Appliance Proximity Detection Triggering Remote App Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional appliances do not adjust their behavior based on user proximity, lacking the ability to respond or interact with users based on their location relative to the appliance.
Innovation Solution
The described appliances utilize proximity detection methods, such as NFC, Wi-Fi, or cameras, to send user proximity information to a remote application server, which triggers applications or user interfaces on consumer devices, allowing for location-based interactions and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional appliances use fixed user interfaces, then the appliance structure remains simple, but the appliance cannot respond to user proximity or location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote application server as an intermediary between the appliance and consumer devices. The server receives proximity information from the appliance and triggers appropriate applications on user devices, allowing the appliance to respond to user proximity without implementing complex direct communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the appliance to perform multiple functions by triggering different applications on consumer devices based on user proximity. The same proximity detection mechanism can trigger various applications (notifications, controls, reminders) depending on the user's needs and location.
2Ease of operation
If the appliance triggers applications on consumer devices, then user interaction and control are enhanced, but the appliance must implement proximity detection and communication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The remote application server acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of application triggering and device communication. The appliance only needs to send proximity information to the server, while the server manages the complex task of identifying appropriate applications and delivering them to user devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical or complex electronic interaction between the appliance and consumer devices with a communication-based system. Instead of direct device integration, the system uses proximity detection and wireless communication to trigger applications remotely through the application server.
3Measurement precision
If the appliance uses proximity detection methods like NFC, Wi-Fi, or cameras, then location-based interactions are enabled, but the appliance must integrate multiple detection technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the appliance to use multiple proximity detection methods (NFC, Wi-Fi, cameras) that can serve different detection needs. The system can select appropriate detection methods based on the specific application requirements, allowing for flexible and precise user location identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The application server acts as an intermediary that receives proximity information from various detection methods and processes it to trigger appropriate applications. This centralizes the complexity of handling multiple detection technologies in the server rather than requiring the appliance to manage all processing locally.
Data Source
AI summary
Example appliances that trigger applications on consumer devices based on user proximity to appliance background are disclosed. A disclosed example system includes an appliance to detect a proximity of a user to the appliance, a remote server to receive a result of the proximity detection from the appliance, and to send an application trigger based on the result, and a user device associated with the user to activate an application on the user device in response to the application trigger received from the remote server.