Television Receiver Multiple Channel Recall Menu
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current television receivers are limited in their recall functionality, allowing users to only toggle between two channels, restricting their ability to easily access multiple previously viewed channels.
Innovation Solution
The television receiver stores multiple previously viewed channels and provides a selection menu that users can navigate through using a remote control, allowing users to select and toggle between any of the stored channels, with the option to modify the subset of channels displayed for easier access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the recall button toggles between two channels, then the operation is simple and device complexity is low, but the adaptability is limited and users cannot access multiple previously viewed channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel recall function into multiple independent recall slots (first recall channel, second recall channel, third recall channel, etc.), allowing each slot to store a different previously viewed channel. This segmentation enables users to access multiple channels independently rather than being limited to a single toggle between two channels, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The recall button is enhanced to provide multiple functions: it can toggle between the current channel and any of multiple stored recall channels, and users can modify which channels are stored in each recall slot. This multi-functionality allows a single button to serve as both a simple toggle and a complex channel selection interface, improving versatility without requiring separate buttons for each function.
2Ease of operation
If the recall button only toggles between two channels, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation is reduced when users need to access more than two channels
Solution Approach 1:
The recall interface is made dynamic by allowing users to modify which channels are stored in each recall slot during operation. Users can press and hold the recall button to cycle through and select different channels for storage, and the system automatically updates the recall slots based on viewing history. This dynamic adaptability enables easy access to multiple channels without requiring a complex pre-configured interface, improving ease of operation while keeping the device complexity manageable through automatic management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple previously viewed channels are stored and displayed in a selection menu, then the adaptability and ease of operation improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a selection menu that displays multiple recall channels, but users only need to perform a simple action (pressing the recall button) to access the most recent channel or cycle through options. The system provides more functionality than the minimum required (excessive action) by allowing access to multiple channels and modification of recall slots, but the basic operation remains simple (partial action), balancing improved adaptability with manageable device complexity through intuitive interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver. A television receiver stores multiple previously viewed channels for selective recall by a user. A television receiver outputs a selection menu that includes a plurality of previously viewed channels. A user selects one of the channels from the selection menu for viewing, and a tuner of the television receiver is commanded to output the selected channel.