Universal Remote Controller for Heterogeneous Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controllers face limitations in controlling multiple heterogeneous devices due to restrictions on communication protocols and memory capacity, making it difficult to manage various electronic devices connected to multimedia systems without manual user input.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid remote controller system that uses a multimedia device to display guide messages, receive and map remote control signals, and transmit corresponding IR codes to external devices, allowing control of multiple devices under different communication protocols with minimized memory usage and enabling user-friendly editing of virtual remote controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single remote controller is used to control multiple heterogeneous devices, then the number of remote controllers is reduced, but the memory capacity required to store all IR codes increases beyond practical limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the remote control system into two parts: a universal remote controller that handles communication with the multimedia device, and the multimedia device itself that stores and manages the IR codes for various electronic devices. This segmentation allows the remote controller to remain simple with minimal memory while the multimedia device handles the complexity of storing multiple device codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The multimedia device acts as an intermediary between the universal remote controller and the electronic devices. Instead of the remote controller directly storing and transmitting IR codes for multiple devices, the remote controller communicates with the multimedia device, which then retrieves and transmits the appropriate IR codes to the target electronic devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal remote controller stores all IR codes for different devices, then all devices can be controlled, but the device becomes difficult to implement due to limited memory capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the IR code storage function from the remote controller and places it in the multimedia device. The remote controller only needs to store minimal information for communicating with the multimedia device, while the extensive IR code databases are stored externally in the multimedia device's memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The multimedia device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the target for remote control signals, stores databases for multiple electronic devices, processes signal mappings, and acts as a relay to transmit appropriate IR codes to different electronic devices based on the universal remote controller's input.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous devices are controlled using different communication protocols, then device compatibility is achieved, but the remote controller cannot support multiple protocols simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The multimedia device serves as a protocol translation intermediary. The universal remote controller uses a single communication protocol to communicate with the multimedia device, which then translates these commands into the appropriate IR codes or protocols required by the target electronic devices, supporting multiple protocols without requiring the remote controller to handle them all.
Data Source
AI summary
A multimedia device and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which heterogeneous devices are controlled under at least two different communication protocols. The present invention includes displaying a guide message for controlling at least one function of the electronic device, receiving a remote control signal corresponding to a 1st function among the at least one function from a 1st remote controller of the electronic device, saving data for identifying the 1st function and the received remote control signal in a memory by mapping the data and the received remote control signal to each other, displaying a graphic image including the data for identifying the 1st function, if the data for identifying the 1st function is selected by a 2nd remote controller of the multimedia device, extracting the remote control signal mapped to the 1st function, and transmitting the extracted remote control signal to an external device.