Remote Control Antenna Orientation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control systems for multiple devices require complex user interactions and are prone to signal interference, especially when controlling specific functions of devices without direct line of sight.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device equipped with two spaced antennas to receive radio signals from a positioning device, determining its position and orientation to select the intended controllable device intuitively, using a control unit to send control signals via infrared, Bluetooth, or wireless local area network, and storing location information for seamless device control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a remote control device uses a single antenna to receive infrared signals, then the device structure is simple, but the control reliability deteriorates due to signal blocking by objects in the line of sight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna structureVSAvoidsignal reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single antenna into multiple antennas (at least two) arranged in a specific geometric pattern. This segmentation allows the system to receive signals from multiple directions simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of single-point reception and eliminating the blocking problem caused by objects in the line of sight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a remote control device controls a plurality of controllable devices without positioning information, then the control process is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex user interactions required to select the target device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection easeVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary positioning actions by having controllable devices send out positioning signals that the remote control device receives in advance. The control unit determines the position of the target device before control operations are performed, eliminating the need for complex user interactions during the control process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously receiving positioning signals from controllable devices and updating the position information. This feedback mechanism allows the remote control device to automatically track and identify the intended target device based on real-time positional data, simplifying the user interaction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the remote control device uses radio signals for positioning, then the positioning precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to signal transmission and processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsignal processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or manual positioning methods with radio signal-based positioning. The control unit determines the position of the target controllable device by processing radio signals, achieving high positioning precision through electronic signal analysis rather than mechanical measurement methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 intuitive and efficient control of multiple devices by detecting orientation and sending appropriate control signals, reducing the need for complex user interactions and minimizing signal interference.

Implementation Method 1

at least two antennas (34, 35) for receiving a radio signal from a same positioning device (20). The at least two antennas are arranged spaced apart from each other... depending on an arrangement of the positioning device in relation to the at least two antennas, the radio signal may be received at the at least two antennas at different points of time or there may be a phase shift between the radio signals detected at each of the at least two antennas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio signal reception and phase difference detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The sending unit may comprise for example an infrared sender, a Bluetooth interface or the wireless local area network interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation transmission: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a sending unit for sending a control signal... The radio signal sent from the positioning device is received simultaneously at the at least two antennas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3176766B1Remote controlling a plurality of controllable devices
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 SONY MOBILE COMM INC
  • EP3176766B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3176766B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present application relates to a remote control device (30) for controlling a plurality of controllable devices (11-15). The remote control device (30) comprises at least two spaced apart antennas (34, 35) for receiving a radio signal from a same positioning device (20), a sending unit (32) for sending a control signal, and a control unit (31). The control unit (31) is configured to determine a position information of the remote control device (30) in relation to the positioning device (20) based on the radio signal, to select a controllable device of the plurality of controllable devices (11-15) depending on the position information, and to send a control information for controlling the selected controllable device via the control signal with the sending unit (32) to the selected controllable device.