Dual-Server Control Unit for Home Network Energy Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for home networks and house control systems require either high energy consumption for multimedia processing or inefficient power management, making it difficult to combine both tasks effectively.

Innovation Solution

A dual-server control unit where a continuously active first server with low computing power and energy efficiency manages house control components, and a second server with high computing power is activated only when needed for multimedia data processing, using a separate control line and data interface for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single server is used for both house control and multimedia processing, then versatility is improved, but energy consumption increases due to high computing power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is divided into two separate servers: a first server for house control tasks and a second server for multimedia processing. This segmentation allows each server to be optimized for its specific function, with the first server consuming less energy since house control requires lower computing power compared to multimedia processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If a server with high computing power is used for multimedia processing, then processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing powerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second server for multimedia processing is designed to be dynamically activated only when multimedia tasks are detected by the first server. When no multimedia processing is required, the second server remains deactivated, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high computing power availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the second server is continuously active, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first server continuously monitors for multimedia processing requirements and activates the second server in advance when needed. This preliminary detection and activation approach ensures the second server is ready when multimedia tasks arrive, maintaining good response time while avoiding continuous operation and associated energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2512103B1Control unit

Publication Date: 2018.02.14 LOEWE TECH

Figure 1

AI summary

The control unit (8) has first server (1) for monitoring and controlling the control components (9,10) and the second server (2) for transmitting and receiving multimedia data to and from the local area network (3). The first server is connected directly to network and is set in continuous active state, while second server is activated from first server via first separate control line (7). When multimedia data of multimedia components (3-1-3-n) such as TV and DVD player in local network is provided, the first server is in communication with second server via separate data line (6).