Electronic Device Detection for Automatic Manual Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in obtaining and managing manuals for various electronic devices present in their geographic locale, as manuals are often lost, misplaced, or unavailable, leading to challenges in maintenance, updating, and tracking of device information.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect electronic devices within a geographic locale and provide end-user assistance by identifying and obtaining relevant manuals or assistance information, using sensors and computer programs to recognize devices and retrieve corresponding user guides or support materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually retrieve and manage manuals for electronic devices, then they have control over the information, but it leads to loss of time and difficulty in operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of obtaining user assistanceVSAvoidtime for manual retrieval
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic detection of electronic devices in the geographic locale and self-retrieval of corresponding manuals without requiring user initiation. The computing device autonomously identifies devices through sensors and obtains user assistance information, eliminating the need for users to manually search for and manage manuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and retrieval of user assistance information before the user actually needs it. By continuously monitoring the geographic locale for electronic devices and pre-obtaining their manuals, the system ensures information is ready when needed, eliminating retrieval delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If users manually manage device information, then they have control, but it increases device complexity and difficulty in tracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of managing device informationVSAvoidcomplexity of information management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device automatically performs device detection, identification, and information retrieval without requiring user intervention in the management process. The system self-manages the complexity of tracking multiple devices and their associated manuals, presenting a simplified interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device performs multiple functions including device detection through sensors, identification of electronic devices, retrieval of manuals, and presentation of information. This multi-functional approach consolidates various management tasks into a single unified system, reducing overall complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If no automatic detection system is used, then the system is simpler, but it leads to loss of information and unavailable manuals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of user assistanceVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device autonomously detects electronic devices in the geographic locale using sensors and automatically retrieves their manuals without requiring user input. This self-service mechanism ensures continuous availability of user assistance information while maintaining system simplicity from the user perspective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device acts as an intermediary between electronic devices and users, detecting devices through sensors and retrieving manuals from external sources. This intermediary role ensures reliable information availability while shielding users from the complexity of the detection and retrieval processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8704675B2Obtaining user assistance
Publication Date: 2014.04.22 UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US8704675B2 patent drawing
  • US8704675B2 patent drawing
  • US8704675B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that detects a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device; and obtains an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device.