Video Processing Apparatus for Universal IR Command Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing set-top boxes (STBs) are unable to communicate with digital recorders, such as personal video recorders (PVRs) or DVD players, as they can only send IR code commands with a VCR identity/preamble, limiting their functionality when users upgrade from analog VCRs to digital devices.
Innovation Solution
A video processing apparatus that can receive and convert both VCR and digital recorder IR code commands, allowing it to execute corresponding functions on digital recorders, such as turning on/off, recording, and playing, by using a command interpreter or programmed processor to map VCR commands into digital recorder commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an STB is designed to communicate only with VCR using VCR IR codes, then the STB can maintain simple command structure and compatibility with existing VCR systems, but the STB cannot communicate with digital recorders like PVR or DVD players
Solution Approach 1:
The STB is designed to perform multiple communication functions by incorporating both VCR IR code transmission and digital recorder command transmission capabilities. The system can identify the target device type and automatically select the appropriate communication protocol, enabling a single STB to control both analog VCRs and digital recorders without requiring separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary command conversion mechanism that translates VCR IR codes into digital recorder commands. This intermediary layer allows the STB to receive simple VCR commands from the user and automatically convert them into the appropriate digital recorder protocol, eliminating the need for the user to directly handle complex digital recorder command structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the STB upgrades to support digital recorder communication, then the STB gains compatibility with digital devices, but the STB can no longer natively execute VCR commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an intermediary command translation layer that automatically converts VCR IR codes into digital recorder commands. This intermediary mechanism preserves the simplicity of VCR command structure while enabling digital recorder compatibility, so users continue to interact with familiar VCR-like interfaces while the system handles the complexity of digital communication protocols in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The STB dynamically changes the command execution parameters based on the detected device type. When a digital recorder is detected, the system modifies the command transmission parameters to use digital recorder protocols instead of VCR protocols. This parameter adaptation allows the same hardware to serve different device types without requiring users to change their interaction method.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the STB uses a single IR code format for all devices, then the STB maintains simple command structure, but it cannot control devices requiring different IR code formats
Solution Approach 1:
The STB incorporates multi-functional IR code generation capabilities, allowing it to produce both VCR IR codes and digital recorder IR codes as needed. The system includes a device identification mechanism that detects whether the target device is a VCR or digital recorder, and automatically selects the appropriate IR code format for transmission, enabling a single STB to control diverse device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR code transmission system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The STB can switch between different IR code formats based on real-time detection of the target device type. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain simplicity in its base architecture while gaining the flexibility to communicate with multiple device types through automated protocol selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A recorder, method, device, and interpretation apparatus for executing code commands. The invention is a device which functions in response to code commands comprising: means to execute a function in response to a code command having a format for the device; and means to execute the function in response to a code command having a format for a different device. The invention is also a recorder comprising means to execute a first type of recorder function corresponding to a second type of recorder commands. In another aspect, the invention is a method of controlling a recorder comprising: receiving a second type of recorder command; mapping the second type of recorder command into a corresponding first type of recorder function; and executing the corresponding first type of recorder function. In yet another aspect, the invention is an interpretation apparatus for receiving a second type of recorder command and outputting a corresponding first type of recorder.