Self-Adaptive Mobile Terminal Interface for Remote Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and variability of modern communication terminals, such as mobile phones and personal assistants, require separate learning for each device, leading to user inefficiency due to divergent controls and limited interaction capabilities beyond basic functions like ring tones and photos, especially when mobility and environmental adaptation are considered.

Innovation Solution

A communication method executed by a mobile terminal with a processing component, storage, and communication components that detects excitation signals from remote devices, consults a library of software interfaces, and displays a customizable command and information menu, allowing self-adaptive management of services based on user needs and environmental interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile terminal provides multiple advanced functions and interacts with various remote devices, then the functionality and versatility of the terminal is improved, but the complexity of adapting to different devices and environments increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidadaptation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control interface that can manage multiple types of remote devices (televisions, audio equipment, networking devices) through a single standardized interaction model. The interface library contains generic software interfaces that can be activated for different device types, allowing one terminal to provide universal control functionality across diverse devices without requiring separate specialized interfaces for each device category.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software interface library as an intermediary layer between the mobile terminal and remote devices. This library acts as a mediator that translates user commands into device-specific protocols, abstracting the complexity of different device interfaces from the user. The interface library receives standardized control requests from the terminal and adapts them to the specific requirements of each remote device, thereby reducing adaptation complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If each remote device has its own control interface with specific peculiarities, then the device-specific functionality is optimized, but the ease of operation for users is reduced due to divergent controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific functionalityVSAvoidcontrol consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control interface into two distinct parts: a standardized user interaction layer and device-specific implementation layers. The user interface layer provides consistent, unified controls for all devices, while the interface library contains device-specific segments that handle the peculiarities of each remote device. This segmentation allows users to interact with all devices using the same consistent interface while preserving device-specific functionality through the library's specialized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes to adapt the interface behavior based on the detected remote device type. When a device is detected, the system changes parameters such as available commands, interface layout, and interaction modes to match the device's capabilities while maintaining the same overall interface structure. This allows the interface to adapt to device peculiarities through parameter modification rather than requiring fundamentally different controls for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a mobile terminal uses standard interaction protocols for remote devices, then the ease of manufacture and compatibility is improved, but the adaptability to personalized user needs and environmental changes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidpersonalization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic interface that can change its behavior based on detected environmental conditions and user needs. The interface library allows for dynamic activation of different software interfaces depending on the remote device detected, and the interface can adapt its presentation and functionality in real-time based on user interactions and environmental context. This dynamic capability enables personalization while maintaining compatibility with standard protocols through the flexible interface library.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection and configuration actions when a remote device is detected. The system pre-activates the appropriate software interfaces from the library based on the detected device type before user interaction begins. This preliminary action ensures that the correct interface is already prepared and configured, allowing for immediate personalized interaction while maintaining compatibility with the device's standard protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile terminal manages multiple remote devices with different functions, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the loss of time for users to learn and adapt to different controls increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice management capabilityVSAvoidlearning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the terminal automatically detects remote devices and activates the appropriate control interfaces without user intervention. When a device is detected, the system autonomously identifies the device type, selects the corresponding software interface from the library, and configures the control parameters automatically. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually learn and adapt to different control schemes for each device, significantly reducing learning time while maintaining comprehensive device management capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2086282B1Self-adaptive communication system
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 SOC FR DU RADIOTELEPHONE SFR
  • EP2086282B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2086282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2086282B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication method executed by an interactive mobile terminal in its environment, allowing simplified control of surrounding devices in particular by means of: - a step (Etp02) of detection, by the mobile terminal, of at least one device communicating with the terminal by the second communication component, including the memorization of an identifier of this device and - a step of consultation (Etp06) of a library of software interfaces of the mobile terminal, of activation of at least one of the software interfaces corresponding to a reference associated with the terminal and of association of this software interface with the identifier of the remote device and - a step (Etp07) of displaying, depending on at least the activated interface, a command and information menu, which can be activated by the user of the mobile terminal.