Presence-Based Smart Device Control Using RF Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart home systems lack the ability to identify specific users and determine their presence in specific areas, leading to manual control of connected devices without personalized or dynamic scheduling, and fail to prioritize user preferences when multiple users are present.
Innovation Solution
A presence-based system that uses RF signals to detect the presence of smart devices within monitored areas, allowing for personalized control of connected devices through direct communication and user priority ranking, eliminating the need for central controllers and manual programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a typical smart home system architecture with back end server and home controller is used, then centralized control and device management is achieved, but the system complexity increases and requires central controller infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the central controller functionality from the system architecture and relocates it to individual smart devices. Each smart device independently determines user presence and controls connected devices without requiring a home controller or back end server, thereby eliminating centralized infrastructure while maintaining automated control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Smart devices perform self-service by autonomously determining user presence through RF signal detection and directly controlling connected devices based on predefined schemes. The system enables devices to make independent control decisions without external controller intervention, removing the need for centralized management infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If manual control of connected devices is implemented, then system simplicity is maintained, but user experience lacks personalization and dynamic response to user presence
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring RF signal strength indicators from smart devices and using this information to dynamically adjust connected device states. Presence determination based on signal strength provides real-time feedback about user location, enabling automated personalization while maintaining simple operation through predefined control schemes
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-configuring control schemes that define how connected devices should respond to specific presence conditions. These predefined rules are established in advance, allowing the system to automatically execute personalized control actions when users enter specific areas without requiring real-time manual configuration
3Device complexity
If RF signals are used for presence detection, then additional communication technologies like Infra-Red are eliminated, but signal precision for determining user presence in specific areas must be sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by utilizing RF signal strength indicator as the measurement parameter for presence detection. By monitoring variations in signal strength as smart devices move through different areas, the system achieves sufficient spatial precision for controlling connected devices without requiring additional communication technologies or complex positioning infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables personalized and dynamic control of connected devices based on user presence and priority, improving user experience by allowing for real-time adjustments and conflict resolution among multiple users.
Implementation Method 1
the smart device and the locator may be configured to exchange radio frequency (RF) signals and to determine presence of the smart device within the subarea based on received RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for presence based control of connected devices including a smart device configured to operate at least one connected device, and a locator configured to supervise an entrance of a subarea of a monitored area, wherein the smart device and the locator are configured to exchange radio frequency (RF) signals and to determine the presence of the smart device within the subarea based on received RF signals, and wherein the smart device to issue control commands to operate the at least one connected device based on a predefined scheme and on the presence of the smart device within the subarea.