Wireless Control Device for Seamless Media Search and Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote controls require users to constantly switch between the remote and the screen, leading to inconvenient interaction with television systems and media sources, especially when searching and selecting media, as they lack a seamless and intuitive interface for controlling media selection and delivery.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a touch-sensitive screen and processing circuitry that communicates wirelessly with television systems and media sources, allowing users to select and search for media directly on the device, which can then display or play the selected content, and supports transcoding to adapt formats for both the television and the control device screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional remote control is used to search and select media, then the user can control the television system, but the user must constantly switch between the remote and the screen, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the media search interface and control functionality into the television screen itself, merging the display function with the control interface function. Users can directly interact with media guides, search results, and playback controls displayed on the television screen, eliminating the need to constantly reference a separate remote control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a media guide interface as an intermediary between the user and the media sources. This media guide is displayed on the television screen and provides structured access to media content, enabling users to search, browse, and select media without directly manipulating remote control buttons while simultaneously viewing the interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a personal computer with a screen is used for media search, then the user can browse media catalogs, but the screen is bulky and cannot be moved easily, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the television serve multiple functions: it acts as both the display device for media content and the control interface for media selection and search. The television screen displays media guides, search results, and playback controls, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices like personal computers or specialized media players with screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the media search and control interface from separate dedicated devices (like personal computers) and integrates it directly into the television system. This extraction of the interface function from a bulky separate device and its placement within the television achieves portability while maintaining full media browsing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple media sources are used to provide supplemental video, then the user has more media options, but the user cannot view content not available with the media source, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the media source's content catalog within the media guide displayed on the television screen. This virtual catalog provides users with access to and control over media content without requiring physical connection or direct interaction with the original media source device, enabling content access across different media sources through a unified interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device for interacting with a television system. At least one module is adapted to receive a user input identifying a video selection. The at least one module may also be adapted to search for video information corresponding to the video selection. The at least one module may, for example, be adapted to search in any or all media sources to which the control device is directly or indirectly communicatively coupled. The control device may be adapted to interact with the Internet. In such case, the at least one module may, for example, be adapted to browse the Internet using any standard Internet browsing tool. The at least one module may further be adapted to transmit a control signal adapted to cause display of the video information on the television system. The at least one module may additionally be adapted to display the video information.