Indoor Device Remote Operation Communication Discontinuity Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation systems face safety concerns and reduced convenience when remote operation is disabled due to communication disruptions, as they either fail to control indoor devices properly or unconditionally stop operations, leading to potential safety issues and impaired functionality.

Innovation Solution

An indoor device with a remote operation receiver, operation receiver, main function controller, communication monitor, and notifier that monitors communication status and provides user guidance to switch to manual operation or safe modes when remote operation is disabled, ensuring safety and maintaining control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote operation is continued after communication discontinuation, then convenience is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential hazards from unmonitored operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of remote operationVSAvoidsafety of indoor device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the user in advance when communication is discontinued, providing guidance to return home or stop remote operation before safety issues arise. This allows the user to take corrective action before hazards can develop from unmonitored continued operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication monitor provides continuous feedback about communication status to both the control device and the user's terminal. When communication is discontinued, this feedback triggers notification messages that inform the user of the situation, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether to continue or stop remote operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If remote operation is unconditionally stopped when communication is discontinued, then safety is improved, but convenience deteriorates due to loss of operational control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of indoor device operationVSAvoidconvenience of remote operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state based on communication status. Rather than unconditionally stopping remote operation, the system allows continued operation when communication is discontinued but changes the state to provide notifications and guidance, creating a flexible response that adapts to the specific situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by transitioning from normal remote operation mode to a notified operation mode when communication is discontinued. In this mode, the device continues operating but with altered behavior - providing notifications and guidance messages to the user, thereby maintaining operation while enhancing safety awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If communication monitoring and notification systems are added, then safety is improved through user guidance, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of indoor device operationVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs multiple functions using the same communication infrastructure. The communication monitor uses existing communication channels to both receive remote operation commands and monitor communication status. The notification system uses the same display and audio output devices already present for normal operation, thereby providing safety functions without adding significant hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing resources to provide safety monitoring and notification. The communication monitor leverages the device's built-in communication capabilities to detect discontinuation, and the notifier uses the device's existing display and audio output components to communicate with users, eliminating the need for separate dedicated safety monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3032841B1Indoor device, home system, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3032841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3032841B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3032841B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote operation receiver (111) is configured to communicate with a communication terminal and receive a remote operation from outside a home. A remote operation monitor (112) is configured to monitor a state of communication with the communication terminal at the remote operation receiver (111) during an operation based on the remote operation. A notifier (114) is configured to provide in the home guidance to urge a user to conduct a manual operation on a manual operation receiver (121) when the remote operation monitor (112) detects that the communication with the communication terminal is discontinued. Then, an indoor device (10) is configured to make a shift to normal operation upon reception of the manual operation within a reference time period. An abnormal remote operation processor (124) is configured to set an extended time period corresponding to an operation state and then make a transition of the indoor device (10) to a safe operation when no manual operation is received even if the reference time period has elapsed.