Appliance State Recognition Using Sensor Feedback and User Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy appliances lack advanced functionality for user interaction and optimized usage, and even smart appliances have limited capabilities in predicting user behavior and optimizing operations.

Innovation Solution

An appliance state recognition apparatus that includes sensor data modules, appliance state recognition modules, response modules, and transmission modules to determine appliance states and generate user-friendly responses based on sensor data, utilizing probabilistic models and crowd-sourced information to adapt to individual appliance characteristics and user behaviors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If legacy appliances are used, then device complexity is low, but user interaction capability and optimized usage functionality are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments functionality by separating the appliance control unit from the state recognition apparatus. The apparatus includes distinct modules for sensor data identification, appliance state determination, response generation, and transmission, allowing legacy appliances to gain advanced capabilities without completely redesigning the appliance itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance state recognition apparatus is designed to work with multiple types of appliances through universal communication protocols and standardized sensor interfaces. The system can identify and process data from various sensor types (temperature, motion, contact sensors) and adapt to different appliance states, making it applicable across diverse appliance categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If smart appliances with remote monitoring are used, then user interaction is improved, but functionality in predicting user behavior and optimizing operations remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction of user behavior capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where sensor data is continuously collected, appliance states are determined based on this data, and responses are generated and transmitted back to the appliance or user interface. This feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from usage patterns and improve predictions of user behavior over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance state recognition apparatus performs preliminary analysis of sensor data to predict future appliance states and user needs before they actually occur. By analyzing current sensor readings and historical patterns, the system can anticipate user actions and optimize appliance operations in advance, such as pre-heating or pre-cooling based on predicted usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If traditional appliance operation is used, then energy consumption is straightforward, but efficiency optimization based on user behavior and energy costs is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappliance operation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts appliance operation parameters based on real-time sensor data, determined appliance states, and generated responses. Rather than using fixed operation modes, the appliance can adapt its behavior dynamically according to actual usage conditions, user patterns, and energy cost variations, maximizing operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance state recognition apparatus monitors and responds to changes in operational parameters by identifying when parameter adjustments would optimize efficiency. The system analyzes sensor data to determine optimal parameter settings and generates responses that adjust operational parameters such as temperature, timing, or power consumption to improve overall efficiency based on current conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4037257B1Appliance state recognition device and methods
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 INTEL CORP
  • EP4037257B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037257B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037257B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to recognition of an appliance state based on sensor data and determination of a response based at least in part on the appliance state. In various embodiments, an apparatus to recognize an appliance state may include a sensor data module to identify sensor data in one or more signals relating to data from one or more sensors associated with an appliance, an appliance state recognition module to determine an appliance state of the appliance based at least in part on the sensor data, a response module to determine a response based at least in part on the appliance state, and a transmission module to send the response to at least one of an appliance controller for the appliance or a presentation device. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed