LTE Home Appliance Control via Server-Mediated UI Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for controlling home appliances with mobile devices require rigid configuration processes, limiting ad-hoc configuration and control capabilities, necessitating specific software applications for each appliance and manual setup, which is inefficient and wears out appliance controls.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables ad-hoc configuration of mobile devices to control home appliances by automatically recognizing appliances within proximity, using a server as a middle-man for UI configuration, allowing communication through various technologies like Bluetooth, NFC, and LTE, and utilizing XML files to define UI elements and control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems use specific software applications for each appliance, then control functionality is achieved, but configuration complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system where a single mobile device can control multiple types of appliances (thermostat, television, set-top box) without requiring separate dedicated applications for each appliance type. The system uses a common application framework that adapts to different appliance types, eliminating the need for users to install and configure multiple specialized applications while maintaining comprehensive control functionality across diverse appliance categories
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that facilitates communication between the mobile device and various appliances. The server acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of appliance-specific protocols and configurations, allowing the mobile device to interact with different appliances through a standardized interface without needing to understand or configure appliance-specific details directly
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration is required for each appliance, then control is enabled, but setup time and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing communication protocols, authentication mechanisms, and control interfaces on the server side before the user needs to control any appliance. The system pre-configures the mobile device with necessary credentials and connection parameters, so that when a user selects an appliance to control, the configuration is already in place and requires no manual setup time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where the mobile device automatically retrieves appliance information, authentication credentials, and control parameters from the server without requiring manual user input. The device autonomously configures itself for controlling different appliances by automatically downloading necessary configuration data and establishing connections, eliminating the need for users to manually set up each appliance control
3Adaptability or versatility
If ad-hoc configuration is not supported, then system security is maintained, but flexibility and usability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the server as a secure intermediary that mediates between the mobile device and appliances, enabling ad-hoc configuration while maintaining security. The server validates authentication credentials, authorizes control requests, and manages secure communication channels, allowing flexible configuration without compromising system security
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server continuously monitors and validates configuration requests, providing real-time authorization feedback to the mobile device. This feedback loop ensures that ad-hoc configuration operations are both flexible and secure, as the server can dynamically authorize or deny configuration requests based on predefined security policies and user credentials
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor, a network communication interface controlled by the processor, and a memory accessible by the processor. Programming is stored in the memory which configures the computer as a network server to support configuration of a user interface on a mobile device for control of an appliance. The network server: 1) receives and stores registration information from the appliance, which includes an identification of the appliance and information for configuring the user interface to control the appliance, 2) receives, over a cellular network, a request from a mobile device which includes the identification of the appliance, and 3) transmits, over the cellular network, the configuration information to the mobile device which is used to configure the mobile device to display the user interface for wirelessly controlling the appliance on the mobile device.