Tethered Digital Butler Console Remote Architecture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a cost-effective and feature-rich consumer electronics system suitable for both developed and developing countries, as existing solutions like Treo and media center approaches are over-built and expensive, failing to provide a low-cost integrated system with novel features.
Innovation Solution
A tethered digital butler system comprising a communications and multi-media console with a wireless remote, featuring a fingerprint reader, camera, and low-cost components, allowing for telephone service, device control, and multimedia functionality, while being compatible with platforms like Windows, OS X, or Linux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-cost integrated consumer electronics system is provided, then affordability is improved, but device functionality and features are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a remote device and a console. The remote contains only essential communication and control functions, while the console provides advanced processing, multimedia capabilities, and storage. This segmentation allows the remote to be manufactured at low cost while the console handles complex functions, resolving the contradiction between affordability and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The console is designed to perform multiple functions including media playback, communication, fingerprint authentication, and device control. By consolidating diverse functions into a single universal console unit, the system achieves high versatility without requiring each component to be expensive, as the low-cost remote only needs basic control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing solutions like Treo and media center approaches are used, then device functionality is improved, but cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts expensive advanced functions from the remote device and places them in the console. The remote is stripped down to essential control functions only, while the console houses the processing power, media capabilities, and authentication systems. This extraction allows the remote to be affordable while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote device is designed as a low-cost, simple control unit that does not need to be expensive. By making the remote inexpensive and replacing it if lost or damaged, the system achieves affordability without sacrificing the ability to provide advanced features through the console.
3Device complexity
If a tethered system with console dependency is implemented, then system integration is improved, but device independence is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses wireless communication as an intermediary between the remote and console, allowing the remote to operate independently while maintaining connection to the console when needed. This mediator approach enables the remote to function as a standalone control device while still providing integrated system capabilities when paired with the console.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tethered digital butler consumer electronics product and method. The tethered digital butler, of a price and form factor suitable for consumer electronics markets of developed and developing countries, includes a communications and multi-media console and a wireless remote. The remote may resemble a handheld personal computer (HPC), a palm-held personal computer (PPC or PDA) or a smart phone, but has a low cost and feature set supported by the console that is novel in the consumer electronics market. In particular, this disclosure relates to combining telephone service, device control and, optionally, a fingerprint reader for easy user identification/authorization and personalization. As another option, a camera can be incorporated into the remote, thereby enabling video conferencing and other visual features. The remote may be packaged separately from a console and sold to interact with capabilities of a communications and multi-media console from a different source, such as one running on a Windows, OS X or Linux platform.