Unified Pointer Control Across Adjacent Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when controlling multiple display devices with separate remote control devices, as they need to manage each device individually, leading to complexity and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A display device system that allows a single remote control device to control multiple display devices by displaying a pointer corresponding to the remote control's movement across multiple displays, enabling the system to determine the operation mode and coordinate the display of commands across connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If multiple display devices are connected to provide one piece of content through close contact, then screen size is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen sizeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple display devices are merged to form a single large display area by bringing them into close contact. The system combines the screens of multiple devices to provide one piece of content across the combined area, effectively increasing the usable screen size while maintaining individual device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single remote control device is designed to control multiple display devices simultaneously. The remote control establishes wireless connections with multiple display devices and can issue commands that are routed to the appropriate device based on pointer position, making one remote control universal for controlling the entire multi-device system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a remote control device is connected to each display device individually, then control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

One remote control device is made universal to control multiple display devices. The remote control maintains wireless connections with multiple display devices simultaneously and can selectively send commands to any connected device, eliminating the need for users to physically connect and switch between multiple remotes while maintaining reliable control of each individual device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a mediator mechanism where the remote control device sends commands to a first display device, which then determines whether to execute the command locally or forward it to another connected display device based on pointer position. This intermediary approach allows single-remote control of multiple devices while maintaining reliable device-specific control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pointer coordinate system is changed based on placement state, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pointer coordinate system is made dynamic and adaptable to different placement states of display devices. When display devices are arranged in different configurations (e.g., side-by-side, stacked), the system automatically adjusts the coordinate system to match the physical arrangement, allowing the pointer to accurately represent position across the combined display area regardless of orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the coordinate system parameters based on the detected placement state of display devices. By monitoring how devices are positioned and connected, the system modifies the coordinate transformation rules to accommodate different arrangements, enabling seamless pointer control across various multi-device configurations without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3182275B1Display device and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3182275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3182275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3182275B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device, which is connected to other display device and has one side surface closely contacting a side surface of the other display device, includes: a display unit configured to display at least a portion of a pointer corresponding to a movement of a remote control device; a communication unit configured to perform a connection with the other display device; and a control unit configured to control the pointer to be displayed on at least one of the display device and the other display device based on a placement state of the display device and the other display device and movement information received from the remote control device.