Information apparatus having an interface for performing a remote operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for managing home devices are cumbersome, requiring multiple steps to operate and often lack the ability to finely adjust settings, such as partially opening or closing electric shutters, and separate operation and confirmation screens limit display area and usability.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel-based system that displays a building floor plan, allows device icons to represent electric shutter devices, and enables swipe operations on the shutter image to control the shutter's movement, integrating operation and confirmation functions within a single screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate operation and confirmation screens are used, then detailed control is possible, but display area is limited and user steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the operation screen and confirmation screen into a single integrated display. The shutter image serves dual purposes: as the operation target and as the confirmation of current state. This merging eliminates the need to navigate between separate screens while maintaining both control precision and visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter image performs multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the current shutter state, serves as the operable element for user interaction, and provides visual confirmation of the operation result. This multi-functionality reduces the number of display elements needed while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional button operations are used, then simple control is achieved, but fine adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static button operations with dynamic swipe gestures on the shutter image. The swipe distance correlates with the desired shutter opening degree, enabling continuous adjustment from fully closed to fully open positions. This dynamic interaction maintains simplicity while providing fine control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system translates the physical parameter of swipe distance into the control parameter of shutter opening degree. By mapping the extent of the swipe gesture to the degree of shutter opening, the system enables precise control without requiring multiple discrete buttons or complex menus.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple icons are displayed, then device selection is possible, but screen space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shutter image from a separate confirmation screen and places it directly on the operation screen where device icons are displayed. This extraction eliminates the need for additional screen real estate while maintaining the ability to display multiple device icons and their corresponding shutter images simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of the present disclosure causes a computer of an information apparatus to: display on a touch panel display, a display screen representing a floor plan; display device icons on the display screen, the device icons representing one or more target devices respectively, the device icons including an icon representing an electric shutter device that is capable of opening or closing a shutter; display an operation screen on the display screen, when selection of the icon representing the electric shutter device is sensed, the operation screen including a shutter image representing the shutter; and output a movement control command to a network when a swipe operation is sensed on the shutter image, the movement control command being for moving the shutter of the electric shutter device in a swipe direction of the swipe operation, the electric shutter device corresponding to the selected icon.