Shared Smart Home Appliance Control via Cloud User Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling smart home appliances through existing applications can be complicated due to the high number of functions and parameters, making it difficult for users to manage them efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a cloud server that allows users to create sharing groups for controlling smart home appliances, enabling multiple users to control appliances through a terminal device, with features like activity groups, trigger events, and geographical location-based controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If smart home appliances are controlled through existing applications with many functions and parameters, then the appliances can be fully controlled, but the control process becomes complicated and difficult for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system by creating separate sharing groups for different users and appliances. Each user can be assigned specific appliances within groups, dividing the complex control system into manageable segments. This allows users to control only relevant appliances without being overwhelmed by all functions and parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal control platform that works across different smart home appliances and users. The sharing group mechanism provides a multi-functional solution that handles user management, appliance control, and permission assignment through a single interface, reducing the need for multiple separate control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users need to control the same smart home appliance, then collaboration and convenience are improved, but the system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides user access control into hierarchical segments: sharing groups contain multiple users, and each user can be assigned specific appliances within those groups. This segmentation allows multiple users to control the same appliance without requiring complex individual permission settings for each user-appliance pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharing group acts as an intermediary layer between users and appliances. Instead of directly managing individual user permissions for each appliance, the system uses sharing groups as mediators that simplify the authorization process. The cloud server manages the intermediary logic of assigning users to groups and groups to appliances.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method comprising the steps of: creating a sharing users' group for sharing control of a registered smart home appliance (30, 40, 50), wherein a first registered user sends an invitation notification to a second terminal device (22) of a second user to participate to the users group, wherein said second user accepts the invitation notification, and wherein a cloud server (100) associates the second terminal device (22) to the registered smart home appliance (30, 40, 50), said second user being able to select control instructions and being able to associate the selected control instructions to the registered smart home appliance (30, 40, 50), and the cloud server (100) being able to send the control instructions selected by the second user to the registered smart home appliance (30, 40, 50).