Universal Remote Controller with Image Projection for Multi-Device Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of separate remote controllers for various electronic devices causes user inconvenience, as existing solutions fail to provide a unified method for remotely controlling multiple devices efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A remote controller equipped with a transmitter, receiver, image projector, and input unit that uses reflective signals from devices to identify and project a remote control window for each device, allowing for unified control through image projection and button inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate remote controllers are used for each electronic device, then each device can be controlled reliably, but the number of controllers increases causing user inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal remote controller that can control multiple different electronic devices through image projection technology. The controller projects a remote control window onto the target device's display surface, allowing a single controller to perform functions previously requiring multiple dedicated controllers, thus resolving the contradiction between control reliability and user convenience

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image projection intermediary between the remote controller and the target device. By projecting the remote control window onto the device's display, it creates a new interaction medium that enables universal control while maintaining device-specific control accuracy, solving the contradiction between multi-device compatibility and reliable device control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple remote controllers are used for different devices, then each device receives dedicated control signals, but the complexity of managing multiple controllers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal accuracyVSAvoidcontroller management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple device-specific remote controllers into a single universal controller. By combining control capabilities for TV, air conditioner, audio equipment, and other devices into one unit with image projection technology, it reduces the number of controllers from multiple to one, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining control accuracy through device-specific reflection patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a universal remote controller is designed to control multiple devices, then user convenience improves, but the difficulty of identifying and controlling the correct device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller accessibilityVSAvoiddevice identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses different reflection patterns (analogous to visual codes) on different devices that the remote controller's camera can detect and identify. When the controller points at a device, it captures the reflection pattern, identifies the device type, and automatically switches to the appropriate control mode, making device identification intuitive and accurate while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the remote controller projects a test pattern onto the target device, captures the reflected pattern through its camera, and uses this feedback to automatically identify and confirm the target device. This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate device identification while keeping the operation simple for the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy and convenient remote control of multiple devices by projecting a control window and selecting items using a pointer, reducing the need for multiple controllers and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter to transmit a transmitting signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a receiver to receive a reflective signal from a first reflection pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

an image projector to project an image outward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3151211B1Remote controller capable of remotely controlling plurality of devices
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3151211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3151211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3151211B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a remote controller capable of remotely controlling a plurality of devices. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the remote controller includes a transmitter to transmit a transmitting signal, a receiver to receive a reflective signal from a first reflection pattern, an image projector to project an image outward, an input unit provided with a plurality of buttons, and a controller to perform a control operation to enter a remote control mode for a first device corresponding to the first reflection pattern based on the reflective signal from the first reflection pattern and to perform a control operation to project a remote control window for remote control of the first device outward through the image projector. Thereby, remote control may be performed based on image projection.