Television Virtual Remote Control via Wireless Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controls in multi-unit environments, such as hotels and hospitals, have limited functionality and are costly to provide, necessitating an improved wireless solution that can control various amenities beyond traditional television settings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a television pairs with a wireless-enabled interactive device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to transmit virtual remote control functionality, allowing users to control amenities like lights, thermostat, and room services through a touch screen interface, eliminating the need for additional remote controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless remote controls are used in multi-unit environments, then basic television control is achieved, but functionality is limited and cost is high for enhanced features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of remote control functionality by projecting formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions including virtual buttons onto a user's existing display device. This allows the user device itself to serve as the remote control interface, eliminating the need for specialized physical remote controls with enhanced features while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables a single television device to serve multiple functions by pairing with various wireless-enabled user devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops). The television can control different amenities and provide different user experiences through the same hardware, making the system universally adaptable to different user needs and device types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high-functionality remote controls are provided in multi-unit environments, then control of multiple amenities is enabled, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing expensive physical remote controls with multiple amenities control capability, the system creates a virtual copy of the control interface on the user's existing device. The formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions including virtual buttons are transmitted to the user device, which then functions as the remote control, eliminating the need to purchase and distribute costly specialized remote controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the user's existing wireless-enabled device as the remote control interface. Rather than the hotel or multi-unit environment needing to provide specialized remote controls, the user utilizes their own device which they already possess, thereby eliminating the cost of providing additional remote controls while maintaining full amenity control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional remote controls are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but functionality for controlling multiple amenities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system projects a virtual remote control interface with formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions including virtual buttons onto the user's existing display device. This creates an enhanced interaction interface that supports control of multiple amenities while maintaining ease of use through the familiar touchscreen interface of the user's own device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a traditional two-dimensional physical remote control to a multi-dimensional virtual interface on the user device screen. The formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions can include visual feedback, multiple display orientations, and integration with the user device's existing interface elements, creating a more versatile and easier-to-use control experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A television and system and method for providing a remote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television includes a processor, a memory, a tuner, a panel, and an audio driver therein in an interconnected architecture. The television may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, such as a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device having a touch screen display, whereby formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions, including virtual buttons, may be transmitted to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device for display on the touch screen display to create an experience parallel to the experience on the television. The television receives and processes virtual remote control functionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control amenities associated with the television.