Battery-Free RF Pairing Control for Home Automation Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Home automation devices with low-energy nominal uses face power depletion during pairing processes, as existing methods like those described in document FR1658952A can deplete their power supply, preventing normal functioning.

Innovation Solution

A control device that utilizes the energy of an incident signal to send configuration signals without relying on an internal power source, such as a battery, by converting radio frequency signals into electrical current to power the device's logic processing unit and transmitter/receiver, using a converter and energy smoothing unit to manage energy levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control devices are connected in a master-slave configuration for coordinated control, then control coordination and collaborative operation are improved, but communication failures and system reliability deteriorate due to wireless link vulnerabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol coordinationVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master control device acts as an intermediary that receives control instructions from the control terminal and processes them before distributing to slave control devices. This intermediary structure enables coordinated control while providing a centralized point for error detection and correction, thereby maintaining communication reliability in the wireless master-slave configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If control instructions are transmitted wirelessly between devices, then system flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but communication errors and reliability deteriorate due to wireless link instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master control device receives feedback information from slave control devices regarding the execution status of control instructions. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of wireless communication effectiveness and allows for error detection and correction, maintaining reliability while preserving wireless flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If control instructions are processed and distributed through a master control device, then control precision and coordination are improved, but processing delays and response time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidprocessing delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The master control device pre-processes control instructions and prepares them for distribution to slave devices. By performing preliminary processing and organization of control commands before they are needed for execution, the system achieves precise coordinated control while minimizing real-time processing delays during actual operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4085577B1Control device and associated configuration method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4085577B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4085577B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4085577B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is a control device for transmitting a control signal to a receiver device in a home-automation installation, comprising a wireless transmitter/receiver (50) configured to receive an incident signal originating from a transmission device, an actuating unit configured to receive a configuration instruction, a processing logic unit (52) suitable for deciding on the transmission of the control signal by the wireless transmitter/receiver (50), and configured to receive a configuration instruction originating from the actuating unit; and generating at least one configuration message to be transmitted to the receiver device; the wireless transmitter/receiver (50) also being configured to transmit the at least one configuration message to the receiver device.