Bidirectional Remote Control System for Electric Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote control systems for household electric devices can only transmit infrared signals in one direction, preventing users from confirming the status of appliances and limiting control operations, as they lack bidirectional communication and data feedback.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system with a handset and base unit that uses bidirectional wireless communication via ZigBee protocol, enabling control data transmission and response data reception, allowing users to accurately control and monitor the status of electric devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If unidirectional infrared signal transmission is used, then the remote control system is simple to implement, but the user cannot confirm the status of household appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements bidirectional communication between the base unit and handsets, allowing the base unit to receive status information from appliances and transmit this feedback to handsets. This enables users to confirm appliance status remotely, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining reasonable system complexity through structured data exchange protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as an infrared signal transmitter to control appliances, a receiver to obtain status information from appliances, and a communication hub to relay data between handsets and appliances. This multi-functionality consolidates capabilities that would otherwise require separate devices, managing system complexity efficiently.
2Ease of operation
If infrared remote control is used, then control signals can be transmitted, but the signals cannot pass through walls and have extremely short traveling distance
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit serves as an intermediary between handsets and appliances. Handsets communicate with the base unit via wireless signals that can penetrate walls, and the base unit then transmits infrared signals to appliances within line-of-sight range. This intermediary approach extends the effective control range beyond what direct infrared transmission could achieve.
3Loss of information
If the base unit transmits infrared signals to control appliances, then remote control is enabled, but the user cannot determine the control status of individual appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where appliances transmit their status information to the base unit, which then relays this information to handsets. Users can query the status of individual appliances and receive specific feedback, enabling informed control decisions and efficient operation without requiring physical inspection of each device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If data feedback from appliances is not received, then the system structure is simple, but limited control operations can only be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is designed as a multi-functional hub that handles infrared signal transmission, status information reception from multiple appliances, wireless communication with handsets, and data processing. This consolidation of diverse functions into a single unit enables versatile control operations while managing system complexity through integrated architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control system for at least one electric device, each electric device having device identification data, has a handset comprising a handset transceiver, and a base unit having a telephone function to make a call. The base unit has a base unit transceiver that communicates with the handset wireless transceiver bidirectionally, and a primary remote-controller that communicates the electric device bidirectionally to control the electric device. The primary remote-controller has a remote-control transmitter and a remote-control receiver. The remote-control transmitter transmits control data to the electric device by using the device identification data, the control data being used for controlling the electric device. The remote-control receiver receives response data from the electric device in response to the control data.