Remote Control Pointing Detection for Appliance Value Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal remote control systems are unable to distinguish between different domestic appliances, requiring multiple remote controls and dedicated buttons for each device, making it cumbersome for users to control various devices intuitively.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that uses a remote control with a pointing detection unit to identify devices via device identifiers, allowing users to perform 'copy' and 'paste' operations to transfer attribute values between devices, enabling intuitive control of multiple appliances with a single remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal remote control is used to control multiple domestic devices, then the number of remote controls needed is reduced, but the user must explicitly press dedicated buttons for each device which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control automatically detects which device the user is pointing at using a pointing detection unit (camera or sensor array) and retrieves device identifiers without requiring manual device selection. The system serves itself by automatically identifying the target device and establishing communication, eliminating the need for users to press dedicated device buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing interface with an optical/directional detection system. Instead of manually selecting devices through physical buttons, the system uses a camera or sensor array to detect the spatial orientation of the remote control and automatically identifies the targeted device based on its identifier (e.g., LED pattern, infrared signal), substituting mechanical interaction with optical field-based detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated buttons are provided for each domestic device on a universal remote control, then device control capability is improved, but the remote control complexity and button count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control uses a single set of function buttons that can control multiple different devices depending on which device is currently detected as the target. The same volume up button can increase volume on a television, adjust brightness on a monitor, or control audio output on a soundbar, eliminating the need for separate dedicated buttons for each device while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control's functionality dynamically adapts based on the detected target device. The system continuously monitors which device the user is pointing at and automatically configures the button functions to match the capabilities and current state of the targeted device, allowing the same physical buttons to serve multiple purposes depending on context.
3Ease of operation
If the remote control automatically detects the targeted device, then ease of operation is improved, but the system must handle diverse device types requiring value conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves as an intermediary between the remote control and diverse domestic appliances. It receives the first value from the source device, performs necessary format conversions based on the target device's requirements, and transmits the converted third value to the destination device. This mediator handles the complexity of value conversion, keeping the remote control simple while supporting diverse device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters including value formats, data structures, and communication protocols based on the identified source and target devices. The control device adapts parameter representations to match the specific requirements of each device type, enabling seamless value transfer between devices with different specifications without requiring the remote control to handle conversion complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device (130) for controlling a domestic appliance system (100) comprises: a first remote controllable device (110), a second remote controllable device (120) and a remote control (150). The remote control typically comprises a pointing detection unit (140) configured for identifying a remote controllable device (110, 120) at which the remote control is pointing (156, 156′). The remote control is configured for commanding a read in response to a user input commanding a copy while the user points the remote control at the first device and the remote control is configured for commanding a write in response to a user input commanding a paste while the user points the remote control at the second device. The control device comprises: a reception unit (310) configured for receiving a first value of the first device in response to the read; and a conversion unit (320) coupled to the reception unit configured for determining a third value based on the first value for replacing a value of the second device in response to the write for influencing the functioning of the second device. Hence the control device couples remote controllable devices of a domestic appliance system for providing the user with an intuitive drag and drop system for controlling these devices.