Indirect Home Automation Pairing via Intermediary Product

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation systems require direct access for configuration, pairing, and diagnosis using a mobile device with a radio frequency communication chip reader, limiting the ability to configure products outside the device's range, as they cannot be paired, parameterized, or diagnosed unless the device is moved closer.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a mobile device with a radio frequency communication field chip, memory, microcontroller, and display to establish a two-way communication link with accessible products, allowing indirect pairing, parameter setting, and diagnosis of non-accessible products through the home automation network, using a discovery phase to identify target products and transmit necessary information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct configuration, pairing, parameter setting or diagnosis is carried out using a mobile device with a radio frequency communication field chip reader, then the communication link can be established with products within range, but products outside the radio frequency communication field range cannot be configured, paired, parameterized or diagnosed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration and pairing operationVSAvoidproduct accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary product that acts as a mediator between the mobile device and the target product. This intermediary product receives configuration, pairing, parameter setting or diagnosis commands from the mobile device via radio frequency communication field, then transmits these commands to the target product through the home automation network, enabling indirect configuration of products outside the radio frequency communication range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from direct radio frequency communication (one-dimensional proximity requirement) to indirect network-based communication (adding a network dimension). By using the home automation network as an additional communication dimension, the system can reach target products regardless of their physical distance from the mobile device, as long as they are connected to the same network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the mobile device is moved closer to the product to establish accessibility, then direct configuration becomes possible, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct configurationVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary product automatically performs the function of relaying commands between the mobile device and the target product. The system self-configures the communication path without requiring the installer to manually move devices or set up complex direct connections, as the intermediary product autonomously handles the message forwarding through the network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables configuration, pairing, and diagnosis of all products in a home automation system, regardless of accessibility, as long as one product is within range, using Bluetooth, NFC, or RFID technology for communication, allowing for independent setup of complex installations.

Implementation Method 1

a reader with a radio frequency communication field chip capable of establishing a two-way communication link at radio frequency with the product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3016320B1Method for indirect pairing and/or indirect setting and/or indirect diagnosis, home-automation system and assembly suitable for carrying out such a method
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 HAGER CONTROLS
  • EP3016320B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for indirect pairing and/or indirect parameterization and/or indirect diagnostics, using a mobile device (10), in a home automation system (2) comprising at least two products (A, B; A, C), that is, at least one product (A) and one product (B or C) connected to each other by means of a home automation network. The present invention also relates to a home automation system and a home automation assembly.