Smart Device Appliance Configuration via HDMI CEC Identity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing universal remote control apps for smart devices face challenges in conveniently and efficiently configuring command data and protocols for various appliances, requiring manual matching and setup processes that can be complex and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method for smart devices to temporarily connect to appliances to ascertain their identities, using HDMI and CEC protocols to determine appropriate command data and protocols, and optionally communicating with previously configured appliances to retrieve configuration settings, facilitating automated setup and configuration of command sequences and menu settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration of command data and protocols is used for each appliance, then the smart device can be configured to control multiple appliances, but the setup process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control multiple appliancesVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting appliances on the network, retrieving their command data and protocols, and setting up control parameters without requiring manual user input. The smart device independently queries appliance identities, matches them with appropriate command sets from the library, and configures itself to control multiple appliances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Command data and protocols for various appliances are pre-loaded into a local library on the smart device. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly match detected appliances with their corresponding control parameters without requiring real-time configuration or manual setup, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration of command data and protocols is used for each appliance, then the smart device can be configured to control multiple appliances, but the configuration process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control multiple appliancesVSAvoidconfiguration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs appliance detection, identification, and configuration without requiring manual user intervention. The smart device independently queries appliance identities on the network, retrieves their command data and protocols, and configures control parameters automatically, thereby eliminating the complexity of manual configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A local command library serves as an intermediary between the smart device and various appliances. This library contains pre-organized command data and protocols that automatically match detected appliances, simplifying the configuration process by eliminating the need for users to manually search and configure complex control parameters for each appliance type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a comprehensive command library is stored locally in the smart device, then the device can control various appliance types, but the device memory and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control various appliance typesVSAvoidmemory storage requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Command data and protocols for multiple appliance types are pre-loaded into a local library during device manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary action allows the smart device to quickly match detected appliances with their corresponding control parameters without requiring real-time configuration or manual setup, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically loads and unloads command sets from the local library based on detected appliance types. Rather than maintaining all possible command sets permanently in active memory, the system stores them in persistent storage and loads only the relevant parameters when needed, optimizing memory utilization while maintaining comprehensive appliance compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3254264B1System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3254264B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3254264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254264B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method used to configure a smart device to command functional operations of a target appliance. The smart device retrieves from a controllable appliance, such as a settop box, data indicative of a codeset identity of the target appliance wherein the codeset identity was determined during a process used to configure a conventional universal remote control to command functional operations of the target appliance and wherein the process used to configure the conventional universal remote control is performed in cooperation with the controllable appliance. A remote control application resident on the smart device then uses the data indicative of the codeset identity retrieved from the controllable appliance to also configure the smart device to command functional operations of the target appliance.