Mesh Network Room Segmentation via Time of Flight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-power, personal area networks are complex for consumers to configure and manage, often requiring professional installation due to numerous configuration options and limited user-friendly interfaces, especially with the increasing integration of microprocessors and wireless communication in consumer devices.
Innovation Solution
A consumer product device with a communication module that enables ad hoc mesh networking, allowing devices to communicate using both room-limited and room-transparent signals, and includes sensors for state detection, enabling automatic actions and user-friendly management without prior knowledge of the device's location or configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices are integrated with microprocessors and wireless communication capabilities, then device functionality and network capability are improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic home discovery and room segmentation without user intervention. Devices automatically detect the home boundary, segment spaces into rooms based on signal propagation characteristics, and configure network topology autonomously, eliminating the need for manual configuration by users
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters dynamically to adapt to different environmental conditions. By adjusting signal characteristics and analyzing propagation patterns, the system automatically determines room boundaries and device locations, simplifying configuration while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple configuration options and clustering methods are provided, then network organization flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to overwhelming users
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs home discovery and room segmentation based on signal propagation analysis. Users simply add devices to the network, and the system autonomously organizes them into appropriate rooms and clusters based on spatial relationships, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex network structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures network topology and room assignments based on automatic spatial analysis before user interaction is needed. By performing preliminary discovery and segmentation, the system prepares the network structure in advance, allowing users to operate simple interfaces without dealing with complex configuration options
3Reliability
If professional installation is required for device configuration, then network reliability is improved, but loss of time and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic home discovery and configuration without requiring trained technicians. Devices autonomously perform network setup, authentication, and optimization, achieving reliable installation while eliminating the time loss and costs associated with professional installation services
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A method of associating a function to a room within a home, includes forming a mesh network in the structure with a plurality of nodes, each node having a communication module, segmenting the nodes into rooms based upon the time of flight, obtaining an identity for at least one node in a room; and using the identity to assign a function to the room.