Programmable smart button with display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart buttons in the market lack distinct identification and programming flexibility, making it difficult for users to differentiate and remember their functions, especially when multiple buttons control different applications in a smart home environment.
Innovation Solution
A programmable smart button with a housing, interactive surfaces, and a programmable display that includes a module identifier indicator and function indicators, which can be configured by users through a user device to reflect the controlled module's status and function, using a low-power bistable display for minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If physical indicators such as labels, symbols, or permanent indicia are placed on the smart button surface to differentiate functions, then button identification is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the indicators cannot be easily changed when button functions are updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a display element on the smart button surface that can dynamically change its visual appearance (color, text, or other indicators) based on the current function assigned to the button. This allows the button to maintain clear identification for its current function while being easily reconfigurable for new functions through software updates, eliminating the need for physical label changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static physical indicators into dynamic, programmable display elements. The display can be updated remotely or locally to reflect the current button function, enabling the button to adapt its identification to match its current purpose without requiring physical modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart buttons are deployed for different applications in a smart home, then system functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user confusion in differentiating and remembering button functions
Solution Approach 1:
Each smart button can display unique visual identifiers through its display element, such as different colors, text labels, or icons that correspond to its specific function. This provides immediate visual differentiation between multiple buttons, helping users quickly identify which button controls which function without requiring memorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The display element provides real-time feedback to users about each button's current function and status. This feedback mechanism helps users understand what each button does and confirms the relationship between buttons and their controlled functions, reducing confusion in multi-button deployments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable display is implemented on the smart button to show function information, then adaptability is improved, but use of energy worsens due to power consumption of the display
Solution Approach 1:
The display element operates in a periodic or on-demand manner rather than continuously. It can be activated only when needed to display function information, update button status, or respond to user interaction, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full programmability and adaptability when the display is active.
Data Source
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AI summary
A programmable smart button includes a housing, at least one interactive surface, a controller, and a programmable display adjustable by a user interfacing with a user device such as a smart phone. The display may include a module identifier indicator that identifies a module being controlled by the smart button as well as function indicator associated with an interactive surface of the smart button. The controller is in communication with the display and is configured to set the information in the indicators shown by the display and to determine the function(s) of the interactive surface(s). The display may be a low power display, such as a bistable display, having negligible effect on the battery life of the smart button.