Lock Screen Smart Home Control via IoT Shortcut Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current smart home device control methods require users to unlock their smartphones, navigate to the corresponding app, and perform operations within the app, making the control process tedious and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow users to control smart hardware devices directly from the lock screen by performing preset operations on a control key, using a smart home Internet of Things protocol to acquire and display device information and execute control commands without opening the app, thereby simplifying the control process and reducing memory and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users unlock the smartphone and open the smart hardware application to control smart home devices, then the control function can be achieved, but the operation process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol operation convenienceVSAvoidtime for control operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring control keys on the lock screen that directly map to smart hardware devices. When the smartphone is locked, users can still access and control smart devices through these pre-positioned keys without needing to unlock the device or navigate through applications. This preliminary setup of control interfaces on the lock screen eliminates the sequential steps of unlocking and opening apps, thereby reducing operation time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the smartphone screen is locked for security, then security is improved, but the ability to control smart hardware devices is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelock screen securityVSAvoiddevice control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control functionality into two independent parts: the lock screen interface with control keys and the smart hardware application. The control keys on the lock screen provide a simplified interface for basic device control operations, while the full application remains available when needed. This segmentation allows the lock screen to maintain security while providing adapted control capabilities through the specialized control key interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If users must navigate through multiple interfaces to control smart devices, then comprehensive control options are available, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol options availabilityVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by taking out the essential control functionality from the complex smart hardware application and placing it directly on the lock screen. The control keys extract and provide access to core device control operations without requiring users to navigate through the application's menu structures, tabs, or settings. This extraction simplifies the user journey while maintaining access to comprehensive control options through the streamlined lock screen interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3242195B1Control implementation method and apparatus for intelligent hardware device
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3242195B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3242195B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3242195B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for implementing control of a smart hardware device, so as to simplify control operation on the smart hardware device by the user. The method includes: in a lock screen state, when it is determined that a user performs a first preset operation on a control key on a lock screen interface of the terminal device, acquiring related information of at least one smart hardware device via a preset smart home Internet of Things protocol and displaying the related information on a control interface; and when it is detected that the user controls a second preset operation related to any one smart hardware device on the control interface, performing control corresponding to the second preset operation on the any one smart hardware device via the smart home Internet of Things protocol. The technical solutions of the present invention may avoid operations that the user unlocks the terminal device, and then enters into corresponding smart hardware application to control the smart hardware device, simplify the process of control operation on the smart hardware device, and realize convenient control on the smart hardware device in the lock screen state of the terminal device.