Gateway Protocol Translation for Home Network Appliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network appliances with Bluetooth communications capability are difficult to install and replace, as their operation is dependent on specific communications protocols and operational environments, limiting user flexibility and installability.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device with an input/output circuit, format converter, and controller that dynamically handles multiple communications protocols, allowing for easy replacement and control of network appliances by converting information between different formats and protocols, and storing binding information for each appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network appliances operate only by use of a prescribed communications protocol which is supported by that network appliance, then the appliance can communicate with the network, but the operation of the appliance depends on the operational environment of the network, making it difficult to replace the connected network appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary between the network and appliances with different communication protocols. It translates messages between various protocols (Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi) and a standard internal format, enabling appliances to communicate with the network without being constrained by protocol compatibility issues. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication reliability through protocol translation while enabling appliance replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters by storing multiple communication protocols and selecting the appropriate protocol based on the appliance type. The gateway device can switch between different communication standards (Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi) depending on which appliance is being controlled, allowing appliances to be replaced without being locked into a specific protocol environment.
2Reliability
If network appliance suppliers employ their own rules or procedures respectively, then each supplier can optimize their appliance performance, but the installability of network appliances is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with universal functionality to support multiple communication protocols and appliance types simultaneously. It can handle Bluetooth devices, Zigbee devices, Wi-Fi devices, and other protocols through a single unified platform, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gateways and greatly improving installability while maintaining the performance optimization capabilities of each appliance supplier.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device dynamically adapts to different appliances by automatically detecting the communication protocol being used and switching to the appropriate protocol handler. This dynamic behavior allows the system to accommodate various appliance types and supplier-specific implementations without requiring manual configuration or reducing installability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway device dynamically handles a plurality of communications protocols, then appliance replaceability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device's communication handling functionality is segmented into separate protocol-specific modules or handlers, each responsible for a specific communication protocol (Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, etc.). This modular segmentation allows the system to support multiple protocols while maintaining manageable complexity, as each protocol handler can be independently developed, tested, and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway introduces a standard internal message format as an intermediary layer between various communication protocols and the control system. All protocol-specific communications are translated into this standard format, which simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces complexity by providing a unified interface for handling diverse protocol messages.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway device includes a base processor which converts a signal input from an IP network to a signal which can be handled by the gateway device, and a home appliance control processor having a controller which converts the signal which can be handled by the gateway device to a control signal in compliance with the communications protocol of a home appliance to be controlled. The controller stores, on a table, information about the communications protocol, driver, controllable setting condition and status of respective appliances to be controlled in association with each other. The controller also includes a conversion functional block which converts information supplied to the control information of the communications protocol of the respective appliances to be controlled on the basis of the stored information.