House Automation Memory Update via Encrypted Packetization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting control systems and house automation systems face challenges in updating software across devices from different manufacturers and generations, particularly in the distributed domain, due to manufacturer-specific code, limited data speeds, and the need for centralized control, which complicates interoperability and efficient updating processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving encryption and packetization of software updates using a publicly available protocol to transmit and reconstruct binary files in distributed domain devices, allowing for secure, efficient, and controlled updates without prior knowledge of existing software versions, enabling interoperability between devices of different brands and generations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manufacturer-specific program code is used in distributed domain devices, then device functionality and performance are optimized, but interoperability and ease of updating across different manufacturers and product generations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The program code is segmented into a standardized interface layer that handles communication and control protocols, and a manufacturer-specific implementation layer that provides optimized functionality. This segmentation allows devices from different manufacturers to interoperate through the standardized interface while maintaining their proprietary optimization capabilities in the implementation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal update protocol and standardized memory interface are implemented across all distributed domain devices, enabling a single update mechanism to serve multiple manufacturers and device types. The standardized interface layer acts as a universal adapter that translates between different manufacturer-specific implementations and the common update protocol.
2Ease of operation
If centralized control is implemented for software updates, then update management and version control are improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Distributed domain devices are equipped with self-service capabilities including local version tracking, automatic update readiness assessment, and autonomous update execution. Devices can independently determine their update status and execute updates locally once authorized, reducing the need for continuous centralized control while maintaining version coherence across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-negotiating update parameters, pre-validating update packages, and pre-coordinating update schedules before actual updates are executed. This preliminary coordination phase handles the complex management tasks centrally, while the actual update execution is simplified and distributed to individual devices.
3Use of energy by moving object
If control bus data speed is limited, then power consumption and heat generation are reduced, but update time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The update data transmission is segmented into small, manageable packets that are transmitted sequentially over the control bus. This segmentation allows efficient use of the limited bus bandwidth while enabling parallel processing at the receiving end, where multiple packets can be buffered and reassembled without requiring high sustained data rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The update process uses periodic transmission intervals with alternating phases of data transfer and bus idle periods. During transmission phases, data is sent in bursts; during idle periods, the bus returns to low-power state. This periodic action optimizes the balance between update speed and power consumption by avoiding continuous high-speed transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for updating a memory space in a device belonging to the distributed domain of a house automation system. The method comprises forming a binary file of encrypted, intended updated contents of said memory space, and using a publicly available protocol to packetize said binary file into one or more transmission packets. These are transferred to said device through a control connection of said house automation system. The binary file is reconstructed at said device, and the contents of said binary file are written into said memory space.