Scene-Based Interface for Faster Control of External Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing controllable external devices are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring complex and time-consuming user interfaces that waste user time and device energy, especially in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of electronic devices with faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing controllable external devices, which include displaying indications of locations, representations of controllable devices, and user interface objects indicating possible states, allowing users to select and set designated states with minimal input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing techniques are used to manage controllable external devices, then device functionality is achieved, but user time and device energy are wasted due to complex and time-consuming user interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches device information, states, and control options before the user needs them. When a user selects an external device, the interface immediately displays available states and controls without requiring multiple sequential key presses or loading delays, thus eliminating wasted user time and device energy.
2Ease of operation
If existing user interface techniques are used, then device control is achieved, but cognitive burden on users increases due to complex interfaces requiring multiple key presses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the relevant control options and device states that are currently needed, rather than presenting a comprehensive but complex menu of all possible controls. When a user selects an external device, the interface immediately shows only the applicable states (e.g., on/off, volume levels) without requiring users to navigate through multiple layers of menus or remember complex command sequences, thereby reducing cognitive burden while maintaining ease of operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If battery-operated devices are used, then portability is achieved, but power consumption increases due to inefficient interfaces wasting device energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches device information, states, and control options before the user needs them. When a user selects an external device, the interface immediately displays available states and controls without requiring multiple sequential key presses or loading delays, thus eliminating wasted user time and device energy.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors and memory, displays a first representation of a first controllable external device, where the first controllable external device is situated at a location. The device detects a first user input corresponding to a selection of the first representation of the first controllable external device. The device, after detecting the first user input, adds data identifying the first controllable external device and a first state of the first controllable external device in a scene profile.