Wireless Docking Visual Interface for Intuitive Device Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face complexity in selecting and connecting to the correct wireless devices and services due to the vast range of Wi-Fi signals and unclear device roles in wireless communication systems, leading to increased user interaction time and difficulty.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system with a graphical user interface that allows users to intuitively select devices and services by drawing lines between node elements representing devices and services, automatically establishing connections and sessions based on user input, while also enabling role assignment and connection management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional Wi-Fi device discovery and connection methods are used, then devices can be discovered within range, but the complexity of user interaction increases and connection setup time is extended due to the vast number of available devices and services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual interface intermediary that displays discovered devices and services in a graphical format with node elements and connection lines. This intermediary layer simplifies the complex Wi-Fi discovery process by providing a visual map of available connections, allowing users to intuitively select devices and services through graphical interaction rather than navigating through multiple text-based menus and lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional linear, text-based device selection process into a two-dimensional visual interface. Devices and services are represented as node elements arranged in space, with connection elements showing relationships between them. This spatial arrangement allows users to perceive connection options more easily and makes device selection more intuitive by leveraging visual spatial relationships rather than sequential text navigation.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive service information is provided to users, then users can see all available options, but the complexity of understanding and perceiving connection options increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive service information into discrete node elements, each representing a specific device or service. Rather than presenting a overwhelming list of all available services, the interface divides information into individual selectable units (node elements) that users can interact with independently. Each node element can be individually selected or connected, allowing users to build their desired connection configuration step by step without being overwhelmed by the complete service landscape at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual distinctions such as color coding to differentiate between various device types, service categories, or connection states. This visual encoding allows users to quickly comprehend the nature and status of different nodes and connections without requiring detailed textual descriptions, thereby maintaining information completeness while reducing the cognitive load and perceived interface complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A slave device provides a service to a master device via wireless communication, e.g. via wireless docking. The master device has a graphical user interface arranged for generating a system image (400) for showing node elements (310, 311, 320) graphically representing the devices and services, e.g. on a touch screen. The user may draw a line (410, 420) on the touch screen between selected node elements causing a line drawing input being detected. The slave device now initiates a setup operation between selected devices corresponding to the selected node elements. The setup operation is subsequently performed by establishing a wireless connection between the selected devices. Advantageously, the user intuitively commands a wireless connection to be set up for using a service via wireless communication.