Multi-Function Buttons for Remote Control Navigation and Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote control devices for online media distribution services have a limited number of buttons, making it difficult to navigate on-screen user interfaces and control streaming media simultaneously without additional buttons.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-function buttons on remote control devices that can navigate the user interface and control streaming media content, allowing for both functionalities with a reduced button set by configuring buttons to perform multiple actions, such as navigating and playing media, and updating their functionalities through software downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If buttons are reduced in number to simplify the remote control device, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot simultaneously navigate user interface and control streaming media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-function buttons that can perform different operations based on the current context. When a user is navigating the user interface, the buttons control navigation; when media is playing, the same buttons control media playback. This allows a reduced number of buttons to provide both UI navigation and media control functionalities without requiring additional physical buttons.
2Ease of operation
If buttons are dedicated to specific functions (separate navigation buttons and media control buttons), then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring more buttons
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having separate dedicated buttons for navigation and media control, the patent uses universal buttons that adapt their function based on the current operational context. The buttons are programmed to respond differently depending on whether the system is in UI navigation mode or media playback mode, eliminating the need for separate button sets.
3Device complexity
If multi-function buttons are implemented to reduce button count, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because buttons must perform multiple functions that may conflict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic button functionality where the behavior of each button changes based on the current system state. The remote control device and media player work together to determine whether the user is navigating the UI or controlling media, and automatically adjust the button responses accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures that multi-function buttons provide consistent and reliable operation in each context without function conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and systems to enable display of media content, the apparatus includes: a remote control device; a button pad with a set of buttons for controlling a media player device wherein the set of buttons comprises at least a plurality of buttons to navigate an user interface on a display device, and to display streaming media content on the display device wherein the button pad is part of the remote control device, the button pad further includes: a first set of buttons ordinarily designated to navigate the user interface; and a second set of buttons ordinarily designated to play streaming media content wherein the second set of buttons further configured for use to navigate the user interface with the first set of buttons.