Appliance Component Discovery via Functionality Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances with diverse components are difficult to design, develop, test, diagnose, control, and debug due to the complexity of their componentry and implementation choices, hindering the creation of interoperable and reusable components.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture system that uses functionality identifiers to identify and communicate between components over an internal communications network, enabling nodes to send messages and feedback to affirm the presence of specific identifiers, thus facilitating cooperative operation and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse components are used in household appliances to achieve specific functions, then the functionality and versatility of the appliance is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of design, development, testing, diagnosis, control, and debugging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a standardized communication network (WIDE bus) that enables different components to interact through a common protocol. This allows the system to accommodate diverse components without increasing overall system complexity, as the network provides a universal interface for component communication and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of component identification from generic to specific by introducing functionality identifiers (APIs) that uniquely characterize each component's capabilities. This allows the system to manage diversity through standardized parameterization rather than through complex custom integration for each component type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse components with different implementation choices are used, then the appliance can perform various functions, but the ease of manufacture and component reusability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The WIDE bus network provides a universal communication framework that allows components from different manufacturers with different implementation choices to be integrated without custom manufacturing processes. The standardized protocol enables plug-and-play compatibility, improving ease of manufacture and component reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the appliance into independent networked components that can be manufactured separately and then integrated through the standardized WIDE bus interface. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes while maintaining overall system functionality through the common network protocol.
3Reliability
If traditional discrete circuits are used for component communication, then each communication path is dedicated and reliable, but the device complexity and wiring requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete communication circuits into a single shared WIDE bus network. This consolidation reduces wiring complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the standardized protocol that governs data transmission across the shared network medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The WIDE bus serves as a universal communication medium that replaces multiple dedicated circuits. The network can dynamically route communications between any connected components, providing the functionality of discrete circuits with the simplicity of a shared medium.
4Adaptability or versatility
If components are enabled with software for network participation, then interoperability and reusability are improved, but the difficulty of testing and debugging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where components report their status, capabilities, and operational state through the WIDE bus network. This automated feedback reduces testing and debugging complexity by providing real-time information about component state without requiring manual intervention or complex test procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Components equipped with software for network participation perform self-identification and selfconfiguration through the WIDE bus protocol. This self-service capability reduces testing complexity by eliminating the need for manual configuration and simplifying debugging through automated status reporting and diagnostic capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A network comprising a plurality of nodes, and each of the nodes has at least one identifier from pre-determined group of identifiers, with each identifier identifying at least one functionality applicable such node. A method of identifying the nodes comprises at least one node sending over the network a message configured to ask for the presence of at least one identifier from the pre-determined group of identifiers. At least one other node sends a feedback message affirming the existence of the at least one identifier on the at least one other node.