IR Code Set Mapping for External Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying and controlling external electronic devices are cumbersome, often requiring multiple processes and affecting other processes, especially when devices lack identification information or use HDMI CEC and Infoframe, which are not universally applicable.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus that maps an infrared (IR) code set corresponding to an identified external device to a remote control apparatus, allowing for efficient identification and control through a stored database of IR code sets and communication protocols like Bluetooth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If HDMI CEC or Infoframe is used to identify external electronic devices, then device identification can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and affects other processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoididentification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the device identification function from complex protocols (HDMI CEC, Infoframe) and implements it through a dedicated infrared signal receiver that captures and processes remote control signals independently. This separates the identification process from other system functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component - the infrared signal receiver and processor - that mediates between the remote control and the electronic device. This intermediary captures remote control signals, processes them to identify the target device, and triggers appropriate functions without requiring direct complex communication protocols between devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If information about external electronic devices is extracted from video data, then device identification is possible, but many processes need to be executed which increases system load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice information retrievalVSAvoidsystem processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing device information and characteristics in a database before actual device connection. When a device is connected, the system quickly matches the infrared signal against pre-stored patterns rather than extracting and analyzing video data in real-time, significantly reducing processing load while maintaining accurate device identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a universal remote controller is used to control multiple devices, then control versatility is improved, but the remote controller becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control versatilityVSAvoidremote controller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the remote control system to automatically identify devices and configure control parameters without user intervention. The system autonomously captures infrared signals, processes them to identify target devices, and sets up appropriate control functions, making the remote controller versatile while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3357254B1Electronic apparatus and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3357254B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3357254B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP3357254B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a storage configured to store a plurality of IR code sets corresponding to a plurality of external electronic apparatuses, a communicator configured to perform communication with at least one of the plurality of external electronic apparatuses and a remote control apparatus, and a processor configured to, in response to an operation corresponding to a test code included in one of the plurality of IR code sets being performed in the external electronic apparatus, determine an IR code set including the test code as an IR code set corresponding to the external electronic apparatus, and transmit, to the remote control apparatus, a command to map the determined IR code set to the remote control apparatus.