Remote Control Emulation via Dynamic Contextual GUI Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find it cumbersome to control set-top box devices due to the complexity of traditional remote controls, which often include numerous buttons that are not frequently used, making it difficult to locate and select the necessary buttons for specific operations.
Innovation Solution
A remote control emulation system that uses a mobile device to display an interactive graphical user interface, allowing users to emulate various user input devices by selectively positioning graphical depictions of feature sets within the interface, and dynamically switching between them based on touch gestures, enabling easy control of set-top box devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional remote control device includes a plethora of buttons to control all set-top box functions, then the device can perform all required operations, but the user interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote control interface into multiple contextual views or modes, where each view displays only the buttons and controls relevant to the current set-top box function being accessed. This segmentation allows comprehensive control functionality while maintaining simplicity in each individual view, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic remote control interface that automatically reconfigures the displayed buttons and controls based on the current operational context or selected function. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to transform from a static plethora of buttons to a context-aware simplified view, maintaining both comprehensive functionality and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional remote control includes many buttons for all possible operations, then all functions can be accessed, but the time required to locate and select the correct button increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing and pre-displaying only the relevant buttons and controls for the current function before the user needs them. The system anticipates the user's needs based on the current context and presents the appropriate controls in advance, eliminating the time required to search through unrelated buttons while maintaining comprehensive function coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the remote control interface responds to user actions by dynamically updating the displayed buttons based on the current state and selected function. This feedback loop ensures that the relevant controls are always visible and accessible, reducing the time to locate and select the correct button while maintaining access to all functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method includes a remote control emulation system directing a mobile device to display an emulation graphical user interface (“GUI”) on a display screen of the mobile device and directing the mobile device to emulate one or more user input devices by selectively positioning one or more interactive graphical depictions of one or more feature sets associated with the one or more user input devices within the emulation GUI. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.