DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING TRANSITION FROM CLOUD TO HUB CONTROLLED SMART HOME SYSTEM

APPLICANT:
PHYNART TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED
An Indian entity having address as:
Office no 117, 2nd Floor, Runwal Platinum, Bavdhan, Pune, Maharashtra 411021

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
The present application claims priority from the Indian provisional patent application, having application number 202221076728, filed on 29th December 2022, incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for smart home systems. More specifically, the system and the method enable smooth transition from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system. The system and the method may be configured for migrating to hub controlled smart home system using auto configuration technique for the smart devices and the hub and vice versa.
BACKGROUND
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
A smart home gives the owner the ability to operate linked devices from within the house using voice assistants, automatically using routines or schedules, or remotely using a smartphone or computer. An electronic device that can operate to some level interactively and autonomously is referred to as a smart device. Smart devices are typically connected to other devices or networks using various wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, NFC, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, 5G, etc. The user may utilize a smart device to make your current heritage home appliances smarter.
A smart home hub, also called as gateway or bridge is a special type of smart device which allows other smart devices with limited capability supporting either Zigbee or Z-wave or any other similar protocols to communicate with each other and the internet.
Smart home hubs are continuously evolving and providing several features. Since these hubs provide many features, they are costly compared to smart devices. On the other hand, Wi-Fi based smart devices are also called cloud controlled which are low-priced and easy to start with. Therefore, many people mostly start with the low-priced smart devices.
Further, integrating existing legacy devices into the smart ecosystem poses challenges due to diverse protocols, hindering users from fully leveraging the benefits of a smart home. Users encounter difficulties incorporating traditional devices into the smart home environment due to the seamless integration challenges arising from diverse protocols and technologies. Transitioning between a cloud-controlled and hub-controlled smart home system is impractical, requiring users to discard and reconfigure all existing data, resulting in inconvenience and inefficiency. The existing systems lack the flexibility for users to seamlessly switch between these control mechanisms, demanding a time-consuming and effort-intensive reconfiguration process.
Now a days, concept of smart homes is evolving and use of number of smart home devices are also increasing. Therefore, there is need of a system and a method which is compatible with various smart devices irrespective of network protocol. Further, when a user switches from cloud controlled smart home system to a new hub controlled smart home system, then the user must reconfigure everything for example, creating locations, rooms, configuring smart devices, setting the automations/routines, etc.
Therefore, there is a long-standing need for the system and the method which enables smooth transition from a cloud controlled smart home system to a hub controlled smart home system, which solves above mentioned limitations of the existing system.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure overcomes one or more shortcomings of the prior art and provides additional advantages discussed throughout the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is the object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for enabling transition from a cloud controlled smart home system to a hub controlled smart home system and vice versa.
Before the present system and the method and its components are described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the system and its arrangement as described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in detecting or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system for enabling transition from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system has been disclosed. The hub controlled smart home system may comprise a processor and a memory coupled with the processor. The processor may be communicatively coupled with a plurality of smart devices present at geographical location over a network. The plurality of smart devices may be connected to the cloud-controlled smart home system. The memory may be configured to store an Application Programming Interface (API) module and a plurality of driver modules corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols. The processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices from the cloud controlled smart home system to the hub-controlled smart home system. The processor may be further configured for performing an auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system. The autoconfiguration may comprise notifying the plurality of smart devices present at the geographical location to undergo network discovery. Further, the processor may be configured for transmitting a discovery command/request from the API module to the plurality of driver modules to discover the plurality of smart devices connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on a plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location. The plurality of driver modules may be configured for converting the discovery command/request into a communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to a communication protocol selected from the plurality of communication protocols for the geographical location. The API module may be configured for receiving a response from the plurality of driver modules which discovered one or more smart device of the plurality of smart devices. The API module may be configured for initiating a request/command to the plurality of driver modules to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules. The API module may be configured for receiving a response from the plurality of driver modules about the one or more smart devices which are successfully added.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the method for enabling transition from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system is disclosed. The method may comprise step for migrating, via a processor, data of a plurality of smart devices from the cloud controlled smart home system to the hub-controlled smart home system. The method may comprise a step for performing, via the processor, an auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system. The autoconfiguration comprises step for notifying the plurality of smart devices present at the geographical location to undergo network discovery. The autoconfiguration comprises step for transmitting, via an Application Programming Interface (API) module, a discovery command/request to a plurality of driver modules to discover the plurality of smart devices connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on a plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location. The autoconfiguration comprises further step for converting, via the plurality of driver modules, the discovery command/request into a communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to a communication protocol selected from the plurality of protocols for the geographical location. The autoconfiguration may further comprise a step for receiving, via the API module, a response from the plurality of driver modules which discovered one or more smart device from the plurality of smart devices. The autoconfiguration may further comprise a step for initiating, via the API module, a request/command to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules after the one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices is discovered. The autoconfiguration may further comprise a step for receiving, via the API module, a response from the plurality of driver modules about the one or more smart devices which are successfully added.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
Figure 1 illustrates an implementation (100) of system (101) for enabling transition from cloud to hub controlled smart home system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
Figure 2 illustrates various components of the system (101), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
Figure 3 illustrates a stepwise method (300) for enabling transition from cloud to hub controlled smart home system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The terminology “network”, “cloud” and “network/cloud” have been alternatively used throughout the specification.
