Security System Appliance Control Bridge for Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security systems lack integration with other home or business systems to adjust or control based on occupancy, limiting the utilization of available signals for energy management and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A security system with programmed processors and appliance control devices that communicate wirelessly, allowing status messages to control appliances between low and high power modes based on security system states, such as entering an alarm-away mode, to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security systems operate in stand-alone mode to ensure reliability, then system reliability is improved, but energy management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The security control panel is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional security monitoring and control, plus appliance control and energy management. The system can control appliances directly through the control panel or indirectly through a communication bridge, enabling both security operations and energy-saving operations without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A communication bridge is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the security system to the appliance control bus (such as X10 protocol). This bridge enables the security system to control appliances and manage energy consumption while maintaining the security system's primary function and reliability
2Ease of operation
If security systems use wireless communication for appliance control, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The communication bridge serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of wireless communication protocols. It translates security system commands into appliance control bus signals (like X10), enabling easy wireless appliance control without requiring the security system itself to become more complex
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control panel receives status information from appliances and sensors. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adjust appliance operation based on security state and occupancy detection, simplifying user interaction while managing communication complexity through automated responses
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling an appliance are provided. The system includes a plurality of sensing devices and a plurality of appliance control devices. The sensing devices are locatable in a selected area with each device wirelessly transmitting a first status message and a second status message. Each of the plurality of appliance control devices has a wireless receiver that continuously monitors a transmission spectrum for wireless status messages, has a decryption device that decrypts any received encrypted messages, provides an ON and OFF output, and provides one of the ON and OFF outputs upon receiving a first status message and the other of the ON and OFF outputs upon receiving a second status message.