Mapping Visual Display Screens to Touch Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in intuitively controlling content players with increasingly complex interactive user interfaces, especially when the display devices are not within reach, as traditional control interfaces like remote controls become cumbersome and less intuitive.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for mapping visual display screens to touch screens, where a content player transmits active region information to a portable touch screen device, allowing users to interact with simulated screen images, enabling intuitive control of content players from a distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional remote controls are used to control content players, then the control interface is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates when display devices are not within reach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated version of the visual display screen on the portable touch screen device, copying the layout, elements, and interactive regions of the original screen. This allows users to interact with a faithful reproduction of the display interface from a distance, maintaining intuitive control without requiring physical proximity to the actual display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable touch screen device serves as an intermediary between the user and the content player. It receives the simulated screen image and active region information from the content player, processes user touch inputs, and transmits control commands back to the content player, enabling remote interaction without direct connection to the display device.
2Ease of operation
If the display device is placed at a distance from the user, then the viewing experience is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the user cannot reach the display
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a portable copy of the display screen on a touch-enabled device, the system enables users to access and control the content player from any location. The simulated screen maintains all interactive elements and active regions, allowing full control functionality to be reproduced at a distance from the original display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the control interface from a fixed spatial location (the physical display device) to a portable dimension (mobile device that can be held or carried). This dimensional shift allows users to bring the control interface to themselves rather than reaching to the display, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining viewing distance.
3Ease of operation
If a simulated version of the screen image is presented on a portable touch screen device, then the ease of operation improves for remote control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content player is enhanced with multi-functionality, serving not only as a content delivery device but also as an active region information generator that identifies and transmits interactive element data. The portable touch screen device similarly performs multiple functions: displaying the simulated screen, detecting touch inputs, and communicating with the content player, thereby distributing complexity across existing device capabilities rather than requiring specialized dedicated components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A content player (401), such as a set top box or a tv receiver, transmits a screen image to a display. The screen image includes an active region, which is a portion that may be manipulated. The content player (401) determines active region information for the active region and transmits the information to a touch screen device (402). The touch screen device receives the active region information as well as information regarding any inactive regions, which are portions that may not be manipulated. The touch screen device utilizes the information to present a simulated version of the screen image on a touch screen (405b). The touch screen device may also receive manipulation information which it transmits to the content player (401). In response, the player generates and presents an updated version of the screen image, determines updated information, and transmits the updated information to the touch screen device (402) which can then utilize the updated information to present a simulated updated version of the screen image.