Wired Video Back Channel for Network Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in quickly and easily connecting computing devices, such as mobile devices to collaboration devices, leading to user dissatisfaction due to complex connection processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a wired video connection, like HDMI, to establish a network connection between presentation and display devices, where the presentation device requests information from the display device to connect via a network, allowing automatic network establishment without user selection of the display device, and sends video and user input data through separate connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual device selection and network setup procedures are used, then connection reliability is improved, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering available network connections through the wired video connection before user interaction. The presentation device queries the display device for network connection information, and the display device proactively provides available network interfaces, eliminating the need for manual network setup and device selection by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection establishment process is made self-service through automatic network connection selection and establishment. The system automatically identifies the appropriate network interface, initiates the connection handshake, and establishes the communication channel without requiring user intervention, while maintaining connection reliability through automated protocol handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automatic network connection establishment is implemented, then connection speed is improved, but security and connection accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidconnection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the presentation device receives confirmation from the display device about available network interfaces and connection status. This feedback loop allows the automatic connection establishment process to verify connection accuracy, select the appropriate network interface based on returned information, and ensure secure connection formation while maintaining high speed through automated workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If separate channels are used for video transmission and user input data, then communication efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into separate channels: one dedicated to video data transmission and another for user input data. This segmentation allows video content and interaction data to be transmitted simultaneously without interference, improving communication efficiency. The wired video connection carries video while the established network connection handles user input data, creating parallel communication paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wired video connection serves multiple functions: it provides the initial communication channel for device discovery, enables video transmission, and facilitates the establishment of the network connection for user input data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional cables or interfaces, managing system complexity while achieving efficient separate-channel communication.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3704861B1Networked user interface back channel discovery via wired video connection
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3704861B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704861B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3704861B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

In order to establish connections between a presentation device and a display device, the presentation device is plugged into the display device using a wired video connection. The presentation device sends to the display device via a wired video connection a request for information regarding how to connect to the display device via a network. The display device returns the requested information, and the presentation device uses the received information to establish a network connection to the display device. After establishing the network connection to the display device, the presentation device continues to send video to the display device via the wired video connection. The display device displays the video received from the presentation device, and also receives user inputs at the display device. Data describing these user inputs are sent to the presentation device via the network connection for processing.