Channel Scanning Speed Control for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital multichannel broadcasting systems are inconvenient for users as they require numerous key inputs and operations to navigate to a desired channel, even with features like favorite channels, due to the need for direct manipulation of keys or use of electronic program guides.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that allows users to quickly scan and select favorite channels using only the channel up/down buttons, reducing the need for numerical inputs or EPG navigation by determining favorite channels based on viewing history and adjusting channel scanning speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users directly manipulate keys to shift channels from first channel number to last channel number, then users can obtain program information and shift to desired channel, but users need to perform numerous key inputs and operations which is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel shifting operationVSAvoidtime to shift to desired channel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines and stores favorite channels based on user viewing history in advance. When a user presses the channel up/down button, the system quickly shifts to these pre-determined favorite channels without requiring manual navigation through all channels, thus reducing both operational steps and time required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically analyzes viewing history and determines favorite channels without requiring explicit user input or manual configuration. The system serves itself by autonomously identifying which channels the user prefers based on their watching patterns, eliminating the need for users to manually set up favorite channel lists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If users use electronic program guide to change to desired channel, then users can access program information, but users need to enter EPG and perform additional operations which increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram information accessVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential function of accessing favorite channels from the complex EPG system. Instead of requiring users to navigate through the entire EPG interface, the system directly provides access to predetermined favorite channels based on viewing history, extracting and delivering only the necessary information without the operational complexity of full EPG navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system scans all channels from first to last channel number, then users can access any channel, but the time to determine a channel increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access coverageVSAvoidchannel determination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different scanning speeds to different channel ranges. When scanning through channels, the system moves quickly through non-favorite channels and slows down when approaching favorite channels or when the user is actively navigating. This local variation in scanning speed allows comprehensive channel coverage while minimizing the time required for channel determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3342170B1Electronic device and method of scanning channels in electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3342170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3342170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3342170B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electronic device includes a detector configured to detect a user input and a controller configured to determine a favorite channel group according to a user's viewing history, scan channels in response to detecting an input of a control signal corresponding to a channel shift button for a predetermined time, and decrease a channel shift speed in a favorite channel group section corresponding to the determined favorite channel group and increase the channel shift speed in a section other than the favorite channel group section.