Adaptive Multi-Device UI for Activity-Based Home Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for home network environments are inefficient in controlling specific functions of devices and lack the ability to effectively manage multiple appliances simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a user interface that identifies activity modes and analyzes user control patterns to combine frequently used functions of multiple devices, creating a customized interface for controlling devices based on historical data and recommended functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general UI is used to control devices in a home network environment, then the UI can be universally applied to various devices, but it becomes difficult to efficiently control specific functions of specific apparatuses

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUI universalityVSAvoidDevice control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UI dynamically adapts its structure and content based on user behavior patterns and device usage history. The system automatically reconfigures the UI to prioritize frequently used functions and devices, transforming a static general UI into a dynamic context-aware interface that resolves the contradiction between universality and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of user control patterns and device usage history before generating the UI. By pre-processing user behavior data and anticipating usage needs, the system prepares optimized UI configurations in advance, enabling efficient device control while maintaining universal applicability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a UI controls multiple apparatuses simultaneously, then comprehensive device management is achieved, but the complexity of the interface increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMulti-device control capabilityVSAvoidInterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UI is segmented into modular components that can be independently configured and displayed. By dividing the complex multi-device control interface into smaller functional modules based on usage patterns, the system maintains comprehensive device management capability while reducing perceived interface complexity through organized, manageable sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and separates frequently used functions and commonly controlled devices into a prioritized subset that is prominently displayed in the UI. By taking out the most important control elements and presenting them separately from less frequently used functions, the interface becomes simpler and more focused while still providing access to comprehensive device control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all device functions are displayed in the UI, then complete device functionality is accessible, but frequently used functions are not prioritized and less frequently used functions clutter the interface

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice functionality coverageVSAvoidFunction access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions or sections of the UI are assigned different qualities based on usage frequency. Frequently used functions are placed in prominent, easily accessible locations with enhanced visibility, while less frequently used functions are positioned in secondary areas. This local differentiation optimizes access efficiency while maintaining complete functionality coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2786264B1Method and system for providing user interface for device control
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2786264B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2786264B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2786264B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user interface (UI)-providing system and method for device control are provided. The User Interface (UI) providing method, the method includes: identifying at least one controlled devices relating to an activity mode selected by a user; collecting control information relating to functions provided by the identified at least one controlled devices; and generating a UI used to control the at least one controlled devices relating to the activity mode based on the collected control information.