Method for controlling information apparatus and computer-readable recording medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for home devices require complex operation steps and cannot efficiently control multiple devices simultaneously, as they often necessitate separate screens and operations for each device, leading to increased user interaction and process complexity.
Innovation Solution
A touch-panel display-based system that overlays device icons on a building floor plan, allowing users to select a room and adjust device settings, such as air conditioner temperatures, by moving a contact within the corresponding region on the floor plan, thereby simplifying operations and integrating control of multiple devices through a single interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate screens and operations are used for each device, then device control functionality is achieved, but operation complexity and user interaction steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device control interfaces into a single floor plan display. Device icons representing different target devices are overlaid on the floor plan, allowing users to control multiple devices through a unified interface rather than switching between separate screens for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor plan serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the building layout, shows device status through icons, and enables direct device control through touch operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control screens while maintaining comprehensive device management capability.
2Ease of operation
If device icons are overlaid on floor plan, then control interface is simplified, but device control functionality must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The floor plan is segmented into multiple operational regions, each containing device icons for specific target devices. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between different devices and their control functions while maintaining the unified floor plan interface, ensuring accurate device identification and control.
Solution Approach 2:
Device icons serve as intermediaries between the user and the actual target devices. These icons display device status and respond to user touches, translating simple graphical interactions into precise control commands for the underlying devices without compromising control accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If floor plan is used as operation interface, then user interaction is enhanced, but region switching and selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor plan operates as a dynamic interface where device icons are selectively displayed and hidden based on user interactions. When a user touches a device icon, the system dynamically switches between displaying all device icons and showing only the specific device's control options, adapting the interface complexity to user needs in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
In the case where selection of an icon representing an air conditioner is sensed in a region corresponding to a certain room on a floor plan, a region corresponding to the certain room on the floor plan is switched to an adjustment region for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner. In the case where it is sensed that a contact made to a touch-panel display moves within the region corresponding to the certain room, a control command for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner in accordance with a distance in which the contact moves is transmitted to the network.