Hierarchical Automation Control With Secure Remote Network Oversight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home and business automation systems are limited by high costs, complexity, and lack of scalability, making them inaccessible to most users, with existing solutions like X10 being unreliable and user-unfriendly, and high-end systems requiring professional installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A scalable automation system using a hierarchical control platform that supports various communication protocols, including wireline and wireless technologies like Zigbee and Z-wave, allowing for flexible deployment and management of automation components as independent or consolidated systems, with secure data links for remote oversight and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive stand-alone automation systems are deployed, then system functionality and control capability are improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system is divided into independent modular components (sensors, actuators, controllers) that can be deployed individually or in groups. Each module operates autonomously or semi-autonomously, allowing incremental deployment without requiring complete system installation. This segmentation reduces installation complexity while maintaining full system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces that allow different automation components to work together regardless of manufacturer or specific function. This multi-functionality enables a single platform to support various automation tasks (lighting, security, HVAC, entertainment) without requiring separate specialized systems, reducing both cost and installation complexity.
2Reliability
If professional installation and maintenance services are used, then system reliability and performance are improved, but ongoing operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system incorporates self-diagnosis, self-configuration, and automatic fault detection capabilities that allow it to maintain itself without professional intervention. The system automatically detects issues, attempts self-repair, and provides detailed status information to users, significantly reducing reliance on professional maintenance services while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors its own operational status through integrated sensors and diagnostics, providing real-time feedback on system health and performance. This feedback mechanism enables proactive maintenance scheduling and automatic adjustment of system parameters to optimize reliability, reducing the need for reactive professional service calls.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing power line communication protocols like X10 are used, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but system reliability and user-friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing power lines as an intermediary communication medium but introduces intelligent protocol translation and error correction layers. The power line communication module acts as an intermediary that converts unreliable raw power line signals into reliable digital communications, maintaining the cost advantage of using existing infrastructure while achieving high reliability through protocol enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters (data rate, error correction level, transmission power) based on detected power line conditions. When interference is detected, the system automatically changes parameters to maintain reliable communication, allowing robust operation over existing power line infrastructure without requiring expensive dedicated communication wiring.
4Productivity
If large system deployments are implemented, then automation benefits and control capability are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is organized into hierarchical segments (individual devices, rooms, floors, entire building) that can be deployed and managed at any level. Users can start with small deployments (single room) and expand incrementally to larger systems without redesigning the entire architecture. This segmentation allows automation benefits to be achieved at any scale while keeping system complexity manageable through modular expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. An external network resource such as at least a virtual private network server is configured to enable communication with the automation controller. The automation controller is configured, such as by executing virtual private network software, to establish and maintain a secure data link with the virtual private network server and to enable oversight and/or control of the automation controller via the virtual private network server.