Device functionality identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately identify and configure the functionality of secondary devices plugged into power outlets, such as determining the type of device connected to a plug device in smart home environments.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses voice-controlled devices to send commands to plug devices, senses environmental changes caused by operating the connected device, and analyzes sensor data to determine the type of secondary device, then notifies the user or automatically updates the device type based on confidence levels and historical data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing systems are used to identify device functionality, then the system structure remains simple, but the device type identification accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the device identification process into multiple independent components: voice-controlled device sends commands, plug device executes operations, environmental sensors detect changes, and processor analyzes sensor data. Each component performs a specific function, improving identification accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental sensors serve as intermediaries between the plug device and the identification system. The sensors detect environmental changes caused by device operation and convert them into measurable data, enabling accurate device type identification without requiring direct communication between the voice-controlled device and the plug device.
2Productivity
If manual configuration methods are used, then the system complexity is low, but the configuration time and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service device configuration by automatically detecting environmental changes and analyzing sensor data to identify device types. The processor autonomously determines device functionality without requiring manual user input, significantly reducing configuration time and user effort while the system learns from historical data to improve future identifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensor data from environmental changes is continuously analyzed, and historical identification results are used to refine future device type determinations. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adapt and improve configuration accuracy over time, reducing the need for manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If environmental sensing is implemented to identify device types, then the device type determination accuracy improves, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by having the voice-controlled device send periodic test commands to the plug device, which triggers environmental sensors to detect changes at specific intervals. This periodic operation enables accurate device type determination while minimizing continuous energy consumption, as sensors and processors operate only when triggered by command execution rather than running continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for device functionality identification are disclosed. For example, a connected device may be coupled to a secondary device. A user may request operation of the connected device, and a system may determine that the connected device is of a given device type. Based on the connected device being of the given device type, the system may cause another device having an environmental sensor to send sensor data indicating environmental changes sensed by the sensor. The connected device may be operated and the sensor may sense environmental changes caused by operation of the connected device. When the sensed environmental changes indicate the device type of the secondary device, a recommendation to change the device type of the connected device to the device type of the secondary device may be provided to a user device associated with the connected device.