Edge-Based Smart Home Actuator Control by User Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart home control systems face limitations in intuitive, context-dependent control of actuators, often requiring dedicated hardware and static relationships between inputs and actions, with issues such as latency in cloud architectures and the need for specific keywords or gestures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an edge server device for controlling smart home actuators, where an operating device detects user interactions and generates control messages based on location and context, allowing flexible and intuitive control of multiple actuators within a locally limited geographical area using various sensors and communication methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cloud architecture is used for central control of smart home devices, then control functionality is centralized, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge server as an intermediary component between the cloud and local devices. The edge server pre-loads control parameters and device states into local memory, acting as a buffer that eliminates cloud access latency for frequent operations while maintaining centralized control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading control parameters, device states, and configuration data into the edge server's local memory before they are needed. This advance preparation ensures that when control commands are issued, they execute immediately from local storage rather than requiring cloud round-trips.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated peripheral hardware is used for each device, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal remote control device that can operate multiple different smart home devices through a single interface. The edge server maintains a mapping between the universal controller's input elements and various target devices, eliminating the need for dedicated remote controls for each device while maintaining precise control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of device control interfaces in the edge server's memory, allowing the universal controller to simulate dedicated device-specific controls. This virtualization enables precise device control without requiring physical dedicated hardware for each device type.
3Ease of operation
If voice control with keywords is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to incorrect operation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The edge server implements feedback mechanisms that monitor and validate voice commands before execution. The system cross-references detected speech patterns against known device states and user preferences, providing confirmation or correction opportunities that prevent incorrect operations while maintaining natural voice-based ease of use.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method is described for controlling at least one actuator and/or for generating and/or transmitting at least one control message to the at least one actuator using an operating device, wherein the actuator is part of a plurality of actuators arranged or present in a locally limited geographical area and which are directly or indirectly interconnected in the locally limited geographical area, wherein a control equipment is arranged as an edge server for controlling the plurality of actuators in the locally limited geographical area, or a control equipment located outside the locally limited geographical area is assigned as an edge server for controlling the plurality of actuators, wherein at least one sensor device is present in the locally limited geographical area.by means of which the operating device can be located within the locally limited geographical area, wherein, for the control of the at least one actuator and/or for the generation and/or transmission of at least one control message to the at least one actuator, -- in a first step the operating device is located within the locally limited geographical area, -- in a second step user interaction with respect to the operating device is detected, and -- in a third step the at least one actuator is controlled depending on the location of the operating device within the locally limited geographical area and depending on the detected user interaction with respect to the operating device, or a control message is generated and/or transmitted to the at least one actuator.