Orientation-Based Smart Device Control via Virtual Coordinate System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling multiple smart devices from a single interface are cumbersome, especially in scenarios with many devices, as they require dedicated operations or complex device selection processes.

Innovation Solution

An indication direction-based instruction transmission method and apparatus that determines the orientation of a smart device and sends instructions to nearby devices within that orientation, using a virtual coordinate system and sensors to accurately target and control other smart devices without special operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated buttons or switches are used for each smart device control, then device control reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single control device to control multiple different smart devices through orientation-based selection. Instead of requiring dedicated buttons for each device, one control interface can universally control multiple devices by pointing in different directions, reducing control interface complexity while maintaining reliable device control through precise orientation detection

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

2Reliability

If dedicated buttons or switches are used for each smart device control, then device control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical button-pressing operations with orientation-based control using sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers). Users simply point the control device toward the target device, and the system automatically identifies and establishes connection, eliminating the need to manually search through multiple dedicated buttons and significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable device control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If complex device selection processes are used, then device control reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a spatial relationship map between the control device and multiple smart devices using orientation detection. When a user points the control device, the system has already prepared the device list and connection parameters in advance, enabling immediate device selection and instruction transmission without time-consuming search processes, thus improving control operation efficiency while ensuring reliable device control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3328100B1Instruction transmission method and apparatus based on indication direction, smart device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 ZTE CORP
  • EP3328100B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3328100B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3328100B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are an indication direction-based instruction transmission method and apparatus, a smart device and a storage medium. According to the method, after a first smart device receives a first instruction, a current orientation of a set orientation on the first smart device is determined. It is detected whether there is at least one second smart device in the current orientation or not, and a first detection result is generated. When the first detection result represents that there is at least one second smart device in the current orientation, the first instruction is sent to at least one second smart device in the detected at least one second smart device to enable the at least one second smart device receiving the first instruction to execute the first instruction.