Universal Remote On-Screen Display Mode Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Universal remote controls often cause user confusion due to unprogrammed modes, leading to non-responsiveness of devices and increased service calls, as users may inadvertently switch to unprogrammed or unrecognized modes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of on-screen displays (OSDs) on universal remote controls and set-top boxes to notify users of the current mode and provide programming options, using specific codes to differentiate between programmed and unprogrammed modes, allowing users to visually identify and correct mode settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a universal remote control is used to operate multiple devices, then the number of remote controls is reduced and device compatibility is improved, but user confusion increases due to unprogrammed modes and non-responsiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiduser confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback through on-screen displays that show the current mode of the remote control and whether it is programmed or unprogrammed. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the remote's state and make informed decisions about mode switching, thereby reducing confusion while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The on-screen display acts as an intermediary between the remote control and the user, providing clear visual information about the remote's operational state. This intermediary communication channel helps bridge the gap between the remote's internal mode settings and the user's understanding, reducing confusion without limiting device compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users can switch between multiple modes on a universal remote control, then the remote can operate different devices, but service calls increase due to inadvertent mode switching to unprogrammed modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidservice call frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying the remote control's mode status to the user before the user attempts to use the remote. This advance information allows users to verify that the remote is in the correct programmed mode before use, preventing non-responsiveness and reducing the need for service calls while maintaining mode switching capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the remote control provides detailed mode information to users, then user understanding is improved, but the complexity of the remote control interface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode information visibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system moves the information display from the physical remote control interface to the on-screen display dimension. This dimensional shift allows detailed mode information to be presented without adding physical complexity to the remote control itself, as the information is displayed on the television or monitor screen rather than on the remote's limited display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8531275B2Remote control mode on-screen displays and methods for producing the same

Publication Date: 2013.09.10 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control. An example method includes detecting a code from the remote control, comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes, and informing the user of the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code and/or that the current mode of the remote control is not programmed.