Smart Home Bridge for Heterogeneous Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart home systems cannot control target devices with different connectivity types supported by the host, limiting the use of services for devices with unsupported connectivity, such as Bluetooth devices, which cannot interwork with devices like TVs or LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that allow a client with the same connectivity as a target device to discover and manage target information, and transmit service control signals to control devices with unsupported connectivity by the host, enabling interworking with other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the host uses a bridge device to control target devices with different connectivity, then control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge device as an intermediary component that translates control signals between different connectivity protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee). The bridge receives control signals from the host via WiFi, converts them to the appropriate protocol, and transmits them to target devices with unsupported connectivity, thereby enabling control without requiring the host to support multiple protocols directly.
2Reliability
If the host discovers only target devices with supported connectivity, then discovery reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device acts as an intermediary that enables the host to discover target devices with unsupported connectivity. The host discovers the bridge device using its supported protocols, and the bridge subsequently discovers and manages target devices with different connectivity types, allowing indirect discovery while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple connectivity protocols simultaneously. It can communicate with the host via WiFi, discover Bluetooth devices, and translate between protocols, making a single device that performs multiple discovery and control functions across different connectivity domains.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clients use bridge devices to control target devices with heterogeneous connectivity, then service availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple specialized devices into a single bridge device that handles protocol translation, device discovery, and control signal management. Instead of requiring separate control mechanisms for each connectivity type, the bridge consolidates these functions, reducing the number of components needed while maintaining service availability across heterogeneous devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for controlling a target device of a host and a client for supporting a service for the target device which has connectivity not supported by the host. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method for controlling the target device of the host includes: receiving, from a first client having the same connectivity as that of at least one target device, target information on the target device, and managing the target information; and, when a service request signal for the target device is received from a second client, transmitting, to the target device, a service control signal for controlling the target device using the target information.