Environment Control Device Using Wi-Fi Hotspot for Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and upgrading of environment control systems in buildings are hindered by the need for physical wiring, which is disruptive, costly, and time-consuming, especially when integrating new components or upgrading legacy systems to use Wi-Fi communication technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an environment control device and method utilizing Wi-Fi hotspots and mesh networks for exchanging environmental data, allowing for wireless communication infrastructure that supports both legacy and modern components, enabling gradual upgrades and minimizing the need for physical wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication (Wi-Fi) is used instead of wires for environment control system components, then deployment cost and disruption are reduced, but compatibility with legacy wired components becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device that bridges wired and wireless communication protocols. The gateway converts signals between wired and wireless formats, enabling legacy wired components to communicate with modern wireless components without requiring direct compatibility between them. This resolves the contradiction by allowing cost-effective wireless deployment while maintaining compatibility with existing wired infrastructure through the gateway mediator.
2Reliability
If physical wiring is deployed for environment control system components, then reliable communication is achieved, but deployment disruption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system using Wi-Fi technology. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wire deployment while maintaining communication functionality. The gateway ensures that the wireless system provides sufficient reliability for environment control applications, thereby reducing deployment disruption and cost without significantly compromising communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy wired environment control components are upgraded to Wi-Fi, then modern wireless communication is achieved, but upgrade cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a mediator that enables legacy wired components to communicate wirelessly without requiring direct modification or upgrade of the legacy components themselves. By placing the communication protocol conversion functionality in the gateway rather than requiring changes to existing devices, the system achieves wireless communication capability while minimizing upgrade complexity and cost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi hotspot functionality is implemented in environment control devices, then flexible wireless networking is achieved, but device functionality and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements Wi-Fi hotspot functionality in environment control devices to enable them to serve multiple roles: as clients connecting to existing networks and as access points providing wireless connectivity to other devices. This multi-functionality enhances networking flexibility and allows devices to adapt to various deployment scenarios. The gateway manages the complexity of these dual functionalities, ensuring that added capabilities do not excessively increase device complexity or power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses an environment controller, comprising: a communication module comprising: a Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality establishing a local Wi-Fi hotspot and exchanging environmental data with other devices through the local Wi-Fi hotspot; and a Wi-Fi client functionality, the Wi-Fi client functionality simultaneously associating the environment controller with a remote Wi-Fi hotspot, the Wi-Fi client functionality exchanging environmental data with other devices through the remote Wi-Fi hotspot; and a processing module, the processing module performing at least one of the two following operations: a first operation comprising receiving an environmental characteristic value generated by a sensor via the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, determining an environmental state based on the received environmental characteristic value, generating a command for controlling a controlled appliance based on the environmental state, and transmitting the command via the Wi-Fi client functionality; and a second operation comprising receiving an environmental characteristic value generated by a sensor via the Wi-Fi client functionality, determining an environmental state based on the received environmental characteristic value, generating a command for controlling a controlled appliance based on the environmental state, and transmitting the command via the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.