Widget Execution Device for Television via Mobile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television systems lack the ability to efficiently display and interact with widgets, as they require expensive upgrades and are limited by proprietary systems, excluding many users without internet access or compatible devices.
Innovation Solution
A widget execution device connected to a television via a mobile terminal, allowing wireless identification, download, and remote control of widgets using a control application, leveraging mobile technology for connectivity and reducing hardware costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a proprietary television system with embedded Internet gateway circuitry is used to display widgets, then widget functionality is available on television, but the cost of the television increases significantly and compatibility is limited to proprietary widgets only
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a standalone widget execution device (widget box) connected to the television via HDMI or similar interface, and a separate mobile terminal for remote control. This segmentation allows the television to remain simple while the widget box provides all necessary widget execution capabilities, supporting multiple widget types without requiring proprietary television hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The widget execution device is designed to execute multiple types of widgets (weather, news, stock market, etc.) through a universal execution environment that supports standard widget formats. The mobile terminal serves as a universal remote control that can manage any widget on any television, eliminating the need for proprietary widget formats and enabling broad compatibility across different television models.
2Ease of operation
If a computer with Internet access is used to view widgets, then widget functionality is available, but the access time is slow due to boot-up requirements and not all users have computer access
Solution Approach 1:
The widget execution device is designed to be continuously powered and ready, automatically executing widgets without requiring boot-up sequences. The device manages its own operation, maintaining persistent Internet connectivity and widget execution readiness, eliminating the need for users to power on or configure additional hardware. This provides instant widget access similar to having a computer already running, but without the complexity of computer operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If embedded Internet gateway circuitry is added to televisions to enable widget display, then widgets can be displayed on television, but the manufacturing cost and purchase price of televisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Internet gateway circuitry and widget execution capabilities are extracted from the television and placed in a separate, standalone widget execution device. This allows televisions to remain simple display devices without expensive embedded Internet gateways, while the widget box provides all necessary Internet connectivity and widget execution functions. Users can connect the widget box to any television via standard interfaces, enabling widget display without modifying television manufacturing processes.
4Reliability
If proprietary AQUOSTM system widgets are used on AQUOSTM televisions, then widgets are compatible with the television system, but the number and type of available widgets are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile terminal application serves as an intermediary between the user and the widget execution device. The application on the mobile terminal communicates with the widget box via wireless connection, allowing users to select from a wide variety of widgets on their smartphone and download them to the widget box. This intermediary approach enables the widget box to support diverse widget types while maintaining reliable execution through a standardized interface, expanding widget variety beyond what would be possible with proprietary television-only solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a widget execution device configured for use with a television includes: using a control application on a mobile terminal to wirelessly identify one or more widgets in a data network environment, such that the one or more widgets are suitable for download to the widget execution device; and using the control application to cause the download of the one or more widgets to the widget execution device. The method may involve identifying the one or more widgets on a remote server, the remote server being in communicable relation with the widget execution device; and causing the download of the one or more widgets by selecting the one or more widgets.