Virtual Screen Driver for Wireless OS Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media streaming devices, such as ROKU or CHROMECAST, are limited in their ability to provide advanced functions like gaming or software applications on external displays, as they often 'take over' the television and do not allow for wireless OS and application interaction via mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A media computing device with multiple virtual screens and personal area network capability, which can be inserted into a TV's HDMI socket, using a virtual screen driver to provide full OS interaction on mobile devices, allowing users to control media streaming and applications wirelessly, including multiple users interacting with the same or different screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a basic remote control device is used to navigate among fixed selections on a television screen, then the device structure remains simple, but the user interaction capability is limited and cannot provide full OS functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the media computing device. The mobile device runs a client application that communicates with the media computing device over a network, enabling full OS interaction capabilities without complicating the media computing device's hardware structure. This mediator approach allows complex functionality to be accessed through a simple HDMI connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical remote control interfaces (physical buttons, directional pads) with a software-based virtual remote interface displayed on the mobile device screen. This substitution enables full OS functionality including virtual keyboard, touchscreen gestures, and app-specific controls without adding physical complexity to the media computing device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advanced functions like gaming or software applications are enabled on external displays, then the functionality is enhanced, but the television is taken over as the primary display and media consumption is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display functionality by creating separate virtual screens: a first virtual screen dedicated to media consumption on the television, and one or more second virtual screens for applications and gaming on mobile devices. This segmentation allows different functions to operate simultaneously on different displays without interfering with each other, maintaining media playback while enabling app interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the user experience by distributing different types of content across multiple display devices (television for media, mobile device for apps). This dimensional separation allows users to consume media on the large television screen while interacting with applications on the portable mobile device, eliminating the need to choose one function over the other.
3Ease of operation
If a complete operating system with full user interface is provided on the media computing device, then the OS interaction capability is enhanced, but the device requires built-in user interface hardware which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface hardware (display screen, keyboard, touchpad) from the media computing device and relocates it to the user's existing mobile device. The media computing device retains the complete operating system but communicates with the mobile device over a network, allowing full OS interaction without requiring built-in UI hardware in the media computing device itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A media computing device with multiple virtual screens and personal area network capability, comprising a processor, a memory, an HDMI controller operating an HDMI interface, a wireless network interface configured to communicate via a local area network and configured to communicate via a personal area network, a media management subsystem, a virtual screen driver; and an operating system comprising programming instructions stored in the memory of and operating on the processor and configured to operate multiple virtual screens for user interaction via devices communicating via a network.