Space-Specific IoT Appliance Control for Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT network control systems fail to account for the unique characteristics of individual spaces, leading to inefficient energy use and reduced user convenience due to uniform application of control settings across different spaces with varying uses.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus that transmits control signals based on space-specific information, adjusting settings according to the identified space's characteristics and user commands, and integrates control of multiple appliances to optimize energy efficiency and user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If uniform control settings are applied to multiple home appliances across different spaces, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and user convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by storing and applying space-specific information (structure, use, characteristics) to control home appliances differently for each space. The server identifies the target space from user input and retrieves corresponding space information to generate appropriate control signals, ensuring each space receives customized control settings rather than uniform settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If space-specific control settings are applied to home appliances, then energy efficiency is improved and user convenience is enhanced, but device complexity increases and user input requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically identifying the target space and retrieving corresponding space information from the server without requiring users to manually input space characteristics. The server autonomously matches user input (e.g., space name) with stored space information and generates appropriate control signals, reducing the burden on users while maintaining space-specific control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If structural information only is stored for spaces, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates and energy efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing comprehensive space information (structure, use, characteristics) in the server before actual appliance control operations. This advance preparation enables the system to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate control settings based on user input, improving both adaptability to different spaces and energy efficiency without increasing the complexity of the control process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4152698B1Electronic apparatus and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4152698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4152698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4152698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes: a memory configured to store first information on a plurality of home appliances included in an Internet of Things (IoT) network and second information on a plurality of spaces in which the plurality of home appliances are located; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: based on a user command for controlling a first home appliance among the plurality of home appliances being received, identify, based on the first information, a first space in which the first home appliance is located, identify, based on the second information, space information of the first space, and control the communication interface to transmit a control signal for controlling the first home appliance to the first home appliance based on control information included in the user command and the space information of the first space.