Synchronized External Device Control via Embedded Content Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia experiences on mobile digital terminals, such as smartphones and tablets, lack synchronization between displayed content and controlled external devices, limiting the immersive potential of multimedia interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method and software program product that execute digital content with embedded or linked control commands on a mobile digital terminal, allowing for wireless control of external devices in a synchronized manner with the content display, using communication standards like Bluetooth or WiFi, enabling simultaneous control of multiple devices with different functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital content is displayed sequentially on a mobile digital terminal, then the multimedia experience is enhanced, but synchronization with external device functions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Control commands are embedded within the digital content file before display, pre-positioning instructions at specific locations (pages, paragraphs, images) so that when content is displayed sequentially, the terminal can automatically execute corresponding external device controls without requiring real-time manual synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile digital terminal acts as an intermediary device between the content source and external devices. The terminal receives digital content with embedded control commands, processes them sequentially during display, and translates them into wireless control signals for external devices, thereby synchronizing content display with external device functions
2Extent of automation
If control commands are embedded in digital content, then external device control becomes automatic, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile digital terminal leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities (display, processing, wireless communication) to handle both content presentation and external device control. Standard wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi) are utilized for device communication, avoiding the need for specialized control hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Control commands are embedded as metadata parameters within the digital content file structure. These parameters contain control information (device address, control type, parameters) that are automatically extracted and executed by the terminal's processing unit, transforming static content into dynamically controllable content without requiring separate control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external devices are controlled simultaneously, then functionality is enhanced, but control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Control commands for multiple external devices are segmented and embedded at different locations within the digital content file. Each control command is associated with specific content elements (pages, paragraphs, images), allowing the terminal to execute controls sequentially and precisely as content is displayed, maintaining control precision even when managing multiple devices with different functions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an external device (6-8, 10) having a wireless communication function (6a-8a, 10a), in which an application is executed on a mobile digital terminal (1), in particular a tablet or smartphone, and sequentially outputs digital content which changes over time by an output unit of the terminal (1), which content, in addition to the data (2a) to be output, contains a number of embedded or linked control commands which are sequentially executed by a respectively associated module (1a, 1e) of the mobile digital terminal when sequentially displaying the content in accordance with flow control (1c) of the mobile digital terminal (1), and in which, when at least one particular control command from the number of control commands is reached, a wireless communication module (1e) of the mobile digital terminal (1) is used to wirelessly control the external device (6-8, 10) in order to cause a function of the external device (6-8, 10) in a substantially synchronous manner with the display of the content or a content section.