Paired Device Location via Network Broadcast Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in locating and identifying misplaced remote control units for set-top-boxes, as they often get lost or misplaced, leading to inconvenience and the need for time-consuming testing or expensive replacement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a user interface and network interface is developed to establish communication via a wireless network, allowing it to search for and identify paired devices using search commands, broadcasting through Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or RF4CE protocols to determine matching identifying information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users manually test each remote control to determine which one is paired to a specific STB, then they can identify the correct pairing, but this process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-based intermediary system that facilitates communication between remote controls and STBs. The system uses a network message broker and publish-subscribe model to enable automatic device discovery and identification, eliminating the need for manual testing while maintaining accurate pairing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where remote controls and STBs continuously broadcast and listen for identification messages on the network. When a device is located, the system provides feedback confirmation to the user, enabling quick and accurate device identification without time-consuming manual testing.
2Reliability
If users purchase a new paired remote control unit for a specific STB, then they can ensure proper functionality, but this can be expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables remote controls and STBs to automatically perform device discovery, identification, and re-pairing functions through the network. When a remote control is lost or misplaced, the system allows users to locate and re-pair existing remote controls or identify paired devices without needing to purchase replacement units, thereby maintaining functionality while avoiding replacement costs.
3Ease of operation
If remote control units are kept in the vicinity of their paired STB, then proper operation is maintained, but users may lose or misplace them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-based intermediary system that decouples the physical proximity requirement between remote controls and STBs. The system uses network communication to maintain the paired relationship, allowing remote controls to be located anywhere on the network while preserving their ability to control specific STBs, thus maintaining usability without requiring physical proximity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple STBs are located in different rooms of a household, then content accessibility is improved, but locating the correct remote control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements network-based feedback mechanisms where each STB and remote control continuously broadcasts identification information and listens for corresponding messages. This enables automatic device discovery and identification across multiple rooms, allowing users to easily locate and identify which remote control is paired with which STB without increasing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal network-based communication layer that works across multiple STBs and remote controls throughout the household. The system provides a unified device discovery and identification mechanism that functions consistently regardless of the number or location of devices, simplifying management while maintaining multi-room content accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium provide a function of locating and identifying a paired device in a wireless network. The wireless network communicatively connects a plurality of electronic devices including the electronic device and the paired device. The electronic device includes a user interface, a network interface, a hardware processor, and a non-transitory memory storing one or more programs. The hardware processor executes the programs to receive a search command using a first communication connection via the network interface. Moreover, the hardware processor executes the programs to determine whether the peer device identifying information matches identifying information of the electronic device. When the peer device identifying information matches the identifying information of the electronic device, the electronic device identifies as the paired device. Otherwise, the electronic device broadcasts to the wireless network using a second communication connection.