Appliance Taxonomy Engine for Interoperable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of household appliance components and diverse implementation choices make it difficult to design, develop, test, diagnose, control, and debug appliances, hindering the creation of interoperable and reusable componentry.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture (SA) is implemented on an internal communications network within appliances, enabling communication between components through a taxonomy engine that generates well-formed commands, allowing for control of appliance operations without direct knowledge of component functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry and implementation choices are used in appliances, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but design, development, testing, diagnosis, control, and debug complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal internal communications network (WIDE network) that can carry multiple types of control messages and protocols simultaneously. This single network infrastructure supports diverse components including motor controllers, heating elements, sensors, and user interfaces, allowing one network to perform multiple communication functions rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each component interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software layer with a message broker and protocol translation capabilities that acts as an intermediary between diverse components. This software mediator translates between different communication protocols and message formats, enabling components with diverse implementation choices to interoperate through a standardized interface without increasing physical circuit complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry and implementation choices are used in appliances, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but development, testing, diagnosis, control, and debug difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where the internal communications network monitors and reports the state of all connected components. The message broker tracks message routing, delivery status, and component responses, providing feedback loops that enable automated diagnosis. When components fail or behave unexpectedly, the system can trace message flows and identify the source of problems through this feedback information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of component interfaces and communication protocols through software simulation. During testing and diagnosis, virtual representations of components can be instantiated to reproduce issues without affecting physical hardware. This allows developers to test diverse component configurations and diagnose problems in a controlled virtual environment before deploying to actual appliances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If internal communications network with software control is implemented, then universality in connecting components is improved, but software enablement complexity for each component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where components automatically register themselves with the message broker upon initialization. The broker automatically discovers component capabilities, configures appropriate communication protocols, and sets up message routing without requiring manual software configuration for each component. This self-configuration reduces the software complexity burden on individual components while maintaining universal connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for controlling the operation of a useful system comprises at least one controller configured to control an operation of the useful system in response to a well formed command from a group of well formed commands. At least one taxonomy engine of the system is adapted to generate a taxonomy dataset establishing the group of well formed commands, and at least one command generator of the system is adapted to generate a well formed command using the taxonomy dataset. The taxonomy engine is configured to deliver the taxonomy dataset to the command generator, and the command generator is configured to deliver the well formed command to the controller.