Remote Control GUI Layout With QR Setup Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control systems for smart devices lack user-friendly graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and efficient methods for configuring and transferring control data between devices, making it difficult to seamlessly control various appliances with different remote control layouts and protocols.

Innovation Solution

A smart device remote control app with a touch screen GUI that approximates the layout of original equipment remote controls, allowing scrolling and selection of appliances, along with a mini control panel for quick access to frequently used functions and the use of matrix barcodes like QR codes to rapidly configure and transfer configuration data between devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a full remote control GUI is displayed to provide complete control functionality, then control versatility is improved, but device screen real estate and user interface complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidscreen display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control interface is segmented into multiple functional areas: a mini control panel for frequently used functions, a full remote control GUI for complete control, and a matrix barcode display area. This segmentation allows different levels of control functionality to be presented based on user needs without overwhelming the limited screen space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension by allowing users to switch between mini control panel and full remote control GUI views. The matrix barcode adds another layer by enabling rapid configuration data transfer, effectively adding a z-dimension to the traditionally two-dimensional GUI space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a full remote control GUI is loaded to provide complete control functionality, then control versatility is improved, but loading time and interruption of current applications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mini control panel is pre-loaded and immediately available upon launching the remote control application, providing essential control functions without requiring the user to wait for the full remote control GUI to load. This preliminary provision of core functionality eliminates loading delays for frequently used controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of loading the complete remote control interface immediately, the system loads only the essential mini control panel functions first, then allows users to expand to the full GUI when needed. This partial loading approach reduces initial load time while maintaining access to complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If manual configuration of remote control settings is performed, then configuration accuracy is improved, but configuration time and user effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses matrix barcodes to copy configuration data between devices. A source device displays its configuration data as a matrix barcode, which can be captured by a target device's camera. This optical copying mechanism rapidly transfers complete configuration settings, eliminating manual configuration steps while ensuring accurate replication of the source device's settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If different remote control layouts for different appliances are provided, then appliance compatibility is improved, but interface complexity and selection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance compatibilityVSAvoidlayout selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service configuration through matrix barcode scanning. When a user points the device camera at an appliance, the system automatically captures the appliance's identification information, retrieves the appropriate remote control layout and configuration data, and configures the interface without requiring manual selection or configuration by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20230047899A1Graphical user interface and data transfer methods in a controlling device

Publication Date: 2023.02.16 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A smart device is provided with a main remote control application that may be configured using information. The main remote control application may present images of original remote controls corresponding to devices which are controllable by the configured main remote control application. In connection with a presented image of an original remote control, the display may present icons that are representative of a subset of the buttons of the original remote control. The user interface also allows a user to select amongst the images of the original remote controls to change which appliances are to be controlled via the user interface. A pop-up remote control widget may also be provided which may be invoked without switching to the main remote control application provisioned on the smart device.