Inter-device Operation Interface for Networked Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inter-device operation interfaces for home and wide-area networks are cumbersome, making it difficult for users to easily select and operate devices connected through these networks, especially as the number of devices and types of content increases.
Innovation Solution
An inter-device operation interface with a display unit, a display control unit, and an operation unit that organizes information into content, operation, and device display areas, allowing users to browse and select services and devices based on their capabilities and positional relationships, enabling easier operation across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screen interface is designed centering around television operations, then the interface can be simple for TV control, but it becomes difficult to cooperate with multiple devices on a home network
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: a contents display area for media information, an operation display area for control options, and a device display area for device selection. This segmentation allows each area to specialize in its function while working together to achieve multi-device cooperation without complicating the overall interface
Solution Approach 2:
The interface design enables a single screen to serve multiple functions: it can display television content, show home network devices, present operation options, and facilitate inter-device operations all within one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate interfaces for different device types
2Adaptability or versatility
If inter-device operation icons are added to the screen interface, then multi-device operation capability is provided, but the interface becomes cumbersome and difficult for users to use
Solution Approach 1:
The interface merges the selection of devices and operations into a unified workflow. Users first select content, then operations are automatically narrowed down to relevant options, and finally devices are selected from a filtered list. This merging eliminates the need for separate icon-based interfaces while maintaining full inter-device operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adapts its content based on user selections. When a user selects content, the operation display area automatically updates to show only relevant operations, and the device display area updates to show only devices capable of performing those operations. This dynamic behavior reduces clutter and simplifies the interface at each step
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of devices connected to the home network increases, then more functionality is available, but matching contents with appropriate devices becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by automatically filtering and updating the device display area based on the selected content and operation. When users select content, the system feedbacks relevant operation options and compatible devices, eliminating the need for users to manually search through all connected devices. This feedback mechanism scales effectively regardless of the number of devices
4Measurement precision
If devices are selected based on comprehensive device information, then accurate matching is achieved, but the interface requires more complex configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The interface extracts only the necessary device information needed for matching - specifically, device capabilities relevant to the selected operation - and displays only that in the device display area. This extraction approach achieves accurate matching without requiring users to understand or configure complex device parameters, as only relevant information is presented
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an inter-device operation interface that is displayed on a display unit of a device control terminal that controls an operation between devices connected through a network, including: a contents display area to display information of contents held by a device; an operation display area to display information of an operation executed to the contents; and a device display area to display information serving as a target of the operation, and wherein, when information displayed in each of the display areas is selected by using the operation unit of the device control terminal, a service provided by the device connected through a wide-area network is displayed in the device display area as the candidate of the target.