Touchscreen Remote Control for TV Interface Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces, such as those using keyboards and mice, are not well-suited for television viewing environments, where users may be seated far from the screen, leading to readability issues and inefficiencies in interacting with computer-based applications like web browsing and email management.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a display server and client devices with touchpads or touchscreens, utilizing Virtual Network Computing (VNC) for image rendering and user input, with GPU-assisted zooming and panning capabilities to improve image manipulation and interaction, allowing for convenient resizing and navigation of text and images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional keyboard and mouse interfaces are used for television viewing, then basic control functions are available, but readability and interaction efficiency deteriorate due to increased distance from the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a touchscreen display that overlays interactive elements directly on the television screen, adding a new dimensional layer of interaction. This allows users to interact with the content at the same visual plane rather than requiring separate control devices, thereby improving readability and interaction efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a remote control device with a touchscreen display that acts as an intermediary between the user and the television system. This intermediary provides a simplified interface with visual feedback, allowing users to navigate and interact with content remotely while maintaining ease of operation despite the distance from the main screen
2Ease of operation
If a touchpad control device is used instead of a remote control, then ease of navigation improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a remote control device that integrates multiple functions including touchscreen display, touchpad navigation, and television control capabilities into a single universal device. This multi-functional approach improves navigation ease while avoiding the need for separate specialized devices, thereby controlling overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of a traditional remote control with those of a touchpad and touchscreen display into a single integrated device. This merging of functions provides enhanced navigation capabilities while consolidating hardware complexity rather than multiplying it through multiple separate devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If interactive applications are implemented in television viewing settings, then functionality improves, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a touchscreen display on the remote control that replicates or copies the television screen interface, allowing interactive applications to be accessed and controlled remotely. This copying approach enables full application functionality without requiring expensive additional hardware at the television end, as the interactive capabilities are mirrored on the more affordable remote device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for conveying and reproducing images for use with interactive applications is described. The system includes one or more application modules producing images for a display, and a display server for deriving encoded representations of the images and forwarding them to one or more clients. The client includes one or more user input devices such as a touchpad or touchscreen, and forwards information derived from the data received from these devices to the display server. The information is also used locally to modify reconstructed images derived from the encoded image representations received from the display server. The modified reconstructed images are displayed on a video screen.