Appliance Controller Segmentation for Customization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional appliances with standardized control systems hinder customization and upgrading of physical components or functionalities, inhibiting end-users from achieving specialized controls without altering the entire controller.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that generates a core control module at an appliance and builds a user-specific control module on a network computing device, allowing for the combination and transmission of these modules to enable customization and upgrading of appliance functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standardized control system is used at the appliance, then manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced, but user customization capability and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into a standardized core control module (fixed at appliance) and a customizable user-specific control module (downloaded separately). This segmentation allows the core functionality to remain simple for manufacturing while enabling users to add customization through software modules without changing physical hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The core control module is designed with universal interfaces and capabilities that can support multiple different user-specific control modules. This allows a single standardized controller to adapt to various user needs by loading different software modules, achieving multi-functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical components or functionalities are upgraded at the appliance, then appliance capabilities are improved, but the controller must also be changed which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from a static, fixed controller to a dynamic system where the user-specific control module can be updated, added, or modified remotely. This allows the appliance capabilities to evolve over time without physical controller replacement, as the software can be dynamically updated to match hardware upgrades or user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the physical controller, the system uses software copying where user-specific control modules are replicated and transmitted to the appliance. This allows functionality to be upgraded by copying new control logic rather than replacing physical components, reducing upgrade complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customization options are increased for end-users, then user satisfaction and specialized control are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The customization functionality is extracted from the physical appliance and placed in separate downloadable software modules. This extraction allows the appliance to be manufactured with a simple, standardized controller, while customization features are added separately through software downloads, avoiding the need to manufacture multiple customized hardware variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customization by changing software parameters and control logic rather than physical manufacturing parameters. Users can modify appliance behavior by loading different control module configurations, allowing high customization levels without varying the physical manufacturing process or increasing production costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for user interface development and appliance data transmission is provided. The method includes generating, at a controller at an appliance, a core control module configured to perform operations corresponding to a first operating function at the appliance; obtaining, at a network computing device, a user input corresponding to a second operating function; building, at the network computing device, a user-specific control module comprising the second operating function; transmitting, to the controller at the appliance, the user-specific control module; and combining the user-specific control module to the core control module.