Remote Control Pairing by Signal Strength for Smart Home Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling multiple electronic devices with a remote controller are complex, often requiring simultaneous operation and third-party assistance, leading to a poor user experience due to the need for binding and unbinding processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect the strength of a signal from a control device, acquire control instructions based on signal strength, and process them when the signal strength is higher than a preset value, allowing for simplified control by determining the closest device and reducing the risk of misoperation through additional conditions like orientation and environmental matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If one remote controller controls multiple electronic devices, then the versatility of the control device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to binding and unbinding processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidbinding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and identifying the nearest electronic device before control is initiated. The binding process is performed in advance through automatic pairing based on proximity detection, so that when the user wants to control a device, the pairing is already established, eliminating the need for manual binding and unbinding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If binding process is required before control, then the reliability of control is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex simultaneous operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and pairing with the nearest electronic device using proximity detection technology. The binding process is automated without requiring user intervention or simultaneous operations, making the system both reliable and easy to use. The device autonomously determines which device to control based on signal strength and proximity metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If third-party device assistance is required for binding, then the reliability of device pairing is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing reliabilityVSAvoidsystem composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the third-party device assistance from the binding process. By implementing direct proximity detection and automatic pairing between the remote controller and electronic devices, the system eliminates the need for external assistance, simplifying the system composition while maintaining pairing reliability through direct device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies user operations by enabling selective control of electronic devices based on signal strength, reducing the complexity of binding and unbinding processes and improving user experience by ensuring accurate device control.

Implementation Method 1

a strength of a signal from a control device is detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3163885B1Method and apparatus for controlling electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3163885B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP3163885B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3D
  • EP3163885B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Described is a method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device, which belongs to the field of smart home. The method includes: a strength of a signal from a control device is detected (201); a control instruction sent by the control device is acquired in response to a determination that the strength of the signal is higher than a preset strength (202); and processing is performed according to the control instruction (203).