Modular Directory Display with Rotary Dial Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intercom and telephone entry systems in large buildings are inefficient, requiring users to manually navigate through numerous occupant records, making it difficult to locate and contact occupants in a timely and intuitive manner.
Innovation Solution
A modular directory display and configurable entry system with a multi-page graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to access occupant information through a locally maintained database, using relay interface modules to integrate with various devices and provide intuitive contact options via a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional numeric keypad with up/down arrow keys is used to navigate occupant records, then the system can display multiple occupant records, but the user must manually step through each record sequentially, making it inefficient to locate occupants in large buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotary dial interface that adds a rotational dimension to navigation, allowing users to quickly jump between occupant records by rotating the dial to desired positions rather than stepping through each record sequentially with up/down keys. This dimensional addition transforms linear sequential navigation into radial positional navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-organizes occupant records in a structured format and allows users to directly access specific records by rotating the dial to predetermined positions corresponding to different occupants or record groups, eliminating the need to sequentially navigate through all records to find the desired one.
2Ease of operation
If a simple text display is used to show occupant information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot provide intuitive graphical contact options or enhanced user interface features
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can display text information, show graphical contact options, and provide visual feedback for user interactions. This multi-functional display replaces the need for separate text displays and contact interfaces, integrating various communication functions into a single versatile display system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a non-modular system architecture is used, then the system structure is simpler, but the system cannot easily integrate with various devices or be remotely managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a control unit, display device, and relay interface module. Each module can be independently configured and managed, allowing flexible integration with different devices and remote management capabilities while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay interface module serves as an intermediary component that enables communication and control between the central control unit and external devices or remote management systems. This intermediary layer provides standardized interfaces for integration while isolating the core system from complexity of direct device connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A directory display and configurable entry system having a user interface providing an intuitive multi-page graphical user interface useful for enabling a user to readily access occupant related information that is contained in a database of the system. The system may also include a relay interface module, which may be remotely located from a computer unit of the system. The relay interface module enables either new and or legacy devices to be coupled to the hardware of the system, including the computer unit. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.