Server-Based Building Control Over Existing Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networking technologies in buildings require new wiring infrastructure, which is impractical and expensive, and existing wireless technologies lack interoperability and security for real-time multimedia applications.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based server system replaces dedicated hardware gateways with a server implementing gateway functionalities, utilizing existing building infrastructure for networking and enhancing security and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new wiring infrastructure is installed for networking in buildings, then network connectivity is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary device that consolidates gateway functionalities previously distributed across multiple dedicated hardware gateways. This server acts as a central mediator that handles network traffic, device management, and communication protocols, thereby improving network reliability while reducing installation complexity by leveraging existing infrastructure rather than requiring new wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements multiple gateway functionalities in a single universal platform, supporting various communication protocols (IP-based, non-IP-based, wired, wireless) and device types simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated gateways for different purposes, reducing both installation complexity and infrastructure requirements while maintaining robust network connectivity.
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware gateways are used for each wireless network, then network security is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges security functionalities from multiple dedicated hardware gateways into a single centralized server. This consolidation maintains security by implementing comprehensive authentication, authorization, and encryption mechanisms at the server level, while reducing system complexity by eliminating redundant hardware components and simplifying the overall architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements centralized monitoring and control mechanisms that provide real-time feedback on network security status, device performance, and traffic patterns. This feedback loop enables dynamic security adjustments, threat detection, and optimized resource allocation, maintaining high security standards while reducing the complexity of managing multiple independent gateways.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing building infrastructure is leveraged for networking, then cost is reduced, but interoperability and security for real-time multimedia may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The server dynamically adjusts network parameters such as bandwidth allocation, priority routing, and quality of service (QoS) settings based on real-time multimedia application requirements. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system ensures high-performance multimedia transmission over existing infrastructure, maintaining deployment cost efficiency while achieving the necessary reliability for real-time applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic network management system that continuously monitors traffic conditions and automatically optimizes resource allocation. The server adapts its behavior in real-time, adjusting routing paths, buffer sizes, and transmission rates to meet multimedia performance requirements, thereby ensuring reliable operation over existing infrastructure without requiring expensive upgrades.
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.