Universal Remote Target Selection by Wireless Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple display and media devices with separate remote controls leads to physical clutter, user confusion, and frustration due to the need to remember which device controls which function.
Innovation Solution
A single remote-control device identifies and controls multiple multimedia devices based on wireless signal strength and sensor data, such as gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer, allowing independent control of each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate remote controls are used for multiple display and media devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but physical clutter increases and user confusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple remote control functions into a single universal remote control device. This remote can control multiple display and media devices by receiving wireless signals from each device, determining signal strengths, identifying target devices based on signal strength comparison, and selecting appropriate communication formats. This merging approach eliminates the need for multiple separate remotes, reducing physical clutter while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device is designed with universal functionality to control different types of multimedia devices. It can receive wireless signals from various devices, adapt to different communication formats (such as infrared, radio frequency, Bluetooth), and selectively control the identified target device. This multi-functionality allows one remote to replace multiple device-specific remotes.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate remote controls are used for multiple display and media devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but user confusion and frustration increase due to the need to remember which device controls which function
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device automatically identifies the target multimedia device by comparing wireless signal strengths from multiple devices without requiring user input or memory. The system self-determines which device the user intends to control based on which device's signal is strongest, eliminating the need for users to remember which remote controls which device.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control continuously receives wireless signals from multiple multimedia devices and uses the signal strength feedback to automatically identify the target device. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the remote to adapt to the user's intended target without requiring the user to manually select or remember device associations.
3Device complexity
If a single remote control device controls multiple multimedia devices based on wireless signal strength, then physical clutter is reduced and user confusion is minimized, but the system must accurately identify and select the correct target device
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device uses signal strength as a variable parameter to identify the target multimedia device. By comparing the strength of wireless signals received from multiple devices, the system dynamically determines which device the user intends to control. This parameter-based identification method provides accurate target selection without requiring complex user input or manual device pairing.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the disclosed technology provide solutions for controlling multiple displays (e.g., multiple display devices, multiple displays on a media device, etc.) using a remote-control device. An example method can include receiving, at a remote-control device, a first wireless signal from a first multimedia device and determining a first signal strength of the first wireless signal. The method includes receiving, at the remote-control device, a second wireless signal from a second multimedia device and determining a second signal strength of the second wireless signal. The method also can include identifying a target multimedia device among the first multimedia device and the second multimedia device based on the first signal strength and the second signal strength and selecting a wireless communication format for communication between the remote-control device and the target multimedia device.