Virtual 3D Space Layout Diagram for Home Network Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interfaces for home networks fail to intuitively control electronic devices and share their contents, as users struggle to visualize device arrangements and content offerings due to the use of icons or lists, making it difficult to manage and interact with devices based on their physical layout and provided content.
Innovation Solution
A virtual 3D space layout diagram is generated and displayed to represent electronic devices connected to the home network, allowing users to intuitively control and share content by receiving input signals and performing corresponding user interface functions based on the 3D position information and rendering-based information of the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional user interfaces use icons or lists to display electronic devices, then the interface is simple to implement, but the user cannot intuitively identify the arrangement of devices in the house
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D icons or lists to a 3D virtual space layout diagram that represents the actual physical arrangement of electronic devices in the house. This dimensional change allows users to intuitively understand device locations and relationships by visualizing them in their spatial context, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and interface complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical environment by generating a 3D layout diagram that mirrors the actual arrangement of electronic devices in the house. This virtual representation allows users to interact with device information in a way that reflects real-world spatial relationships, improving intuitiveness without requiring physical changes to the interface hardware
2Loss of information
If conventional user interfaces display devices as icons or lists, then the interface requires minimal processing resources, but the user cannot identify contents provided by respective electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges device location information with content information in the 3D virtual space layout diagram. By combining spatial representation with content metadata, users can simultaneously understand where devices are located and what contents they provide, eliminating the information loss present in conventional icon-based interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different information qualities to different regions of the 3D space layout. Each device location in the virtual space displays specific content information relevant to that device, allowing users to identify contents provided by respective electronic devices while maintaining an organized spatial structure that doesn't overwhelm the interface
3Ease of operation
If a virtual 3D space layout diagram is generated and displayed, then users can intuitively control electronic devices, but the system requires complex processing and rendering capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic generation of the 3D virtual space layout diagram by having electronic devices self-report their position information and content metadata to the control middleware. This self-service approach reduces the manual configuration burden and automates the complex process of creating an accurate spatial representation, balancing ease of operation with automation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the 3D virtual space framework and pre-configuring the rendering engine before users interact with the interface. This preliminary setup allows the system to quickly generate and display layout diagrams in response to user requests, reducing the perceived complexity during actual user interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface method and apparatus which allow a user to intuitively control electronic devices connected to a home network by using a virtual 3D space layout diagram, and electronic devices and storage media therefor are provided. The user interface method includes: generating a virtual 3D space layout diagram based on 3D position information regarding at least one electronic device connected to a home network; displaying the generated virtual 3D space layout diagram; receiving an input signal based on the displayed virtual 3D space layout diagram; and performing a user interface function corresponding to the received input signal.