Transition-Based Controller for Consumer Electronics Activity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activity-based control systems for consumer electronics rely on tracking device states, which can lead to inaccuracies and require user intervention for resynchronization, especially when assumptions about device states are incorrect.
Innovation Solution
A transition-based controller that generates pre-defined sequences of commands to transition multiple consumer electronics devices between user experiences without relying on the current state of the devices, using a finite state machine to identify device configurations and define necessary commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional state-tracking approach is used for activity-based control, then device state can be monitored and controlled, but the system becomes unreliable when IR signals are blocked or assumptions about device state are incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the state-tracking function from the control system by introducing a separate sensor that directly detects device state. This allows the control system to operate independently of complex state modeling, reducing reliance on potentially incorrect assumptions about device state while maintaining control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to directly detect actual device state and feed this information back to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to correct any discrepancies between expected and actual device state, improving reliability without requiring complex state tracking algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are used to detect device state, then accurate state information can be obtained, but the system becomes problematic for detecting current device input state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a sensor system that can detect multiple types of device states (power state, input state, etc.) through a single integrated approach. This allows the system to accurately detect various device states without requiring separate specialized sensors for each state type, maintaining both precision and versatility.
3Ease of operation
If discrete commands independent of device state are used, then control simplicity is improved, but these commands are not always available for all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediaries between the control system and devices. These sensors provide accurate state information that enables the system to adapt its commands to different device states, allowing simple control operations to work effectively across diverse devices without requiring device-specific complex command sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for activity-based control of multiple consumer electronic devices independent of a state of the consumer electronic devices. In an embodiment a remote control apparatus for controlling consumer electronic devices includes a user interface, a consumer electronic device interface, a transition-based controller and control logic. The transition-based controller generates transition commands to control multiple consumer electronic devices independent of keeping track of state information. A transition command includes a pre-defined sequence of consumer electronic device commands that can be transmitted to transition the consumer electronic devices from one user experience to another. A method for activity-based control of multiple consumer electronic devices independent of a state of the consumer electronic devices is also provided.