Mobile Pointing Control Window for Non-UWB IoT Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require users to manually select and control IoT devices, which is cumbersome, especially for less tech-savvy individuals, and upgrading all devices with accurate locating circuits is costly.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a mobile device with UWB labels and direction sensors to quickly locate and control IoT devices without UWB chips by determining included angles and distances, enabling quick control window popup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If all electronic devices are upgraded with accurate locating circuits, then location accuracy is improved, but device cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an annotation device as an intermediary component. Instead of requiring every electronic device to have UWB locating circuits, the annotation device serves as a mediator between the mobile device and the electronic device being controlled. The annotation device receives positioning information from the mobile device and transmits control signals to the electronic device, enabling location-based control without upgrading all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the UWB locating circuit functionality from the electronic device and places it in the mobile device instead. By moving the locating circuit to the mobile device (which already exists in most smartphones) and using the annotation device as a relay, the system eliminates the need to upgrade expensive locating circuits in every electronic device while maintaining accurate location capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually select and control IoT devices from a list, then control functionality is complete, but user operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiduser operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the system automatically identify and control the electronic device based on the mobile device's location and pointing direction. Instead of requiring users to manually search through device lists, the system uses the mobile device's inherent location services and direction sensors to automatically determine which electronic device should be controlled, making the control process intuitive and hands-free.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the annotation device with location information and establishing the communication pathway before the user needs control. The system pre-processes location data and device pairing information, so when the user points the mobile device at the electronic device, the control window can immediately appear without requiring manual selection or device discovery procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the control window appears immediately after pointing to the electronic device, then operation speed is improved, but location determination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation speedVSAvoidlocation determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the location determination process into distinct functional components: the mobile device handles location acquisition and direction measurement, the annotation device handles position annotation and communication relay, and the control system handles window management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving fast control window appearance without overcomplicating the overall location determination system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4250775B1Method and system for quickly popping up control window of electronic device, and mobile device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4250775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4250775B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4250775B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a method and system for quickly popping up a control window for an electronic device, and a mobile device. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with an annotation device and a to-be-annotated electronic device. The mobile device includes a processor, a memory, a UWB label, a direction sensor, and a computer program. The computer program is stored in the memory, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the mobile device is enabled to perform the following steps: receiving a first input after the mobile device moves to a location of the electronic device; recording a location of the mobile device in response to the first input, where the location of the mobile device is the location of the electronic device; and popping up, by the mobile device, a first control window for the electronic device after the mobile device moves to another location and points to the electronic device. According to the technical solutions provided in this application, the mobile device can control, by using the annotation device, an electronic device on which no UWB chip is installed. This improves user experience.