Application-Dependent Remote Control Interface Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional universal remote controls require users to manually switch between devices and lack application-specific control interfaces, necessitating multiple remote controls for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device and method that dynamically displays application-dependent control frames by detecting the primary application and retrieving configuration information to generate and display user interfaces tailored to the application's state, allowing seamless switching between applications while retaining previous settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single universal remote control is used to control multiple devices, then device compatibility is improved, but the user interface becomes generic and lacks application-specific control options
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control dynamically changes its user interface based on the detected application or device type. The system transitions from a static, generic interface to a dynamic one that adapts its layout, buttons, and controls according to the target application, providing context-relevant controls while maintaining broad device compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control modifies its operational parameters including button functions, control schemes, and interface layout based on the detected application. By changing these parameters dynamically, the single remote can provide application-specific control experiences for different devices without requiring multiple specialized remotes
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between devices is implemented, then device control capability is improved, but user time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system performs automatic device detection and interface adaptation without requiring manual intervention. The system services itself by automatically identifying the target device, retrieving appropriate control configurations, and switching interfaces autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually switch between device modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from device detection and application identification to automatically determine the appropriate control interface. By continuously monitoring device status and user interactions, the remote control adapts its behavior and switching decisions based on real-time feedback, reducing manual switching operations
3Ease of operation
If application-specific remote controls are used for each application, then user interface relevance is improved, but device complexity and quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal remote control that performs multiple functions by dynamically adapting its interface. Instead of requiring separate specialized remotes for different applications, a single multi-functional device provides application-specific controls through software-based interface adaptation, reducing the total number of devices needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functionality of multiple application-specific remote controls into a single device. By combining device detection, configuration retrieval, and dynamic interface generation capabilities into one remote control, the system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments provide a system and method for configuring remote control devices to display application dependent control frames of a remote control user interface. A digital receiver runs a plurality of applications at the receiver device. The digital receiver detects a switch command. The switch command causes a background application to become a primary application, whereby the primary application is the application in focus on a display device. The digital receiver switches the background application into the primary application, the switching causing a previous primary application to become a new background application. The digital receiver retrieves, from a settings datastore, configuration information for remote control settings corresponding to the primary application, and causes, based on the configuration information for the remote control settings, a remote control frame corresponding to the primary application to replace, on a display of the remote control device, a remote control frame corresponding to the previous primary application.