The terminology “system/smart hub” and “smart home hub” or “hub controlled smart home system” have been alternatively used throughout the specification.
The primary objective of a system (101) and a method (300) may revolve around affording smart home system owners the flexibility to choose between two fundamental operational paradigms: cloud-controlled and hub-controlled. A smart home system may be categorized as cloud-controlled when its entire functionality, serving as the cognitive powerhouse behind its operations, is orchestrated through cloud infrastructure. Conversely, it may be termed hub-controlled when the smart home's functionalities are managed and directed through a smart home hub. Critical to understanding this system (101) and the method (300) may be the distinction in how user data is handled. In a cloud-controlled smart home system, user data may be stored and managed on cloud-based resources. In contrast, a hub-based smart home system may centralize and maintains user data directly on the smart home hub. Given that all functionality and data for the hub-based system may reside within the smart home hub, the owner of the hub may assume the ownership and control over all data generated by users and devices during interactions with the smart home system.
Referring to Figure 1, an implementation (100) of a system (101) for enabling transition from a cloud controlled smart home system to a hub controlled smart home system is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the system (101) may comprise a processor (201) and a memory (202). Further, the system (101) may be connected to user devices and applications through a network (106). It may be understood that the system (101) or the processor (201) may be communicatively coupled with a plurality of smart devices (105-2), (105-3) ..., (105-n) and application in user device (105-1) over the network (106).
In one embodiment, the network (106) may be a cellular communication network used by user devices (105-1) such as mobile phones, tablets, or a virtual device. In one embodiment, the cellular communication network may be the Internet. The user device (105-1) may be any electronic device, communication device, image capturing device, machine, software, automated computer program, a robot, or a combination thereof. Further, the applications in the user device (105-1) may be any networking platform, media platform, messaging platform, or any other application platform. The system (101) may be configured to register users as well as the plurality of smart devices over the system (101). Furthermore, the system (101) may enable the user to access the applications without having the user reveal their identity.
In one embodiment, the user device (105-1) may support communication over one or more types of networks in accordance with the described embodiments. For example, some user devices and networks may support communications over a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, a telephone network (e.g., analog, digital, POTS, PSTN, ISDN, xDSL), a mobile telephone network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, NDAC, TDMA, E-TDMA, NAMPS, WCDMA, CDMA-2000, UMTS, 3G, 4G), a radio network, a television network, a cable network, an optical network (e.g., PON), a satellite network (e.g., VSAT), a packet-switched network, a circuit-switched network, a public network, a private network, and/or other wired or wireless communications network configured to carry data. The aforementioned user devices 105-1 and network 106 may support wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) data communications functionality in accordance with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, protocols, and variants such as IEEE 802.11 (“Wi-Fi”), IEEE 802.16 (“WiMAX”), IEEE 802.20x (“Mobile-Fi”), and others.
