Air Conditioning System with Server-Based Software Update Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air conditioning systems burden users with the need to update both the air conditioner and remote monitoring device when adding new functions, especially in IoT-enabled systems that require software updates for both units.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system design where the server device handles updates and processes related to monitoring, allowing the remote monitoring device to operate without needing updates, thereby shifting the burden to the server device alone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control software is updated in both the air conditioner and remote monitoring device to add new functions, then the system functionality is improved, but the user burden and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the software update function from the air conditioner and remote monitoring device, concentrating it entirely in the server device. The server device stores multiple versions of control software and manages updates, while the air conditioner and remote monitoring device only need to communicate with the server to receive updates passively, eliminating the need for users to manually update each device
Solution Approach 2:
The server device acts as an intermediary between the air conditioner and remote monitoring device for software updates. It stores control software versions, manages update distributions, and coordinates the update process, allowing both devices to be updated without direct user intervention or complex coordination between the devices themselves
2Adaptability or versatility
If control software is updated in both the air conditioner and remote monitoring device, then new functions are added, but the time required for updating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server device performs preliminary actions by storing multiple versions of control software in advance and preparing update packages before they are needed. When an update is required, the server can immediately distribute the pre-prepared software versions to both devices simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential updates and reducing total update time
3Ease of manufacture
If the air conditioner and remote monitoring device are updated separately, then each device can be maintained independently, but the system complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the software maintenance function of both devices into a single centralized location - the server device. The server stores all control software versions and manages updates for both the air conditioner and remote monitoring device together, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to update each device independently through the unified server management system
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system comprises an air conditioner, a remote monitoring device to monitor the air conditioner, and a server device to communicate with the remote monitoring device. The server device comprises a communication unit to transmit and receive data to and from the remote monitoring device, and a parser processing unit to perform a process related to monitoring of the air conditioner by the remote monitoring device.