Context-Aware Service Menu for Wireless Device Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In a wireless network environment, users face inconvenience in finding specific services among numerous interconnected electronic devices, as current systems display all connected devices without a standard alignment, making it difficult to identify the device providing the desired service.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that evaluate the user's context and create a user menu listing only relevant service functions and devices, allowing for automatic execution of selected services by transmitting commands to the appropriate external service providers, with classification options for service functions and types, and excluding non-communicable devices from the menu.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all connected electronic devices are displayed in the device list without classification, then the complete list of available devices is provided, but the user cannot easily find the device providing the desired service due to the large number of devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of device listVSAvoidease of finding desired service
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device list is segmented and classified according to service functions (e.g., audio playback, video playback, file transfer) rather than displaying all devices in a single unclassified list. This allows users to quickly locate devices providing specific services while maintaining completeness of the overall device inventory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The classification criterion changes from no classification (or device-type-based classification) to service-function-based classification. This parameter change in how devices are organized transforms the user experience from searching through all devices to directly accessing services based on their functional needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the device list is classified by service functions, then the user can easily find the desired service, but the system complexity increases due to context evaluation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of finding desired serviceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each electronic device automatically provides its own service function information to the controlling device. This self-service mechanism allows the system to gather service classification data without requiring complex centralized evaluation logic, reducing overall system complexity while achieving service-based classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Service function information is pre-collected and stored in the device list before user查询. This preliminary action of gathering and organizing service information in advance eliminates the need for complex real-time evaluation when the user needs to find a service, simplifying the interaction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If service functions are automatically executed based on context evaluation, then user convenience is improved, but the loss of user control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiduser control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The service execution mechanism is made dynamic and adjustable. Users can switch between automatic execution mode (for convenience) and manual selection mode (for control), allowing the system to adapt to different user preferences and situations. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between convenience and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1876762B1Method for providing a service menu in a network environment
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP1876762B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1876762B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1876762B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of providing a service menu and a service in a network environment and a service providing apparatus thereof are provided. The method includes evaluating a context on a current situation of an electronic, and creating and displaying a user menu on which information on external service providing apparatuses associated with the evaluated context is enumerated. The list of the service functions required according to the condition of the user and the context is provided, and the service function desired by the user is automatically executed, thereby improving the user convenience.