Server Apparatus for Remote Appliance Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote monitoring and operation systems for electric appliances lack a method to associate user-desired appliances with those capable of communication, making it difficult to remotely operate and monitor specific appliances effectively.
Innovation Solution
A server apparatus and control system that includes a terminal-side receiver for receiving appliance information from a terminal apparatus, an appliance-side receiver for receiving appliance state information, and a storage unit that associates the information upon receiving trigger information, allowing the identification and storage of user-desired appliances for remote operation and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote monitoring and operation of electric appliances is implemented using terminal apparatus, then users can monitor and control appliances remotely, but it becomes difficult to associate user-desired appliances with those capable of communication without a specific association method
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service association by having the terminal apparatus automatically detect appliances on the network and allow the user to select and associate desired appliances through a simple interface. The association is established automatically once the user makes a selection, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user by displaying detected appliances and their current states on the terminal apparatus. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify which appliances are available and make informed associations. The system also provides feedback about the association status and appliance states to ensure users can remotely monitor and control the correct devices.
2Reliability
If appliance information is stored and associated without automatic detection methods, then association data can be maintained, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires manual preparation of association information
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal apparatus performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and listing available appliances before the user needs to make an association. This preliminary detection and presentation of options eliminates the need for users to manually prepare association information in advance, while still ensuring accurate associations are made.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the terminal apparatus and the electric appliances. It receives detection information from appliances, processes it, and presents it to the terminal apparatus for user selection. This intermediary role automates the association setup process while maintaining data accuracy through centralized management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electric appliances are connected to the control system, then more appliances can be monitored and controlled, but it becomes difficult to identify and select the specific appliance desired by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the appliance selection process into distinct steps: first detecting all available appliances, then presenting them individually for selection, and finally establishing the association. This segmentation makes the identification process manageable even when multiple appliances are connected, as users can review and select from a structured list rather than dealing with all appliances simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators (such as display highlights or status indicators) to show which appliance is currently selected or being referenced. This visual feedback mechanism helps users easily identify and distinguish between multiple appliances during the selection and operation process, making it clear which device they are controlling or monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A server apparatus includes a terminal-side receiver for receiving, via a first network, information including appliance information that identifies an electric appliance, from a terminal apparatus operable by a user, an appliance-side receiver for receiving, via a second network, information including an identifier of the electric appliance and information about a state of the electric appliance, and a storage unit that stores the appliance information received by the terminal-side receiver and the identifier of the electric appliance, for which it is judged, from the information about the state of the electric appliance received by the appliance-side receiver, that the appliance state has been changed, in association with each other, upon reception of trigger information by the terminal-side receiver.