilities, network conditions, and content requirements, the system establishes optimal source-destination assignments upfront, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments during content transmission and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260012768A1Technologies for streaming device role reversal
Publication Date: 2026.01.08 INTEL CORP
  • US20260012768A1 patent drawing
  • US20260012768A1 patent drawing
  • US20260012768A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Technologies for streaming device role reversal include a source computing device and a destination computing device coupled via a communication channel. The source computing device and destination computing device are each configured to support role reversal. In other words, the source computing device and the destination computing device are each capable of switching between receiving and transmitting digital media content over the established communication channel. The source computing device is configured to initiate the role reversal, pause transmit functionality of the source computing device, and enable receive functionality of the source computing device. The destination computing device is configured to receive a role reversal indication from the source computing device, locally process the content, transmit a content stream to the source computing device, and display the content stream on an output device of the source computing device. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.