Streaming Server Control Through Separate Input Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional streaming media services face limitations when input devices like wireless keyboards or game controllers cannot be directly connected to streaming client devices due to unsupported interfaces or network connectivity issues, restricting access to streaming media services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing streaming controller logic that enables a client input device to establish a separate connection to a streaming server, emulating an input device and controlling applications streamed to a client device through multipath connections, independent of the connection between the server and client.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a direct connection is established between the input device and the streaming client device, then the input device can control the streaming application, but the connection is unavailable when the client device does not support pairing with the input device or when network connectivity issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a streaming server as an intermediary device that mediates between the input device and the streaming client device. The input device connects to the streaming server, which then relays control signals to the streaming application running on the client device. This intermediary approach allows input devices to control streaming applications even when direct pairing between the input device and client device is not supported or when network connectivity issues prevent direct connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the streaming client device is implemented as a television without application programming interface support, then the device is simple and widely compatible, but access to input devices like game controllers or wireless keyboards is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The streaming server acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple television devices without API support and sophisticated input devices. The server handles the complexity of input device communication protocols and translates them into commands that can be executed by the streaming application, allowing televisions to access game controllers and wireless keyboards without requiring built-in API support.
Solution Approach 2:
The streaming server provides universal compatibility by supporting multiple input device types (game controllers, wireless keyboards, mice) and multiple client device types (televisions, smartphones, tablets). Instead of requiring each client device to support specific input devices, the server provides a universal interface that works across different device platforms and input device types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate connection is established between the input device and the streaming server independent of the client device connection, then input devices can control applications remotely even when direct connections are unavailable, but the system complexity increases with multiple connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection architecture into two independent connections: one between the streaming server and the streaming client device for content delivery, and another between the input device and the streaming server for control signals. This segmentation allows the control path and content delivery path to operate independently, enabling remote control capability even when the client device connection is unavailable or restricted.
Data Source
AI summary
A media streaming system is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a client input device includes a memory to store code configured to emulate one or more peripheral devices and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor causes the client input device to establish, via a network, a first connection to a streaming server. Based on an input received at the client input device, the processor causes the client input device to generate an input message that requests the streaming server provide content to a streaming client device over a second connection separate from the first connection, wherein the input message emulates an input event at a peripheral device of the streaming server. The processor causes the client input device to transmit, via the first connection, the input message to the streaming server.