Home Automation Routine Creation via Command Recording

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users find it difficult to create combined control routines for home automation systems without prior knowledge of individual control commands, as existing systems require users to manually configure and manage control commands, which is inconvenient and often beyond the capabilities of most users.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that record and allow users to assign control commands to selectable routines, with features for displaying relevant commands, identifying related commands, and enabling users to create, modify, and execute control routines without needing in-depth knowledge of individual command effects, using central cloud storage for program and data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually configure and manage individual control commands in existing home automation systems, then the system provides precise control capability, but the ease of operation deteriorates because most users cannot properly configure control routines without prior knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontrol capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically records control commands that users execute, storing them as templates for future routines. This preliminary recording action eliminates the need for users to manually configure control sequences, allowing them to simply select from pre-recorded options while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing user behavior patterns and generating control routine suggestions based on recorded commands. This self-configuration capability allows the system to adapt to user needs without requiring user expertise in system configuration, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the system provides detailed individual control commands for configuration, then the control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases making the system harder to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the complex configuration task from the user by automatically recording control commands and generating routine suggestions. Users only need to select from simplified options rather than configuring individual commands, reducing the perceived system complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The recorded control command templates serve as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex control system. Instead of directly interacting with individual control commands, users interact with pre-packaged routine suggestions, simplifying the interface while preserving access to detailed control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If users need to understand individual control command effects before creating routines, then the control precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the learning and configuration effort required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroutine creation efficiencyVSAvoidtime for configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by recording control commands as users naturally execute them, creating ready-to-use routine templates without requiring user analysis or configuration time. Users can immediately select from these pre-analyzed suggestions, eliminating the time loss associated with understanding and configuring individual commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by monitoring and recording actual user control behaviors, then using this feedback to generate accurate routine suggestions. This closed-loop approach ensures that suggested routines reflect real user needs and patterns, allowing rapid routine creation without time-consuming trial and error or study of command effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3014366B1Device and method for controlling electronically controllable devices and systems in public and private buildings
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 IHAUS
  • EP3014366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3014366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3014366B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for controlling electronically controllable devices (33, 35, 37) and systems in public and private buildings (31) and to a method for controlling electronically controllable devices (33, 35, 37) and systems in public and private buildings (31). Such devices (1) and methods for home automation are therefore improved such that the user (45) can generate combined control routines which correspond to the user's wishes without previous knowledge of the effect of the individual control instructions. The control routines are also proposed to the user on request.