Bridge Device for Multi-Protocol Network Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home security systems face limitations when trying to communicate between devices using different communication protocols, such as Z-wave and Insteon, preventing the integration of disparate network nodes.
Innovation Solution
A bridge device is introduced to register remote network devices with a control device using different communication protocols by receiving registration information messages, creating records, and transmitting acknowledgement messages, allowing for communication between devices with disparate protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control device uses a specific communication protocol (e.g., Z-wave), then communication reliability with compatible devices is improved, but the ability to integrate devices using different protocols (e.g., Insteon) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge device as an intermediary component that supports multiple communication protocols (Z-wave, Insteon, WiFi, Bluetooth). The bridge device translates messages between different protocols, allowing control devices using one protocol to communicate with remote network devices using another protocol. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable protocol-specific communication while enabling cross-protocol integration through the intermediary bridge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bridge device is introduced to enable multi-protocol communication, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional components: control devices, bridge devices, and remote network devices. Each component has a specific role - control devices manage the system, bridge devices handle protocol translation, and remote devices execute functions. This segmentation allows the complex multi-protocol communication functionality to be distributed across separate devices rather than requiring every device to support all protocols, thereby managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device serves as a dedicated intermediary that handles all protocol translation and compatibility concerns. By centralizing this complexity in the bridge device rather than distributing it across all devices, the patent maintains protocol compatibility while keeping individual device complexity manageable. The bridge absorbs the complexity of supporting multiple protocols while presenting simplified interfaces to both control and remote devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If proprietary protocols are used by different manufacturers, then device functionality is optimized for specific applications, but the ability to integrate devices from different manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device acts as an intermediary that enables integration between devices from different manufacturers by supporting multiple proprietary protocols (Z-wave, Insteon, WiFi, Bluetooth). Each manufacturer can continue optimizing their proprietary protocol for their specific device type and application, while the bridge translates between these protocols, allowing seamless integration across manufacturers' ecosystems without requiring changes to the original device designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device embodies universality by supporting multiple communication protocols simultaneously. Rather than requiring each device to be designed with universal protocol support, the bridge provides universal connectivity capabilities, allowing devices from different manufacturers with specialized protocols to work together. This maintains manufacturing efficiency for each manufacturer while achieving cross-manufacturer integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received from the remote network device, the bridge associates these messages with the identification code, then re-transmits the messages to the control device using the identification code.