Virtual OS UI Streaming for Low-Cost Media Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital media receivers with full operating systems are expensive, and low-cost devices without full operating systems require a mobile device or personal computer to select and stream media content, limiting cost-effective options for presenting media content on display devices.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for presenting a virtual operating system user interface on a display device using a computing device, such as a smartphone, which generates and streams a user interface to a media receiving device, allowing selection and streaming of media content without the need for a full operating system on the display device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a full operating system is installed on a digital media receiver or smart television, then the device can execute applications and allow users to select and stream media content independently, but the device cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent media selection capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the operating system functionality from the display device and relocates it to a computing device. The display device retains only basic media playback capabilities, while the computing device hosts the virtual operating system that provides application execution and media selection services, thereby reducing display device cost while maintaining independent media selection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the user and the display device. This intermediary hosts the virtual operating system and applications, mediating media selection and control functions, which allows the display device to remain cost-effective while still providing full media selection capability through the virtualized interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If a full operating system is installed on a display device, then applications can be executed directly on the device, but the hardware cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication execution capabilityVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the operating system environment on the computing device that interfaces with the display device. This virtual operating system copy provides application execution capability without requiring the expensive hardware architecture needed for native OS execution on the display device, achieving automation at lower hardware cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical hardware architecture required for native operating system execution with a software-based virtualization approach. Instead of equipping the display device with full OS-capable hardware, the system uses software virtualization on a computing device to provide equivalent application execution capability, substituting mechanical hardware requirements with software solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If low-cost devices without full operating systems are used, then hardware costs are reduced, but a mobile device or personal computer is required to select and stream media content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware costVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operating system functionality with the computing device that the user already possesses. By hosting the virtual operating system on the user's existing computing device rather than requiring a separate control device, the system reduces overall system complexity while maintaining low display device hardware costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3384379B1Methods, systems and media for presenting a virtual operating system user interface on a display device

Publication Date: 2023.01.04 GOOGLE LLC

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AI summary

Methods, systems, and media for presenting a user interface, such as a virtual operating system user interface, on a display device are provided. In some implementations, a method for presenting a virtual operating system user interface (Virtual OS UI) is provided, the method comprising: receiving a request to provide the virtual OS UI for a display coupled to a media receiving device; selecting applications; generating the virtual OS UI including the applications; causing the media receiving device to present the virtual OS UI on the display; receiving signals from a remote control to select a second application; executing the second application; causing the media receiving device to present the second application on the display; receiving signals from the remote control to select media content; causing the media receiving device to request the selected media content; and causing the media receiving device to present the requested media content using the display.