Multi-Apparatus Control System with Infrared and Network Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating systems face challenges in reliably controlling a variety of apparatuses, particularly when using infrared remote controllers, as they cannot recognize operation failures, leading to undesired states in apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The proposed operating system includes an input receiving device, a first information processing device, and a second information processing device, which analyze voice inputs and determine whether they correspond to control instructions for infrared-operable or network-operable apparatuses, ensuring accurate control and minimizing operation failures by using infrared patterns and network controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single infrared remote controller is used to operate multiple apparatuses, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because operation failures cannot be recognized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transmits control instructions to the apparatus and receives feedback information indicating whether the control was successfully executed. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect operation failures and distinguish between cases where the apparatus did not respond due to communication issues versus cases where the apparatus intentionally did not execute the command, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A control system acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple apparatuses, managing the communication and control processes. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of controlling different apparatuses through a single interface while ensuring reliable operation by monitoring and verifying control execution through feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation input methods are supported, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to handle multiple types of control instructions through a unified architecture. It can process both infrared-based control commands and network-based control commands (such as TCP/IP) using the same fundamental mechanism of transmitting instructions and receiving feedback, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different apparatus types by changing the communication parameters and protocols used. For infrared-operable apparatuses, it uses infrared communication parameters; for network-operable apparatuses, it uses network communication parameters. This parameter-based adaptation allows the system to support multiple operation input methods while maintaining a consistent control framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If control instructions are transmitted without verification, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to undetected operation failures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits control instructions to the apparatus and receives feedback information that indicates whether the control was successfully executed. This feedback loop enables the system to verify control execution without significantly impacting productivity, as the verification process is automated and integrated into the control flow. The feedback mechanism allows the system to quickly identify and handle operation failures, maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3941083B1Operating system
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3941083B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941083B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3941083B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a second information processing device (1200T, 1200V) connectable via a network to a first information processing device (1100T, 1100V) including an operation information analyzing unit (1110T, 1110V) configured to analyze operation information corresponding to an input operation, and an infrared output device (1070) configured to, when the operation information includes a control instruction to a first-type apparatus (1010) operable by communication of an infrared pattern, output, to the first-type apparatus. The device comprises: a control instruction determination unit (1207T, 1207V) configured to determine whether the operation information includes a control instruction to the first-type apparatus (1010) or a control instruction to a second-type apparatus (1020) operable via the network; and a second control unit (1220T, 1220V) configured to, when the control instruction to the second-type apparatus is included, control the second-type apparatus via the network based on the control instruction.