HVAC Device Cloud Integration via Smart Home Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many HVAC systems are only accessible within the home using their wireless communication interface, limiting their control and monitoring to smartphones via local connections, while other smart home devices can be accessed remotely through cloud servers.
Innovation Solution
A smart home control system connects an HVAC device to cloud servers by using a mobile application to discover and establish a communication channel with the HVAC device, enabling remote access and control via a smart home control device and cloud servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If HVAC systems use a local wireless communication interface for monitoring and control, then the system can be accessed within the home, but the system cannot be accessed remotely via cloud servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smart home control device as an intermediary between the HVAC system and cloud servers. The HVAC system communicates locally with the smart home control device via wireless interface, which then communicates with cloud servers, enabling remote access without modifying the HVAC system's core architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication architecture is segmented into two parts: a local communication component (HVAC system with wireless interface) and a remote communication component (smart home control device with cloud connectivity). This segmentation allows the HVAC system to maintain its simple local design while gaining remote accessibility through the separate smart home control device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart home devices use different cloud server connections, then each device can be accessed remotely, but managing multiple control systems becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The smart home control device serves multiple functions: it acts as a local wireless receiver for HVAC systems, a cloud server communication interface, and a centralized management point for multiple smart home devices. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate control systems into a single universal platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the HVAC control function, cloud server connectivity, and multiple device management into a single smart home control device. This consolidation allows users to manage diverse smart home devices through one unified interface rather than multiple separate systems.
3Ease of operation
If HVAC systems are designed with proprietary cloud server connections, then remote access is enabled, but integration with unified smart home control systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The smart home control device acts as an intermediary that translates between the HVAC system's local wireless protocol and standard cloud server communication protocols. This mediation enables HVAC systems with simple local interfaces to integrate with various smart home ecosystems without requiring proprietary cloud connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution applies different communication qualities to different parts of the system: the HVAC system uses simple local wireless communication optimized for its specific needs, while the smart home control device handles the complex cloud server communications. This local optimization allows each component to be designed for its specific function while maintaining overall system compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A device in the home is connected to a home control system that includes a control system device in the home and one or more servers outside of the home. A device identifier of a device in a home is discovered using a mobile application of a mobile device when the mobile device is in the home. The device is configured to communicate wirelessly via a first protocol of one or more protocols. The device identifier is sent to a control system device in the home using the mobile application. The device identifier is sent through one or more servers in communication with the control system device using a wireless duplex server communication protocol. A control device identifier and an encryption key of the control system device are sent to the device using the mobile application using the first protocol when the mobile device is in the home.