Protocol Translation Delay for Remote Control Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Different electronic devices often use incompatible remote control protocols, leading to malfunctions when attempting to control devices that do not understand the protocol used by the remote control, resulting in unexpected behavior and unresponsiveness.

Innovation Solution

An intermediary device, such as a gaming console, translates commands from a remote control into a protocol understood by the target device, using a processing unit and microcontroller to decode, translate, and retransmit signals, ensuring the target device is in an active detection state before retransmitting commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If protocol translation is performed without delay, then response time is reduced, but the target device may be in an inactive detection state causing command failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand transmission delayVSAvoidcommand execution reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to check if the target device is in an active detection state before transmitting the translated command. If the device is inactive, the system waits for it to become active before transmission, ensuring the command will be received properly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the detection state of the target device and uses this feedback information to determine the optimal timing for command transmission. The microcontroller adjusts the transmission timing based on the real-time state of the target device's detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the microcontroller directly transmits commands without OS translation, then transmission speed is faster, but protocol incompatibility causes device malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand transmission speedVSAvoidprotocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The operating system acts as an intermediary between the microcontroller and the target device. It receives commands from the microcontroller, translates them into the appropriate protocol format for the target device, and then transmits the translated command. This mediator approach enables protocol compatibility while maintaining system integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3908011B1Protocol translation with delay
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3908011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3908011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3908011B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This document relates to protocol translation for remote control of various devices. One example is a technique that includes identifying a controlled device that has a controlled device communication protocol for controlling the controlled device. The technique also includes obtaining translation data that conveys translations of commands from another protocol into the controlled device protocol. The technique also includes configuring a delay for transmitting the translated commands, and performing translation between the another protocol and the controlled device protocol using the translation data and the configured delay.