Unified Interface for Remote Control of Network 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 capabilities and interfaces, making it difficult to remotely configure and manage attributes and settings across various appliances within a wireless network.
Innovation Solution
A computing device determines the status of connected devices, generates a graphical interface with interactive elements to control settings, and communicates adjustments to the network, allowing users to remotely control devices through a unified interface, even when the device is outside the local network by using a cloud network for status updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a unified control interface is provided for diverse network devices, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to accommodate different capabilities and functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single control interface that can manage multiple types of network devices (lamps, fans, sensors, heaters, light bulbs) with different capabilities. The interface uses a standardized approach where each device is represented by a tile that can display and control various attributes regardless of the specific device type, allowing one interface to serve multiple functions across diverse devices
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is segmented into modular tiles, each representing a specific device or group of devices. Each tile can be independently configured and displayed, allowing the complex interface to be divided into manageable units. This segmentation enables the system to handle device complexity by presenting information in discrete, organized sections rather than a monolithic structure
2Ease of operation
If remote control capability is implemented for devices within a wireless network, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to network communication delays and authentication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing authentication mechanisms and maintaining device status information in local caches before actual control operations are needed. The computing device stores device attributes and status data locally, allowing rapid retrieval and display without requiring real-time network communication for every interface update, thus reducing perceived response time
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides visual feedback through dynamic tiles that update to reflect current device status. When a user interacts with a tile, the system provides immediate visual confirmation and status updates, creating a feedback loop that enhances the perceived responsiveness of the remote control system and compensates for network communication delays
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.