Control method and apparatus for controller, and storage medium and controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional air conditioner remote controls are cumbersome and lack intelligent control features, making it difficult for users, especially the elderly and children, to operate temperature settings efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A controller with six surfaces, each corresponding to a specific operation mode, utilizing built-in acceleration and angular velocity sensors to determine the current state and send corresponding control commands to an air conditioner, enabling one-button control of temperature, humidity, and modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional remote control with multiple buttons is used, then more control functions are available, but operation becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionsVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is divided into six distinct surfaces (top, bottom, front, back, left, right), with each surface corresponding to a specific control mode. This segmentation allows the device to offer multiple functions while maintaining simplicity, as users only need to orient the controller in different directions rather than pressing multiple buttons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional button-based control (two-dimensional interface) to spatial orientation-based control (three-dimensional interface). By utilizing the spatial dimension and having six surfaces facing different directions, the controller enables mode switching through physical orientation rather than complex button sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional remote control with many buttons is used, then more control modes are achievable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol modesVSAvoidbutton quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each of the six surfaces serves multiple purposes: it identifies a control mode and also indicates the current top surface for orientation detection. The acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor work together universally to detect both the top surface and rotation operations, reducing the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a sensor-based detection system. Acceleration sensors and angular velocity sensors detect the controller's orientation and rotation in space, eliminating the need for physical buttons while maintaining multiple control modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If one-button control is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but control precision and mode setting capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidmode setting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adapts its function based on its orientation in space. As the user rotates the controller to different orientations, the system dynamically switches between different control modes. This dynamic behavior allows a single static device to provide multiple precise control functions without requiring multiple buttons or complex menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies the operation of air conditioners by allowing one-step control of temperature and humidity, improving user experience and efficiency, and providing flexible mode settings through a user-friendly interface.

Implementation Method 1

detecting the acceleration information of the controller by an acceleration sensor built in the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

detecting the angular velocity information of the controller by an angular velocity sensor built in the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular velocity detection: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

an infrared receiving and transmitting circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared transmission: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11841157B2Control method and apparatus for controller, and storage medium and controller

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI

AI summary

A control method and an apparatus for a controller, and a storage medium and a controller. The control method comprises: determining the current state of the controller, the current state comprising a current top surface, and/or an action method based on the current top surface; determining, according to the preconfigured correspondences between set states and set control modes, a set control mode corresponding to a set state that is the same as the current state in the correspondences as a current control mode; and sending a control command of the current control mode to a target control device. The problem of a cumbersome operation in controlling the temperature and the humidity of an air conditioner by means of a remote-control unit can be solved, and the effect of improving the convenience in operation is achieved.