Centralized Content Output Apparatus for Multi-Device Playback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content output apparatuses, such as television receivers, require users to manually select and switch input signals between multiple connected AV devices, making the process inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A content output apparatus with a control unit, storage unit, signal input/output units, and a communication unit that identifies and communicates with connected content playback devices to streamline the selection and playback process, allowing users to select content from a unified interface without individual device manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AV apparatuses are connected to a television receiver, then the system can support diverse content sources, but the user must manually switch input signals and manipulate each device separately
Solution Approach 1:
The television receiver acts as an intermediary device that centralizes control over multiple AV apparatuses. The communication unit establishes communication with connected devices, and the control unit coordinates their operation, allowing users to control all devices through a single interface rather than manipulating each device separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The television receiver is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a display device and a central control hub. The control unit can identify connected AV apparatuses, manage their playback functions, and switch input signals automatically, making the television receiver a universal control platform for diverse content sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the television receiver manually switches input signals, then each AV apparatus can be controlled independently, but the user needs to perform repeated manipulation for each content playback
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary identification of connected AV apparatuses through the communication unit. By pre-establishing communication and identifying available devices before content playback is requested, the system prepares the control environment in advance, eliminating the need for repeated manual switching and device selection during actual content playback.
3Ease of operation
If the user selects content from individual AV apparatuses, then each device can display its own content list, but the user cannot view and select from all content in a unified interface
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit merges content lists from multiple AV apparatuses into a unified content selection interface on the television receiver. By consolidating content information from all connected devices through the communication unit, users can browse and select content from all sources in one place rather than switching between individual device interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
In a content output apparatus which is connected to at least one content playback apparatus, lists of content which are respectively reproducible by the connected content playback apparatuses are acquired. When the acquired lists of the content are output in order for a user to select any of the listed content, the content playback apparatus capable of playing back the selected content is specified, and a playback instruction signal for instructing the specified content playback apparatus to play back the selected content is output so as to output a signal which is pertinent to the content played back by the content playback apparatus. As a result, the content output apparatus is more convenient to use.