Remote Control Synchronization via Acknowledged Command Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remote control systems face challenges in synchronizing multiple devices due to fixed step relative control, which can lead to desynchronization under poor transmission conditions, and absolute value control is cumbersome for scenarios like dimming multiple lighting arrangements, requiring high bandwidth networks.

Innovation Solution

A system with a remote control apparatus that transmits a sequence of commands for relative parameter adjustments to multiple devices, ensuring synchronization through point-to-point two-way communication, allowing devices to acknowledge commands and repeat transmissions as needed, without requiring the remote control to know the current parameter values, and enabling wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixed step relative control is used, then the control system is simple to implement, but synchronization between multiple devices is lost under poor transmission conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system implementation simplicityVSAvoiddevice synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having each controlled device send an acknowledgement message back to the remote control apparatus after receiving a command. The remote control apparatus tracks which devices have acknowledged and retransmits commands to those that haven't, ensuring all devices receive the same sequence of commands and remain synchronized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transmits the entire sequence of commands to all devices before any device executes them. This preliminary transmission ensures all devices have the complete command sequence in advance, and through acknowledgements and retransmissions, all devices start execution from the same point, maintaining synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If absolute value control is used, then device synchronization is maintained, but the system requires high bandwidth networks and the remote control apparatus must know parameter ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice synchronizationVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth and control apparatus knowledge requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables controlled devices to autonomously execute relative adjustments based on commands received from the remote control apparatus. Each device independently processes the command sequence without the remote control apparatus needing to know current parameter values or device-specific parameter ranges, reducing the complexity burden on the control apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control approach by transmitting commands as a sequence of individual relative adjustment instructions rather than requiring the remote control apparatus to calculate and transmit absolute target values. This segmentation allows devices to independently process each command in the sequence while maintaining synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If individual polling is performed for each device, then precise control of each device is achieved, but the bandwidth and latency requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual device control precisionVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control approach by transmitting the same sequence of commands to multiple devices simultaneously rather than polling each device individually. This combining of command transmissions reduces the total number of communication interactions while still allowing precise individual control through acknowledgements and retransmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9251702B2Remote control of a plurality of devices

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A system and method are described for controlling a plurality of devices (150) by a remote control apparatus (105). The remote control apparatus (105) transmits a same sequence of commands individually to each of the plurality of devices (150) to execute a relative increase or decrease of a parameter thereof with a certain value. There is two-way communication between the remote control apparatus (105) and the devices (150). The devices (150) acknowledge the correct reception of a command by transmitting an acknowledgement message to the remote control apparatus (105). The remote control apparatus (105) repeats the transmission of a command to a device (150) in case of not receiving an acknowledgement message from the device (150). In this way, it is guaranteed that all controlled devices (150) receive the same commands and the controlled parameters thereof are kept in synchronization.