Remote Control Device with Switching Unit for Home Appliance Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control and monitoring systems for household appliances are cumbersome, insecure, and lack user-friendliness due to laborious configuration requirements and inadequate support for selecting optimal control devices and connections, especially when dealing with diverse data formats and multiple connection options.
Innovation Solution
A device with a switching unit and management unit that adapts commands and data formats for household appliances, allowing flexible and secure remote control and monitoring by establishing optimal connections and supporting various control devices and networks, including mobile and landline networks, and enabling user-friendly configuration and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control devices are configured manually for remote control, then control functionality is achieved, but configuration becomes very laborious and user-unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic device discovery and configuration without requiring manual user input. The control device automatically detects available appliances, establishes connections, and configures communication parameters, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user configuration efforts
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures communication protocols and connection parameters before actual remote control operations begin. Devices are pre-registered and pre-authenticated in the network, so when a user wants to control an appliance, the configuration work has already been completed in advance
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control devices and connection options are available, then flexibility is improved, but selecting the optimal device and connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the status and performance of available control devices and connections, providing feedback to automatically determine the optimal configuration. Based on real-time conditions such as network load, device availability, and connection quality, the system selects the best control device and connection path without user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
A network manager or coordination unit acts as an intermediary between multiple control devices and appliances, managing the complexity of device selection and connection establishment. This intermediary handles the decision-making process for selecting optimal control paths, shielding users from the complexity of multiple options
3Productivity
If data from monitored devices is transmitted to control devices, then monitoring functionality is achieved, but data format compatibility becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A protocol converter or gateway acts as an intermediary between devices with different data formats and the control device. This intermediary translates and adapts data from various appliance protocols (such as KNX, DALI, or proprietary formats) into standardized formats that the control device can process, ensuring compatibility without requiring changes to the original devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal data interface layer that can handle multiple data formats and protocols through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional layer enables the control device to communicate with various types of appliances using different protocols without requiring separate configuration for each device type
4Ease of operation
If insecure or inappropriate connections are used, then connection establishment is simplified, but remote control becomes insecure and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Security authentication and connection validation are performed in advance before establishing remote control connections. The system pre-authenticates control devices, pre-establishes secure communication channels, and pre-validates connection parameters, so that when users initiate remote control, secure connections are already in place without requiring manual security configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device (58) has an order unit (30) for generating and conveying instructions for the coordination, monitoring and remote controlling of equipments (10). A switching unit (60) is integrated in a network (72). The switching unit receives the instructions of the order unit and transmits the instructions to the equipments. The order unit is formed as mobile radio terminal for a mobile radio net, particularly according to Global system for mobile communications or Universal mobile telecommunications system standard.