Ellipsoidal Wireframe Interface for Home Network Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Subscribers lack a means to view and manage the diverse devices connected to their local network, including IoT devices, and there are no mechanisms to visualize the connections between these devices within the subscriber premise.

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 that includes status information, and subsidiary devices are displayed as rotating icons associated with the primary device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple services and devices are connected to the local network, then the network functionality and device diversity increase, but the complexity of managing and visualizing these devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice diversityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the local network devices into different categories (multimedia devices, IoT devices, appliances, wearables, etc.) and presents them in an organized hierarchical structure through the user interface. This segmentation allows subscribers to manage and view devices by type rather than as a single overwhelming list, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining device diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized user interface system acting as an intermediary between subscribers and the diverse array of network devices. This intermediary consolidates device information, connections, and status into a single viewable and manageable interface, eliminating the need for subscribers to directly interact with each individual device's complex configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If comprehensive device information is displayed, then the information completeness improves, but the interface complexity and difficulty of visualization increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidvisualization difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a three-dimensional wireframe visualization where devices are positioned in spatial relationships rather than simple linear lists. This dimensional approach allows comprehensive device information to be displayed while maintaining visual clarity, as the 3D structure naturally organizes complex data in an intuitive spatial layout that is easier to comprehend than traditional flat interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where the main user interface contains category groups, which in turn contain individual devices and their associated information. This nesting allows comprehensive device details to be organized in nested layers, enabling complete information display while maintaining interface simplicity through progressive disclosure of details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3251296B1Consolidated management of home network elements
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • EP3251296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.