Remote Control Discovery Information Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to discover and program universal remote control devices to control a large number of different electronic consumer devices due to the numerous codesets used, making it difficult to identify the correct codeset identifier and manage device compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where remote control devices can transmit remote control discovery information, including codeset identifiers, device information, and other relevant data, wirelessly to a receiver, allowing easy identification and programming of universal remote controls by processing this information through an online central database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal remote control device stores hundreds of codesets in a codeset database to control a large number of different electronic consumer devices, then the adaptability of the remote control device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a receiver as an intermediary device that stores the codeset database and handles codeset selection. The remote control device only needs to communicate with the receiver, which manages the complexity of storing and retrieving appropriate codesets. This separates the adaptability function (handled by the receiver with its database) from the remote control device, reducing its complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the codeset database and management functions from the remote control device and places them in a separate receiver device. The remote control device now only needs to transmit operational signals, while the receiver handles the complex task of selecting and interpreting the correct codeset from its database, thereby reducing the complexity of the remote control device.
2Ease of operation
If the remote control device transmits detailed discovery information including codeset identifiers and device information wirelessly, then the ease of operation for programming is improved, but the loss of information increases due to wireless transmission constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential discovery information (codeset identifier and basic device information) that needs to be transmitted wirelessly from the complete set of possible information. The receiver, having access to the comprehensive codeset database, can retrieve additional detailed information locally without requiring it to be transmitted over the wireless channel, thus minimizing information loss while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver acts as an intermediary that compensates for the limitations of wireless transmission. It receives the condensed discovery information and uses its local database to fill in any gaps or retrieve additional details, ensuring that no critical information is lost despite the constraints of wireless communication bandwidth and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A set top box receives from a remote control device one or more of a codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information. The set top box then causes information representative of the received codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information to be displayed in a display device associated with the set top box.