Mobile Control Interface for Cross-Manufacturer Device State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in controlling multiple controllable devices from different manufacturers, as each device requires a separate smartphone application, due to the client-API-server architecture that limits interaction and security management, and existing solutions like IFTTT have limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A user device with a user interface application that can control multiple controllable device applications from different manufacturers, allowing a single interface to manage and monitor various devices, by learning user interactions and credentials, and providing additional functionalities without needing direct user interaction with each device application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate smartphone application is used for each controllable device, then security and functionality management for each manufacturer's network is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates as multiple applications must be opened to control different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturer-specific controllable device applications into a single unified application. This unified application integrates the functionality of multiple separate applications, allowing users to control devices from different manufacturers through one interface. The integration maintains the security and functionality management of each manufacturer's network while eliminating the need for users to switch between multiple applications, thereby resolving the contradiction between security management and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified application performs multiple functions by supporting control of controllable devices from multiple manufacturers within a single application. It provides universal control capabilities that work across different device types and manufacturers, while maintaining the specific security and functionality requirements of each manufacturer's network. This multi-functionality allows the single application to replace multiple specialized applications.
2Reliability
If the client-API-server architecture is used, then manufacturers can manage security and functionality of their network, but the manner in which user devices may interact with the manufacturers' servers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The unified application serves as an intermediary between user devices and multiple manufacturers' servers. It implements an abstraction layer that handles the interactions with different manufacturers' API servers, translating user requests into the appropriate manufacturer-specific protocols. This intermediary role maintains the security and functionality management of each manufacturer's network while providing flexible interaction methods to users through a unified interface, resolving the limitation on interaction flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IFTTT web-based service is used to operate controllable devices from multiple manufacturers, then some cross-manufacturer control is enabled, but flexibility is limited due to predetermined logical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The unified application implements dynamic control logic that adapts to user needs rather than relying on predetermined logical operations. Users can customize control behaviors, set up flexible automation rules, and modify interactions in real-time based on their specific requirements. This dynamic approach provides greater flexibility compared to the static, predetermined logic of IFTTT, while maintaining the ability to control devices from multiple manufacturers.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a user device is provided that includes a processor configured to execute a user interface application, a controllable device application, and an operating system of the user device. The user device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication between the controllable device application and the controllable device. The user interface application is configured to detect a notification of the controllable device application communicated to the operating system, the notification pertaining to a state of the controllable device associated with the controllable device application. The user interface application is configured to determine the state of the controllable device based at least in part on the notification of the controllable device application communicated to the operating system of the user device. The user interface application is configured to provide, via a user interface of the user device, the state of the controllable device determined by the user interface application.