Garden Equipment Control Device Pairing and Gateway Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing garden equipment control systems face challenges in accessible and convenient operation, particularly when multiple devices compete for user interface access, leading to potential conflicts and operational hardships in irrigation systems.

Innovation Solution

A system with a first module configured to pair with a control device over a first network and a second module to wirelessly communicate with the control device through a gateway, where the controller enables the second module to control the device when paired and disables the first module, allowing for preferential control and avoiding conflicting instructions, with options for authentication and customizable preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are allowed to access the control device simultaneously, then device versatility and user accessibility are improved, but device complexity and potential conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device between multiple client devices and the control device. The gateway manages communication protocols, authenticates devices, and coordinates access to the control device, thereby reducing the complexity of direct multi-device interactions while maintaining versatility and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: client devices, gateway, and control device. This segmentation isolates the complexity of device management at the gateway level, allowing multiple clients to access the control device without creating direct conflicts or increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If preferential control is implemented for specific devices, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreferential control operationVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and pairing actions before allowing control access. Devices must be pre-authenticated with the gateway and paired with the control device, establishing control rights in advance. This preliminary action simplifies operation by automatically enforcing preferential control without requiring complex real-time decision logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway and control device automatically manage device priorities and access rights based on pre-established pairing information. The system self-regulates which device receives control commands without requiring manual intervention or complex control logic, thereby achieving ease of operation while keeping complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4072269B1A system for operating a garden equipment control device
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP4072269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4072269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4072269B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (100) for controlling garden equipment by operating a garden equipment control device (110), the system (100) comprising: a first module (120) configured to pair with the garden equipment control device (110) over a first network (N1), where the first module (120) is configured to control the garden equipment control device (110) when paired therewith; a second module (200) configured to wirelessly communicate with the garden equipment control device (110) over a second network (N2), wherein the second module (200) is connected to the garden equipment control device (110) through a gateway (210); and a controller associated with the garden equipment control device (110), wherein the controller is configured to check whether the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210); characterized in that: wherein when the controller determines that the garden equipment control device (110) is paired with the gateway (210): the second module (200) is enabled to control the garden equipment control device (110), and the first module (120) is disabled to control the garden equipment control device (110).