Gateway Anti-Distraction Mode for Multi-Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices require individual manual adjustments for volume and screen settings, leading to difficulties in managing family time and ensuring consistent sleep-friendly settings across devices.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device that communicates with multiple connected devices to implement policies such as reducing volume and screen brightness across all devices simultaneously, using a processor and storage medium to manage device lists and trigger conditions for anti-distraction modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each electronic device is managed independently with manual adjustments, then each device can be controlled individually, but the complexity of managing multiple devices increases and family time is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent device management functions into a single gateway device that controls volume, screen brightness, and distraction settings across all connected devices simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need to manually adjust each device independently, reducing management complexity while maintaining individual device control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device performs multiple functions including volume control, screen brightness adjustment, distraction mode activation, and policy enforcement across different device types. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate management systems into a single universal controller.
2Reliability
If each device is set to Night lighting mode separately, then blue light can be reduced for sleep, but the risk of inconsistent settings increases when devices are turned on independently
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device pre-configures Night lighting mode and distraction policies for all connected devices before they are turned on. When a device is activated, the gateway automatically applies the appropriate settings based on stored policies, ensuring consistent sleep-friendly configurations without requiring manual intervention or risking inconsistent settings.
3Loss of time
If a head of household manually disconnects each family member from their device, then family time can be prioritized, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device automatically enforces distraction policies and manages device connections based on pre-configured family schedules and preferences. The system self-manages the disconnection and reconnection of devices without requiring manual intervention from the head of household, freeing up time for family activities while maintaining control over device usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of apparatus, systems (e.g., a gateway device) and/or methods are described for providing an anti-distraction mode to control a plurality of connected devices in an establishment. In the gateway device, a list of connected devices that are connected to the gateway device is determined by the gateway device in response to anti-distraction mode being activated in the gateway device. Each connected device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the gateway device. A policy is stored at the gateway device for all of the connected devices when a triggering condition occurs, and activation of anti-distraction mode is received in the gateway device. In response to the anti-distraction mode being activated in the gateway device and in response to the gateway device detecting that the triggering condition occurs, the gateway device reduces features or outputs of at least one of the connected devices.