Server-Based Building Control Using Existing Wiring and FDM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networking solutions in buildings often require dedicated hardware gateways for wireless network control, which are costly, unreliable, and impractical to install, especially in existing structures, and lack efficient security and user-friendly features.
Innovation Solution
A cloud server-based system replaces dedicated hardware gateways, utilizing existing infrastructure like telephone wiring for data communication, employing Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) to carry both telephony and data signals, and integrating sensor and actuator units with routers to provide a secure, cost-effective, and user-friendly environment control network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hardware gateways are used for wireless network control, then network control functionality is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gateway control functionality from dedicated hardware and relocates it to cloud-based servers. The local device retains only basic networking capabilities while the complex control functions are performed remotely by server 17, eliminating the need for complex local gateway hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes server 17 a universal control platform that can manage multiple different devices and networks. The server provides centralized control for various field units including sensors, actuators, and network devices across different locations, replacing multiple dedicated gateways with a single multi-functional server.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware gateways are installed in existing buildings, then wireless network control is enabled, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing network infrastructure to serve multiple purposes. Telephone wiring is used for both traditional telephony and data communication, and existing network cables are utilized for connecting field units, eliminating the need for new installations in existing buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses existing infrastructure copies rather than installing new dedicated systems. The cloud server replicates gateway functionality remotely, and existing telephone and network cables are reused for data communication instead of installing new wiring infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Frequency Division Multiplexing is used to carry both telephony and data signals, then infrastructure utilization is improved, but signal interference may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of signal transmission to enable multiplexing. Different frequency bands are allocated for telephony and data signals on the same physical infrastructure, allowing simultaneous transmission without interference through frequency separation.
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
This solution offers a reliable, cost-effective, and secure networking system that simplifies the installation and maintenance of environment control networks, enhancing user experience by leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
employing Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) to carry both telephony and data signals
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method in a building or vehicle for an actuator operation in response to a sensor according to a control logic, the system comprising a router or a gateway communicating with a device associated with the sensor and a device associated with the actuator over in-building or in-vehicle networks, and an external Internet-connected control server associated with the control logic implementing a PID closed linear control loop and communicating with the router over external network for controlling the in-building or in-vehicle phenomenon. The sensor may be a microphone or a camera, and the system may include voice or image processing as part of the control logic. A redundancy is used by using multiple sensors or actuators, or by using multiple data paths over the building or vehicle internal or external communication. The networks may be wired or wireless, and may be BAN, PAN, LAN, WAN, or home networks.