Wireless Media Guidance Remote Control for Mobile Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive media guidance applications running on stationary platforms prevent users from accessing media content and features when away from the device, and mobile implementations often restrict viewing of other media content.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communications device with a display and communication interfaces, such as a touch-screen remote or mobile phone, provides interactive media guidance functionality remotely, allowing users to access features like program guides, home shopping, and e-commerce applications while viewing media content, and can interface with and operate multiple devices simultaneously, and automatically determines the appropriate device to receive the command. The wireless communications device may include infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other suitable interface, and can be used as a remote control to operate user equipment devices simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If interactive media guidance applications are run on a stationary platform (set-top box), then the application functionality is stable and reliable, but users cannot access the features when away from the stationary platform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of media guidance featuresVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the media guidance application into two separate components: a server application running on the stationary set-top box that handles complex processing and data management, and a client application running on the mobile wireless device that provides the user interface and enables portability. This segmentation allows the application functionality to be accessed both at home and on-the-go.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the mobile wireless device and the set-top box, enabling the mobile device to function as a remote control and access media guidance features wirelessly. This intermediary connection resolves the contradiction by allowing the stationary platform's capabilities to be accessed from a mobile device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interactive media guidance applications are run on user equipment, then users can access features remotely, but other users are excluded from watching media content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidexclusion of other users

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The set-top box serves as an intermediary device that receives commands from the mobile wireless device and executes them while managing the media content delivery. This allows the mobile device to control and access media guidance features without preventing other users from watching content on the main display, as the set-top box coordinates resource allocation and content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless communications device provides full interactive media guidance functionality, then users can access features remotely, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote media guidance functionalityVSAvoidwireless device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system architecture segments functionality between a lightweight client application on the mobile device and a comprehensive server application on the set-top box. This allows the mobile device to provide remote access functionality without requiring full media guidance processing capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server application on the set-top box provides universal media guidance functionality that serves multiple clients and devices. This multi-functionality approach allows a single stationary platform to support multiple wireless devices, reducing the need for each individual device to be complex while maintaining comprehensive feature access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3825975B1Systems and methods for providing interactive media guidance on a wireless communications device

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 ADEIA GUIDES INC

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AI summary

A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment.