IoT Device Selection by Signal Attenuation for Precise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Internet of Things (IoT) systems face challenges in selecting the appropriate device to control, such as multiple air conditioners in a house, without manual user intervention or prior location configuration.

Innovation Solution

A method where a main control device sends discovery request signals to candidate controlled devices, receives feedback signals with transmit power values, determines the device with minimum signal attenuation as the target, and sends control instructions accordingly, using Wi-Fi direct or D2D communication to enhance accuracy and eliminate manual selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual user intervention or prior location configuration is used to select controlled devices, then device selection accuracy can be achieved, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection accuracyVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables controlled devices to automatically identify and select target devices through signal transmission and reception without requiring manual user intervention or prior location configuration. The devices self-determine their relationships based on signal characteristics, eliminating the need for users to manually configure device locations or select targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical selection operations with automatic signal-based device identification. Instead of users manually selecting devices or configuring locations, the system uses electromagnetic signals (discovery requests and response signals) to automatically determine device relationships and select control targets based on signal attenuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If signal attenuation values are used to automatically determine target controlled devices, then automation level increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where controlled devices send discovery response signals containing their signal attenuation values back to the main control device. The main control device receives these feedback signals, compares the attenuation values, and automatically determines the target controlled device based on the minimum signal attenuation, achieving automation through structured feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes signal attenuation values as a key parameter to automatically determine device selection. By changing from manual selection to parameter-based automatic selection (using signal attenuation as the determining factor), the system achieves higher automation. The main control device compares attenuation parameters and selects the device with minimum attenuation without complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4050432B1Device control method and apparatus, device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4050432B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4050432B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4050432B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device control method and an apparatus are provided. The device control method, applied to a main control device, includes: receiving a control instruction; sending a first signal to candidate controlled devices according to the control instruction; receiving second signals sent by the candidate controlled devices in response to the first signal, where the second signal carries a transmit power value of the candidate controlled device; determining a candidate controlled device corresponding to a minimum signal attenuation value as a target controlled device according to received power values for receiving the second signals by the main control device and the transmit power values of the candidate controlled devices carried in the second signals; and sending the control instruction to the target controlled device.