Unified Interface for Remote Control of Networked Home Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation systems face challenges in uniformly controlling diverse network-enabled devices due to differences in their capabilities and interfaces, making it difficult to configure and operate devices remotely across a wireless network.
Innovation Solution
A computing device determines the status of connected devices and generates a graphical interface with interactive elements to control attributes and settings, allowing users to adjust settings remotely through a wireless network, with the ability to communicate these adjustments to the devices and update their status visually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a unified interface is used to control diverse devices, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to need to accommodate different device types and capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary device (home automation network device) that acts as a mediator between the user and diverse network-enabled devices. This intermediary provides a unified graphical interface that abstracts away device-specific complexities, allowing users to control different device types through consistent controls while the intermediary handles the complexity of communicating with various device protocols and capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If device-specific interfaces are used for each device type, then adaptability to device capabilities is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unfamiliar interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal graphical interface that can control multiple types of devices through a single unified control mechanism. The interface is designed to be device-agnostic, providing consistent controls for different device types (lights, thermostats, cameras, etc.) while adapting to their specific capabilities through the intermediary device, eliminating the need for users to learn device-specific interfaces
3Ease of operation
If remote control capability is added, then ease of operation is improved for remote users, but loss of information increases due to network communication delays and authentication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication actions where users authenticate with the network before accessing device controls. The system pre-establishes secure communication channels and caches device information locally, so that once authenticated, users can control devices remotely without repeated authentication delays, reducing information loss from network communication
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for controlling attributes and/or settings related to operation of devices via a wireless network. An access device can determine a status of a configurable attribute/setting related to operation of a device (e.g., a home automation network device that can control a home appliance) connected to the network. The computing device can execute an application that can generate and display a graphical interface including an interactive area or an interactive element to control the device. The interactive element or the graphical interface can indicate a current value for the setting/attribute. The interactive area or element can be adjustable to adjust the setting/attribute. An adjusted value of the setting/attribute can be communicated to the network which can cause operation of the device to be controlled based on the adjusted value. The computing device can modify the graphical interface to indicate the adjusted value of the setting/attribute.