IoT User Interface with Directional Device Selection and Power Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT devices require manual pairing and explicit command description, which can be cumbersome and power-intensive, especially for users with visual impairments or those interacting with their hands.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing Bluetooth Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) or Angle-of-Departure technologies to detect the direction of an IoT device from an antenna array, allowing users to address devices intuitively with commands, minimizing power consumption through phased power levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual pairing and explicit device selection steps are implemented, then device control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and identifying IoT devices in the environment before user interaction occurs. The controller continuously monitors for devices, pre-establishes their identities and capabilities, and prepares them for control, eliminating the need for manual pairing steps while ensuring reliable device control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing IoT devices to automatically register and identify themselves to the controller without user intervention. Devices transmit their identifiers and capabilities autonomously, and the controller automatically integrates them into the controllable device set, making the operation process hands-free and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If continuous device monitoring and identification are performed, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by having the controller monitor for IoT devices at specific intervals rather than continuously. The controller activates device detection and identification processes periodically, maintaining ease of operation when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods between monitoring cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4302177B1A computer software module arrangement, a circuitry arrangement, an arrangement and a method for an improved user interface for internet of things devices
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4302177B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4302177B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4302177B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A user interface arrangement (100) comprising a controller (101), a sensor (104) and a communication interface (103), wherein the sensor (104) is arranged to receive input, and the controller (101) is configured to: cause the user interface arrangement (100) to operate in a first power level; receive (310) the input (SW); detect (320) an indication of at least one command, and in response thereto cause the user interface arrangement (100) to operate (330) in a second power level, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level; determine (345) that at least one IoT device (210, 220, 230) is in front of the user interface arrangement (100), and in response thereto cause the user interface arrangement (100) to operate (330) in a second power level, wherein the third power level is higher than the second power level; extract (360) at least one command from the input; match (370) the extracted at least one command to the at least one IoT device (210, 220, 230), and if a match is found; execute (390) the extracted at least one command on the matching IoT device (210, 220, 230).