Set-Top Box Camera Visual Input for Rich Data Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite television systems rely on expensive set-top boxes with limited input capabilities, primarily using infrared remote controls for command transmission, which are inadequate for handling data-rich inputs, resulting in a suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable data-rich inputs from client devices to control a server through a local area network by communicating audio-video streams and remote user interfaces, allowing for memory allocation and data transmission, thereby enhancing user interaction and experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If infrared remote control is used for command transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but input data richness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical infrared remote control system with a camera-based visual input system. The camera captures visual data (images or video) that contains rich information about user intent, object identification, and contextual data, substituting the limited infrared signal transmission with data-rich visual input that can be processed by the set-top box to derive control commands.
2Quantity of substance
If set-top box with memory is used for each television, then content storage capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the set-top box multi-functional by equipping it with both storage capabilities and camera-based visual processing capabilities. The same set-top box that stores content also captures and processes visual input from the camera, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system cost while maintaining enhanced functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If camera-based visual input is used, then user interaction capability is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the set-top box continuously capture and buffer visual data from the camera before actual interaction is needed. The captured images or video frames are stored in memory, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and process relevant visual data when interaction is required, reducing real-time processing demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portions of captured visual data. Rather than analyzing entire video streams continuously, the system captures excess data and selectively processes specific frames or regions that contain relevant interaction information, such as identifying pressed buttons or recognized objects, thereby reducing overall data processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a communication system includes a local area network, a client device and a server device in communication with the client device through the local area network. The server device communicates an audio-video stream and a remote user interface to the client device through the local area network. The client receives an input signal and communicates an allocate memory signal requesting the server device to allocate memory in response to the input signal. The server device allocates memory for receiving data corresponding to the input signal in response to the allocate memory signal to form allocated memory. The client device communicates the data signal corresponding to the input signal to the server device. The server device stores data from the data signal in the allocated memory and communicates a response to the client device based on the data signal.