Centralized Programming Unit for Home Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex scenarios in home automation installations are not user-friendly, and defining preferred states for equipment is cumbersome, requiring extensive manual intervention, which increases installation time and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a centralized programming unit that allows for the selection and storage of preferred states for home automation equipment using nomadic remote controls, enabling a single command to assign personalized states across the installation, simplifying the programming process and reducing user effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If programming is carried out individually for each piece of equipment, then each device can be precisely configured, but the programming time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming precisionVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual programming operations into a single centralized programming action. The centralized programming unit allows the installer to program multiple home automation devices simultaneously through one interface, merging what would otherwise require separate programming sessions for each device. This reduces programming time while maintaining precision through the unit's ability to manage individual device configurations within the centralized workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized programming unit serves multiple functions: it can program different types of home automation equipment, manage various scenarios, and configure multiple devices through a single interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate programming tools for each device type, streamlining the programming process while maintaining comprehensive control over all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex scenarios are implemented, then automation capabilities are enhanced, but user-friendliness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoiduser-friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized programming unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex automation scenarios. It provides a simplified interface that hides the underlying complexity of scenario programming, allowing users to configure and manage sophisticated automation sequences without needing to understand the complex interactions between multiple devices. The unit translates user-friendly commands into the appropriate device control sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If preferred states are defined for each equipment item individually, then precise control is achieved, but the programming process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized programming unit merges the configuration of preferred states for multiple equipment items into a single programming session. The installer can define preferred states for various devices through one unified interface, and the unit manages the complexity of storing and retrieving these states across multiple devices. This maintains precise control over each device's preferred state while eliminating the need for separate programming operations for each piece of equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2784981B1Centralised programming of a home automation installation
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP2784981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2784981B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves bringing a home automation equipment (12) to be personalized into a personalized state using a centralized programming unit (18). A general command is sent to the home automation equipment to be personalized and/or to remote controls associated with the home automation equipment among wandering remote controls (16) by using the centralized programming unit, where the wandering remote controls memorize a personalized state as preferred state. The home automation equipment and the wandering remote controls are paired. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a centralized programming unit for communicating with a home automation installation (2) a home automation assembly.