Networked Device Management via Server Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home automation systems require proprietary technologies and protocols, limiting user control to devices within the same geographical location, preventing remote access and control of networked devices.
Innovation Solution
A networked device management system that allows users to control registered devices via a standardized communication protocol, enabling remote access and control of devices through a client application, even if they are located at different geographical sites, using a registration module, state module, and database to manage device settings and permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If proprietary technology and protocols are used to establish unified automated home, then devices can communicate with one another within the same location, but user control is limited to devices colocated within the user's home
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives commands from users and relays them to remote devices. The server acts as a mediator between the user's client device and the target networked devices located at different geographical locations, enabling control without direct peer-to-peer connection. This resolves the contradiction by allowing user control (improving ease of operation) while extending beyond colocation constraints (improving geographical flexibility).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal communication architecture where devices can be controlled through a standardized interface regardless of their physical location. The server provides multi-functional capabilities including command routing, device registration, and location-independent access, making the system adaptable to various geographical configurations while maintaining consistent user control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional home automation techniques are used, then devices can be controlled locally, but devices located outside the user's home cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the control architecture from a local two-dimensional network to a three-dimensional distributed system by introducing the server dimension. This allows devices to be controlled not only within the local network but also remotely through the server infrastructure, adding the dimension of geographical distribution while maintaining reliable control functionality through the server-mediated communication channel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary protocols are required for device communication, then unified automated home can be established, but system complexity and proprietary dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a protocol intermediary that translates and routes commands between devices using potentially different protocols. By introducing this mediation layer, the system can support device intercommunication (maintaining adaptability) while abstracting away protocol complexity from the user interface and reducing proprietary dependency at the application level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal control mechanism where a single client application can control diverse devices through standardized interfaces. The server provides multi-protocol support and device abstraction, allowing devices to intercommunicate effectively (maintaining versatility) while reducing the complexity burden on individual components and users.
Data Source
AI summary
A networked device management system is in direct communication with a user's networked devices. Alternatively, the networked device management system is in communication with the networked devices via a controller located in proximity to the networked devices. A networked device is an addressable device that is capable of communicating with networked device management system. The networked device management system allows users to control the state of the user's networked devices that are registered with the networked device management system. That is, the networked device management system affords user control over the functional capabilities of the user's networked device. Networked devices of a user may be located in different geographical locations yet are still user controllable via the networked device management system. Thus, a user does not need to be in the proximity of the networked device in order to control the functional capabilities of the networked device.