Domestic Appliance Interface for Robotic Vacuum Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic appliance systems, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, require additional devices for wireless communication and user interaction, increasing costs and complexity, and necessitating separate displays for status information.
Innovation Solution
Integrating wireless communication between stationary domestic appliances and mobile appliances, allowing the latter to use the former as user interfaces and data exchange platforms, eliminating the need for additional devices and reducing material costs by utilizing existing appliances like ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines for status display and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional devices (remote control, personal computer, signal sources) are used for wireless communication and operation, then functionality and user interaction capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling existing stationary domestic appliances to serve multiple functions: they act as wireless communication access points, user interfaces, and status display devices for the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner. This eliminates the need for dedicated remote controls or personal computers, reducing system complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of wireless communication infrastructure and user interface into existing stationary appliances. Instead of separate devices for communication and control, the stationary appliances integrate these functions, combining what were previously separate systems into a unified approach.
2Ease of operation
If additional devices (remote control, personal computer) are used for wireless communication, then user interaction capabilities are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Existing stationary appliances are made universal by enabling them to provide user interface and communication functions. Users can interact with the robotic vacuum cleaner through appliances they already own and use daily, eliminating the need to purchase additional remote controls or personal computers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing appliances that users already possess and are familiar with, allowing them to serve the additional function of controlling and monitoring the robotic vacuum cleaner. This self-service approach leverages existing resources rather than requiring new investments in dedicated control devices.
3Loss of information
If separate displays are used for status information, then information accessibility is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Stationary appliances serve as universal display devices for the robotic vacuum cleaner's status information. The same appliances that users interact with for control also provide status updates, eliminating the need for separate dedicated display devices on the robot itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary appliances act as intermediaries between the robotic vacuum cleaner and the user. They receive data from the mobile appliance and present it in a user-friendly format on their own displays, mediating the information flow without requiring the mobile appliance to have its own display system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a system of at least one stationary domestic appliance and a mobile domestic appliance includes connecting the mobile domestic appliance using wireless communication to the at least one stationary domestic appliance and exchanging data between the mobile domestic appliance and the at least one stationary domestic appliance.