Universal Control Engine Protocol Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconsistent adoption of new communication protocols and command formats by appliance manufacturers leads to confusion and mis-operation when users or manufacturers attempt to utilize enhanced features in controlling devices, such as remote controls, due to the fragmented landscape of wireless and wired communication methods.
Innovation Solution
A modular hardware and software solution, known as the Universal Control Engine (UCE), which adapts to various control methodologies and communication media, allowing a single controlling device to coordinate the best control method for each appliance, combining protocols like IR, CEC, IP, RF4CE, and Bluetooth to ensure reliable operation across a range of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols and command formats are supported across different appliances, then the functionality and performance of controlling devices are improved, but the complexity of the control system increases due to fragmented adoption by manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system that integrates multiple communication protocols (IR, RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI-CEC) into a single controlling device. The system automatically detects available protocols and selects the most appropriate one for each appliance, enabling one remote control to universally manage diverse entertainment devices without requiring separate remotes for each protocol type.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling device serves as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple appliances with different protocols. It translates user commands into protocol-specific signals and manages the complexity of protocol selection and appliance detection, shielding users from the underlying fragmentation while maintaining support for multiple communication methods.
2Ease of operation
If a single controlling device is used to control multiple appliances with different protocols, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of command transmission may deteriorate due to protocol incompatibility or mis-operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the target appliance and command type. It automatically detects which communication protocol is available and most appropriate for each appliance, and adjusts its transmission method accordingly. This dynamic protocol selection ensures reliable command delivery while maintaining a consistent, simple user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling device incorporates feedback mechanisms to verify successful command transmission. It monitors appliance responses and can retry commands or switch to alternative protocols if initial attempts fail, thereby maintaining high reliability even when controlling diverse devices with different protocol implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.