Network Apparatus for Seamless Environment Adaptation Across Service Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current home network systems lack the ability to automatically adapt and provide desired environment conditions across different service spaces, such as temperature and lighting, when a user moves between them, without manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A network apparatus and server system that communicates environment condition information to control devices in real-time, comparing functions of devices in different spaces to synchronize operations, such as lighting and heating, based on user-preferred settings stored in the server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If environment condition information is manually controlled in each service space, then device operation can be precisely adjusted, but user convenience deteriorates due to requiring manual intervention when moving between spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidautomatic adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring user location through communication between network apparatuses and servers. When a user moves between service spaces, the system receives location information and automatically adjusts device operations based on pre-stored environment condition information, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user movement without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting user presence and triggering appropriate device adjustments without requiring user action. The network apparatus autonomously compares function information of devices across service spaces and executes control operations based on stored preferences, allowing the environment to adapt itself to user needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If device operations are automatically adjusted across service spaces, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases due to comparing device functions and coordinating control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironment adaptationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a server as an intermediary that centralizes the storage of environment condition information and coordinates control operations across multiple service spaces. The server receives user location information, retrieves appropriate control parameters, and directs network apparatuses to adjust devices accordingly, simplifying the complexity by centralizing coordination logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies universality by using a standardized function information comparison mechanism that works across different types of devices and service spaces. The same control logic and information structure are used regardless of the specific device type or location, allowing the system to handle diverse scenarios with a unified approach

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

3Reliability

If real-time communication between network apparatuses and server is implemented, then environment conditions are accurately synchronized, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by triggering communication and device adjustment only at specific moments when user location changes between service spaces. Rather than continuous real-time communication, the system activates the control loop event-driven, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining accurate synchronization when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3329660B1Network apparatus, server, and control methods thereof
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3329660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3329660B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4a
  • EP3329660B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5a

AI summary

A network apparatus is provided. The network apparatus disposed in a preset service space includes a communication circuitry including communication circuitry configured to communicate with a server configured to store environment condition information corresponding to at least one user and at least one device configured to be installed in a preset service space, and a processor configured to receive, in response to a determination being made that the user enters into the service space, environment condition information corresponding to the user from the server and to control an operation state of a related device of the at least one device based on the received environment condition information.