Device Control Apparatus for Cross-Protocol Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device cooperation control systems face challenges in achieving seamless communication and control between household electrical devices from different manufacturers due to variations in communication protocols and control commands, making interoperability difficult.
Innovation Solution
A device cooperation control system that includes a device control apparatus with a transmitting and receiving unit for sending status confirmation signals and acquiring control contents from a storage unit, allowing it to manage and transmit control commands to devices regardless of manufacturer-specific protocols, enabling cooperation control between devices with different communication protocols and control commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If device control apparatus uses standard communication protocols and control commands for interoperability, then adaptability between devices from different manufacturers is improved, but device complexity increases due to protocol translation and conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device control apparatus functions as an intermediary between devices with different communication protocols. It receives control commands from a control device, converts them into the appropriate protocol-specific commands for the target device, and transmits them. This mediator approach enables interoperability without requiring direct compatibility between all device pairs, resolving the contradiction by centralizing the complexity in the control apparatus rather than in each individual device connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device control apparatus dynamically changes communication parameters such as protocol type, command format, and data structure based on the target device's specifications. By adapting these parameters according to the device being controlled, the system achieves versatility across different manufacturers' devices while managing complexity through parameterization rather than hard-coded multiple protocols.
2Speed
If device control apparatus actively monitors device status by sending confirmation signals, then responsiveness to status changes is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous communication
Solution Approach 1:
The device control apparatus sends status confirmation signals at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic polling approach balances responsiveness by regularly checking device status while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. The system can adjust the polling frequency based on the specific device and its operational state, achieving an optimal trade-off between speed and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The device control apparatus implements a feedback mechanism where devices notify the control apparatus of status changes proactively when they occur, rather than waiting for periodic polling. This feedback approach improves responsiveness significantly as status changes are immediately communicated, while reducing overall energy consumption compared to frequent active polling, since communication only occurs when necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device control apparatus stores control contents for all possible device statuses, then adaptability to handle any status change is improved, but loss of information increases due to larger storage requirements and potential synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device control apparatus implements a universal control content storage structure that can handle multiple device types and status variations through a standardized framework. Rather than storing separate control contents for every possible device-specific status combination, it uses a multi-functional storage system that adapts to different device types, reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to handle any status change through parameterized control templates.
Data Source
AI summary
A device control apparatus periodically transmits a status confirmation signal to a control source device described in a cooperation control table and receives a response signal with respect to the status confirmation signal. Device control apparatus determines whether or not a status included in the response signal matches a status described in the cooperation control table. If they match, a control destination device, an operation and a control command corresponding to the operation are specified using the cooperation control table. A configuration for transmitting a control command with respect to the control destination device is provided. Therefore, even in a case where a communication protocol and the control command are different from one another in makers of devices, it is possible to realize cooperation control.