Unified Network Policy Interface for Local Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing and securing local networks are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring complex user interfaces with multiple key presses, leading to wasted user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing and securing local networks, which reduce the number of user inputs needed, conserve power, and simplify the cognitive burden, by displaying affordances on electronic devices that allow for the application of network access policies to multiple external devices with fewer interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing techniques are used to manage and secure local networks, then network security can be maintained, but the user interface becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple key presses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network management functions (security settings, device management, network configuration) into a single integrated user interface. This allows users to manage local networks through a unified interface rather than navigating through multiple separate settings menus, thereby maintaining security while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device is designed to perform multiple network management functions through a single application interface. The system can simultaneously handle device discovery, network policy application, security configuration, and device monitoring, making the interface universal for all network management tasks rather than requiring separate tools for each function.
2Ease of operation
If existing techniques are used to manage local networks, then network control can be achieved, but user time and device energy are wasted due to multiple interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering devices on the local network and pre-configuring network policies before user interaction is needed. When a user opens the application, the network state is already analyzed and ready for management, eliminating the need for users to manually search for devices or configure basic network parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system operates with minimal user intervention by automatically detecting network changes, identifying connected devices, and applying appropriate security policies. The system serves itself by monitoring network state and making management decisions without requiring users to navigate through multiple menus or perform repeated interactions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for managing a local network using an electronic device, where the electronic device is connected to a router and a plurality of external devices, including a first set of one or more external devices and a second set of one or more external devices, on the local network. The user interfaces enable a user to apply the same network access policy to the first set of one or more external devices and the second set of one or more external devices or to apply different network access policies to the first set of one or more external devices and the second set of one or more external devices, respectively.