Ultrasonic Bridge for Wireless IoT Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless control systems for devices like lighting and thermostats often require cumbersome pairing processes with smartphones, which can be prone to faults and require advanced knowledge, limiting user interaction.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic bridge that converts ultrasonic tones into digital information for transmission via RF or light-based links, enabling easy control of devices without needing an RF network connection, using a microphone, DAC, ADC, processor, and transceiver to facilitate communication between smartphones and IoT devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If RF-based wireless control protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) are used for device control, then wireless communication capability is improved, but pairing complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidpairing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an ultrasonic intermediary device that mediates between the smartphone and the controlled device. The smartphone emits ultrasonic tones containing control instructions, which are then transmitted via RF by the intermediary device to the target device. This eliminates the need for direct RF pairing between smartphone and controlled device, simplifying the pairing process while maintaining wireless control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional RF-based direct pairing mechanism with an acoustic (ultrasonic) substitution approach. Instead of requiring RF communication for initial pairing, the system uses ultrasonic tones carried through air to transmit control information, substituting the RF pairing mechanism with an acoustic transmission mechanism that is simpler to implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct RF pairing between smartphone and controlled device is implemented, then wireless control is achieved, but system reliability decreases due to pairing faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless control functionalityVSAvoidpairing process reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary device with ultrasonic transmission capability serves as a reliable mediator that receives control instructions from the smartphone and forwards them to the controlled device via RF. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct RF pairing between smartphone and controlled device, thereby removing the source of pairing faults and improving system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If RF network connection is required for device control, then wireless communication is enabled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to network dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidoperation without RF network access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the RF network-dependent control mechanism with an ultrasonic acoustic transmission mechanism. The smartphone can emit ultrasonic tones containing control instructions without requiring an active RF network connection. The intermediary device receives these ultrasonic tones and relays the commands to the controlled device, enabling operation independent of RF network availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables seamless interaction with connected devices using voice commands or cell phones without RF network access, reducing the complexity of pairing and improving operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a microphone configured to transduce an ultrasound into an analog voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic transduction: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a transceiver configured to send the digital information wirelessly to a remote device via one of an RF link and a light-based link

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10914710B2Ultrasonic bridge for wireless communication

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 SAVANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

There is provided an ultrasonic bridge for ultrasonic-based wireless communication. For example, there is provided an ultrasonic bridge that includes a microphone configured to transduce an ultrasound into an analog voltage. The ultrasonic bridge further includes hardware configured to convert the analog voltage to digital information. The ultrasonic further includes a transceiver configured to send the digital information wirelessly to a remote device via one of an RF link and a light-based link.