Multi-Device Content Sharing via Spatial Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for electronic devices to intuitively connect and interact with each other, especially considering finite screen sizes and resource constraints, while providing a comprehensive user interface for users to manage and share content effectively across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining the relative positions of electronic devices using cameras or modified surfaces, allowing users to select devices based on spatial positioning, and utilizing user inputs like gestures to share content and manage interactions, including visual representations on screens to facilitate intuitive device selection and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a full-functioned user interface is provided for interacting with content on multiple devices, then user interaction capability is improved, but screen space and device resources are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple components distributed across different devices. The source device displays a simplified interface with visual representations of target devices, while the actual content interaction occurs on the target devices themselves. This segmentation allows full functionality without overwhelming the source device's limited screen space.
Solution Approach 2:
Visual representations of target devices act as intermediaries between the user and the actual content. Instead of displaying complete content or complex controls on the source device screen, the system uses these visual representations as mediators that users can select to initiate interactions on the target devices, reducing the information burden on the source device display.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are connected and displayed with full information, then device connectivity is improved, but information overload and screen clutter occur
Solution Approach 1:
Detailed information about connected devices is extracted from the source device display and presented directly on the target devices themselves. The source device only displays essential visual representations, while comprehensive device information and content are taken out and displayed on the target devices with larger or more appropriate displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves information display from a single-dimension approach (all information on source device screen) to a multi-dimensional approach across the connected device network. Information is distributed across multiple spatial dimensions (different devices) rather than being compressed into a single screen, maintaining clarity while preserving full connectivity information.
3Ease of operation
If device selection is made through traditional menu systems, then device selection functionality is provided, but user intuition and interaction speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Visual representations of target devices use distinct visual characteristics (such as colors, icons, or graphical indicators) to represent different devices and their states. This visual encoding allows users to quickly identify and distinguish between connected devices without navigating through text-based menus, significantly improving interaction speed while maintaining full device selection functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer implemented method performed by an electronic device connected to a plurality of other devices. The electronic device comprises a display and an input device for receiving user input. The method comprises receiving a predefined user input at the electronic device, causing the display of information at the plurality of connected devices in response to receiving the predefined user input, and preventing the plurality of connected devices from causing the information to not be displayed.