Operation Support Device for Wireless Tag Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation support systems for devices without screens, such as stereos and fixed-line phones, require users to physically bring a dedicated terminal close to the device to identify it, leading to confusion when multiple devices are nearby, and only provide manual support for the identified device, increasing user trouble.
Innovation Solution
An operation supporting device that collects operation history data from connected devices, estimates which device requires support based on user confusion patterns, and provides relevant operation information independently of device position, using a network-connected system to prioritize support for devices with high requirement scores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated terminal reads information of a wireless tag using short radio waves to identify an apparatus, then the apparatus can be identified, but when multiple apparatuses are closer to each other, the dedicated terminal detects the apparatuses that are closer and the user needs to reselect the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/proximity-based identification system (wireless tag reading) with an information-based identification system. The terminal displays detected apparatus information and allows users to select the target apparatus through information presentation rather than physical proximity, thereby resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and operational ease when multiple apparatuses are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection interface between the detection phase and the support provision phase. The terminal acts as a mediator that receives detected apparatus information, presents it to the user, and transmits the selected apparatus information to the information provision device, thereby decoupling the identification process from the proximity constraint.
2Loss of information
If the dedicated terminal enables only display of a manual of the apparatus identified by bringing the terminal closer to it, then the manual can be displayed, but the user needs to take more troubles for searching the manual for a function which the user desires to know
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal displays detected apparatus information to the user, allowing the user to confirm whether the detected apparatus is the intended target. This feedback loop prevents misidentification and enables users to correct selection errors before proceeding, thereby reducing time loss and improving information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection and display of apparatus information before the user finalizes the selection. By presenting apparatus information in advance and allowing user confirmation or correction, the system prepares the identification process beforehand, reducing subsequent search time and improving overall efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the user brings the dedicated terminal closer to the wireless tag attached to the apparatus to identify the apparatus, then the apparatus can be identified, but when the user operates a television using a remote control and is confused about the operation method, the user needs to identify the television by bringing the terminal closer to the television
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identification and support system that can handle multiple apparatus types (television, audio equipment, video recording apparatus) through a common interface. The terminal and information provision device work together to provide unified support across different device types, reducing the need for device-specific identification procedures and lowering overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an operation supporting device estimating an apparatus to be supported in operation and support the operation independent of a position relationship between a position of the apparatus to be supported and a position of the user. The operation supporting device includes: an operation history collecting unit collecting operation histories from the apparatuses, during a time period preceding a predetermined time period from a time when the user requests support; a to-be-supported apparatus estimating unit determining, for each of the apparatuses, a degree of matching between an operation history collected by the operation history collecting unit and a confused operation, and estimating that an apparatus, which is determined to have the degree of matching that exceeds a predetermined threshold, is an apparatus having a higher requirement for support; and a function description output unit outputting a description of the functions of the apparatus estimated to have the higher requirement.