Project 91: Easy and intuitive remote control demo

Background and motivation
Number of remote controllers of CE devices like TVs, set-top boxes and Hi-Fi equipment is so large that people are looking for universal remote controllers. Other problem is that people can't find the remote controller, especially when visiting some other place. Universal remote controllers are difficult to use because they try to map device-specific functions to its own buttons or graphical user interface. This project develops easy-to-use universal remote controller based on a touch screen mobile phone.

Project goal
Develop solutions and demonstrate easy and intuitive remote control from a mobile phone to CE devices like TV, set-top box etc. Mobile phone equipped with a touch screen displays an image of the physical remote controller normally used to control a particular CE device. User can press the virtual buttons of the remote controller on the touch screen. Now user can use a mobile phone to control CE devices exactly the same way as using dedicated remote controller which is typically the best designed to control that device. All occasional users are more familiar to use this rather than more complex universal remote controller.

Task 1: Develop an application for Nokia Maemo device that displays an image of a remote controller. The application receives the image of the remote controller from CE device/controller unit. All CE devices in the space are presented with icons in the GUI of the phone where the user can select the  CE device to be controlled. The CE device/controller unit sends the bitmap image of its remote controller to the phone. Touch screen can be used to press the virtual buttons. Communication between phone and the CE device is based on NoTA protocol (www.notaworld.org)

Task 2: develop a controller unit that communicates with the mobile devices via Bluetooth or WLAN. Eventually, the controller unit functionality is likely to be integrated to the CE devices and therefore is hidden in the demo setup. Each CE device has its own controller unit that can send the bitmap image of the remote controller to the mobile phone. The controller unit also reveices the touch pad presses from the phone and sends infra-red commands to the CE device accordingly.

Desired student skills/competencies/team size
2-4 persons:
- Development of application SW and user interface on Maemo device
- HW-setup for Linux based controller unit and related system SW development
- NoTA protocol set-up and testing, NoTA services SW implementations

Development tools, environments and standards
NoTA inter-device architecture with DIP protocol for easy connectivity between devices with different interfaces.
 
Deliverables and time period
- design and implementation of a virtual remote control functionality on Nokia Maemo device
- design and implementation of a controller unit that communicates with the mobile devices and send infrared commands to TV/set-top box
 
Main contact person
Arto Palin, arto.palin (at) nokia.com
Please also inform Demola Staff when you contact the company contact person.

References (pubs, books, links, …)
www.notaworld.org