Segmented Smart Appliance Bridge Devices for Low Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unitary bridge devices for smart devices require placement in line-of-sight of multiple appliances, leading to constraints on device placement and battery life due to high transmission power needs, making them bulky and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple discrete bridge devices, each dedicated to a specific appliance, allowing for proximity placement and reduced transmission power, using low energy consumption RF technologies like Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy, and compact power sources such as coin cell batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unitary bridge device is used to control multiple appliances, then the device can issue commands to several different appliances, but the device must be positioned in line-of-sight of every appliance which constrains placement and requires high transmission power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the unitary bridge device into multiple separate bridge devices, each dedicated to controlling a specific appliance. This segmentation allows each device to operate independently with lower transmission power requirements, as each bridge device only needs to communicate with one appliance rather than multiple appliances simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If a unitary bridge device is positioned far from appliances to be inconspicuous, then the device can be placed in less visible locations, but the device requires higher transmission output power which impacts battery life and device dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bridge functionality into multiple separate devices, each located near its target appliance, the system eliminates the need for high transmission power. This allows bridge devices to be positioned optimally for both visibility and battery efficiency, as each device operates at low power levels due to its proximity to the controlled appliance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a unitary bridge device is used, then a single device can control multiple appliances, but the device must provide adequate transmission output power which increases device dimensions and power supply design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the functionality of a single unitary bridge device into multiple smaller bridge devices, each dedicated to one appliance. This segmentation reduces the transmission power requirements and antenna size for each individual device, thereby reducing overall device dimensions while maintaining the ability to control multiple appliances through the collective functionality of the segmented devices.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a unitary bridge device is positioned close to appliances, then transmission power can be reduced, but the device may be subject to interference by curious children or visitors and cannot be placed in cabinets behind closed doors
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bridge functionality into multiple separate devices that can each be placed in secure locations near appliances, the system maintains low transmission power requirements while eliminating security concerns. Each bridge device can be positioned in a cabinet or enclosed space close to its target appliance, achieving both low power consumption and protection from interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device.