Home Automation Device Pairing via Motion Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation pairing methods require a disconnector or switch, are sensitive to environmental conditions, and often necessitate energization of all connected actuators, making them inconvenient and unreliable for precise pairing.

Innovation Solution

A method where an operator's characteristic displacement is detected by sensors on both devices, generating correlated signals that authorize pairing without the need for a disconnector or switch, using processing units and bidirectional telecommunications interfaces to verify and complete the pairing process, potentially using accelerometers or radioelectric antennas for signal correlation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a disconnector or switch is used to initiate pairing, then pairing can be initiated, but the system requires additional hardware components and their accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing initiationVSAvoidhardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the disconnector/switch component from the pairing initiation process. Instead of requiring a separate switching device, the system uses the motor's own operational states (energization cycles) to trigger pairing, extracting the pairing initiation function from a dedicated hardware component and integrating it into the existing motor control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor unit performs pairing initiation autonomously through its own energization and de-energization cycles. The system uses its inherent operational characteristics (power on/off sequences) to trigger the pairing mode, eliminating the need for external switching devices and making the system self-sufficient for pairing initiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If all actuators connected to the same disconnect switch are energized, then pairing can be initiated, but unnecessary actuators are also affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing initiationVSAvoidindividual actuator control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pairing initiation process to affect only the target actuator individually. By using the specific energization/de-energization sequence of the target motor unit, the pairing mode is triggered locally at the individual actuator level rather than globally across all actuators connected to the same disconnect switch, enabling precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pairing initiation is applied locally to the specific actuator being paired. The energization and de-energization sequence creates a localized pairing trigger that affects only the target motor unit, while other actuators remain unaffected, allowing different operational states for different actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If transmission field is used for pairing, then devices can communicate, but the field is highly variable and difficult to limit to precise ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice communicationVSAvoidtransmission field range

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the radio frequency transmission field mechanism with a mechanical/physical mechanism for pairing initiation. Instead of relying on variable electromagnetic fields that are difficult to control spatially, the system uses the physical energization and de-energization cycles of the motor unit, which create a deterministic and controllable trigger signal for pairing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates simultaneous pairing of multiple devices without interference, eliminates the need for a disconnector, and ensures reliable pairing by using unique signal correlations, enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of home automation device pairing.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor and a second sensor, respectively... a characteristic movement of at least one of the first and second devices... is detected independently by the first and second sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2741266B1Method for pairing two communicating devices of a home-automation system and related system

Publication Date: 2019.02.20 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA

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AI summary

The method (100) involves detecting characteristic displacement of communication equipments independently by sensors e.g. accelerometers, generating a first signal and a second signal. Determination is made that if the signals are correlated by processing units of home automation installation. The communication equipments are paired (118) if the signals are correlated. Information relative to the first signal is sent to one of the processing units by a bidirectional telecommunication interface. An independent claim is also included for a home automation installation.