Electronic Device Automatic Configuration via Identification Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of manufacturing and maintaining set top boxes for televisions, as well as ensuring compatibility with various models and features, hinder the ability of TVs to receive diverse content beyond cable feeds or over-the-air content.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device configured to connect to a server and peripheral devices via a network, using protocols like HDMI, UPnP, and DLNA, which automatically configures itself based on identification data and geographic location to provide customized user interfaces, reducing the need for multiple device models and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a set top box is manufactured to provide additional content reception features, then the television can receive diverse content, but the manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The television device is designed to perform multiple functions by integrating both traditional cable/antenna reception and modern streaming content reception capabilities into a single device, eliminating the need for separate set top boxes and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of traditional TV reception and modern content streaming into a single integrated television device, merging previously separate systems (TV + set top box) into one unified platform that reduces overall system complexity and cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If different set top box models are produced for various television models, then feature compatibility is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal television device design is created that can accommodate multiple features and content sources through software configuration rather than hardware variation, allowing one device model to serve multiple television product lines
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses dynamic feature enablement where capabilities are activated or deactivated through software based on the specific television model and desired features, rather than requiring different hardware configurations for each model variant
3Loss of time
If configuration information is manually entered, then setup time is reduced, but user convenience and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The television device automatically performs configuration tasks by detecting connected devices and retrieving relevant information without requiring manual user input, making the system configure itself and eliminating the trade-off between setup time and user convenience
4Ease of manufacture
If a single device model is produced for all televisions, then manufacturing and inventory costs are reduced, but the ability to provide model-specific features decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single device model incorporates dynamic feature activation where specific capabilities are enabled or disabled through software configuration based on the television model, allowing one hardware design to serve multiple product lines with model-appropriate features
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters and enabled features based on detected television model characteristics, allowing the same hardware to adapt its behavior and capabilities to match the specific requirements of different TV models
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a peripheral device connection unit configured to connect to a peripheral device and to receive identification data for the peripheral device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine configuration information, wherein the configuration information is based at least on one of the identification data for the peripheral device or geographic location data for the electronic device, obtain a user interface selected from a plurality of user interfaces based at least partly on the configuration information, and automatically configure the electronic device based on the obtained user interface.