Touch-Sensitive Display for Programmable Multimedia Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia control systems lack an intuitive and efficient method for users to selectively connect and manage video input devices with video output display devices, limiting user flexibility in choosing content across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive display integrated with a programmable multimedia controller allows users to select and connect video input devices with video output display devices through touch-sensitive buttons, enabling the creation of communication paths and visual cues for current content, as well as broadcasting and swapping video signals across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional remote controls or keyboards are used to control video sources, then device connectivity is established, but user interface intuitiveness and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates visual copies of video content by displaying thumbnails or previews of video sources directly on the touch-sensitive display interface. Users can see what each source is playing before selecting it, eliminating the need to manually navigate through menus or press multiple buttons to identify content. This visual copying approach makes the interface more intuitive while maintaining simple control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive display serves as an intermediary between the user and the video sources. Instead of directly controlling devices with complex remote controls, users interact with visual representations on the touchscreen, which then translates these simple touches into appropriate control signals. This intermediary layer simplifies the user experience while managing the underlying system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video sources and display devices are connected, then system versatility improves, but user ability to manage and select content efficiently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control interface by presenting distinct visual options for each video source and display device combination. Instead of a single complex menu, the touchscreen displays organized segments showing available sources, current playback content, and target devices separately. This segmentation allows users to efficiently navigate and select content across multiple devices without being overwhelmed by a unified complex interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators such as color changes, highlights, or other visual cues on the touch-sensitive display to indicate which video source is currently playing, which devices are available, and the state of connections. These visual changes help users quickly identify and select content without requiring detailed menu navigation, improving efficiency when managing multiple sources and devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If video content is displayed on multiple devices simultaneously, then user flexibility improves, but system control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service content distribution by allowing users to simply touch the desired video source on the touchscreen interface, and the system automatically routes the content to appropriate display devices. The multimedia controller autonomously manages the signal routing, device selection, and content distribution without requiring users to configure complex settings or understand routing logic. This maintains high flexibility while keeping control simple for users.
Data Source
AI summary
The forgoing method, system, and apparatus relates to a touch sensitive display for use with a programmable multimedia controller. In the illustrative system, the user may select and designate a video input device to be implemented on a video output display device within the user's network of devices. The media input devices and output devices are selected by the user touching a touch sensitive button located on the display screen. To initiate an action the user touches, drags and drops a media input device button onto one or more video output display device buttons. Furthermore, when the user selects a media input device to be implemented on a video output display device, the user may also select a video signal source to apply to that media input device for a transaction. A live stream of what is playing on a given channel is provided on the screen.