Mirror Image Overlay Controller for Appliance Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remote controllers for electronic appliances, such as television receivers, are inadequate for handling the complexity of modern devices with varied information handling methods and require cumbersome pointing operations, especially when controlling multiple networked devices.

Innovation Solution

A controller that uses a video camera to photograph the operator, converts the image into a mirror image, and overlays it with operational buttons on the display, allowing the operator to perform selecting operations by moving their hand on the display, which is detected to control the appliance accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional remote controller is used to control electronic appliances, then the appliance can be controlled, but the operation becomes troublesome and complex when dealing with multiple networked devices and various information handling methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to control various electronic appliances and networked devicesVSAvoidnumber of remote controllers required for multiple devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables a single display device to serve multiple functions: it displays information from various sources (television, Internet, storage media) and provides a unified touch interface for controlling all connected electronic appliances. This eliminates the need for separate remote controllers for each device, as the touch display can interact with any appliance through the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch display acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple electronic appliances. Instead of requiring direct remote control for each device, the display serves as a centralized interface that communicates with all networked appliances, simplifying the control architecture and user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a conventional remote controller is used for data broadcasting and EPG menus, then the appliance can be controlled, but the user must repeatedly manipulate multiple keys which is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of remote control operationVSAvoidtime required for multiple key manipulations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical key-based remote control system with a touch display interface. Users interact with graphical menus and information by touching the display screen directly, eliminating the need to repeatedly press physical keys for navigation and selection in data broadcasting and EPG menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface transitions from one-dimensional (linear key sequence) to two-dimensional (graphical touchscreen) interaction. Users can navigate menus and select items by touching different locations on the display screen, providing more intuitive and efficient control compared to sequential key presses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the size and capacity of the remote controller are expanded to cover variety of functions, then more functions can be controlled, but the device becomes more complex and harder to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of complicated functionsVSAvoidsize and capacity of remote controller

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding a single remote controller to handle all functions, the invention distributes control capabilities across multiple networked devices, each capable of displaying and controlling its own functions. The touch display on each device serves as its own control interface, eliminating the need for a monolithic controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control function is segmented and distributed to individual networked devices rather than consolidated in one remote controller. Each device manages its own control interface and communication, reducing the complexity of any single control device while maintaining overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7629959B2Controller for electronic appliance

Publication Date: 2009.12.08 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A controller controls an electronic appliance. The electronic appliance has a display. The controller employs a video camera to photograph an image of a user and converts the image into a mirror image. The controller generates an operational image including operation buttons, overlays the operational image on the user's image, and displays the images on the display. In the displayed images, the user moves his or her hand onto one of the displayed operation buttons and bends the fingers of the hand to select the operation button. This selecting operation is detected by a detector of the controller, and information about the selected operation button is supplied to a processing unit, which outputs control signals corresponding to the selected operation button.