Relay Station for Gesture-Controlled Appliance Command Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable controlling devices lack the capability to directly communicate commands to consumer electronic appliances, especially those not in line of sight, due to limitations in wireless communication and device compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a network-connected relay station that receives control requests from a software application on a touch screen equipped personal communication or entertainment device and converts these requests into appliance-compatible infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) command transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a personal communication device is used to control appliances, then user interface capability and wireless connectivity are improved, but direct communication capability with appliances is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay station as an intermediary device that bridges the personal communication device and the appliance. The relay station receives control requests from the personal device via wireless network, converts them into appropriate infrared or radio frequency signals, and transmits them to the target appliance. This mediator enables communication between devices with incompatible protocols while preserving the advantages of each.
2Reliability
If infrared or radio frequency transmission is used for appliance control, then direct appliance compatibility is maintained, but line of sight requirement and device portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical line-of-sight requirement of traditional infrared remote controls with wireless network communication. The relay station receives control requests wirelessly through walls and obstacles, then converts them to infrared or radio frequency signals for appliance control. This substitution eliminates the need for direct visual contact between the controlling device and the appliance while maintaining reliable communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal remote control is used, then appliance control capability is provided, but device functionality and intelligence are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functional nature of personal communication devices that already possess wireless networking, processing power, display interfaces, and input capabilities. By installing a control application on such a device, it gains appliance control functionality without sacrificing its existing capabilities for communication, entertainment, and information access. The device becomes a universal controller that maintains its original intelligence and adds new functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust and high-quality user control of various consumer electronic appliances through a graphical user interface on touch screen devices, leveraging device-specific features like multi-point touch and gesture recognition, while overcoming line of sight and compatibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
a command relay device is provided which receives control request transmissions from a graphical user interface application loaded on a smartphone, via a wireless network, and issues control commands to the appliances in response
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.