Smart Power Outlet for Low-Cost Wireless Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of long-range wireless communication modules into unconnected devices is costly due to the high expense of components like WiFi chips, necessitating a cost-effective solution for introducing wireless communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a connectivity-enabled power outlet with a communication module and processing unit that enables data transfer and remote control of connected devices, leveraging the power connection to provide data communication without dedicated wireless modules in the devices themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long-range wireless communication modules (e.g., WiFi chips) are incorporated into unconnected devices, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device cost increases drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power outlet as an intermediary device that contains the wireless communication module. The outlet acts as a mediator between the wired power infrastructure and devices needing wireless connectivity, allowing unconnected devices to access wireless communication through the outlet without requiring their own expensive wireless modules
Solution Approach 2:
The power outlet is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to provide electrical power to connected devices while simultaneously providing wireless communication capabilities. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both traditional power delivery and new wireless connectivity needs, eliminating the requirement for separate wireless modules in each device
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication modules are added to conventional devices, then communication functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power outlet serves as an intermediary that handles all wireless communication protocols and data processing. By placing the communication intelligence in the outlet rather than in each connected device, the complexity is centralized in a single location while keeping individual devices simple and unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of power delivery and wireless communication into a single integrated system at the outlet level. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate wireless communication hardware and software in each device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full communication functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.