Network Connection Interface for External Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing network connection settings of external devices are cumbersome, inefficient, and often require complex user interfaces, leading to wasted time and energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The development of faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing network connection settings, which reduce cognitive burden, minimize unnecessary user inputs, and conserve power by providing intuitive touch-sensitive displays and touchpads for easy configuration and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex user interfaces with multiple key presses are used for network setting management, then comprehensive configuration capability is achieved, but user time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoiduser time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting external devices, determining their network connection states, and presenting relevant settings information before the user needs to make changes. This eliminates the need for users to manually search through complex interfaces for device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by displaying current network connection states, potential issues, and suggested actions directly in the user interface. This allows users to understand the current state without having to navigate through multiple menus or key presses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive network setting management is provided, then configuration versatility is improved, but user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented by external device type (audio device, display device, input device, etc.) with each device displayed as a separate entry. This segmentation organizes the comprehensive configuration capabilities into manageable, visually distinct sections rather than a single complex interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface provides universal functionality across different external device types through a unified presentation structure. The same interface framework handles various device types by dynamically displaying appropriate settings based on the detected device, eliminating the need for separate complex interfaces for each device type.

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

3Ease of operation

If manual network setting configuration is required, then configuration control is maintained, but battery energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidbattery energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting external devices, determining their network connection states, and presenting relevant configuration information without requiring continuous manual user input. This reduces battery energy consumption while maintaining user control through intuitive interface elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If detailed network issue notifications are provided, then problem awareness is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproblem detectionVSAvoidinformation processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface uses visual indicators such as color changes to represent different network connection states and issue severities. This allows detailed problem information to be conveyed through visual perception rather than text processing, reducing the cognitive load on users while maintaining comprehensive problem awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3788776B1User interfaces for updating network connection settings of external devices
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 APPLE INC
  • EP3788776B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3788776B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3788776B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to managing network connection settings of external devices. In some embodiments, an electronic device with a display and one or more wireless antennas, while the electronic device is connected, via the one or more wireless antennas, to a first local area network, displays a first external device management interface, wherein: the first external device management interface is associated with a first external device that is not connected to the first local area network; and the first external device management interface includes a first afford a nee (620A). The electronic device receives a user input corresponding to selection of the first affordance (620A) and, in response to receiving the user input corresponding to selection of the first affordance (620A), causes the first external device to connect to the first local area network.