Universal Remote Control Emulation via Image Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face clutter and confusion with multiple remote controls for various electronic devices, requiring a solution to simplify the control of multiple devices using a single interface.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single browser device, such as a cellular telephone with a display, communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device to identify and control multiple electronic devices using the HDMI-CEC protocol, displaying remote control layouts for user selection, and enabling IR code emulation to operate devices, allowing users to create custom hybrid remote controls through digital image recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple remote controls are used to control different electronic devices, then each device can be controlled with its dedicated remote, but the home becomes cluttered and it becomes confusing to remember which remote goes with which device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple remote control functions into a single universal remote control device. This master remote can control multiple electronic devices (television, DVD player, cable box, etc.) by storing and transmitting their respective control codes, thereby reducing the number of remotes from multiple to one while maintaining full control capability over all devices
Solution Approach 2:
The universal remote control is designed with multi-functionality to operate various types of electronic devices. It contains databases of control codes for different device types and manufacturers, and can adapt to control different devices through automated code detection or user programming, making a single device serve multiple purposes
2Device complexity
If a universal remote control is used to control multiple devices, then the number of remotes is reduced to one, but the remote control becomes more complex with multiple buttons and functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the original remote controls and displays them on a mobile device screen. Users can select which remote control layout they want to emulate, and the system generates a customized remote interface that copies the visual appearance and button layout of the original remote, making it familiar and easy to use despite being a universal controller
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control interface is made dynamic and reconfigurable. The mobile device can display different remote control layouts based on user selection, and the system can adapt the button functions and arrangements to match the selected original remote control, providing a customized experience for each device type
3Ease of operation
If the system displays images of multiple remote controls for user selection, then the user can choose the most familiar layout, but the process of selecting and configuring the remote becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-captures and stores images of various remote control layouts in its database before the user needs them. When the user wants to set up a new remote control, they can immediately view and select from pre-prepared images of familiar remote layouts, eliminating the need to manually create or search for appropriate button arrangements
Data Source
AI summary
A home entertainment device eliminates the need to use multiple remotes. The device is connected (by wired and/or wireless links) to electronic consumer devices (ECDs) to be controlled. A user uses a portable display device to view pages served by the device, and thereby to communicate with the device and indirectly control the ECDs. In a first aspect, a HDMI-CEC communication is used to identify a codeset from a codeset database. In a second aspect, the codeset of a remote is identified by serving pictures of remotes to the user. The user selects a picture and the system looks up its codeset. In a third aspect, keys on an illustration of a remote are dragged and dropped to create a new custom remote. In a fourth aspect, the user supplies a digital photograph of a remote. The system performs optical recognition and identifies the type of remote and its codeset.