Mobile Terminal Control for Masterless Home Appliance Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home network systems require a separate master device for controlling and monitoring home appliances, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal equipped with a wireless communication unit, camera, and controller to provide customized recommended operation information and selective control of home appliances, including generating information about stored foods in refrigerators, without the need for a separate control device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate master device is provided to control and monitor home appliances, then the home network system can function properly, but the device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a communication device and a home appliance control device. The controller in the mobile terminal can control multiple different types of home appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner) through wireless communication, eliminating the need for separate master devices for each appliance type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of a separate master device with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal integrates the control and monitoring capabilities that would otherwise require a dedicated master device, combining these functions into an existing portable device that users already carry and interact with regularly.
2Reliability
If a separate master device is provided for controlling home appliances, then centralized control is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal serves dual purposes as both a personal communication device and a home appliance controller. Users can control their home appliances using a device they already carry and are familiar with, eliminating the need to learn operation of a separate control system or physically go to a dedicated control panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to control home appliances through their own mobile terminal without requiring interaction with a separate master device. The mobile terminal autonomously communicates with home appliances through wireless communication units, enabling users to manage their home environment conveniently from anywhere in the house or even remotely.
3Loss of information
If multiple home appliances are connected to a separate master device, then comprehensive monitoring is possible, but the quantity of devices and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal's controller is designed to handle multiple types of home appliances simultaneously. It can receive and process information from various appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner) through wireless communication, providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities in a single integrated device rather than requiring separate control systems for each appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monitoring functions for multiple different home appliances into a single mobile terminal device. Instead of having separate master devices or control panels for each appliance, the mobile terminal consolidates all monitoring and control functions into one portable device that users interact with through a unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit for collecting external information or transmitting recommended operation information to a home appliance, and a controller for generating the recommended operation information for the home appliance based on the collected external information. The mobile terminal may provide customized recommended operation information for each home appliance without separately including a device for controlling one or more home appliances provided in a home.