Wireless Remote Control for Unified Video and Internet Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote control systems for managing video-on-demand and digital services lack the capability to control analog and digital equipment, interface with various broadband mediums, and provide unified control for multiple services, leading to issues like channel confusion and continuous power consumption in devices like TIVO systems.
Innovation Solution
A wireless intelligent remote control system that communicates with a headend server via a gateway, enabling commands for video channel management, internet browsing, email display, and TIVO-like functions, while interfacing with various broadband transmission mediums like CATV, DSL, and satellite, using a PDA as a platform with RF or infrared links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate external satellite receiver is used for digital video reception, then the system can receive digital broadcasts, but the receiver must remain on continuously and causes channel confusion when controlled by multiple remotes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the satellite receiver functionality directly into the TIVO system unit, eliminating the need for a separate external receiver. This integration allows the system to turn off the receiver when not needed, reducing continuous power consumption while maintaining digital video reception capability through the unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated receiver serves multiple functions within the TIVO system, handling both digital satellite reception and working in coordination with the TIVO recording and playback functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control devices and reduces channel confusion by providing unified control through a single remote.
2Reliability
If an external satellite receiver is used with TIVO, then digital video can be received, but channel confusion occurs when the receiver's remote is used instead of TIVO's remote
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the satellite receiver and TIVO system into a single integrated unit, the patent eliminates the need for multiple remotes. The unified system provides consistent channel control through a single remote interface, preventing channel confusion that occurs when separate remotes control different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system provides universal control functionality, where the single remote can control all aspects of the system including digital satellite reception, channel selection, and TIVO recording functions. This eliminates the channel confusion problem by providing a unified control interface for all operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for video recording, internet browsing, and email, then each function can be performed, but the system complexity increases and unified control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate devices (video recorder, internet browser, email client) into a single integrated TIVO system. This consolidation provides unified control through one remote while maintaining all individual service functionalities, reducing system complexity while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The TIVO system is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions including video recording, internet browsing, and email management. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full service capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless control of video channels, internet browsing, and TIVO-like functions on a single device, reducing power consumption and eliminating channel confusion, by integrating video-on-demand ordering and digital service management within a unified platform.
Implementation Method 1
using a PDA as a platform with RF or infrared links
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wireless remote control of a gateway and ordering or invocation of services provided by a headend. The remote control includes a video display and user input device or keyboard and can decompress and display compressed streaming video in some embodiments. Some species of the remote control can act as web browsers, appliance control, TIVO function control, an IP telephony telephone, a cellular telephone and/or an MP3 player. In some embodiments, the gateway and/or headend can implement TIVO-like functions under control from a wireless remote of custom design or implemented on a Personal Digital Assistant.