Control Apparatus for Visual Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In audio delivery systems, managing multiple client devices connected to a network can be cumbersome for users, as they struggle to understand which device corresponds to displayed information, leading to difficulties in operation and management.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a network interface, user interface, and processor that allows users to visually differentiate and manage multiple external devices by displaying device-specific images, enabling intuitive selection and control through a customizable controller screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple client apparatus are centrally managed using a mobile terminal, then the user can operate each client apparatus with the mobile terminal at hand without moving to each device location, but the number of displayed client apparatus information increases making it difficult for the user to understand which information relates to which device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies (images) of each client apparatus and displays them on the mobile terminal screen. Each client apparatus is represented by its image, icon, or photograph, allowing users to identify and select specific devices visually rather than through text descriptions alone. This copying approach maintains the centralized management benefit while solving the information confusion problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding to differentiate between multiple client apparatus. Each device can be assigned distinct colors or color schemes in their displayed images and information fields, enabling users to quickly distinguish between devices and understand which information corresponds to which apparatus without having to read detailed descriptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If information on multiple client apparatus is displayed on the mobile terminal, then centralized management is enabled, but the user is not easily accessible to the information on the client apparatus making management and operation troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information display by creating distinct visual regions for each client apparatus on the mobile terminal screen. Each apparatus is presented in a separate card or panel containing its image, name, location, and operational information. This segmentation allows users to easily scan, identify, and access information for individual devices without being overwhelmed by a consolidated list.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple client apparatus. By displaying visual representations and consolidating control functions on the terminal, the system mediates the interaction between the user and dispersed devices, making centralized management intuitive and accessible without requiring the user to physically visit each apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus can include a network interface that achieves a connection to a network, a user interface that accepts a selection operation from among images displayed on a display portion, and at least one processor that implements stored instructions to execute a plurality of tasks, which can include a control task, a designation task, and a display control task. The control task is configured to, through the network, control a plurality of external devices that transmit or receive content data. The designation task is configured to designate an image to display on the display portion. The display control task is configured to display, for each of the plurality of external devices, an image relating to the respective external device on the display portion. The display control task changes an image selected through the user interface to the image designated by the designation task.