Coordinator Device Election for Interoperable Automated Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in managing multiple electronically controllable devices or systems from different manufacturers, as each system typically requires a dedicated controller device or app, leading to a piecemeal approach that is not scalable and prone to conflicts and redundancies.
Innovation Solution
A coordinator device is introduced to manage and coordinate multiple controllers and accessories within an automated environment, ensuring interoperability and resolving conflicts by electing a single coordinator through software version and hardware priority rules, and facilitating secure communication and automation of actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated controller devices or apps are used for different manufacturers' systems, then each system can be controlled individually, but the overall system complexity increases and interoperability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary that receives control signals from a controller and translates them into manufacturer-specific protocols. This gateway acts as a mediator between the universal controller and various accessory devices from different manufacturers, enabling interoperability without requiring users to manage multiple dedicated controllers. The gateway handles protocol conversion and routing, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller device is designed with universal functionality to control multiple types of accessory devices from different manufacturers through a single interface. The controller can issue control signals that are routed through the gateway to reach specific accessories, making the controller adaptable to various device types without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each manufacturer's system.
2Reliability
If each manufacturer provides a dedicated controller device or app, then that specific system can be controlled effectively, but conflicts and redundancies occur when multiple controllers are used together
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a central mediator that receives control signals from the controller and intelligently routes them to the appropriate accessory devices. This centralized routing mechanism prevents conflicts and redundancies by ensuring that control signals are directed to the correct target without interference from other controllers, maintaining control reliability while eliminating harmful interactions between multiple dedicated controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated controllers into a single universal controller that works in conjunction with a gateway. Instead of having separate controllers for each manufacturer's system that may conflict with each other, the system combines control functions into one unified controller that manages all accessories through the gateway, eliminating redundancies and conflicts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a piecemeal approach with multiple controller devices is used, then each device can be controlled independently, but the approach is not scalable and requires accumulating a plethora of controller devices
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller is designed to control multiple types of accessory devices from different manufacturers through a single device interface. This eliminates the need to accumulate multiple dedicated controller devices, as one universal controller can handle various device types including light fixtures, thermostats, door locks, and cameras, making the system scalable without increasing the number of controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that enables a single controller to manage multiple accessory devices from different manufacturers. By handling protocol conversion and signal routing, the gateway allows one controller to effectively control many different devices, reducing the need to accumulate multiple dedicated controllers and making the system scalable.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated environment can include multiple controller devices capable of communicating with multiple accessory devices. The controller devices can automatically elect one of their number as a coordinator device for the environment and can automatically perform a new election if an incumbent coordinator becomes unavailable or resigns. The election processes can be transparent to any users. An elected coordinator can perform various operations to facilitate management of the automated environment, including routing of communications between controllers and accessories.