Domestic Appliance Remote Control via Ultrasonic and Wireless Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for domestic appliances experience delays in transmitting instructions due to wireless communication protocols, which can be annoying for users when entering sequences of instructions or adjusting continuous parameters, especially when near the appliance.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a mobile device with a wireless communication module and a loudspeaker or infrared transmitter to send ultrasonic or high-frequency audible signals directly to the appliance, allowing for immediate operation without wireless propagation delays, and allows for correction via wireless signals if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication protocol is used to transmit control signals from mobile device to domestic appliance, then remote control capability is achieved, but transmission delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a smart speaker or display device) that acts as a relay between the mobile device and the domestic appliance. This intermediary receives control signals from the mobile device and forwards them to the appliance, enabling remote control while reducing delay by using local processing and pre-established connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication channels and preparing control pathways before actual control operations. The intermediary device maintains ready-state connections with both the mobile device and the domestic appliance, so that when control signals are needed, transmission can begin immediately without full connection setup delays.
2Productivity
If user enters instructions quickly in sequence to mobile device, then control efficiency is improved, but delay becomes more noticeable and annoying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the intermediary device provides real-time status information back to the user's mobile device. This feedback loop allows users to see immediate confirmation of their commands and the appliance's response state, making quick sequential inputs feel more responsive and controllable, thereby improving both efficiency and user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous communication channels and keeps the intermediary device in an active listening and forwarding state throughout the control session. This continuity ensures that rapid sequential commands are processed without interruption or repeated connection handshakes, allowing users to enter multiple instructions quickly while maintaining smooth and responsive operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless control signal is transmitted via wireless communication protocol, then remote control function is achieved, but signal propagation time causes operational delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary device that receives wireless control signals and immediately forwards them to the domestic appliance through a different communication path. This intermediary architecture allows the system to maintain wireless remote control versatility while reducing the effective propagation delay by using local processing and alternative transmission routes for the actual control commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary device performs multiple functions: it receives wireless control signals, processes them locally, maintains communication with the domestic appliance, and provides user feedback. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve remote control versatility through a single device that can handle various control scenarios while optimizing transmission speed through its centralized position in the control architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user experience by eliminating delays in appliance operation when near the appliance, allowing for immediate response to user inputs and correcting any errors in ultrasonic or infrared signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a loudspeaker to transmit an ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal to the microphone of the domestic appliance
Implementation Method 2
either an ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal or an infrared control signal sent from the user's mobile device will be received directly by the domestic appliance at respectively either the speed of sound or the speed of light
Implementation Method 3
an infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared control signal to the infrared receiver of the domestic appliance
Implementation Method 4
either an ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal or an infrared control signal sent from the user's mobile device will be received directly by the domestic appliance at respectively either the speed of sound or the speed of light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a domestic appliance (100) responsive to remote control, and a system and method for controlling such a device remotely. The domestic appliance (100) comprises a wireless communication device and a microphone (102). The wireless communication device is configured to receive a wireless control signal (400) and the microphone (401) is configured to receive an ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal (401). The control signals (400, 401) are for remote control of the domestic appliance (100) from a mobile device (200) running an application for domestic appliance control or home automation. The mobile device (200) comprises a wireless communication module operating on the same wireless communication protocol as the wireless communication device of the domestic appliance (100), and a loudspeaker. The wireless communication module transmits the wireless control signal (400) to the domestic appliance, and the loudspeaker transmits the ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal (401) to be picked up by the microphone (102) of the domestic appliance. The wireless control signal (400) is subject to a propagation delay (301), such as that caused by a wireless access point (300), whereas the ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal (401) is transmitted at the speed of sound. The ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal (401) can therefore be used to initiate operation of the domestic appliance (100) immediately after a user enters operating instructions therefor into the mobile device (200), and any transmission errors in the ultrasonic or high frequency audible control signal (401) can be corrected once the wireless control signal (400) is received thereafter.