User Intent Control via Network Traffic and Gesture Inputs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling devices using gesture inputs are prone to misinterpretation by unintended devices, leading to unintended device actions due to incorrect detection and interpretation of gesture inputs.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that detects network traffic activity indicative of actions by network devices, identifies user inputs made by a user device, and determines user intent by comparing the inputs with stored data, allowing for controlled device outputs based on the intent, with options to adjust or alert the user to unintended actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gesture inputs are made without physical contact with the user device, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to detection by unintended devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture input convenienceVSAvoiddevice control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors network traffic activity as feedback to determine whether a detected gesture input was intended for the user device or an unintended device. By analyzing network traffic patterns that occur after gesture detection, the system can identify mismatches between detected gestures and actual user intent, then provide feedback to correct or reject inappropriate device actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Network traffic activity serves as an intermediary indicator of user intent. Rather than directly detecting whether a gesture was intended, the system uses network traffic patterns (such as communication between devices or data access patterns) as a mediator to infer the user's actual intention, thereby resolving the ambiguity of contactless gesture detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If network traffic monitoring is implemented to determine user intent, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser intent determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network traffic monitoring system serves multiple functions: it not only determines user intent but also provides information about device interactions, communication patterns, and system state. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single monitoring infrastructure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4345581B1Apparatus, methods, and computer programs for controlling devices
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4345581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4345581B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4345581B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Examples of the disclosure provide apparatus, methods and computer programs for assisting with controlling actions performed by user devices and network devices. In some examples there can be provided an apparatus comprising means for detecting network traffic activity. The network traffic activity is indicative of one or more actions performed by at least one network device. The apparatus can also comprise means for identifying a user input made by a user of a user device. The at least one network device is different to the user device. The user input is made in a time interval before the detected network traffic activity. The apparatus can also comprise means for determining a user intent of the one or more actions performed by the at least one network device by comparing the identified user input and detected network traffic activity with data relating to user inputs and associated expected network traffic activity stored in a database. The apparatus can also comprise means for controlling an output of the user device based on the determined user intent.