Virtual Device Management for Smart Home Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home devices from different manufacturers require separate apps for control, leading to inefficient management and limited functionality, as each device operates independently, making it impractical to combine their features without compromising their technical capabilities or requiring expensive physical integration.
Innovation Solution
A Virtual Device Management (VDM) system that extracts functionalities from multiple smart devices and combines them to create virtual products, allowing users to manage and control these devices through a single interface without the need for physical integration, using software to combine features like lock/unlock, video streaming, and two-way audio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical integration of multiple smart home devices is performed to combine their features, then enhanced functionality and unified control are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the integrated device through software. Instead of physically integrating multiple smart home devices into a single unit, the system generates a virtual representation that combines the functionality of multiple physical devices (camera, door lock, two-way audio) within a single mobile application interface. This virtual device can be discovered, selected, and configured without requiring any physical integration, thereby achieving enhanced functionality while avoiding the manufacturing complexity and cost associated with physical integration.
2Reliability
If separate manufacturer-specific apps are used to control smart home devices, then device compatibility and manufacturer support are maintained, but user convenience and management efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mobile application that can discover, control, and manage multiple smart home devices from different manufacturers through a single interface. The system uses standardized communication protocols (such as Matter over Thread, Zigbee, or Wi-Fi) to interface with various device types including cameras, door locks, and other smart home devices. This universal app consolidates the functionality that would otherwise require multiple manufacturer-specific applications, thereby improving user convenience and management efficiency while maintaining device compatibility through standardized protocols.
3Reliability
If devices are controlled independently through separate interfaces, then each device maintains its operational independence and reliability, but overall system management efficiency and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control interfaces of multiple independently operating smart home devices into a single unified application. The virtual device combines functionality from multiple physical devices (camera viewing, door locking, two-way audio) that would otherwise require separate applications and interfaces. Users can discover, select, and control multiple devices through one consolidated interface, significantly improving management efficiency and functionality while preserving the operational independence and reliability of each individual device. The system achieves this by creating a virtual representation that integrates multiple device capabilities without requiring the devices themselves to be physically integrated or interdependent.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual device management system for creating and implementing virtual devices and associated methods are provided herein. The system presents to a user a list of devices available for combining to create the virtual device. When the system receives from the user a selection of two or more devices that the user wishes to combine to create the virtual device, the system presents to the user a list of available functions that can be performed by the virtual device based on the selected devices. The system then receives from the user a selection of one or more functions and configures the virtual device to perform the selected functions. The system can also be configured to present, via a user interface via a mobile application running on a user device, a plurality of virtual devices with predetermined functionalities that are created by detecting the various connected devices within an IoT network.