Interactive communication between a user terminal and an air conditioner using social communication media applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional air conditioner interaction methods, such as remote controls and thermolators, are inconvenient, limited in control distance, and lack advanced features, making it difficult for users to interact with air conditioners effectively and remotely, especially for users and maintenance personnel.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioning interactive system utilizing a social communication media module, where users can interact with air conditioners through instant online chatting tools like WeChat, allowing for registration and communication between users and air conditioners via a controller and server, enabling remote and convenient control and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional remote control or thermolator is used to control air conditioner, then basic functions like temperature adjustment and switching can be achieved, but control distance is limited and operation convenience deteriorates when user is not beside the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidcontrol distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server and social communication media module as intermediaries between the user terminal and air conditioner. The server receives control instructions from the user terminal via social communication media, converts them into standardized control signals, and transmits them to the air conditioner, enabling remote control without direct line-of-sight or proximity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical remote control system with an internet-based communication system. Instead of using infrared or radio frequency signals requiring line-of-sight, the system uses network communication through social media platforms, allowing control from any location with internet connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated smart thermolator APP is developed for air conditioner control, then remote control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and development cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control functionalityVSAvoidsoftware development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the air conditioner control system compatible with existing social communication media platforms that users already have installed on their devices. The server acts as a universal interface that can communicate with multiple air conditioners and multiple user terminals through a single platform, eliminating the need for users to download and install dedicated control apps for each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the existing infrastructure of social communication media platforms (user accounts, authentication, messaging protocols) to provide control functionality. Instead of building a complete communication system from scratch, the patent uses the social media platform's existing services to handle user identification, communication channels, and interface presentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional air conditioner interaction is used, then basic control functions are available, but interaction effectiveness and communication speed are insufficient for rapid response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction efficiencyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces slow traditional communication protocols with internet-based messaging systems used by social media platforms. These systems are optimized for rapid message delivery and real-time communication, significantly reducing the latency between user input and system response compared to traditional remote control or dedicated app architectures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11029050B2Interactive communication between a user terminal and an air conditioner using social communication media applications

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

An air-conditioning interactive terminal, a controller for an air-conditioning system, an air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning interactive system. The air-conditioning interactive terminal is configured with a social communication media module, wherein a user is registered as a first registered user in the social communication media module; the air-conditioning interactive terminal is configured such that the user realizes interactive communication between the first registered user and a second registered user corresponding to one or more air conditioners based on the social communication media module, wherein the second registered user is correspondingly registered by the air conditioners in the social communication media module. The air-conditioning interactive terminal can be implemented based on an instant on-line chatting tool which has been applied on a large scale.