Multicast Gateway for Cross-Subnet Appliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently controlling multiple appliances across subnets using multicast services, particularly in IoT networks, due to limitations in service discovery and control protocols.
Innovation Solution
A controlling device is configured using a multicast service to discover and control appliances across subnets, utilizing a combination of IR, RF, and CEC signals, with a setup application to determine optimal command methods and protocols based on appliance capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multicast service is used for service discovery across subnets, then service discovery capability is improved, but network complexity and protocol compatibility challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between different subnets. The gateway receives multicast service discovery messages from appliances in one subnet, processes them, and forwards appropriate service information to client applications in other subnets. This mediator approach enables cross-subnet service discovery without requiring complex multicast routing configuration across the entire network, thereby improving service discovery capability while managing network complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control protocols (IR, RF, CEC) are supported, then appliance compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple control protocols including infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), and consumer electronics control (CEC). The device includes separate modules for each protocol type, allowing it to function as a universal controller for diverse appliances. This universality enables a single device to replace multiple specialized controllers, improving appliance compatibility while the modular architecture helps manage the inherent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling device incorporates automatic protocol selection and appliance detection capabilities. When a new appliance is added to the network, the device automatically detects it, determines the appropriate control protocol through service discovery mechanisms, and configures itself to communicate with the appliance. This self-service approach reduces the need for manual configuration and simplifies the user experience despite the device's multi-protocol capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If automatic appliance detection and configuration is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary service discovery and appliance detection actions automatically when appliances are first added to the network or when the controlling device is initialized. The gateway pre-processes service information and makes it available in a ready-to-use format. This preliminary action approach ensures that when users need to control appliances, the detection and configuration work has already been completed, improving ease of operation while distributing the processing time burden to initial setup rather than ongoing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A signature comprised of a plurality of data blocks formatted in accordance with a multicast communications protocol is received from a target appliance. When it is determined that one or more of the plurality of data blocks has been populated with user data, a representation of at least a portion of signature is provided to an analytics engine for processing whereby the user data within the one or more of the plurality of data blocks is replaced with a predicted, original data. The predicted, original data is then usable to provision a controlling device with a command code set for use in communicating commands to the target appliance.