Remote Device Control via Input Emulation and Hardware Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems require physical presence and collocation of devices and personnel, leading to increased production costs, delays, and reduced productivity due to transportation and relocation of complex devices.
Innovation Solution
A reusable hardware interface that enables remote interaction with computing devices, allowing for touchless device management through emulation of user input and control of hardware signals, including firmware and software updates, using a controller with connectors, user input emulators, communication bus emulators, and remote control interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical presence and collocation of devices and personnel are required for device management, then direct control and monitoring are improved, but production costs increase and delays occur due to transportation and relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that physically connects to the controllable device and enables remote operation. The controller receives commands from a remote host and translates them into appropriate control signals for the controllable device, allowing personnel to manage devices without physical presence while maintaining reliable control through the intermediary controller system
2Ease of operation
If personnel are relocated to different locations for device management, then device control is achieved, but time loss and cost increase due to transportation and setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the user interface and control environment on the remote host system. The remote host displays video from a camera coupled to the controllable device and allows the user to interact with the device as if physically present, eliminating the need for personnel relocation while maintaining full control capability through the virtual interface copy
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex devices are transported and relocated for management tasks, then device access is enabled, but production delays and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device management system into three independent components: the controllable device, the controller, and the remote host. This segmentation allows each component to remain in its optimal location without requiring physical relocation of complex devices, enabling flexible access while maintaining continuous production operations at the device location
4Productivity
If remote control is implemented without physical presence, then productivity and cost efficiency improve, but control precision and user interaction quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical presence with an electronic/optical system consisting of camera-based video transmission and digital signal communication. The camera captures visual information from the controllable device and transmits it to the remote host, while control signals are transmitted electronically, substituting physical interaction with electronic communication to maintain user interaction quality without requiring physical presence
Data Source
AI summary
Touchless device management allows devices to be operated remotely from any location for any purpose, including demonstration, teaching, product development, testing, debugging, and repairing, increasing productivity with 24 hours access around the world and reducing costs associated with device production, travel, and shipping. Remote operations include modifying firmware and software, power up/down, booting, simulating user operation of internal and external input devices (e.g., using command line instructions and/or automated scripts), running a debugger during operation, etc. A touchless device manager includes a user interface, a controllable device selector, a hardware identifier, a firmware and software mapper, a firmware and software configurer, a firmware and software modifier, a control script developer and selector, a device controller, and a debugger. A device controller attached to a controllable device includes a user input emulator, a communication bus emulator, an external device emulator, and a remote control interface.