AV Control System Network Interface Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing audio/video control systems face limitations in transmitting and receiving large amounts of information due to the restricted capacity of HDMI-CEC, making it difficult to provide an abundant interface or acquire information from remote control units.

Innovation Solution

An audio/video control system that includes a core device connected to a network, which collects and transfers device information via a digital audio/video interface to a portable terminal device, allowing for network communication and direct control of multiple audio/video devices using resolved network addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If HDMI-CEC interface is used for device communication, then device connectivity is established, but information transmission capacity is limited to 14 bytes or less per data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission capacityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication function into two segments: HDMI-CEC for basic device discovery and connectivity (14 bytes or less per data), and network interface for comprehensive information transmission. This segmentation allows each interface to handle its designated data types efficiently, resolving the contradiction between limited HDMI-CEC capacity and the need for abundant information exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a network interface as an intermediary between the portable terminal device and AV devices. This intermediary handles the information transmission burden, allowing the HDMI-CEC interface to maintain its simple connectivity function while the network interface provides abundant information exchange capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If remote control unit directly controls AV devices via HDMI-CEC, then control function is achieved, but ability to acquire and transmit large amount of information is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation acquisition capabilityVSAvoidcontrol operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network interface as an intermediary that enables the portable terminal device to acquire comprehensive information from AV devices and transmit control commands efficiently. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing both rich information acquisition capabilities and simple control operations through network-based communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the portable terminal device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the control unit and the information acquisition hub through network communication. This multi-functionality allows the terminal device to acquire large amounts of information from AV devices while maintaining ease of operation through a unified control interface.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If abundant interface information is provided to user, then user interaction capability is enhanced, but transmission difficulty increases due to HDMI-CEC limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface information abundanceVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information transmission function between HDMI-CEC (for basic device identification and connectivity) and network interface (for abundant interface information and detailed data exchange). This segmentation enables the system to provide abundant interface information to users while avoiding the transmission limitations of HDMI-CEC.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional HDMI-CEC communication to three-dimensional communication by adding network interface capability. This dimensional change enables the system to handle much larger data volumes and provide abundant interface information while maintaining backward compatibility with existing HDMI-CEC connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9813753B2Core device, audio/video control system, portable terminal device, audio/video control program, and audio/video control method
Publication Date: 2017.11.07 YAMAHA CORP
  • US9813753B2 patent drawing
  • US9813753B2 patent drawing
  • US9813753B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A core device that is connected to a network, and that is interconnected via a digital audio/video interface with audio/video devices that are connected to the network, provided with a collecting unit that collects interface-connected device information, including at least unique identification information, from the audio/video devices via the digital audio/video interface, and a transferring unit that transfers the interface-connected device information to a portable terminal device that is connected to the network.