Thin Client Remote Content Access via Virtual Decoy Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for remote access to content from thin clients, such as web browsers, require transcoding to adapt content to different communication protocols and video reproduction capabilities, leading to increased memory usage and calculation costs, as well as the need for multiple operating system versions to ensure compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a decoy module registered as a virtual reproduction peripheral to relay content reproduction signals from a device providing access to a thin client without processing, utilizing known communication protocols like WebRTC for audio/video communications, allowing seamless access without transcoding and reducing computational burdens on the client.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transcoding is performed to adapt content to different communication protocols and video reproduction capabilities, then compatibility with various thin clients is improved, but memory usage and calculation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidcalculation costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between the content source and thin clients. The gateway server performs the transcoding operation centrally, acting as a mediator that adapts content to different protocols and capabilities without requiring each thin client to perform its own transcoding. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining compatibility across various clients while avoiding the high calculation costs that would result from distributed transcoding at each client device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of applications are developed for different operating systems, then compatibility with various terminals is improved, but device complexity and development costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidapplication versions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal gateway server architecture that can handle multiple communication protocols and adapt to various thin client types through a single unified application. The gateway server is designed with multi-functional capabilities to serve different operating systems and device types without requiring separate application versions, thereby maintaining compatibility while reducing complexity.

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

3Productivity

If content is transmitted with encoding included in the protocol (WebRTC), then seamless participation without transcoding is achieved, but the thin client must provide communication protocol and video playback parameters to the access delivery platform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless participationVSAvoidparameter exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway server is configured with pre-defined communication protocols and video playback capabilities. When a thin client connects, the gateway server automatically selects and configures the appropriate protocol parameters based on the client's capabilities, eliminating the need for complex parameter exchange negotiations. The gateway server serves itself by having the necessary protocols and parameters already available, enabling seamless participation with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2888861B1Remote content access from a thin client
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 ORANGE SA
  • EP2888861B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2888861B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2888861B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to remote access to content from a thin client, such as an internet browser, of a communication terminal. One aspect of the invention is a method for accessing at least one piece of content from a thin client of a remote communication terminal, said content being executed by a device for providing access to content on a communication network. The access method comprises the replication of at least one content replication signal by the thin client. The replication signal received by the thin client during a communication session with the content access provider device is produced by an execution module of the content access provider device and relayed unprocessed by a decoy module of the content access provider device, said decoy module being registered with the content access provider device as a virtual replication peripheral.