Remote Control Audible Input Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control devices often struggle to provide effective feedback to users in environments where visual markings are difficult to discern, such as in dark rooms, leading to challenges in identifying input components and their functions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that generates unique audible signals for each input component on the remote control device, allowing users to identify inputs through sound, which can be produced by the remote control device or the associated electronic device, enhancing usability in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual markings are used on remote control inputs, then users can identify input functions in well-lit environments, but users cannot discern the markings in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual markings (optical information) with audible signals (acoustic information) for identifying remote control inputs. Each input component is associated with a unique audible signal that plays when the component is activated, allowing users to identify which input they pressed through sound rather than sight. This substitution eliminates the need for visual markings and enables operation in dark environments.
2Ease of operation
If audible signals are added to the remote control, then input identification is improved in dark environments, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electronic device being controlled serve multiple functions: it not only executes remote control commands but also generates and plays audible signals to help the user identify which input was pressed. By utilizing the electronic device's existing audio capabilities (speaker, audio output), the system avoids adding dedicated audio generation hardware to the remote control, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still providing audible feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.