Open Appliance Network for Remote Interface Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances have limited expandability and adaptability due to their closed, hard-wired internal networks, making it difficult to integrate additional components or modify their communication systems, which restricts their functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture that enables communication between internal and external components of appliances, creating an open network that allows for the identification, control, and expansion of appliance capabilities, enabling bi-directional communication and integration of new features through a network protocol like WIDE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired ribbon cables or connectors are used to form an internal network, then the network structure is stable and reliable, but the appliance cannot be easily modified or expanded with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired connection system (ribbon cables and connectors) with a wireless communication system. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints of wired connections while maintaining reliable communication through wireless protocols, enabling both stability and expandability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic network architecture where components can be dynamically added, removed, or reconfigured without physical rewiring. The wireless network allows the appliance system to adapt its topology and capabilities dynamically, resolving the contradiction between fixed reliability and flexible adaptability.
2Reliability
If discrete circuits are used for communication between internal components, then each circuit can be optimized for specific communication needs, but the overall system complexity increases and modification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless communication protocol that can handle multiple communication needs (data transmission, control signals, status reporting) through a single standardized interface. This replaces multiple specialized discrete circuits with one multi-functional communication system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary layer that simplifies interactions between components. Instead of requiring direct optimized circuits between each component pair, the wireless medium provides a standardized mediation mechanism that reduces the number of specialized circuits needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a closed hard-wired network is used, then the appliance maintains its original design integrity, but additional external components cannot be coupled to expand functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic network architecture that can adapt its composition based on needs. The wireless network allows the appliance to maintain its core design integrity while dynamically incorporating external components and accessories, enabling functional expansion without compromising the stability of the original system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the appliance system into modular components that can independently communicate through the wireless network. This segmentation allows the core appliance to maintain its design integrity while external accessories can be added as separate modules, expanding functionality without integrating into the original hard-wired structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance network has messaging protocol to establish communication between a first networked appliance and a remote user interface.