Motion-Controlled Video Remote for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often misplace or lose remote controls for electronic devices, and managing multiple remote controls for various devices can be cumbersome and costly, with existing solutions requiring programming and being difficult to use due to small buttons.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a wireless mobile device with a video capturing unit to establish a video call with a remote server, perform image recognition to identify the device, detect motion, and transmit control signals via the internet, allowing control of electronic devices through motion-based commands without the need for physical button pressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal remote control is provided to control multiple electronic devices, then the number of remote controls is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the mobile device automatically identifies electronic devices through image recognition and establishes control connections without requiring user programming. The user simply points the camera at the device, and the system handles device identification, control signal mapping, and connection establishment autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing interface with motion-based control through a camera system. Instead of physically pressing buttons on a remote control, users perform gestures with their mobile device that are captured by the camera and translated into control commands, eliminating the need for programming complex remote controls.
2Reliability
If traditional remote controls are used for each electronic device, then each device can be controlled reliably, but the quantity of remote controls becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a camera for device identification, a remote control for operation, and a communication interface for establishing connections. This single device replaces multiple specialized remote controls, reducing the quantity of control devices while maintaining reliable control through the same fundamental remote control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a server as an intermediary that facilitates communication between the mobile device and electronic devices. The server receives image data, performs recognition, manages control signal routing, and coordinates the interaction, enabling a single mobile device to control multiple electronic devices reliably through centralized mediation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote control buttons are made small to fit more functions, then more controls can be provided, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in finding and pressing correct buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional button layouts on a remote control to three-dimensional spatial gestures in the physical world. Users control devices by moving their mobile device in space (pointing, rotating, waving), converting the control interface from a cramped 2D button grid to an expansive 3D gesture space where controls are naturally large and easy to access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical button-pressing system with an optical recognition and motion-based control system. The camera captures visual information and user gestures, replacing the need for physical button interaction entirely. This eliminates the trade-off between button size and functionality, as controls are defined by gesture types rather than physical button dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method of controlling an electronic device (5) using a wireless mobile device (1) having a display (3), and video capturing unit (4), the method comprising successive steps of: establishing a video call between said mobile device and a remote server (6) such that said remote server receives video images captured by said mobile device; performing image recognition to identify an electronic device in said captured video; detecting motion of said video capturing unit; and transmitting a control signal to said electronic device based on the motion of the video capturing unit.