Appliance Network Client Architecture for Component Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances with diverse componentry face challenges in design, development, testing, diagnosis, control, and debugging due to the complexity of their electromechanical, electrothermal, and electrochemical operations, and existing internal communication networks are limited in enabling interoperability and universality among components.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture that enables communication between appliance components through a network, using a client with memory locations, identifiers, and a software architecture driver to transmit messages, allowing for the creation of objects, control commands, and data queries, and enabling collaboration between software components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry is used to achieve specific appliance functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication network (WIDE bus) that enables different appliance components to interact through standardized protocols. This allows diverse components to be integrated without increasing overall system complexity, as the network provides a common interface for all component communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network acts as an intermediary layer between diverse components, translating and routing messages between different component types. This mediator approach allows functional versatility while managing complexity by centralizing communication logic in the network protocol rather than in each component.
2Reliability
If multiple discrete circuits are used for component communication, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete communication circuits into a single integrated communication network (WIDE bus). This network combines the functionality of multiple separate circuits while reducing overall complexity by providing a unified communication pathway among all appliance components.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network serves multiple communication functions simultaneously, replacing what would otherwise require multiple dedicated circuits. The universal network handles various types of communications (control, status, diagnostics) through standardized protocols, maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hard-wiring connectors are used for component connections, then connection stability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hard-wiring connectors with an electrical communication network system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connectors and hard-wired connections between components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining stable communication through the standardized network protocol.
4Adaptability or versatility
If software is enabled in each component for network participation, then interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables homogeneous software functionality across all networked components through standardized protocols and message formats. Each component runs similar software that adheres to the WIDE network specifications, ensuring interoperability while managing complexity through standardization rather than customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A client having at least one memory location is provided for use with an appliance network. The client includes an arbitrary software component for performing a useful function, a software architecture or a software architecture driver configured to generate or enable transmission of messages, and means to communicate by message over a network. Thus, the client can have full capability to act as an accessory to an appliance to communicate with and to enhance or alter the operation of the appliance.