In one embodiment, the system (101) may comprise an Application Programming Interface (API) module (102), a plurality of driver module (103). In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of driver module (103) may include a plurality of drivers corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols. The plurality of communication protocols may include but not limited to Zigbee, Z-wave, Thread, Wi-Fi, Near field communication protocol such as Bluetooth (BLE),5G, Li-Fi, HTTPS, MQTT and any other communication protocol. The system (101) may be configured to communicate with the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) over multiple communication protocols via the plurality of driver modules (103).
Referring now to Figure 2, various components of the system (101) are illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown, the system (101) may include at least one processor (201) and a memory (202). The memory (202) consists of modules (203). The modules (203) may include API module (102) and a plurality of driver module (103). In one embodiment, the at least one processor (201) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions, stored in the memory (202), corresponding to each module.
In one embodiment, the memory (202) may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random-access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and memory cards.
In one embodiment, the programmed instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions, or implement particular abstract data types. The data (205) may comprise a data repository or database (206), and other data (207). The other data (207), amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more components and programmed instructions. The working of the system (101) will now be described in detail referring to Figures 1 and 2.
In one embodiment, the system (101) may be configured to replicate the data from the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n). Further, the processor (201) may be configured for executing programmed instructions for receiving a request from a user using the mobile application over wireless network. The processor (201) may be further configured to migrate and replicate data of the plurality of smart devices for a specific geographical location from the network (106) to the hub/system (101) using a replication protocol. More specifically, the processor (201) may be configured to migrate the data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) to the data repository (206) of the system/smart hub (101). The plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n), User device (105-1) and the hub (101) should be connected to the network (106) for the process of replication of data and auto configuration of the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) and the hub (101).
Further, migrated data or replicated data may consist of data of the smart home devices present at a geographical location. In one embodiment, the processor is configured for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) using a replication protocol. In one exemplary embodiment, data consist of but not limited to all rooms like kitchen, living room from the geographical location. In one embodiment, the user may group the plurality of smart devices based on rooms, like kitchen, living room etc. Further, data may comprise the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) added in the specific geographical location/rooms, all automations feature related data for the specific geographical location. In one exemplary embodiment, the user has an option to control action on multiple devices based on predefined inputs/triggers like turn on all lights on one click, turn on all lights at evening, etc.
In one embodiment, the processor (201) may be configured to perform an auto configuration of the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) and the smart hub/system (101). The processor (201) may be configured to perform the auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system. For autoconfiguration, the processor (201) may notify the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) present at the geographical location may over the network (106) to undergo into network discovery. In one embodiment, the API module (102) may be configured for receiving a discovery command or request from the user. The API module (102) may be configured for transmitting the discovery command/request to the plurality of driver modules (103) once the migration or replication of data is complete. The discovery command may be transmitted to discover the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on the plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location. The plurality of driver modules (103) may be configured to convert the discovery command or request into a communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to a communication protocol selected from the plurality of communication protocols for the geographical location. The driver module corresponding to a communication protocol may convert the command/request into the communication protocol specific data (or frame or format) to transmit it over Personal Area Network (PAN) used for specific communication protocol.
Further, the API module (102) may be configured to receive a response from the plurality of driver module which discovered any smart device connected to the PAN of the specific protocol. The API module (102) may be configured for initiating a request/command to the plurality of driver modules (103) to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103). Each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103) may comprise mapping of mac addresses of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) and network address corresponding to the communication protocol on which each of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the network (106) or cloud controlled smart system.
The API module (102) may be configured to receive a response from the plurality of driver modules (103) which successfully added one or more smart devices. The one or more smart devices of plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) may be discovered on at least for one available protocol selected from a group comprising Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Near field communication protocol such as Bluetooth, Thread, Li-Fi, 5G, or any other communication protocol to work with smart home hub. The plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) may only be connected to the system/hub controlled smart home system (101) and disconnected from the network (106) after auto configuration of the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) to the system/hub controlled smart home system (101).
In an exemplary embodiment, the response received by the API module (102) may consist of but not limited to a URL consisting of mac address of the smart device. The URL may be added to the database of the system/hub (101) or database associated with the API module and may be used to further communicate with the plurality of smart devices. The data replicated from the network (106) to the hub (101) may also be auto configured once the smart device is discovered and connected to the hub (101). After the smooth transition and auto configuration, the system may enable the user to delete all the data stored on the network (106). The user may not have to configure the plurality of smart devices manually, as the plurality of smart devices automatically configured to work with the hub (101).
