Remote Control Input Mapping for OTT App Launch Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for configuring controlling devices to manage home appliances are inefficient and require manual user interaction for setting up and troubleshooting, lacking seamless integration with OTT media devices and services.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes OTT media app data to configure input elements of a controlling device, automatically detecting and provisioning commands for OTT devices, and integrating voice assistance for appliance control and troubleshooting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input elements are hard-coded into the controlling device, then the device can perform specific functions, but the device complexity increases and adaptability to different surgical systems is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different surgical systemsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of input elements where the controlling device can load, store, and switch between different sets of input elements based on the connected surgical system. The configuration is not fixed but can be changed at runtime, allowing the same device to adapt to different surgical systems without hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling device is designed with universal input element sets that can work across multiple surgical systems. By implementing a standardized configuration mechanism, a single device can serve multiple functions with different surgical systems, eliminating the need for system-specific customizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the controlling device is configured for a specific surgical system, then it works well with that system, but it cannot be easily used with other surgical systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different surgical systemsVSAvoidease of configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-defines multiple complete sets of input elements that are configured in advance for different surgical systems. When a surgical system is connected, the appropriate pre-configured set is automatically loaded, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure each input element and reducing configuration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling device automatically detects which surgical system is connected and self-configures by loading the appropriate input element set without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The system serves itself by automatically adapting to the connected surgical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If input elements are customized for each surgical system, then optimal performance is achieved, but the device cannot be easily reconfigured for different systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidperformance optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of input element configuration from fixed to variable. Different sets of input elements with different parameters are stored, and the appropriate set is selected based on the connected surgical system, allowing optimal performance for each system while maintaining reconfigurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4226637B1System and method for configuring input elements of a controlling device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4226637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4226637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4226637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A configurable input element of a controlling device is configured by using a data representative of an over-the-top (OTT) media app determined to be installed on an OTT device and a data representative of the OTT device to identify at least one command that is required to be transmitted to cause the OTT device to launch the OTT media app. The at least one command is provisioned to the controlling device and assigned to the configurable input element. When the input element is subsequently activated, the controlling device will transmit the at least one command to cause the OTT device to launch the OTT media app.