Cloud-Based PID Control for Building and Vehicle Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networking solutions in buildings often require dedicated hardware gateways for wireless network control, which are costly, unreliable, and impractical for widespread implementation, especially in existing structures where new wiring is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A cloud server-based system replaces dedicated hardware gateways, offering a cost-effective, reliable, and scalable solution for environment control networks by utilizing existing infrastructure and protocols to manage sensor and actuator communications over the internet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hardware gateways are used for wireless network control, then network control functionality is achieved, but system cost and hardware complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gateway control functionality from dedicated hardware devices and relocates it to cloud-based servers. The sensor units and actuator units maintain wireless communication capabilities, but the complex gateway functions (routing, protocol translation, network management) are performed remotely by servers accessible via standard Internet protocols, eliminating the need for specialized hardware gateways in each building.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the control system universal by enabling communication between diverse sensor and actuator units using standard Internet protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS). Instead of requiring proprietary hardware gateways for each device type, the system uses universally accessible web servers and standard network protocols to provide gateway functions across multiple platforms and device types.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated hardware gateways are deployed in each building, then local network control is enabled, but installation difficulty and impracticality increase especially in existing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cloud-based servers as intermediaries between sensor units and actuator units. These servers act as remote mediators that handle protocol translation, routing, and network management functions previously requiring local hardware gateways. This allows existing buildings without new wiring infrastructure to implement control networks by simply connecting sensor and actuator units to standard Internet connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical hardware gateway system with a software-based cloud computing system. Instead of installing physical gateway devices that require electrical wiring and local power infrastructure, the system uses remote servers accessed through standard Internet protocols, substituting physical deployment with network-based access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated gateways are distributed across buildings, then local control autonomy is achieved, but system cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distributed gateway functions into centralized cloud-based servers. Instead of having separate hardware gateways in each building, the system combines routing, protocol translation, and network management functions into remote server infrastructure that serves multiple buildings, reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining distributed control capability through network connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method in a building or vehicle for an actuator operation in response to a sensor according to a control logic, the system comprising a router or a gateway communicating with a device associated with the sensor and a device associated with the actuator over in-building or in-vehicle networks, and an external Internet-connected control server associated with the control logic implementing a PID closed linear control loop and communicating with the router over external network for controlling the in-building or in-vehicle phenomenon. The sensor may be a microphone or a camera, and the system may include voice or image processing as part of the control logic. A redundancy is used by using multiple sensors or actuators, or by using multiple data paths over the building or vehicle internal or external communication. The networks may be wired or wireless, and may be BAN, PAN, LAN, WAN, or home networks.