Smart Dwelling Virtual Twin for Unified Device Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple smart devices across different systems in a dwelling is challenging, and sharing access or transferring ownership of these devices to guests or new users is cumbersome, especially when users want to carry over their preferences to temporary dwellings.
Innovation Solution
A virtual twin of a smart dwelling is created, which maintains information about smart devices, appliances, and systems, allowing users to manage and control them centrally, assign permissions, apply user preferences, and generate recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate systems are used to manage different smart devices, then each device can be controlled by its dedicated system, but the overall management complexity increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate smart device management systems into a single unified system that can control diverse devices (lights, thermostats, locks, appliances) through one interface, eliminating the need for users to switch between multiple dedicated systems while maintaining device-specific functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The unified system performs multiple functions by serving as a universal control platform for various smart devices, allowing a single system to handle lighting, temperature control, security, and appliance management, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Ease of operation
If full control of smart devices is transferred to a guest user, then the guest can fully operate the devices, but security and access control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different permission levels to different users and devices, allowing guest users to control specific devices (lights, entertainment) while restricting access to sensitive devices (locks, cameras), thereby providing localized access control that balances convenience and security
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments control permissions into different levels and categories, dividing device access into controllable areas (entertainment, lighting) and restricted areas (security, climate control), enabling selective guest access without compromising overall system security
3Adaptability or versatility
If users manually adjust settings for each device in a temporary dwelling, then the devices can be configured to user preferences, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically transferring and applying the user's saved preferences to devices in a temporary dwelling before the user arrives or upon connection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing setup time to minimal automatic configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual twin of a smart dwelling is provided. In an aspect, the virtual twin maintains information about a smart dwelling and the devices associated with the smart dwelling. In examples, a user may use the virtual twin to control smart devices in the smart dwelling and change settings of the smart devices. In other examples, the virtual twin may be used to apply user preferences from the smart devices in the smart dwelling to smart devices in a temporary dwelling, such as a hotel room or a rental property. In further examples, the virtual twin may be used to assign permissions to guests to control aspects of the smart dwelling and the virtual twin. In some examples, the virtual twin may generate recommendations for a user related to the smart dwelling.