Universal Remote Controller for Legacy RCOs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controlled objects (RCOs) lack standardization in remote control signals, making it impossible to integrate different RCOs from different manufacturers into a system or replace original controllers in case of loss or malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a database, a remote control signal sending unit, and controllers connected via standardized communication interfaces, which identifies RCOs using machine learning and sends appropriate remote control signals to control the RCOs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote control signals are not standardized and each manufacturer uses proprietary protocols, then each RCO can be precisely controlled by its original controller, but different RCOs from different manufacturers cannot be integrated into a unified system and original controllers cannot be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal controller as an intermediary device that translates between standardized control commands and manufacturer-specific remote control signals. This mediator contains a database of signal protocols for different RCO manufacturers and automatically selects and applies the appropriate protocol when controlling a specific RCO, enabling unified control without requiring each controller to know every proprietary protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The universal controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it can control different types of RCOs from various manufacturers, store multiple signal protocols, and adapt to different control scenarios. This multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized controllers, allowing one controller to serve many different RCOs through its built-in protocol library and automatic protocol selection capability
2Ease of repair
If proprietary remote control protocols are used for each manufacturer, then original controllers can precisely control their designated RCOs, but controller replacement becomes impossible when original controllers are lost or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller serves as a reliable intermediary that can replace original controllers when they are lost or malfunction. By storing multiple manufacturer-specific protocols, it ensures continuous control capability even when the original controller is unavailable, while maintaining precise control through protocol-specific signal generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of controller replaceability by implementing a universal controller with a configurable protocol database. When an original controller needs to be replaced, the universal controller loads the appropriate protocol from its database, allowing seamless replacement without losing control capability. This parameter change transforms the system from non-replaceable proprietary controllers to replaceable universal controllers
3Adaptability or versatility
If different physical transmission channels and modulation methods are used by different manufacturers, then each manufacturer can optimize their RCO performance, but universal control across different manufacturers becomes virtually impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of different transmission channels and modulation methods internally. It contains a protocol database that maps standardized commands to manufacturer-specific signal formats, including the appropriate transmission channel and modulation method for each target RCO, thereby enabling universal control without requiring the user to understand or manage the underlying transmission complexities
Data Source
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AI summary
System for controlling a remote controllable object, RCO, comprising a database configured to maintain remote control information regarding at least one RCO, wherein the remote control information comprises at least one remote control command of the RCO; a remote control signal sending unit configured to send at least one remote control signal comprised in the remote control command to at least one RCO via a remote control interface; a first controller operationally connected to the database, wherein the first controller is configured to retrieve the remote control information for an RCO from the database; and is configured to send remote control information via a first communication interface to a second controller; wherein the second controller is operationally connected to the remote control sending unit; and is configured to receive the remote control information from the first controller via the first communication interface; and is configured to send at least one remote control signal based on the remote control information to the RCO via the remote control interface.