In one exemplary embodiment, if the geographical location comprises three smart devices, a first and a second device of the three smart devices are discovered over with the network discovery. The first smart device is discovered over the zigbee communication protocol and the second smart device is discovered over z-wave communication protocol. The first smart device and the second smart device are communicated over the zigbee communication protocol and the z-wave communication protocol. The driver module corresponding to the zigbee communication protocol (hereinafter referred as “Zigbee driver module”) may be configured to convert the discovery command or request into the Zigbee communication protocol specific data or frame or format and transmit it over Personal Area Network (PAN) used for Zigbee communication protocol. The driver module corresponding to the z-wave communication protocol (hereinafter referred as “Z-wave driver module”) may be configured to convert the discovery command or request into the Z-wave communication protocol specific data or frame or format and transmit it over Personal Area Network (PAN) used for Z-wave communication protocol.
The API module (102) may initiate command to add the first smart device to the Zigbee driver module and the second smart device to z-wave driver module. The API module (102) may receive URL for the first device from the Zigbee driver module and store received URL in a database associated with the API module (102) and then use it to communicate after this. The API module (102) may receive URL for the second device from the Z-wave driver module and store received URL in a database associated with the API module (102) and then use it to communicate after this. The Zigbee driver module having the database comprises mapping of mac addresses of the first smart device and network address corresponding to the Zigbee communication protocol on which the first smart devices is connected. The z-wave driver module having the database comprises mapping of mac addresses of the second smart device and network address corresponding to the z-wave communication protocol on which the second smart devices is connected.
Following the transition to the hub-controlled smart home system, all data generated from the users or the plurality of smart devices may be stored and/or maintained on the hub (101) only, and may not be transferred to the network/cloud (106) or used by cloud resources without the owner's consent. Subsequently, the system may enable the user to delete all the data stored on the network/cloud (106), providing them with control over their information and enhancing privacy within the smart home ecosystem.
Now referring to figure 3, the method (300) for enabling transition from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system, in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
At step 301, the processor (201) may be further configured to migrate data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) from the cloud controlled smart home system to the hub-controlled smart home system.
Further, the processor (201) may be further configured to perform auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system. The autoconfiguration comprises steps 302-307.
At step 302, the processor (201) may be configured for notifying the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present at the geographical location to undergo network discovery.
At step 303, the API module (102) may be configured for transmitting the discovery command/request to the plurality of driver modules (103) to discover the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on a plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location.
At step 304, the plurality of driver modules (103) may be configured to convert the discovery command/request into the communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to the communication protocol selected from the plurality of communication protocols for the geographical location.
At step 305, the API module (102) may be configured for receiving the response from the plurality of driver modules (103) which discovered one or more smart device from the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n).
At step 306, the API module (102) may be configured to initiate the request/command to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103) after the one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) is discovered.
At step 307, the API module (102) may be configured for receiving the response from the plurality of driver modules (103) about the one or more smart devices which are successfully added.
The system (101) and the method (300) may operate on two crucial levels, encompassing both hardware and software enhancements to revolutionize smart home control.
- One level is at hardware level which may introduce robust support for multiple networks on smart devices (105-2,3,4…n), expanding their capabilities to communicate through various protocols such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, WiFi, BLE, and Thread.
- And second level is at software level which may involve two essential steps such as:
“replication/migration of user’s data” and
“auto-configuration”,
requiring both smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) and the smart home hub (101) to be connected to the cloud (106) for seamless execution.
Replication/Migration of User's Data may utilize a proven replication protocol to migrate user-specific data for a location from the cloud (106) to the hub (101). This step is crucial when a user transitions from a cloud-controlled smart home system to a hub-controlled smart home system for that specific location. The replication process may ensure the seamless transfer of user data, preserving configurations and settings.
