Remote Control Special Mode for Standby Music Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home entertainment systems require users to physically return to the television to access and change music channels, which is inconvenient when the set-top box is in standby mode and not easily controllable from a different room.
Innovation Solution
A receiving device that assigns a remote-control device to a special mode, allowing it to exit standby and directly access music channels when commanded, while other remote-control devices can maintain normal functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the set-top box is placed in standby mode to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device becomes inaccessible for controlling music channels from a different room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality by creating a dedicated music mode that separates music channel control from the main television interface. This allows the set-top box to be controlled for music purposes even when in standby mode, resolving the contradiction by dividing the operational modes into distinct segments with different accessibility rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the music mode activation sequence involving specific button presses) that enables access to music channels without fully waking the set-top box from standby. This intermediary approach allows partial functionality while maintaining energy savings, bridging the gap between low power consumption and operational accessibility.
2Device complexity
If a single remote control is used for both television and music channel control, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for music channels deteriorates when the television is in standby mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the remote control's functionality dynamic by introducing mode-specific behavior. The same physical remote control changes its operational characteristics based on the activated mode (television mode vs. music mode), allowing it to provide different levels of accessibility for different functions without requiring multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the universality of the remote control by enabling it to perform both television and music channel control functions. Through the music mode activation sequence, a single remote control becomes multi-functional, capable of accessing music channels even when the main television interface is in standby, eliminating the need for separate controls.
3Ease of operation
If all remote controls have full access to all functions, then ease of operation is maximized, but the ability to restrict functionality for children or specific users is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct operational modes (television mode, music mode, limited mode) that assign different levels of access and functionality to the remote control. This allows specific functions to be enabled or restricted based on the current mode, providing adaptability for different user needs while maintaining ease of operation for permitted functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the remote control based on the activated mode. By modifying which functions are responsive to which button presses depending on the current mode (full access in television/music mode, restricted access in limited mode), the system achieves both ease of operation for authorized functions and adaptability for restriction scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving device may assign a remote-control device of the receiving device to a special mode by storing an association of an identifier unique to the remote-control device with the particular special mode. The receiving device may receive a command from the remote-control device and determine that there has been a special mode assigned to the remote-control device based on the stored association of the identifier unique to the remote-control device with the particular special mode. The receiving device will then interpret the command received from the remote-control device according to how commands are to be processed in the special mode. The receiving device having the remote-control device assigned to the special mode may cause the receiving device to execute a different command or process than it would have normally performed when receiving such a command from a remote-control device that is not assigned to the special mode.