Television Hardware Upgrades Through External Add-In Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices, such as televisions, are limited to software updates and cannot connect to new physical protocols, decode certain streams requiring more processing power, or add new features due to outdated hardware.
Innovation Solution
The technology allows for upgrading existing display device hardware components by replacing or augmenting them with external hardware components, such as add-in cards or sticks, and implementing an application programming interface (API) to control the new hardware, along with a new or upgraded Operating System (OS), and utilizing Hardware and Peripheral Abstraction Layers (HAL and PAL) to reroute messages and data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware components are upgraded by adding external components (add-in cards, sticks), then adaptability and functionality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested hardware components where add-in cards and sticks are inserted into existing television chassis, creating a nested structure. The external hardware components are housed within the television's internal space, allowing upgrade functionality while maintaining a compact form factor. The abstraction layers are also nested within the existing software architecture, integrating new functionality without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hardware abstraction layers (HAL) and peripheral abstraction layers (PAL) as intermediary software components between the operating system and physical hardware. These abstraction layers mediate communication between legacy software and new hardware components, allowing the system to interact with upgraded hardware through standardized interfaces while hiding the complexity of hardware-specific implementations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new hardware components are added to enable new protocols and features, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic hardware detection and configuration where the system automatically identifies added hardware components, loads appropriate drivers, and configures settings without requiring manual user intervention. The abstraction layers automatically manage communication between the operating system and new hardware, handling protocol translation and data routing transparently. This self-configuration capability maintains ease of operation while enabling enhanced functionality.
3Productivity
If hardware components are replaced or augmented with external components, then performance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the television system into modular components: the base television unit and separate upgradeable hardware modules (add-in cards, sticks). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standardized interfaces, reducing the precision requirements for integrating multiple high-precision components. The modular design enables performance improvement through component replacement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for upgrading one or more display device hardware components. In one embodiment, as new television hardware components become available, the technology described herein allows replacement of original hardware components by external hardware components implemented as an add-in card, stick or equivalent circuitry and operational instructions. In some embodiments, the technology described herein may implement an application programming interface (API) that exposes hardware of a new external device communicatively coupled to the display device (e.g., television) to take control of one or more components of an existing internal system. Various interface technologies, such as HDMI and USB, may be used to connect the external hardware to the internal systems.