Display Device GUI Switching via Single Remote Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for displaying and controlling graphical user interfaces (GUIs) between display devices and external connection devices require complex procedures, necessitating the use of both remote controllers to switch between GUIs, making it difficult to restore the display from an external connection device GUI to a display device GUI.

Innovation Solution

A display device and external connection device system that includes an operation input unit and a control unit capable of receiving operation codes, allowing the display device to restore its GUI from an external connection device GUI using a single remote controller by storing and retrieving screen page information, enabling simple operation code inputs to switch between GUIs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If both remote controllers dedicated to display device and external connection device are used to switch between GUIs, then the setting of displaying/non-displaying of GUIs can be performed, but the procedure becomes complicated and difficult to restore display from external connection device GUI to display device GUI

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of two separate remote controllers into a single remote controller dedicated to the display device. This single remote controller can now control both the display device and the external connection device, eliminating the need to switch between multiple remote controllers and simplifying the overall operation procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote controller dedicated to the display device is given universal control capabilities, allowing it to operate both the display device and the external connection device. This multi-functionality enables a single remote controller to handle all GUI switching operations, reducing procedural complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If remote controller dedicated to external connection device is used to erase GUI of external connection device, then the GUI can be restored, but it requires switching between remote controllers which complicates the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of restorationVSAvoidtime for switching remote controllers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the GUI erasure function and restoration capability into the remote controller dedicated to the display device. This single remote controller can now both switch to external connection device GUI and restore the display device GUI, eliminating the need to switch between remote controllers and reducing the time required for restoration operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If single remote controller dedicated to display device is used to display video signals from external connection device, then the procedure is simplified, but the setting of displaying/non-displaying of GUI of external connection device cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure complexityVSAvoidGUI control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The remote controller dedicated to the display device is enhanced with universal control capabilities, allowing it to not only display video signals from external connection devices but also to control the displaying/non-displaying of GUIs for both the display device and the external connection device. This maintains simplicity while adding versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The remote controller dedicated to the display device is designed to autonomously handle all control operations without requiring a separate remote controller for the external connection device. It can independently perform video signal switching, GUI display control, and restoration operations, making the system self-sufficient with a single remote controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1944962B1Display device, external connection device, and screen control method
Publication Date: 2013.10.16 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP1944962B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1944962B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP1944962B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided a display device, an external connection device and a screen control method which enable hiding GUIs of the external connection device and displaying GUIs of the display device by operating a remote controller dedicated to the display device. When an operation code for restoring the GUI display is inputted from a remote controller 121 dedicated to a display device 100 to a user operation input unit 103 while a display unit 107 of the display device 100 displays a GUI of an external connection device 200 after displaying a GUI of the display device 100, a control unit 101 controls a data processing unit 106 to create a GUI in order to display a GUI of the display device 100 on the display unit 107.