Appliance Software Architecture for Interoperable Component Control
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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 electromechanical, electrothermal, and electrochemical operations, and existing internal communication networks are limited in enabling interoperable and reusable componentry.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture system that utilizes a communications network to connect appliance components, featuring multiple software operating layers for controlling devices in different modes, enabling interoperability and reusability through message-based communication and a network of cooperating nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of discrete circuits are used for individual communication between components, then communication control is precise, but device complexity and difficulty of design and implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete communication circuits are merged into a single shared communication bus where components communicate by placing and monitoring messages on the bus, reducing circuit complexity while maintaining communication precision through protocol-based message handling
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus serves multiple functions simultaneously - data transmission, addressing, and control signaling - allowing a single circuit to replace multiple dedicated circuits while maintaining precise communication control through message-based protocols
2Device complexity
If components are interconnected via a shared communication bus, then device complexity is reduced, but message interference and control precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The communication bus is logically segmented into distinct message frames with unique identifiers, source addresses, and destination addresses, allowing multiple components to share the physical bus without message interference through protocol-based message separation and routing
Solution Approach 2:
A message protocol acts as an intermediary layer between components on the bus, providing rules for message formatting, addressing, and conflict resolution that ensure reliable communication despite the shared physical medium
3Reliability
If each component has dedicated control circuits, then control precision is high, but adaptability and reusability of components decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Components are designed with universal message-based interfaces that can communicate with any other component on the bus through standardized protocols, allowing the same component to be reused in different configurations and applications while maintaining precise control through protocol-based command interpretation
4Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry is used to achieve appliance functionality, then adaptability increases, but device complexity and difficulty of debugging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance system is segmented into independent, modular components that each perform specific functions, with all communication between diverse components occurring through the standardized message bus protocol, allowing high adaptability while managing complexity through modular design and unified communication interface
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system for controlling a plurality of devices having at least two operating modes comprises a first software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a first operational mode and a second software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a second operational mode. In another embodiment, a control system for controlling a plurality of devices connected by a communications network comprises a user interface configured to receive the selection of a cycle of operation; a first system element isolated from the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a first control state; and a second system element exposed to the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a second control state.