Social Network Peripheral Device Control Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in controlling and sharing information across various peripheral devices due to the lack of unified standards and complex proprietary interfaces, making it difficult to manage and communicate with different devices and share data across them.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that enable access and control of peripheral devices through a social networking platform, allowing users to control devices via natural language messages, simplifying the interface and enabling communication between devices from different manufacturers by using established communication protocols and social network identities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If proprietary software interfaces are used for each peripheral device, then device control functionality is achieved, but user interface complexity and learning curve increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device controlVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single social networking client application to control multiple types of peripheral devices from different manufacturers through a unified interface. The system uses standardized communication protocols and message formats that allow the same client to interact with diverse devices (cameras, microphones, speakers, etc.) without requiring separate proprietary software for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The social networking platform serves as an intermediary layer between users and peripheral devices. Instead of users directly interacting with complex device-specific interfaces, the platform mediates communication by translating user actions into device-specific commands and relayed device responses back to users in a standardized format, thereby simplifying the user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple proprietary applications are installed for different devices, then comprehensive device control is achieved, but development complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes a single social networking client application multi-functional by enabling it to control various peripheral devices through standardized protocols. This eliminates the need for separate proprietary applications for each device, reducing development complexity while maintaining broad device compatibility through universal communication standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments device control functionality into standardized communication protocols and message formats that can be independently implemented and combined. This allows the social networking platform to support new device types by adding protocol support rather than creating entirely new applications, thereby reducing overall development complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If device-specific communication protocols are used, then precise device control is achieved, but information sharing between different devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidinformation sharing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The social networking platform acts as a mediator that translates between device-specific communication protocols and a standardized universal protocol. This allows precise device control through protocol-specific commands while enabling information sharing across different devices by converting all communications into a common format that any device can understand and process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes communication parameters by introducing a standardized message format and protocol layer that transforms device-specific commands into universal instructions. This parameter transformation enables both reliable device-specific control and broad information sharing capability across heterogeneous devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3117577B1Method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3117577B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3117577B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3117577B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

A method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform includes receiving a servicer registration request from the support service provider, the servicer registration request specifying a type of peripheral devices to be serviced; establishing a public social network identity for the support service provider; receiving an owner registration request for a first peripheral device; upon a determination that the first peripheral device is of the type of peripheral devices, establishing a social network relationship between the support service provider and the first user; and providing respective communication messages targeting the first peripheral device and respective communication messages originated from the first peripheral device as respective instant messages in a conversation interface of a chat session between the first user and the support service provider.