Media Channel Selection Using Alphanumeric Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in locating media channels due to the need to remember or search through numerous channel numbers, which vary across different media distribution systems, making it cumbersome to find desired channels.
Innovation Solution
A media control system processes numeric user inputs to identify alphabetic letters, allowing users to select media channel names instead of channel numbers, enabling easier channel navigation by associating numerals with letter sets and generating display signals to show available channels, allowing users to select their desired channel based on name.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate channels by channel number, then channel selection is straightforward when the number is known, but users must flip through hundreds of channels or scroll through program guides when the channel number is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary search system that translates natural language channel names into channel signals. Instead of directly navigating by channel number or manually searching through program guides, users can speak or input channel names, and the system mediates by interpreting these inputs and presenting matching channels for selection, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss
2Ease of operation
If the system displays all channel names for selection, then users can find channels by name, but the interface becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel selection process into multiple stages: first, the system receives a channel name input and identifies a set of candidate channels; second, it displays only those candidate channels that match the input criteria; third, the user selects from this filtered subset. This segmentation prevents the interface from displaying all channels at once, reducing complexity while maintaining search functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports thousands of different media channels, then channel variety is high, but users have difficulty remembering channel numbers and numbers vary across distribution systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to search for channels using familiar identifiers like channel names rather than requiring them to remember or look up channel numbers. The system serves itself by automatically managing the mapping between user-friendly identifiers and internal channel identifiers, eliminating the need for users to memorize varying channel numbers across different distribution systems while preserving access to thousands of channels
Data Source
AI summary
A media control system processes a numeric user input to identify a set of alphabetic letters. The media control system selects a plurality of media channel names based on the set of alphabetic letters. The media control system generates a first signal to drive a first display of the media channel names. The media control system processes additional user input to select one of the displayed media channel names. The media control system generates a second signal to drive a second display associated with a media channel identified by the selected one of the displayed media channel names.