Visual Device Selection for Intuitive Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for electronic devices are confusing for users due to non-descriptive names and difficulty in selecting specific devices for control, leading to user dissatisfaction and underutilization.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control system that uses an imaging device to generate image data of selected devices, displaying a virtual representation on a display device, allowing users to interact with these representations via an input device, and transmitting control data to the devices using a transceiver, enabling easy and intuitive remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional remote control applications are used with non-descriptive device names, then device control functionality is achieved, but user ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in selecting specific devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the physical device in the form of a digital image or photograph displayed on the mobile device screen. This visual representation serves as a recognizable identifier that users can easily select, replacing non-descriptive text names with intuitive visual replicas of the actual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional text-based device identification to two-dimensional visual representation. By displaying actual images or photographs of devices on the screen, users gain a visual dimension for device identification that significantly improves ease of selection compared to text-only interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If visual representations of devices are implemented for selection, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional imaging and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images of devices and generates visual representations without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device's camera and processing capabilities are utilized to autonomously create and display device images, eliminating the need for complex manual setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functional capabilities of the mobile device, using its camera, display screen, and processing unit for multiple purposes: capturing device images, displaying visual representations, and facilitating user selection. This approach avoids adding dedicated specialized hardware and utilizes the universality of the mobile device's existing components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a selected electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices includes generating image data of at least the selected electronic device with an imaging device, displaying a virtual representation of at least the selected electronic device on a display device based on the generated image data, and receiving a user input with an input device. The method further includes associating the user input with the selected electronic device using a controller, transmitting device data to the selected electronic device with a transceiver, and performing an operation with the selected electronic device based on the transmitted device data.