Centralized IoT Hub Control for Multi-Room Guest Device Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying consumer-grade IoT controllable devices in hospitality establishments, such as hotels, is hindered by the need for separate hubs in each room, which is costly and management-intensive, and does not account for unique physical layouts and radio interference, while also requiring dynamic user authorization and control across multiple rooms.
Innovation Solution
A system where user devices connect to a control server that manages multiple hubs, allowing remote control of IoT devices across rooms without requiring a separate hub in each room, using Zigbee and Zwave protocols, and enabling dynamic user authorization and control through a centralized management interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate hub is installed in each guest room, then each room can independently control its IoT devices, but the cost and management complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple room hubs into a single centralized hub that serves the entire hospitality establishment. The hub is positioned in a central location (such as a hallway or utility area) and wirelessly communicates with IoT devices in multiple rooms, eliminating the need for separate hubs in each room while maintaining independent control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the centralized hub and the wireless network. The gateway facilitates communication between the hub and user devices (smartphones, tablets) via wireless protocols, enabling remote control of IoT devices without requiring direct connection between the hub and each user device.
2Reliability
If each room is treated as a separate IoT system, then room isolation is maintained for security, but the management of multiple hubs becomes excessive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functionality of multiple rooms into a single centralized hub system. The hub maintains logical separation between rooms through software-based room profiles and device groupings, allowing centralized management while preserving security boundaries. The system can dynamically assign devices to different rooms and users based on configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized hub is designed to universally control IoT devices across multiple rooms through a single interface. The system provides multi-functionality by supporting various control modes (individual room control, multi-room control, establishment-wide control) and accommodating different user types (guests, staff, management) with appropriate authorization levels.
3Quantity of substance
If consumer grade IoT devices are deployed, then cost is reduced, but radio interference from internal structures such as elevators and insulation affects device communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the centralized hub in a strategically selected location within the establishment that minimizes exposure to radio frequency interference from elevators, insulation, and other internal structures. The hub is placed in an area with optimal wireless signal propagation characteristics, such as a hallway away from elevator shafts or in a location with minimal metallic obstructions, thereby maintaining reliable communication with IoT devices despite the presence of interference sources.
4Device complexity
If a centralized hub controls multiple rooms, then deployment cost is reduced, but latency in command transmission to IoT devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures the centralized hub with location data and communication parameters for all IoT devices in the establishment during the setup phase. The hub maintains a cached database of device identifiers, wireless channel information, and optimal transmission parameters. When a control command is received, the hub quickly retrieves pre-configured information and transmits the command without requiring real-time discovery or configuration, thereby minimizing latency despite the centralized architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Internet of things (IoT) hubs are distributed in a hospitality establishment and are connected to a control server. Various IoT devices are installed in each room or other separate guest area within the hospitality establishment. The hubs are located such that each IoT device is within a predetermined distance from at least one hub. The control server has mappings of which IoT devices are in which rooms, and has mappings of which hubs are used to control which IoT devices. When a state change message is received from a user device, the control server confirms the user device is currently associated with at least one guest room and then determines which target IoT devices are affected by the state change message. The control server then sends commands to the various one or more hubs that control the target IoT devices in order to effect the state changes.