Wireless Household Device Control via Mobile Terminal Distance Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart home solutions face limitations in wireless communication range, direct line-of-sight requirements, and high costs due to the use of infrared, NFC, or expensive 802.11 wireless LAN technologies for controlling household devices.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a mobile terminal with wireless gateway functionality to locate and interact with household devices, computing distances, and transmitting feedback information to control centers to perform operations such as turning on/off or regulating devices based on signal strength thresholds, eliminating the need for direct alignment and additional chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired communication is used among household devices, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to extra wiring and complex arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Household devices communicate with the control center through wireless signals instead of physical wire connections, eliminating the need for complex wiring arrangements while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control center as an intermediary device that coordinates communication between household devices and user terminals. The control center manages wireless communications and control signal routing, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to direct device-to-device wiring.
2Ease of operation
If infra-red or NFC control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but transmission distance is limited and devices need direct line-of-sight alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control system universal by enabling control of any household device from any location within wireless coverage. The terminal device can send control signals to any controlled device through the control center without requiring line-of-sight alignment or being limited to short transmission distances, making the system adaptable to various spatial configurations.
3Length of moving object
If 802.11 wireless LAN is used, then transmission distance is increased, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective wireless communication modules instead of expensive 802.11 wireless LAN chips. By using more economical wireless technology that still provides sufficient transmission distance for home applications, the system reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate performance.
4Speed
If direct communication among things is implemented, then communication speed is improved, but adaptability decreases as it does not consider contextual factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control center receives status information from household devices and user requests from terminal devices, then coordinates appropriate control actions. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to contextual factors such as user presence, device status, and environmental conditions while maintaining efficient communication.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and system for managing household devices is provided. The method includes: locating by multiple household devices the current position coordinates of a mobile terminal; computing by the multiple household devices their respective distances to the mobile terminal using the current position coordinates of the mobile terminal to obtain multiple pieces of distance information, and transmitting the distance information to a control center; selecting by the mobile terminal the smallest distance based on the distance information, and transmitting feedback information to the household device at the smallest distance; and receiving by the household device the feedback information and thus performing operations of turning on, turning off, or regulating. The present disclosure makes possible an intelligent and humane home management mode without addition of extra chips which thus results in low cost.