Server-Based PID Control for Sensor-Driven Building Actuators
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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 approach replaces dedicated hardware gateways, utilizing existing infrastructure and protocols to provide a cost-effective, reliable, and secure networking system with enhanced user experience, leveraging existing protocols and components for improved security and functionality.
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 system cost and hardware complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gateway control functionality from dedicated hardware and relocates it to cloud-based servers. The physical gateway device is removed from the system architecture, while its control functions are maintained through virtualization on remote servers, thereby reducing on-premises hardware complexity while preserving network control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication networks and wireless access points as intermediaries between end devices and cloud servers. These intermediaries enable remote servers to perform gateway functions without requiring physical gateway hardware at the network edge, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware gateways are deployed, then wireless network control is enabled, but installation difficulty and impracticality increase especially in existing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for physical gateway installation by extracting control functions to cloud infrastructure. This eliminates the need for complex installations in existing buildings, as all control operations are performed remotely through standard network connections to cloud servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cloud-based control system that can serve multiple wireless networks and locations through standardized protocols. The cloud servers provide gateway functionality universally across different environments without requiring location-specific hardware installations, thereby improving adaptability while simplifying deployment.
3Reliability
If traditional gateway systems are used, then network control is provided, but security vulnerabilities and lack of user-friendly features persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where cloud servers continuously monitor network status, device connections, and security events. This enables real-time detection of security threats and automated response actions, improving security posture while maintaining system stability through continuous validation and control adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions cloud servers as secure intermediaries between wireless devices and network resources. All authentication, authorization, and control operations are mediated through the cloud platform, which enforces security policies and isolates devices from direct access to critical network infrastructure, thereby reducing security risks while ensuring reliable control.
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.