Universal Remote Control with Automated Visual Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current universal remote controls require complex programming procedures, often necessitating technical expertise and are time-consuming, as users must manually identify and input device types, leading to human error and increased complexity with multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A universal remote control with automated setup capabilities, capable of visually identifying peripheral devices from images, obtaining configuration information, and programming itself in the background, reducing user input and error, using a handheld device with image recognition, IR, RF, or Ethernet communication, and dynamically generating user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual programming procedure is used for universal remote control, then the remote can be programmed to control multiple devices, but the setup process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control automatically identifies devices and programs itself without requiring user input. The system performs self-configuration by capturing device information through the camera and autonomously completing the programming process, eliminating the need for manual device identification and code entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical programming operations with automated optical recognition. Instead of requiring users to manually input device information through buttons or interfaces, the system uses the camera to capture device identifiers and automatically retrieves programming information, substituting manual operations with automated vision-based recognition.
2Measurement precision
If manual device identification and input is required, then the remote can be programmed accurately, but the process becomes troublesome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual device identification with automated optical recognition using the camera. The camera captures images of device identifiers or labels, and the system automatically processes these images to identify the device, eliminating manual input operations while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated processing system between the user and the device programming process. The system acts as a mediator that automatically interprets captured images, retrieves device information, and completes programming without requiring the user to manually interpret or input data, thereby reducing errors and simplifying operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remotes are provided for different devices, then each device can be controlled specifically, but the number of remotes increases and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal remote control that can adapt to control multiple different devices through automated device identification and programming. The single remote contains the capability to control various device types by automatically configuring itself for each device, eliminating the need for multiple device-specific remotes while maintaining specialized control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functionality of multiple device-specific remotes into a single universal remote. By combining device identification, information retrieval, and programming capabilities into one device, the system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate remotes, simplifying management and reducing quantity.
4Ease of operation
If automated setup is implemented, then user input is minimized and errors are reduced, but the system must automatically identify and configure devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual device identification operations with automated optical recognition. The camera captures device identifiers, and the system automatically processes these images to identify and program the device, substituting manual input with automated vision-based recognition and configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control performs self-configuration by automatically identifying devices through camera capture and autonomously completing the programming process without requiring user input. The system serves itself by independently retrieving device information and configuring the appropriate control parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control of the present invention automatically identifies one or more peripheral devices which need to be programmed with the remote control. In some embodiments, the remote control is able to visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain the configuration information for the peripheral device, and program itself in the background according to the configuration information. These tasks are advantageously performed by the remote control, without user input. The remote control can be programmed to support a plurality of peripheral devices. When the remote control is used to control a peripheral device, the remote control will first present a selection list on the display screen. The selection list includes all the peripheral devices that the remote is communicatively coupled with. Upon the user selecting the desired peripheral device to be controlled, the remote control dynamically outputs a customized user interface associated with the selected peripheral device.