Floor Plan Device Icon Superposition for Control Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for managing multiple target devices require complex operation steps, leading to increased user effort and potential errors due to unclear device location relationships, especially when multiple devices of the same type are installed in the same building.
Innovation Solution
A control method for an information apparatus that displays a floor plan alongside device icons, allowing users to select and operate target devices directly by sensing device icons on the floor plan, reducing the number of operation steps and preventing erroneous operations by clearly defining device locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If device icons are displayed separately from floor plan, then device control functionality is provided, but user effort and operation steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the device icon display with the floor plan by superimposing device icons directly onto their corresponding locations in the floor plan view. This integration allows users to select and control devices directly from the floor plan without switching between separate device lists and floor plan views, thereby reducing operation steps while maintaining clear spatial awareness of device locations.
2Ease of operation
If multiple devices of same type are controlled separately, then precise device control is achieved, but user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing context-specific information for each device icon based on its location in the floor plan. Each device icon displays relevant operational information and control options tailored to that specific device's location and type, allowing users to quickly identify and differentiate between multiple devices of the same type without requiring separate detailed views for each device.
3Reliability
If device locations are not clearly defined, then flexible device arrangement is allowed, but erroneous operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the spatial mapping between device icons and floor plan locations before user interaction. Device icons are automatically positioned and anchored to their correct locations in the floor plan based on predetermined spatial relationships, ensuring that each icon accurately represents its corresponding device's physical location. This pre-established mapping prevents erroneous selections by providing clear visual feedback about device locations before user interaction occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method is provided for an information apparatus having a display and being connected to a network, one or more target devices being controlled over the network. The method causes a computer of the information apparatus to display a first display screen on the display when the first display screen is selected, the first display screen displaying one or more control icons that allow operation or state confirmation of the one or more target devices. The method also causes the computer to display a second display screen representing a floor plan of a building on the display when the second display screen is selected, and to display each of one or more device icons representing the one or more target devices on the second display screen representing the floor plan, where the floor plan includes one or more rooms.