Home Automation Hub with Modular Radios for Multi-Protocol Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems face challenges in integrating diverse devices due to different communication protocols and the need for multiple applications, leading to complexity and difficulty in making devices work together seamlessly.
Innovation Solution
A home automation system that includes a hub device with multiple wireless radio port connectors and hub processing circuitry to communicate with various addressable devices using different wireless communication protocols, such as Z-Wave and Zigbee, allowing for direct communication and reducing reliance on cloud-based processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are used to support diverse devices, then device compatibility and versatility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protocol bridge devices as intermediaries that translate between different communication protocols (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and a standardized internal protocol. This mediator approach allows diverse devices to communicate without requiring the hub to directly support every protocol, thereby improving device compatibility while containing system complexity through modular translation layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub device is designed with universal multi-functionality by incorporating multiple wireless radio port connectors that can accommodate different protocol controllers. The hub processing circuitry can dynamically route communications through appropriate protocol bridges, enabling a single device to handle multiple communication protocols and device types without requiring separate specialized systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based processes are used for device communication, then system scalability is improved, but latency and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication paths into local and cloud-based components. Critical time-sensitive device communications are handled through local direct connections between the hub and devices using standardized protocols, ensuring low latency and high reliability. Non-critical functions such as remote access and data synchronization utilize cloud-based processes, maintaining scalability without compromising overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub acts as an intermediary that localizes communication processing by maintaining a local message queue and processing circuitry. This intermediary capability allows the system to handle device communications locally without constant cloud intervention, reducing latency and improving reliability for time-sensitive operations while still leveraging cloud services for scalability and remote access when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are used to control different devices, then device-specific functionality is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control of multiple devices using different communication protocols into a single unified application interface. The hub processing circuitry consolidates device management by receiving standardized commands and routing them through appropriate protocol bridges, allowing users to control Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices through one application rather than multiple separate applications, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving device-specific functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A home automation (HA) system may include addressable HA devices, each configured to wirelessly communicate using a respective HA wireless communications protocol from among a plurality of different HA wireless communications protocols. The HA system may also include HA wireless radio controllers, each configured to wirelessly communicate using a respective different HA wireless communications protocol also from among the plurality of different HA wireless communications protocols. Each HA wireless radio controller may include circuitry and a connector coupled thereto. The HA system may also include an HA hub device that includes wireless radio port connectors, each configured to couple to a respective connector of a corresponding HA wireless radio controller, and hub processing circuitry coupled to the wireless radio port connectors and configured to communicate with the addressable HA devices based upon the respective HA wireless communications protocols.