Multi-Tuner Terminal Device for Seamless Video Source Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart TV and similar devices lack the ability to fully utilize their capabilities when used as remote controllers, providing an insufficient user experience due to limitations in controlling multiple video sources and channels.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device with multiple tuners and a communication unit that allows for switching between video sources, enabling seamless video transitions and channel changes through touch input operations, allowing for intuitive control and full utilization of device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal device uses a common remote control method with virtual buttons, then the device can control the smart TV, but the user experience is insufficient and the device capabilities are not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device is equipped with multiple tuners that can simultaneously receive and decode multiple video sources. The device can display videos from different tuners on its own display unit while also transmitting selected videos to external display devices, enabling the terminal to function as both a standalone video player and a remote control, thereby fully utilizing its multi-tuner capabilities beyond traditional remote control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit dynamically selects which tuner outputs to display locally and which to transmit to external devices based on user input. The system can switch between different video sources and adjust the distribution of video outputs in real-time, providing adaptive and flexible operation that enhances both versatility and ease of use
2Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device displays and transmits multiple video sources simultaneously, then full utilization of device capabilities is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device divides its multiple tuners into distinct functional groups, with each tuner independently receiving and decoding video sources. The processing unit segments the video outputs by selecting which tuner outputs to display locally versus transmitting to external devices, managing complexity through organized separation of functions
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that manages the complex interactions between multiple tuners, display units, and communication units. It coordinates the selection and routing of video signals, simplifying the overall system complexity by centralizing control logic in a dedicated processing component
Data Source
AI summary
A first terminal device and a video display control method are described. The first terminal device includes at least two tuners configured to receive and decode a video; a first display unit configured to display video or image; a first communication unit configured to communicate with a second terminal device; and a first processing unit configured to control the at least two tuners, the first display unit and the first communication unit. The first processing unit chooses one of the at least two tuners as a primary tuner, and displays a first video of the primary tuner on the first display unit, and the first processing unit sets the other tuner of the at least two tuners as slave tuner, and transmits a video of the slave tuner to the second terminal device through the first communication unit so as to be displayed by the second terminal device.