Smart Home Device Selection Controller for Natural Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In smart home systems, users face complexity in operating networked devices due to the need to manually select devices for specific tasks, which is not natural or simple, especially when multiple devices can provide similar functions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that automatically selects a device to respond to user requests based on attributes such as location and function, using a request acquiring part, response determining part, device selecting part, and device controller to streamline device selection and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are connected to the home network, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but operation complexity increases as users must manually specify which device to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically identify and select themselves based on their capabilities and current state. The device selection unit autonomously determines which device should handle a request without user intervention, allowing devices to serve themselves in the selection process while maintaining system versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple devices. It receives user requests, analyzes device attributes and states, and automatically routes requests to appropriate devices, eliminating the need for users to directly specify devices while preserving access to multiple device functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users must specify device names to operate devices, then device selection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unfamiliarity with device names

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice selection precisionVSAvoiduser familiarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Devices automatically provide their identification information and capabilities to the control unit. The selection process is self-executed by the system based on device attributes rather than requiring users to know and input device names, achieving both precision and ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual device specification process is replaced with an automated electronic selection mechanism. The control unit uses device attribute information stored in the system to automatically identify and select appropriate devices, substituting the mechanical process of user specification with an automated information processing approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10623835B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus to allow a user to use a device network by a natural and simple operation by automatically selecting a device for providing a response to a request, the information processing apparatus including: a request acquiring part configured to acquire a request to a system; a response determining part configured to determine a response to the request; a device selecting part configured to select, on the basis of at least an attribute of the response, a device that provides the response among devices included in the system; and a device controller configured to perform control that causes the selected device to provide the response.