Home Network Living Protocol Layered Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home network systems lack a general communication standard for controlling and monitoring electric devices, leading to inefficiencies in managing and interacting with home appliances.
Innovation Solution
A home network system utilizing a living network control protocol with a layered architecture, including an application layer for message handling, a network layer for connectivity, a data link layer for medium access, and a physical layer with a special protocol for secure communication, using power line or wireless communication depending on the medium, to provide a unified standard for controlling and monitoring electric devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional home network system is used without a general communication standard, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and interoperability of controlling and monitoring electric devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol is segmented into four distinct layers (physical layer, data link layer, network layer, application layer), each handling specific functions. This segmentation allows the protocol to be complex enough to ensure reliable communication while maintaining manageable structure through functional separation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a universal communication standard that can control and monitor various types of electric devices (home appliances, industrial equipment, etc.) through a common protocol framework. This multi-functionality enables reliable interoperability across different device types without requiring device-specific protocols, improving reliability while the standardized structure keeps complexity manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a layered protocol architecture is implemented, then adaptability and interoperability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol is divided into four functional layers, each with defined responsibilities. This segmentation enables devices to implement only the necessary portions of the protocol stack, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining overall system adaptability and interoperability through the layered architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components (such as network managers and gateways) that facilitate communication between different devices. These intermediaries handle protocol translation and compatibility issues, allowing diverse devices to interoperates without each device needing to implement the full complexity of the protocol, thus improving adaptability while managing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a network manager is added to control and monitor electric devices, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network manager is designed to perform self-configuration and self-management functions, automatically discovering devices on the network and establishing communication without user intervention. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in system complexity, as the network manager handles complexity internally rather than requiring user involvement in complex operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network manager acts as an intermediary between users and electric devices, providing simplified control interfaces while handling the underlying protocol complexity. This mediator approach improves ease of operation for end users while the network manager manages system complexity through centralized coordination, balancing the trade-off between operational simplicity and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a home network using a living network control protocol. The home network system includes: a network based on a predetermined protocol; at least electric device connected to the network; and a network manager connected to the network, for controlling and/or monitoring the electric device, when the protocol includes an application layer for handling a message for controlling and monitoring the electric device, a network layer for network-connecting the electric device to the network manager, a data link layer for accessing shared transmission medium, and a physical layer for providing a physical interface between the electric device and the network manager, wherein the physical layer further includes a special protocol for providing an interface with a dependent transmission medium, and the network layer further includes a home code control sub-layer for managing a home code for network security when accessing the dependent transmission medium.