Smart Wall-Plate Controls for Wireless Home Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall-plates lack functionality beyond aesthetics, failing to provide convenient control surfaces for smart devices that can be controlled wirelessly or through cloud services.
Innovation Solution
A smart wall-plate system with customizable device controls, integrating circuitry on a printed circuit board, enabling wireless connectivity with local and remote devices, and cloud service platforms, allowing users to initiate automations and routines through user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wall-plates are used to cover wall openings, then aesthetic coverage is provided, but functional control capability for smart devices is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The wall-plate system integrates multiple functions including wireless communication transceiver, touchscreen interface, and smart device control capabilities into a single device. The wall-plate can control local devices directly and communicate with remote devices through cloud services, providing universal control functionality across different device types and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the wall-plate cover, mounting bracket, and control circuitry into an integrated assembly. The circuit board with transceiver and processor is mounted within the wall-plate structure, merging aesthetic coverage with electronic control functions in a unified device.
2Ease of operation
If additional control surfaces are added throughout a space for smart devices, then user accessibility is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into modular components: a wall-plate assembly that can be independently installed, a mounting bracket for secure attachment, and a circuit board with integrated electronics. This segmentation allows the control surface to be installed as a separate unit without modifying existing electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall-plate system acts as an intermediary device that interfaces between the user and smart devices. It provides a local control surface that communicates wirelessly with devices, eliminating the need for complex wiring installations while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless connectivity and cloud service integration are implemented in the wall-plate, then device control versatility is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical wiring and physical connections with wireless communication technologies. The transceiver enables wireless communication with smart devices, and cloud services provide remote connectivity without requiring physical infrastructure modifications, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall-plate system autonomously manages wireless connections and cloud service communications. The processor handles protocol management, device pairing, and data transmission automatically, reducing the need for manual configuration and lowering operational complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart wall-plate system having customizable device controls to initiate automation functions, routines, actions, activities, or control to be performed by a variety of local or remote devices is disclosed. The smart wall-plate system may be connected directly or indirectly to any number and type of local and remote devices as well as various cloud service platforms and home service hubs or assistants. The local and remote devices can include, for example, lighting devices, smart devices, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. The wall-plate system may receive an input from a user. The wall-plate system or another system in communication with the wall-plate system may determine an instruction corresponding to, or triggered by, the received input. The instruction may specify an automated activity to be performed. In response, the wall-plate system or another system may transmit one or more signals to perform the automated activity.