Smart Hub Integrating Multiple Communication Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems require multiple intelligent control units to communicate with devices using different communication protocols and media, leading to increased complexity, cost, and size issues as the number of household appliances grows.
Innovation Solution
A single intelligent control unit capable of communicating with multiple home automation devices using at least two forms of communication, such as different protocols, media, or data formats, by employing a method that identifies the recipient device and adapts data transmission accordingly, allowing connection via power lines or radio frequency links like Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Bluetooth, and includes an additional communication module for data formatting and adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart hubs are used to communicate with different devices using different communication protocols, then each device can be controlled effectively, but the system complexity, cost, and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The smart hub is designed with multiple communication modules (Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, Zigbee module) integrated into a single device, enabling it to perform multiple communication functions simultaneously. This allows one hub to replace multiple specialized hubs, reducing system complexity while maintaining compatibility with various communication protocols and devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart hubs are deployed to support diverse communication media, then all devices can be connected, but the implementation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee) and their associated processing circuits into a single integrated smart hub device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified system reduces implementation complexity, lowers manufacturing costs, and simplifies deployment while maintaining support for diverse communication media
3Device complexity
If a single control unit uses multiple communication modules to support different protocols, then the number of control units is reduced, but the identification and routing of data to the correct device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The smart hub employs a processing circuit that continuously monitors incoming data packets, identifies the target device through device identifiers or addresses, and dynamically routes data to the appropriate communication module. This feedback-based routing mechanism automatically adapts to different communication protocols and device types, simplifying data management while maintaining support for multiple protocols
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to connecting home automation equipment to a wide area network (WAN), in which at least one first home automation device (RAD) is connected to the WAN via a control device (DIS) comprising a first communication module with the first device using a first communication method. A second, additional communication module (MOD2) is planned to be connected to the control device to communicate with a second home automation device (AL) using a second communication method, thus connecting the second home automation device to the WAN.