Remote Control Markup Language File Upgrade System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control devices lack the ability to seamlessly upgrade their functionality to control new appliances and provide customized user interfaces, limiting their versatility and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a markup language file to upload information to a remote server, allowing for the automatic display of user-selectable data files, including command codes and GUI elements, to upgrade the remote control application's capabilities, while also generating demographic data on consumer preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote control devices are manufactured with fixed functionality, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the device cannot control new appliances or provide customized user interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with a markup language file and upload mechanism during manufacturing, enabling future upgrades without adding complex hardware. This preliminary setup allows the device to later download and install command codes and GUI elements for new appliances, resolving the contradiction between fixed manufacturing and future adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device transitions from a static, fixed-functionality state to a dynamic, upgradeable state through the markup language file execution and data file download process. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its functionality over time while maintaining simple initial manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote control devices include comprehensive command codes for multiple appliances, then versatility is improved, but device memory size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the command code library from the device itself and relocates it to an external server. The device only stores a markup language file and minimal local data, while comprehensive command codes for multiple appliances are downloaded on-demand from the server, dramatically reducing the device's memory requirements while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
An external server acts as an intermediary between the device and the comprehensive command code library. The server stores and manages the extensive appliance data, while the device communicates with it to download only the specific command codes needed for controlling the user's appliances, eliminating the need for the device to store all possible command codes locally.
3Ease of operation
If users can manually configure remote control for each appliance, then customization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs appliance identification and configuration by executing the markup language file, which contains embedded appliance information. This self-service process eliminates the need for users to manually input appliance details, reducing setup complexity while preserving complete appliance identification information through automated data extraction and upload.
Solution Approach 2:
Appliance identification information is pre-embedded within the markup language file during device setup, eliminating the need for users to manually enter this information later. This preliminary capture of appliance data simplifies the user experience while ensuring complete and accurate appliance identification for future upgrades and control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device functionality is upgraded through downloads, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to download and installation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The markup language file is prepared in advance with all necessary appliance information and download instructions embedded. When executed, it automatically initiates the download process without requiring user configuration or manual intervention, significantly reducing the time and effort needed for functionality upgrades while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for upgrading remote control application resident on a device. To this end, a markup language file is created. The markup language file has a representation of information used to setup the remote control application to communicate with an appliance. The markup language file may be executed, on the device or an intermediate client with which the device is synchronized, to upload the representation of the information to a remote server. At the remote server, the uploaded information is used to automatically display user-selectable, downloadable data files relevant to the control of the appliance. Downloaded data files, which may include command codes and/or graphical user interface elements, may be used within the device to upgrade the ability of the remote control application to communicate with the appliance. The information uploaded to the server may also be used to generate demographic data regarding consumer preferences.