Smart Home Control Device Automatic Mode Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of smart home devices face inconvenience when setting customized working modes, as they need to manually reset the modes upon entering a new environment or after modifications by others, lacking an efficient method for automatic mode restoration.

Innovation Solution

A smart device control method and apparatus that allows users to pre-store working mode information for various devices, enabling automatic mode setting via a control device connected to the devices through a local area network, using a control instruction sent by an instruction sending device, such as a user terminal or server, to set the modes of connected smart devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual setting operations are used for smart device working modes, then users can control device modes, but user convenience deteriorates when entering new environments or after modifications by others

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWorking mode setting convenienceVSAvoidTime for manual mode resetting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the current environment and retrieving pre-stored working mode information from a server before user intervention is needed. The control device autonomously configures device modes based on location data and stored profiles, eliminating the need for users to manually reset modes when entering new environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the control device to automatically obtain location information, query corresponding working mode data from the server, and configure connected smart devices without requiring user operation. The process is fully automated from detection to execution, with the system serving itself rather than requiring manual user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automatic mode setting is implemented, then user convenience improves, but system complexity increases due to network connectivity and server integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAutomatic mode settingVSAvoidSystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary that stores working mode information and handles the complexity of data management. The control device delegates the storage and retrieval of mode profiles to the server, which mediates between the user's location data and the appropriate device configurations. This intermediary approach centralizes complexity rather than distributing it across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3171548B1A method and apparatus for controlling a home device
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3171548B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3171548B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3171548B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a smart device control method and apparatus, a computer program and a recording medium, which pertain to the field of smart home. The method comprises: receiving, by a control device, a control instruction sent by an instruction sending device and including a set of pieces of working mode information, the set of pieces of working mode information including at least one piece of working mode information of at least one smart device type; and setting, by the control device, a working mode of a target smart device connected to the control device via a local area network (LAN) based on the set of pieces of working mode information, wherein the set of pieces of working mode information is pre-stored in the instruction sending device.