WebSocket Gateway for Seamless Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for technology that allows convenient communication and control between applications running on different devices, such as smartphones and smart TVs, to facilitate seamless interaction without requiring separate operation of each device.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a controller comprising an application processor and a network processor, connected to a companion device via a communication unit, where the network processor, potentially functioning as a WebSocket server, establishes and manages connections between the devices, enabling data exchange and inter-application communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user operates a smart TV separately to execute an application, then the application can be run on the smart TV, but the operation process becomes inconvenient and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of application executionVSAvoidtime for device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between the smartphone and smart TV. The gateway server receives connection requests from the smartphone, manages the connection establishment, and facilitates communication between the two devices. This mediator approach allows the smartphone to remotely control the smart TV without requiring the user to manually operate the TV's interface, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the time needed to execute applications across devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are operated separately for application execution, then device functionality is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control operations of multiple devices into a unified interaction model. The smartphone and smart TV are connected through the gateway server, allowing the user to control both devices through a single interface on the smartphone. This combining of device operations maintains the individual functionality of each device while significantly improving user convenience by eliminating the need to separately operate each device's interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If direct connection between application processor and companion device is established, then communication efficiency improves, but connection management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway server serves as an intermediary that simplifies connection management while maintaining efficient communication. Instead of requiring the application processor to directly manage complex connection protocols with the companion device, the gateway server handles the connection establishment, authentication, and data routing. This approach maintains communication efficiency by providing a dedicated communication path while reducing the complexity burden on the application processor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Extent of automation

If network processor manages all connections, then connection control improves, but processing load on application processor decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection control automationVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing responsibilities between the network processor and application processor. The network processor handles connection management, authentication, and communication protocol handling, while the application processor focuses on executing the actual application logic. This segmentation automates connection control through the network processor while reducing the processing load on the application processor, as it no longer needs to manage communication protocols and connection states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10819761B2Electronic device and method for controlling electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.10.27 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US10819761B2 patent drawing
  • US10819761B2 patent drawing
  • US10819761B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device includes a processor and a non-transitory recording medium; an electronic device application to communicate with a companion device; and a WebSocket server to connect the electronic device application with a companion device application of the companion device.