Architectural Covering Signal Ranking for Accurate Remote Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In structures with multiple architectural structure coverings, user interaction with remotely controlled coverings is difficult due to the challenge of identifying the correct control pairing between user devices and coverings, requiring unnecessary movement and increasing power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a user device to detect nearby coverings based on signal strength, generating and displaying an ordered list of user interface elements for operational control, allowing direct interaction and reducing the need for pairing identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote control of architectural structure coverings is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but difficulty in identifying correct control pairing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcontrol pairing identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying the identifier of the target architectural structure covering on the user device screen during the pairing process. This feedback mechanism allows users to confirm they are controlling the correct covering, thereby resolving the difficulty of identifying control pairings while maintaining remote operation convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary pairing process that mediates between the user device and the architectural structure covering. This intermediary step involves displaying identifiers and requiring user confirmation, which simplifies the control pairing identification without compromising the overall ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If trial-and-error control attempts are made to identify correct covering, then control pairing can be established, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol pairing establishmentVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by displaying the identifier of the target architectural structure covering before the user initiates control. This preliminary identification step prevents unnecessary trial-and-error attempts, thereby establishing control pairing reliably while minimizing power consumption from redundant signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By providing visual feedback of the target covering identifier, the system enables users to make informed control attempts rather than random trial-and-error. This reduces the number of signaling attempts needed to establish control pairing, thus lowering power consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If unnecessary signaling between user device and coverings occurs, then control pairing may be established, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol pairing establishmentVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification by displaying the target covering identifier before control signaling begins. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent signaling is directed only at the correct covering, eliminating unnecessary signaling and reducing energy loss while maintaining reliable control pairing establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The visual feedback mechanism provides users with information about the target covering, enabling them to initiate control signaling only when ready. This prevents unnecessary signaling cycles and reduces energy loss while ensuring reliable control pairing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3793173B1System and methods for determining proximity for architectural structure coverings
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 HUNTER DOUGLAS INC
  • EP3793173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793173B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining proximity of architectural structure coverings. A user device receives a broadcast signal from each of a plurality of architectural structure coverings. An ordered list of the plurality of the architectural structure coverings is then maintained based on the broadcast signal. At least a portion of the ordered list is displayed on a display of the user device.