Distributed Premises Automation Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current premises automation systems for controlling aspects like lighting, music, and HVAC can be overwhelming, expensive, and time-consuming to maintain, particularly due to the complexity of integrating and managing various control components.
Innovation Solution
A distributed architecture for premises automation is introduced, where sensor devices, processors, and feedback devices are decoupled, allowing for a modular and efficient integration with existing sound systems, using a processor and cloud network connection housed in a core device, with enhanced feedback channels and sensor reliability through 'wake word' detection and fine-tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized control system is used for premises automation, then control functionality is comprehensive, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into distributed control nodes throughout the premises. Each node independently controls specific zones or devices, eliminating the single-point complexity of centralized systems. Control functions are segmented across multiple autonomous units that can operate independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the core control intelligence from the centralized system and places it in cloud-based services. Local nodes contain only essential control logic, while advanced processing, learning, and coordination functions are extracted to remote cloud infrastructure. This separation reduces local device complexity and maintenance burden while preserving comprehensive control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control components are integrated in a centralized system, then control capability is enhanced, but integration and management time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal control nodes that can perform multiple control functions across different premises automation domains (lighting, HVAC, security, entertainment). Each node is designed with multi-functional capabilities, allowing a single device to control various systems through standardized interfaces, thereby enhancing control capability while reducing the number of specialized components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pre-configured control nodes with built-in intelligence and pre-established communication protocols. Nodes are deployed in a plug-and-play manner, with integration logic already prepared and tested. This preliminary preparation of control components and their interconnections significantly reduces on-site integration time while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing sound systems are integrated into premises automation, then system versatility improves, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standardized communication interfaces and protocol translators as intermediaries between existing sound systems and the distributed control nodes. These intermediaries handle the complexity of integrating diverse audio equipment by providing uniform connection methods and translation layers, allowing sound systems to be incorporated into premises automation without directly increasing control node complexity.
4Reliability
If distributed control nodes are deployed throughout premises, then control reliability improves, but feedback channel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple feedback functions into unified control nodes. Each node integrates sensing, processing, and actuation capabilities in single locations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated feedback channels for each control function. By merging feedback pathways with control pathways at the node level, the system achieves high reliability through distributed architecture while minimizing the total number of feedback channels required.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio input associated with a human utterance received at the audio input device is received from a respective one of a plurality of audio input devices. Each of the plurality of audio input devices is located in a corresponding physical location within the premises. The audio input is mapped to an intent. An audible verbal response associated with the intent is provided as audio output via a selected one or more of a plurality of audio output devices. Each of the plurality of audio output devices is located in an associated physical location within the premises.