Context-Sensitive Home Automation Control via Visual Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home control and monitoring systems are often complex, proprietary, and require multiple systems for different tasks, making them difficult to manage and configure, with non-intuitive interfaces that force users to navigate separate control and configuration interfaces for each specific function.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based system that detects control markers using cameras, accelerometers, and other sensors to automatically provide user interfaces for controlling and monitoring various home automation components, allowing users to interact with components by pointing the device at markers, which can be images, objects, or gestures, and enabling customization of interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate control systems are deployed for different home automation tasks, then each system can provide specialized control functionality, but the overall system complexity increases and users must navigate multiple separate interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control systems into a single integrated mobile device interface. The system merges lighting control, temperature control, security monitoring, and other home automation functions into one unified application, eliminating the need for users to navigate multiple separate systems and interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device interface is designed to provide universal control capabilities across multiple home automation domains. A single interface can control lights, adjust thermostats, monitor security cameras, and manage other smart home devices, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various control tasks.
2Reliability
If proprietary non-intuitive interfaces are used for home control systems, then specific control functions can be implemented, but ease of operation deteriorates and users find the systems difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects control markers in the environment and presents relevant control interfaces without requiring users to manually search or navigate complex menus. The interface adapts to user needs by automatically displaying controls for devices detected via markers, making the system self-configuring and intuitive to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (physical keypads, buttons, and switches) with a software-based mobile interface that uses camera detection and marker recognition. This substitution enables more flexible and intuitive control through visual markers and touch interface, improving ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If users must navigate separate control and configuration interfaces for each function, then specific configuration tasks can be performed, but loss of time increases due to the need to switch between interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of control markers and pre-loads relevant control interfaces before user interaction is required. When a user points the mobile device at a marker, the system has already identified the associated device and prepared the appropriate control interface, eliminating navigation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control markers as intermediary elements that link physical devices to their digital control interfaces. These markers serve as mediators that automatically associate the mobile device interface with the correct home automation device, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through configuration menus.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various arrangements for presenting contextual menus are presented. A mobile device may be configured to provide contextual menus for control or monitoring of components. Different menus and interfaces are presented based the position of the mobile device or objects being pointed at using the mobile device. Specific objects may be designated as control markers. The objects may be recognized using a camera of the mobile device. When a control marker is recognized a specific menu or interface that is associated with the control marker may be presented to the user.