Wireless Remote Control Universal Protocol Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems are limited in their ability to control multiple devices from different manufacturers and require line-of-sight or specific protocols, making them inflexible and inconvenient for controlling devices in a networked environment.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote control unit that connects to a network of devices, allowing for universal communication protocols and the ability to send commands to any networked device, with features like a display, jog dial, and memory for storing user preferences and interfaces, enabling control of various devices without direct line-of-sight and supporting multiple communication methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote control unit uses a fixed protocol for communicating with a controlled device, then the communication reliability between the remote control and the specific device is improved, but the adaptability to control multiple devices from different manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control unit is designed with multiple communication protocols stored in memory, allowing it to function with multiple different devices from various manufacturers. The protocol selection means enables the remote control to switch between different protocols as needed, making a single remote control unit universal rather than device-specific.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a remote control unit is programmed with multiple communication protocols to control devices from different manufacturers, then the adaptability to control multiple devices is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple communication protocols that would normally require separate remote control units are merged into a single remote control device. The protocol selection means combines multiple protocol sets in memory, allowing one remote control to replace multiple specialized remotes, reducing overall system complexity for the user.
3Device complexity
If remote control units use infra-red signals for communication, then the simplicity of the communication system is improved, but the requirement for line-of-sight between the remote control and the controlled device increases operational constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a network infrastructure as an intermediary between the remote control unit and the controlled device. The remote control communicates with the network, which then routes commands to the appropriate device, eliminating the need for direct line-of-sight communication while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network of devices with remote control includes a network interconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remote control unit for communicating with one or more of the networked devices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more of the networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlled with the remote control unit.