Modular Appliance Master-Slave Control for Stacked Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modular appliances stacked together often require separate user input for control, lacking integrated control functionality which complicates operation and reduces user convenience.
Innovation Solution
An appliance with a transceiver and processor that identifies adjacent modular devices to determine relative positions and control authority, allowing for integrated control of stacked appliances through communication and power supply management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple modular appliances are stacked together to save space, then space utilization is improved, but control complexity increases because separate user input is required for each appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple stacked modular appliances into a single integrated control system. The master appliance aggregates control rights and communicates with slave appliances, allowing users to control multiple appliances through one interface rather than separately controlling each device, thus resolving the contradiction between space savings and control convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master appliance as an intermediary that mediates between the user and multiple slave appliances. The master appliance receives user commands and distributes appropriate control signals to the relevant slave appliances, simplifying the control process and improving ease of operation while maintaining the stacked configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular appliances function independently to maintain individual functionality, then functional versatility is improved, but system complexity increases due to lack of integrated control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control architecture where appliances can switch between independent operation mode and integrated control mode. The master-slave relationship is dynamically established based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt between maintaining functional independence and achieving integrated control, thus reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of operation
If stacked appliances are controlled as a single integrated unit, then ease of operation is improved, but communication complexity increases between appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into hierarchical layers: a master appliance that aggregates control rights and communicates with the user, and slave appliances that execute specific functions. This segmentation simplifies communication by creating a clear master-to-slave signal flow rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer communication between all appliances
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance is provided. The appliance includes a transceiver, and a processor configured to, based on an external appliance being identified to be adjacent to the appliance, receive arrangement state information of the external appliance through the transceiver, identify whether the appliance is a slave device controlled by the external appliance or a master device to control the external appliance based on the arrangement state information of the external appliance and arrangement state information of the appliance, based on the appliance being identified as the slave device, transmit a control authority to the external appliance through the transceiver, and based on the appliance being identified as the master device, request the control authority from the external appliance identified as the slave device through the transceiver.