Control Mixer for Multi-Input State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networked systems, remote users of physical input devices may not be aware of status changes made by local users, and vice versa, leading to undesirable control changes due to lack of visual feedback, especially in cases where input devices are stateless and multiple users affect a single output value.
Innovation Solution
A control mixer software that combines inputs from multiple physical input devices using a policy to generate an output, which includes feedback reflecting the state of each input device, ensuring both local and remote users receive visual indications of control actions and device states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users control a single output device through separate input devices, then control versatility is improved, but user awareness of device state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the current state of the physical input device is continuously communicated to remote users through a network interface. When a local user manipulates the device, the change in state is detected and transmitted to remote clients, allowing them to see the updated state on their displays. Conversely, when remote users adjust virtual representations of the device, these changes are transmitted back to the local device, updating its state and providing feedback to the local user. This bidirectional feedback loop ensures all users remain aware of the current device state regardless of who made the last adjustment.
2Loss of information
If visual feedback is added to stateless input devices, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software intermediary layer that runs on the computing device associated with the physical input device. This software acts as a mediator between the physical device and the network, capturing state changes from the physical device and transmitting them to remote users, while also receiving remote user inputs and applying them to the physical device state. This intermediary approach provides comprehensive visual feedback to all users without requiring complex modifications to the physical input device itself, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still achieving the goal of improved user awareness.
3Illumination intensity
If motors are added to physical input devices for visual feedback, then feedback visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feedback system (motors that physically move or adjust input device components to provide visual feedback) with an electronic/digital system. Instead of using motors to change the physical state of the input device for feedback purposes, the system uses software to detect state changes and communicates these changes through a network to remote displays. This substitution eliminates the need for additional motors and mechanical feedback components, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while still providing effective visual feedback to both local and remote users.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a target device including a first input device configured to provide a first input to the target device, a second input device configured to provide a second input to the target device, and a control mixer configured to generate an output using a policy, the first input and the second input, wherein the output comprises a feedback and a target device output, wherein the feedback comprises some function of the state of the target device, the policy, and the state of each input device connected to the control mixer.