Grouped Matrix Interface for Simplified Device Connection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connection control methods for source and destination devices in networked systems, such as video systems, are not user-friendly, requiring manual and repetitive operations to establish connections between multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a user interface screen that groups output and input devices, allowing users to select connections via a matrix layout, where hovering and clicking on grouped cells activate and control the connection between device groups, simplifying the connection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection control is performed for each device pair, then connection precision is maintained, but operation complexity increases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual device connection operations into a single group operation. By defining device groups (source device groups and destination device groups) and establishing connections between groups rather than individual devices, the system allows users to set up multiple connections simultaneously through one operation, significantly reducing operation time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large number of individual device connections into manageable groups. By organizing devices into source device groups and destination device groups, the system divides the complex task of managing numerous one-to-one connections into simpler group-to-group connections, making the operation more efficient and less error-prone
2Ease of operation
If individual device connections are managed separately, then connection accuracy is maintained, but device complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the management of multiple individual connections into a unified group-based control mechanism. The user interface presents group selection instead of individual device selection, simplifying the interaction model while the backend maintains precise control over all individual device connections within the groups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces device groups as intermediary entities between the user interface and individual devices. These groups act as mediators that abstract the complexity of managing multiple individual connections, allowing users to interact with simplified group concepts while the system automatically handles the underlying individual device connections
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus that includes circuitry that displays a user interface screen including device information that identifies a plurality of output device groups and a plurality of input device groups to control connection between one of the output device groups and one of the input device groups; and receives an input that designates a combination of said one of the output device groups and said one of the input device groups, the user interface screen includes a matrix comprising a plurality of cells in a row direction and a column direction, the input designates the combination by designating one of grouped cells corresponding to the combination of said one of the output device groups and said one of the input device groups in the matrix, and the grouped cells are grouped such that the input designates the combination as a group.