Ellipsoidal Network Map for Home Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective mechanisms for subscribers to view and manage the various devices connected to a local network, including their connections and pairings, within a home network environment.
Innovation Solution
A user interface is generated using an ellipsoidal wireframe to display devices connected to a local network, allowing users to filter and navigate through device objects, with each device represented by an icon, text, and background indicating its status, and subsidiary devices displayed as rotating icons around their respective primary devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If no user interface is provided for network device management, then the system remains simple and uncluttered, but subscribers cannot view or manage devices on the local network
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple functional views including a network map view showing device connections, a device list view for detailed device information, and filtering options. This segmentation allows complex network management functionality to be organized into manageable, context-specific interfaces rather than presenting all features simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface employs a two-dimensional spatial representation (network map) to visualize the multi-dimensional relationships between devices. Devices are positioned spatially to reflect their connection topology, allowing users to grasp complex network structures through intuitive spatial arrangement rather than linear lists or hierarchical trees.
2Loss of information
If all network devices are displayed without filtering, then complete visibility is achieved, but the interface becomes overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The interface applies filtering and sorting operations preliminarily to organize devices before display. Devices are pre-categorized by type, status, or connection group, and the interface provides default views that show only relevant devices based on user context, allowing users to see manageable subsets rather than overwhelming complete lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adjusts device visibility based on user interactions. Filtering options allow users to show or hide device categories, the network map view dynamically updates as devices are added or removed, and drill-down functionality allows users to expand or collapse device groups, making the interface adaptable to different user needs and network states.
3Loss of information
If device connections and pairings are not visualized, then the interface remains simple, but users cannot understand network topology and device relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The network map uses curved connection lines instead of straight lines to represent device relationships. This curved visualization style creates a more natural, organic representation of network topology that is easier to follow visually, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining complete connection information.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface creates visual copies or representations of physical device connections through the network map. Each device is represented by an icon, and connections are represented by graphical elements linking these icons, providing a simplified visual copy of the actual network topology that preserves connection information without requiring users to interpret technical connection data directly.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the generation of a user interface displaying the devices associated with a local network. A client device may retrieve information associated with one or more devices associated with a common central device, local network, and/or subscriber. The client device may generate a user interface including one or more device objects organized along an ellipsoidal wireframe, wherein each device object represents an identified device. The user interface may include device identification and/or status information associated with each displayed device. Devices displayed within the user interface may be filtered based upon one or more parameters selected by a user. The client device may update and rearrange the displayed device objects based upon navigation commands received from a user via a control device.