Universal Controller for Home Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of remote control devices for various home devices leads to clutter and a poor user experience, as users often need to manage multiple devices simultaneously for tasks like watching TV or controlling home automation systems.
Innovation Solution
A single controller device is enabled to manage multiple proprietary digital media players, home network accessories, and virtual assistants through a unified protocol, allowing users to configure and control various devices wirelessly and bi-directionally, reducing the need for multiple remotes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote control devices are used to control different home devices, then each device can be controlled effectively, but device complexity and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can control multiple types of home devices (TVs, media players, lights, blinds, thermostats, garage doors) through a single device. The controller uses a unified protocol to communicate with various accessories, eliminating the need for multiple specialized remote controls and reducing device clutter while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
2Ease of operation
If a single controller manages multiple devices, then clutter is reduced and user experience improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device that acts as an intermediary between the universal controller and various home accessories. The gateway handles protocol translation, device discovery, and communication management, allowing the controller to remain simple while still providing comprehensive control capabilities across multiple device types through a unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure present devices, methods, and computer readable medium for enabling controller device to control proprietary digital media players, network accessories, and virtual assistants, providing an overall improved user experience. The techniques disclosed herein reduce clutter because a single controller can control various different devices and accessories. The techniques discloses also can include identifying a change in the configuration information for the computing device. The technique for accessory control can include transmitting updated configuration information for the controller, the configuration information associating a function for the computing device with a user interface element value for the controller.