Wireless Media Guidance Remote Control for Cross-Device Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media guidance applications running on stationary platforms prevent users from accessing media content and interactive features when away from the device, limiting flexibility and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communications device with a display, such as a touch-screen remote or mobile phone, provides interactive media guidance application functionality remotely, allowing users to access media content and interactive features while viewing media content on other devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If media guidance applications run on stationary platforms, then application functionality is provided, but users cannot access features when away from the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of media guidance featuresVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The media guidance application is segmented into two parts: a server-based component that hosts the application logic and data, and a client component that runs on portable devices. This segmentation allows the application functionality to be separated from the stationary platform, enabling users to access media guidance features remotely through portable devices while the core application remains on the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If media guidance applications run on user equipment, then interactive features are provided, but other users cannot watch media content simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive functionalityVSAvoidsimultaneous media content access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between multiple user equipment devices and the media guidance application. The server hosts the application and manages multiple user connections, allowing different users to access the same interactive media guidance features simultaneously through their respective devices without interfering with each other's ability to view media content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless communications device provides remote access to media guidance, then user mobility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex application logic and data management functions are extracted from the portable device and placed on the server. The portable device only needs to run a lightweight client application that communicates with the server, significantly reducing the complexity of the portable device while maintaining full access to media guidance features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4418665B1Systems and methods for providing interactive media guidance on a wireless communications device

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ADEIA GUIDES INC

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AI summary

A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment.