Electronic Device IoT Management UI Around a Virtual Avatar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling Internet of Things (IoT) devices in virtual spaces, such as those used in metaverse environments, lack effective user interfaces that allow seamless interaction and management of IoT apparatuses, limiting user convenience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and server device system that displays a virtual object management user interface (UI) around an avatar, enabling users to manage and control IoT apparatuses through a virtual object management UI, including notification and control UIs, allowing real-time interaction and status monitoring without requiring physical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users control IoT devices through traditional UI methods (apps or web), then device control functionality is achieved, but user convenience and interaction efficiency deteriorate due to the need to switch between virtual and real spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the IoT device control interface with the virtual space environment by displaying the virtual object management UI directly within the virtual space around the avatar, eliminating the need to switch between separate apps or web interfaces and the virtual space, thus improving user convenience while maintaining functional capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual object management UI as an intermediary element that bridges the avatar in virtual space and the actual IoT devices, allowing users to interact with IoT devices through the virtual environment without directly accessing traditional control interfaces, thereby enhancing ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If users manage IoT devices through separate applications, then control functionality is provided, but interaction efficiency deteriorates due to context switching between virtual and real environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction efficiencyVSAvoidtime for context switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the IoT device management interface with the virtual space by displaying the virtual object management UI within the virtual environment around the avatar, allowing users to manage IoT devices without leaving the virtual space context, thereby eliminating context switching time and improving interaction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the virtual object management UI in advance within the virtual space environment, so that when users need to interact with IoT devices, the interface is already positioned and ready around the avatar, eliminating the time required to load or navigate to separate control applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a comprehensive UI for IoT management is provided through separate applications, then control functionality is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to exit virtual space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of controlVSAvoidintegration with virtual space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the comprehensive IoT management interface with the virtual space environment by displaying the virtual object management UI directly within the virtual space around the avatar, maintaining full control functionality while enabling seamless integration with the virtual environment, thus improving ease of operation and adaptability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal interface that functions both as a virtual space element and an IoT control interface, allowing the same UI to serve dual purposes: enhancing the virtual environment experience while providing complete IoT device management capabilities, thereby achieving both ease of operation and versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250224849A1Electronic device and operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device may include: a communication interface; a display; memory storing one or more instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor cause the electronic device to: display content including an avatar on the display; display, around the avatar on the display, a virtual object management user interface (UI) for managing a virtual object corresponding to an Internet of Things (IoT) apparatus; display, on the display, an activated virtual object management UI, based on a user input for the virtual object management UI; and based on the virtual object management UI comprising a notification UI, obtain status information from the IoT apparatus through the communication interface.