Remote Control Signal Translation for Touch Applications on Non-Touch TVs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Android-based TVs struggle to execute touch-screen mobile applications without modification, as existing mirroring methods are inefficient, requiring Wi-Fi, potentially losing internet connection, and tying up the mobile device, which can lead to application failures and device crashes.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that translate key entry signals from a remote control without a touch-sensitive surface into corresponding touch signals, allowing Android-based TVs to execute touch-screen applications directly, even on non-touch sensitive displays, by using a processor to receive and translate signals into touch commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mirroring is used to display mobile device UI on TV, then touch application can be displayed on non-touch TV, but Wi-Fi connection is required and Internet connection may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to run touch applications on non-touch TVVSAvoidInternet connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A remote control device serves as an intermediary between the user and the TV interface. The remote control receives user inputs and translates them into touch signals that are sent to the TV, eliminating the need for mirroring and Wi-Fi connection while maintaining the ability to interact with touch applications on a non-touch display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mirroring is used to display mobile device UI on TV, then touch application can be displayed on non-touch TV, but mobile device is tied up and cannot be used for incoming calls or texts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to run touch applications on non-touch TVVSAvoidmobile device availability for other functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch interaction functionality is extracted from the mobile device and implemented separately through the remote control device. This allows the mobile device to remain fully functional for calls, texts, and other purposes while the TV independently handles touch application interactions through the remote control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mirroring is used to display mobile device UI on TV, then touch application can be displayed on non-touch TV, but TV may lose wireless access point information requiring re-input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to run touch applications on non-touch TVVSAvoidWi-Fi configuration requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for Wi-Fi mirroring connections. By translating remote control inputs directly into touch signals on the TV, the system avoids complex Wi-Fi configuration and maintains stable operation without losing access point information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If mirroring is used to display mobile device UI on TV, then touch application can be displayed on non-touch TV, but TV software may lock-up requiring re-boot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to run touch applications on non-touch TVVSAvoidTV software stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device serves as a stable intermediary that communicates with the TV through reliable protocols. This approach avoids the instability and lock-up issues associated with mirroring, as the remote control translates inputs into touch signals without requiring the TV to maintain a complex mirroring connection that can cause software lock-ups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Adaptability or versatility

If mirroring is used to display mobile device UI on TV, then touch application can be displayed on non-touch TV, but mobile device may crash requiring re-start

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to run touch applications on non-touch TVVSAvoidmobile device stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch interaction functionality is extracted from the mobile device and handled independently by the remote control device. This separation eliminates the crashes and instability issues that occur during mirroring, as the mobile device no longer needs to maintain the mirroring connection and can operate independently while the TV handles the touch interface through the remote control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9807444B2Running touch screen applications on display device not having touch capability using a remote controller not having any touch sensitive surface

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 SATURN LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A TV without a touch screen can nonetheless execute applications designed for mobile devices that assume a touch screen user interface (UI) by a “dumb” remote control with up/down, left/right, select buttons, or by a remote control with a touch pad, or by a remote control application running on a mobile device with a touch screen that communicates with the TV. In all three scenarios, the TV recognizes that it is running in a special remote control mode and with a corresponding remote control application running on the TV that is able to intercept key presses and finger swipes and translate them to touch screen commands that are input to a touch screen-enabled software application running on the TV.