Device Synchronization via Simulation Module and Reference Clock
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of connected devices in homes and offices creates a need for simpler user experiences and interoperability, as consumers face challenges in monitoring and controlling diverse devices remotely due to differing communication protocols and lack of synchronization, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables devices to be connected through a simulation module, which uses a reference clock to test time-dependent commands on physical devices, synchronizing actions across multiple devices and allowing for batch testing, thereby simplifying the connection and control of devices from various manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices from different manufacturers use their own communication protocols and methods to connect to the internet, then device functionality and manufacturer independence are maintained, but interoperability and ease of configuration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simulation module as an intermediary component that sits between the reference clock and physical devices. This simulation module receives time-dependent commands, simulates device behavior using stored device drivers, and outputs test results. The intermediary handles the complexity of testing and synchronization, allowing devices to maintain their independence while enabling standardized testing and configuration through a unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation module serves multiple functions: it acts as a test environment, a communication intermediary, and a synchronization coordinator. By using a reference clock that provides centralized time management and a simulation module that can handle multiple device types through stored drivers, the system achieves universal compatibility across devices from different manufacturers without requiring each device to be individually configured or tested in isolation.
2Reliability
If manual monitoring and testing of each connected device is performed, then device performance and synchronization can be verified, but user time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores copies of device drivers in the simulation module, which replicate the behavior of physical devices without requiring the actual devices to be present for testing. This copying approach allows comprehensive testing of time-dependent commands and device interactions to be performed rapidly in the simulated environment, verifying device performance and synchronization reliability without the time-consuming process of manually testing each physical device individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary testing and verification in the simulation module before deploying commands to physical devices. By using the reference clock to pre-synchronize time-dependent commands and testing them in advance in the simulated environment, the system ensures device reliability is verified beforehand, eliminating the need for lengthy manual monitoring and follow-up testing of actual devices.
3Ease of operation
If time-dependent commands are sent to physical devices without centralized time management, then device autonomy is maintained, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reference clock establishes a common time reference (equipotential time baseline) that all devices in the system synchronize to. By providing a centralized time source that all devices can reference, the system maintains synchronization accuracy across the network while devices continue to operate autonomously based on this common reference, eliminating time drift and synchronization errors that would occur with completely independent device clocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation module provides feedback by comparing the timing of simulated device responses against the reference clock. This feedback mechanism verifies that time-dependent commands are executed at the correct times and identifies any synchronization issues. The feedback loop ensures synchronization precision is maintained while allowing devices to retain their autonomous operation based on the centralized time reference.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a platform that enables devices, services and applications to be connected together. Creating a “connected environment” via this platform requires co-ordinating multiple device manufacturers and service providers, and multiple standards/protocols. Advantageously, the platform removes the requirement for different manufacturers of different devices to adopt common protocols to enable device connection, and further, the platform removes the burden of configuration away from the consumer. Time-dependent behaviors, and time-dependent behaviors of groups of devices, may be tested in a simulated environment to identify emergent behaviors and software bugs before they are implemented via the platform, to enhance the user experience.