Mobile Home-Automation Control Using Position-Based Equipment Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems face challenges in secure and user-friendly control, particularly with the increasing number of devices and the need for simplified ergonomics, especially for aging populations with vision problems, as well as ensuring secure authentication and geographic identification of equipment within the system.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile control unit, such as a mobile telephone, that employs location and aiming means to identify and control home automation equipment through position information, shared authentication keys, and communication networks like GSM, allowing for secure and intuitive operation and configuration of home automation installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control interfaces with drop-down menus and icon choices are used, then device functionality is comprehensive, but user interface complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the equipment selection function from traditional menu interfaces and implements it through spatial location-based automatic identification. The mobile control unit automatically identifies and selects equipment based on its position in the room, eliminating the need for users to navigate through drop-down menus and icon choices, thus simplifying the interface while maintaining comprehensive control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically identifying and selecting equipment based on the mobile control unit's location. Instead of requiring users to manually search and select equipment through complex interfaces, the system autonomously determines the target equipment based on spatial information, making the control process as simple as moving to the desired location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple home automation devices are added to the system, then system functionality and coverage improve, but authentication security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial location information as an intermediary authentication factor. In addition to traditional authentication keys, the system requires that the mobile control unit be physically located near the equipment to establish control. This spatial intermediary adds a layer of security that scales with system size, as each equipment requires proximity authentication, preventing unauthorized remote access even as the number of devices increases.
3Measurement precision
If detailed equipment selection interfaces are provided, then control precision is high, but time required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-mapping equipment locations and spatial relationships before user interaction. When the user enters a room, the system has already prepared the spatial information and can instantly identify the target equipment based on current position, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual equipment selection while maintaining precise identification accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
Method of operating a home-automation installation comprising elements including items of equipment fixed in a building and including a mobile unit for controlling the items of equipment, the elements communicating over a home-automation network, each element being furnished with an identifier which is specific to it and with an authentication key specific to the home-automation network, termed "common key", identical for all the elements and authenticating an element's membership of the home-automation network, characterized in that it comprises: a step of locating the mobile control unit with the aid of a locating means included at least partially in the mobile control unit and delivering an item of position information, then a step of pinpointing using at least the item of position information to pinpoint a particular item of equipment, the pinpointing step allowing the identification of the particular item of equipment in a mode of use of the home-automation installation and allowing the locating of the particular item of equipment in a mode of configuration of the home-automation installation.