Communication Interface Device Dynamic Rate Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems for air conditioners lack the ability to adapt data transfer rates based on the communication environment, relying solely on detected data transfer rates without considering actual transmission conditions.

Innovation Solution

A communication interface device that includes a sampler, data transfer rate measurer, bit determiner, transmitter, processor communicator, and adjuster, which measures data transfer rates based on start bit samples, adjusts data transfer rates based on response signals, and adapts communication rates dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If data transfer rate is detected based on communication signal and sampling is performed at optimal frequency, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to communication environment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer rate detection accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to communication environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of data transfer rate based on real-time communication quality assessment. The system continuously monitors communication status and adjusts the data transfer rate dynamically, transitioning from fixed-rate communication to variable-rate communication that adapts to changing environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the communication interface device assesses communication quality and feeds this information back to adjust the data transfer rate. The system uses response signals from the remote controller to evaluate transmission success and modifies the data transfer rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If data transfer rate is fixed without adaptation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication interface structureVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface device performs self-assessment of communication quality and automatically adjusts data transfer rate without requiring external intervention. The system independently evaluates transmission success through response signals and autonomously modifies operational parameters to optimize productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission attempts at different data transfer rates are made, then adaptability to communication environment is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication environment adaptationVSAvoidtime for multiple transmission attempts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of communication quality before finalizing the data transfer rate. By evaluating response signals and communication status in advance, the system can pre-determine the optimal data transfer rate, avoiding unnecessary trial-and-error transmission attempts and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2670079B1Communication interface device
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2670079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2670079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2670079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sampler (12) samples a receive signal received via a dedicated communication line (L2). A data transfer rate adjuster (13) measures a data transfer rate based on a number of start bit samples contained in the receive signal. A bit determiner (14) makes a bit determination regarding the receive signal at the data transfer rate measured by the data transfer rate adjuster (13), to thereby acquire serial data contained in the receive signal. A transmitter (11) sends, via the dedicated communication line (L2), a transmit signal containing serial data sent by an MPU. An MPU communicator (10) outputs to the transmitter the serial data sent by the MPU, and outputs to the MPU the serial data acquired by the bit determiner (14). The data transfer rate adjuster (13) adjusts, when the transmitter (11) sends the transmit signal multiple times at different data transfer rates, the data transfer rate based on the receive status of respective response signals thereto.