Topographic Button Interface for Accurate Connected Object Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interfaces for controlling connected objects in a space, such as a building, often lead to interaction errors due to incorrect identification of devices, especially when multiple devices of the same type are present, and do not provide an optimal spatial representation, leading to high computational and display costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a symbolic representation of a geographical area using interactive buttons associated with sub-areas, allowing users to select and control connected objects through a visual or voice interface, with a topological model determining the layout and enabling hierarchical detail levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a list interface is used to display connected devices, then device identification is simplified, but interaction errors occur when multiple devices of the same type are present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identificationVSAvoidinteraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: first level displays sub-area buttons (rooms/locations), second level displays device lists specific to the selected sub-area. This segmentation allows users to narrow down device selection by location first, then by device name, eliminating ambiguity when multiple devices of the same type exist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface adds a spatial dimension to device identification by introducing sub-area buttons that represent physical locations. Instead of a flat one-dimensional device list, the system creates a two-dimensional navigation space where users first select location (spatial dimension) then select device (original dimension), providing unique identification through coordinate-like pairing of location and device name.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If detailed spatial representation is provided to avoid interaction errors, then device identification accuracy improves, but computational and display costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidcomputational and display cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential spatial information needed for device identification - specifically, sub-area identifiers (room names or locations) - and removes unnecessary detailed spatial representation. This extraction provides sufficient location context for accurate device identification while minimizing computational overhead and display complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface provides detailed spatial information locally at the sub-area level rather than globally for the entire building. Each sub-area button displays only the devices present in that specific location, providing locally relevant information that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4176344B1Selection and control of connected objects from a symbolic representation of a topography of a site
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ORANGE SA
  • EP4176344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4176344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4176344B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a connected object deployed in a geographical area and to a corresponding computer program, a corresponding recording medium and a corresponding processing circuit. The method comprises displaying, via a visual interface, a symbolic representation of the geographical area in the form of juxtaposed interactive buttons. Each interactive button is associated with a respective subarea of the geographical area. The method comprises obtaining a subarea selection command generated by an interaction, via a user interface, with a displayed particular interactive button, selecting the subarea associated with the particular interactive button and, on the basis of feedback obtained via the user interface, transmitting a control signal intended for the connected object.