Remote Text Input via Communication Device Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices without keyboards face challenges in text input, with existing solutions being cumbersome, inconvenient, or requiring complex installations and maintenance, particularly for devices like TVs and set-top boxes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remote text input that uses a communication device, such as a smartphone, by sending a request for text input via an identifier, allowing users to input text using familiar methods without needing additional apps or complex installations, leveraging standardized communication paths and SMS or internet links for efficient text input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a display-based keyboard is used with direction keys and confirmation keys, then the remote control remains simple without additional keys, but text input becomes very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication device (smartphone) as an intermediary between the user and the electronic device. The smartphone's keyboard serves as a mediator that handles text input remotely, allowing the electronic device's remote control to remain simple while enabling efficient text input through the intermediary device's capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The text input function is segmented from the electronic device's remote control and transferred to a separate communication device. This segmentation allows the remote control to maintain simplicity while the communication device handles the complex text input operations, resolving the time-consuming issue.
2Productivity
If a QWERTY keyboard is connected wirelessly to the electronic device, then effective text input is provided, but the remote control becomes too complex and too big
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device acts as an intermediary that provides QWERTY keyboard functionality without being physically integrated into the remote control. This allows text input efficiency to be maintained while the remote control itself remains simple and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of integrating a physical QWERTY keyboard into the remote control, the patent uses a copy of the keyboard interface on the communication device's display. This virtual copy provides the same text input functionality without the physical complexity and size of a real keyboard.
3Volume of moving object
If the QWERTY keyboard is reduced in size, then the remote control size is reduced, but the trade-off between key size and remote control size arises
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device serves as an intermediary that hosts the full-sized QWERTY keyboard interface. This eliminates the need to reduce key size on the remote control itself, as the keyboard resides on the larger communication device where key size can be maintained at comfortable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard interface is moved from the two-dimensional surface of the remote control to the display dimension of the communication device. This dimensional transition allows the keyboard to be full-sized on the screen without constraining the physical dimensions of the remote control.
4Loss of information
If text input is displayed on the electronic device's display, then text can be viewed, but the user must constantly switch view between the distant display and the keyboard
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device serves as an intermediary that consolidates both the keyboard interface and the text input display on a single device. This eliminates the need for the user to switch views between separate devices, as both functions are available simultaneously on the communication device's screen.
5Ease of operation
If devices like smartphones are used as remote controls with text input capability, then familiar text input methods are available, but apps must be downloaded and installed for each electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal text input system that works across different electronic devices through standardized communication protocols. The communication device can serve multiple electronic devices without requiring device-specific applications, as the system uses universal SMS and internet communication methods that work with any electronic device having a communication interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service text input where the electronic device itself provides the text input capability through its communication interface. The communication device uses its existing messaging and internet capabilities to input text into the electronic device, eliminating the need for separate applications and leveraging the communication device's inherent services.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, electronic device, and system for remote text input in the electronic device are provided. A display signal may be outputted in the electronic device, displaying a text field for inputting text (e.g., by the user of the electronic device). A request for text input may be sent from the electronic device to another device (e.g., a communication device) which may be addressed by an identifier of the other device (e.g., a SIM of the communication device). The electronic device may then receive the requested text input from the other device (e.g., once the user of the other device enters the requested text).