Marine Peripheral Controller Network for Plug-and-Play Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel systems for controlling peripheral devices require extensive wired connections and custom programming, leading to increased complexity and non-recurring engineering costs, with limited flexibility and potential performance issues due to compatibility problems with different brands of devices.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring 'smart' peripheral devices with integrated controllers connected via serial buses, allowing for automatic control, self-diagnosis, and status reporting, which reduces the need for manual wiring and custom programming, enabling plug-and-play compatibility and enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wired connections are made from each breaker or digital switching module to each peripheral device, then control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Peripheral devices communicate with the control system via wireless signals (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols), eliminating the need for physical wiring between breakers/modules and each peripheral device. This substitution maintains control functionality while dramatically reducing wiring complexity and installation burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (wireless transceiver system) that mediates between the control system and peripheral devices. Instead of direct wired connections, control commands and status information are transmitted through this wireless intermediary layer, which handles protocol conversion, signal transmission, and device management, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom programming is implemented for each marine vessel system, then system functionality is tailored, but non-recurring engineering costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal peripheral device controller that can manage multiple types of peripheral devices (lights, pumps, switches, sensors) through a standardized wireless communication protocol. This universal controller eliminates the need for custom programming for each device type or vessel configuration, as the same controller and protocol framework can be applied across different applications, significantly reducing non-recurring engineering costs while maintaining adaptability through configurable device profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic device discovery and registration mechanisms where peripheral devices automatically register themselves with the controller upon connection. The controller dynamically adapts to different device types through plug-and-play functionality, automatically configuring communication parameters and control protocols based on device identification, thereby eliminating the need for static custom programming while maintaining system versatility.
3Reliability
If wired connections are made to each peripheral device, then reliable control is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming physical wiring installation with wireless communication setup. Peripheral devices connect to the control system through wireless protocols, eliminating hours of wiring, connection, and testing work. The wireless system maintains reliability through protocol-level error checking, retransmission mechanisms, and secure authentication, achieving comparable or superior reliability to wired systems while reducing installation time from days to hours or minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration where peripheral devices come pre-configured with communication parameters, device profiles, and authentication credentials. During installation, devices automatically discover the control system and register themselves without requiring manual wiring or configuration, thereby eliminating time-consuming installation steps while ensuring reliable communication through pre-validated connection parameters.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different brands of peripheral devices are integrated, then system versatility is improved, but compatibility problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless communication protocol and controller architecture that can interface with peripheral devices from different manufacturers and brands. The standardized protocol layer abstracts away device-specific variations, allowing the control system to communicate with diverse devices (lights, pumps, switches, sensors) through a common interface, thereby achieving multi-brand compatibility without increasing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol translation intermediary layer between the control system and diverse peripheral devices. This intermediary handles protocol conversion, data format normalization, and device-specific command mapping, allowing different brands of devices to be integrated seamlessly. The intermediary translates various device protocols into a unified internal format, eliminating compatibility issues while maintaining support for multiple device types and manufacturers.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (300) for a marine vessel includes a first peripheral device (16) including a controller (20), and a second peripheral device (26, 28). A first serial bus (30) connects the controller (20) to the second peripheral device (26, 28). At least one sensor (3, 8) is coupled to the controller (20) via a second serial bus (4, 24). The first peripheral device's controller (20) can do one or more of the following: automatically control switches (14) in the first peripheral device (16) in response to information from the sensor (3, 8); stage the first peripheral device (16) upon start-up of the system (300); diagnose a malfunction of the first peripheral device (16) and control the second peripheral device (26, 28) in response to determining that the first peripheral device (16) is malfunctioning; and/or report a status of the first peripheral device (16) over the serial bus (4, 24, 30).