Position-Sensitive Interface for Context-Aware Equipment Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic equipment interfaces, such as button-based systems, are limiting and often not replaced with more elaborate interfaces to minimize cost and complexity, making interaction challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system where a portable electronic device, such as a tablet or smartphone, serves as a user interface for electronic equipment by automatically displaying context-dependent content when placed adjacent to the equipment, allowing users to control and receive output through touch-sensitive displays based on position and operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If button-based interfaces are used in electronic equipment, then cost and complexity are minimized, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable electronic device as an intermediary between the user and the electronic equipment. This mediator provides an elaborate touch-sensitive display interface while the electronic equipment itself maintains its simple button-based interface, thus resolving the contradiction by separating the interface complexity from the equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device serves multiple functions: it acts as a remote control, a display device, and an input interface for the electronic equipment. This multi-functionality allows the system to have an elaborate interface without adding complexity to each individual component.
2Ease of operation
If elaborate interfaces are added to electronic equipment, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device serves as an intermediary that handles all interface complexity, allowing the electronic equipment to remain simple. The mediator translates between the simple equipment interface and the elaborate touch-sensitive display interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the elaborate interface functionality from the electronic equipment and places it in the portable electronic device. This separation allows the equipment to maintain simplicity while still providing access to an elaborate interface through the extracted interface component.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic device displays static content, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic content display where the electronic device automatically updates the displayed content based on the device's position relative to the electronic equipment. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to adjust to different user contexts and positions, improving both adaptability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses position detection to provide feedback about the device's location, which then triggers automatic updates to the displayed content. This feedback loop enables the interface to adapt dynamically to the user's position and context.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided that include electronic equipment and electronic devices. A system may include electronic equipment such as a thermostat or other equipment in a vehicle or home, vehicle navigation equipment, networking equipment, computer equipment, equipment with speakers for playing audio, and other electronic equipment. An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may be placed in the vicinity of electronic equipment by a user. In response to detecting that the electronic device is adjacent to the electronic equipment, control circuitry in the electronic device can automatically display content of the electric device such as a user control interface for the electronic device or information related to operation of the electronic equipment. The system may monitor the position of the electronic device relative to the electronic equipment and can dynamically update the displayed content based on the current device position.