Wireless Charging Interaction Device for Home Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience in performing routine tasks upon arriving home, such as setting heating, switching on lights, and tuning the radio, which require multiple efforts and manipulations.

Innovation Solution

An interaction device with integrated wireless charging capabilities and modular processing units that can detect and respond to electronic devices and triggers, allowing for automated control of home systems like heating, lighting, and media through NFC/RFID or Bluetooth technologies, enabling intuitive automation of household processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually control home systems (heating, lights, radio), then these systems can be operated, but user effort and time are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effortVSAvoidtime for routine tasks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures automation rules and trigger associations in advance. When a trigger event occurs (e.g., device placement, NFC tag detection), the pre-programmed actions are automatically executed, eliminating the need for users to manually control each system during routine operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interaction device automatically detects triggers and executes corresponding actions without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring environmental conditions, interpreting trigger events, and autonomously controlling home systems based on predefined rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate chargers are used for different devices, then each device can be charged, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcharger quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interaction device integrates multiple charging functions into a single universal platform. It can simultaneously charge different types of devices (mobile phones, tablets, media players) using various charging methods (wireless, wired) and can also detect triggers from these devices to activate home automation functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines charging functionality with trigger detection and home system control into a single integrated device. Instead of having separate chargers for each device type, the system merges multiple functions into one unified interaction device that serves as both charger and automation controller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If wireless charging is implemented, then charging convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses wireless charging selectively rather than continuously. It activates wireless charging only when trigger events occur (such as device placement or NFC detection), and can supplement with wired charging when appropriate, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The device simplifies user interactions by automatically charging devices, controlling home systems, and facilitating automation through minimal natural interactions, reducing the effort required for routine tasks upon entering or leaving the home.

Implementation Method 1

designed for wireless charging of one or more electrical devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless charging: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

This also includes NFC/RFID sensors in particular

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNFC/RFID detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3113323B1Interaction device with integrated functionalities for generating, processing and input and output of triggers
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3113323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3113323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3113323B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An interaction device comprising a charging unit, a modular processing unit, and at least one interface for interaction with external devices. The charging unit is configured for wirelessly charging electrical devices and for detecting whether an electrical device suitable for wireless charging is located within a spatial area where wireless charging is possible. The charging unit is further configured to send information to the modular processing unit as soon as an electrical device suitable for wireless charging enters or leaves the spatial area around the charging unit where wireless charging is possible.The processing unit is designed to process information sent from the charging unit to the modular processing unit and to send any data and/or triggers generated during the processing of this information to at least one interface. The interface is designed to forward the data and/or triggers to at least one external device.