Bi-Modal Button Arrangement for Compact Portable DTV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable digital television devices face space constraints in accommodating navigation and interactive application buttons, requiring either extensive physical space or a separate remote control, as they typically need at least ten buttons for both functions.
Innovation Solution
A navigational button arrangement with bi-modal operation, utilizing five buttons with multi-color LEDs and a mode button to switch between navigational and interactive application modes, allowing the same buttons to serve both purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable DTV provides separate physical buttons for navigation and interactive applications, then the device can support both functions, but the physical space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same five physical buttons to serve dual purposes: navigation mode for traversing EPG/menu and interactive application mode for executing application functions. The button arrangement switches between these modes using a mode button, allowing one set of buttons to perform the work of what would traditionally require ten separate buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the button functionality changeable rather than fixed. The button arrangement dynamically reconfigures its behavior based on the selected mode (navigational or interactive application mode), allowing the same physical buttons to have different functions at different times.
2Area of moving object
If a portable DTV uses five buttons for bi-modal operation, then the physical space is reduced, but the complexity of mode switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the button arrangement into two functional groups: five shared buttons that change function based on mode, and one dedicated mode button for switching between navigational and interactive application modes. This segmentation allows clear separation of concerns while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes through multi-color LEDs associated with each button to visually indicate the current mode and available functions. In navigational mode, buttons display one color scheme, while in interactive application mode, they display different color schemes corresponding to their application-specific functions, providing intuitive visual feedback without adding physical complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the physical space required for the user interface, enabling a more compact portable DTV design while maintaining functionality for both navigation and interactive applications.
Implementation Method 1
five multi-color light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (one LED associated with each of the five buttons of the navigational button arrangement)
Data Source
AI summary
A portable digital television (DTV) comprises a processor and a navigational button arrangement. The processor of the portable DTV controls the navigational button arrangement to have at least a bi-modal operation. In one mode of operation, the navigational button arrangement provides a navigational interface to a user and, in another mode of operation, the navigational button arrangement provides an interactive application interface to the user.