Concierge Device for Automated Home Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation systems lack a user-centric, multi-purpose interface for diverse consumer devices, and efficient technical support connectivity, often requiring complex device management and manual intervention for troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
A concierge device that connects redundantly to a home management bridge and cloud-based management servers, enabling dynamic menu acceptance, voice or video support, and automated troubleshooting, allowing users to initiate support calls with single actions and bypassing automated attendants through device identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users interact with cloud-based services and home management bridges to register and control consumer devices, then device management capability is improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a concierge device as an intermediary between users and the complex cloud-based home management system. This concierge device handles device registration, control, and support interactions, shielding users from the underlying system complexity while maintaining full device management capabilities. The concierge device translates user-friendly actions into the appropriate cloud service commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated device registration and onboarding processes where the concierge device automatically discovers new consumer devices, registers them with cloud services, and configures them without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity for users while enhancing device management versatility.
2Productivity
If automated support protocols and diagnostic information transmission are implemented, then support efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concierge device automatically collects diagnostic information and device status data before support interactions are initiated. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary diagnostic data is prepared in advance, enabling efficient support protocols without requiring complex real-time data gathering during support interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where the concierge device continuously monitors device status, transmits diagnostic information to cloud services, and receives automated responses. This feedback mechanism enables efficient automated support protocols that can diagnose and resolve issues without human intervention, improving support productivity while managing complexity through systematic information exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
We disclose a concierge device that can be configured to register, control and support a consumer device. It can alternatively or redundantly connect to a home management bridge and/or cloud-based management servers. It can accept menus that allow a single concierge device to provide a wide range of functions for various consumer devices. The concierge device allows the user in a single action to initiate a support session, automatically identifying the consumer device. The concierge device can be configured for voice or video support calls. The concierge device in conjunction with a home management bridge or gateway can manage on boarding of components of an automated home, such as switches and lamps. Implementations of the concierge device that include a display can show supplemental information, such as advertising, optionally in coordination with media being played on a consumer device coupled in communication with the concierge device.