Multi-Protocol Router Translation Layer for Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless routers struggle to integrate and manage devices communicating via different radio frequency (RF) protocols, leading to incompatibility issues and limited functionality when systems are upgraded or replaced.
Innovation Solution
A wireless router with customizable radio configurations, featuring a translation layer and rules engine that translates inputs from diverse RF protocols into generic device profiles, allowing integration and management of devices via a unified set of rules, and includes a machine learning model to detect events and anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless router uses a single RF protocol for communication, then device compatibility is limited, but system complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the wireless router to communicate with devices using multiple different RF protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave) through a unified platform. The router can identify devices by their MAC addresses and automatically determine their protocol type, then route appropriate traffic through the correct interface, allowing a single router to serve diverse device types without requiring separate specialized routers for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that mediates between different RF protocols and the router's core processing system. This layer translates protocol-specific commands and data formats into a unified internal representation, allowing the router to handle multiple protocols without requiring protocol-specific processing paths for each device type, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the router manages multiple RF protocols, then device integration capability improves, but configuration and management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the router automatically identify connected devices through their MAC addresses and determine their protocol types without user intervention. The system autonomously configures routing rules, selects appropriate interfaces, and manages protocol-specific parameters based on pre-defined profiles, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex multi-protocol settings while maintaining comprehensive device integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by implementing configurable routing rules that can be dynamically adjusted based on device profiles and network conditions. The system allows users to modify parameters such as traffic prioritization, QoS settings, and protocol selection without reconfiguring the entire multi-protocol architecture, making management simpler while maintaining the ability to handle diverse devices.
3Ease of operation
If the router provides unified protocol support, then device management simplicity improves, but protocol translation overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing protocol translation only where necessary - specifically at the routing decision point rather than continuously translating all traffic. The system translates protocols selectively based on the destination address and configured routing rules, avoiding unnecessary translation overhead for traffic that doesn't require protocol conversion, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining management simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring device profiles and routing rules before devices connect to the network. The system pre-establishes translation parameters and routing paths based on device type and protocol, so that when devices connect, the translation and routing decisions can be made quickly without real-time computation overhead, reducing processing energy while maintaining unified management capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for a wireless router. The router includes a first radio frequency (RF) modem and a hardware card slot configured to receive an RF modem card configured to communicate according to a second RF protocol with one or more electronic devices. The router is configured to identify first events based on the traffic on a first WLAN protocol; translate the input received from the one or more electronic devices to a feature of a device profile; identify second events based on input received from the one or more electronic devices via the second RF protocol; generate a command to control a first device of the wireless devices or the electronic devices based on the device; and translate the command from the device profile of the first device to the first WLAN protocol or the second RF protocol.