In one embodiment, the replication protocol may be built on the robust foundation of a CouchDB, a database management system renowned for its support of sophisticated replication protocols. Database replication, a fundamental aspect of this protocol, may be the intricate process of copying and maintaining a database, or segments thereof, on an alternative database server. The overarching aim of database replication may be to establish consistent and synchronized data copies across multiple databases, serving a spectrum of objectives such as heightened availability, fault tolerance, load balancing, and efficient data distribution.
Further, the system (101) may utilize a document database architecture, where data is stored in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. Leveraging the replication protocol may facilitate the seamless copying of these JSON documents from a designated source endpoint to a target endpoint. The source may denote the originating database, while the target signifies the destination database where the documents are replicated. Furthermore, the implementation may incorporate a filter function, a critical element enhancing the precision of replication. This function may act as a selective mechanism, allowing the system (101) to filter and copy specific documents during the replication process. By utilizing CouchDB's replication capabilities and harnessing the flexibility of JSON-based data storage, the system (101) may ensure a robust and efficient replication protocol, enabling seamless data transfer and synchronization between source and target databases. The replication protocol embedded in the system (101) may be intricately designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of information between cloud-controlled and hub-controlled smart home systems. To achieve this, the system (101) and the method (300) may employ a structured approach where all pertinent information is meticulously organized into multiple JSON documents, each serving a specific purpose, such as rooms or devices, and associated with a unique identifier known as the location Id.
In essence, the replication protocol may operate as a conduit for the targeted copying of designated documents between two peers, be it from the cloud (106) to the hub (101) or vice versa. This selective replication may be orchestrated through the use of a filter function, a specialized mechanism designed to discern and filter documents based on specific criteria during the replication process. For instance, when transitioning to a hub-controlled smart home system, the replication process may filter out documents from the database with a designated location Id, copying only those pertinent to the desired location onto the hub. Conversely, when reverting to a cloud-controlled smart home system, the replication process may source documents from the hub (101) and transfers them to the cloud (106), ensuring a synchronized and accurate representation of the user's smart home configuration.
By employing this refined replication protocol, the system (101) and the method (300) may ensure that the transition between cloud-controlled and hub-controlled smart home systems is not only seamless but also tailored to the user's specific location and preferences, effectively managing the flow of information between cloud and hub databases.
The second step, auto-configuration, may be pivotal in establishing communication between cloud-connected smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) and the smart home hub (101) during a user's transition from a cloud-controlled to a hub-controlled smart home. This process may involve the systematic discovery of each smart device in the location, considering available communication protocols like WiFi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Li-fi, 5G, NFC, Thread or any other any other communication protocol. Auto-configuration may ensure a smooth and efficient connection between smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) and the hub (101), providing a hassle-free user experience. The device discovery may be repeated multiple times until the plurality of smart devices (105-2,3,4…n) are successfully identified by the smart home hub, ensuring comprehensive integration into the new control paradigm. This innovative combination of hardware and software advancements may establish a groundbreaking solution, empowering users to effortlessly switch between different smart home control systems with minimal disruptions.
The overarching purpose of this system (101) and the method (300) may be to empower smart home system owners by providing them with a viable option to transition seamlessly between a cloud-controlled smart home system and a hub-driven smart home system, offering flexibility and control over the system's operational framework. Whether the user desires the expansive capabilities of a cloud-centric approach, or the autonomy and localized control offered by a hub-centric model, this system (101) and the method (300) may facilitate a user-friendly switch between these two operational modes.
The presently disclosed system (101) and the method (300) for smooth transition and auto configuration from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system may have the following advantageous functionalities on the conventional art:
- The smart hub controlled smart home system may function without internet access.
- The user does not have to manually connect each smart device to the smart hub while switching from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system or vice versa.
In another embodiment, the system (101) and the method (300) may be also enabled for smooth transition from hub controlled smart home system to cloud controlled smart home system. The system (101) and the method (300) may be configured for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the hub controlled smart home system to the cloud-controlled smart home system. Further, the system (101) and the method (300) may be configured to initiate command to connect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) to the the cloud-controlled smart home system over the internet.
The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the description, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. For limiting the scope of the invention, a subsequent Complete Specification will be filed to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.
Although the implementations for the system and method have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for enabling transition from cloud controlled smart home system to hub controlled smart home system and vice versa.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (101) for enabling transition from a cloud-controlled smart home system to a hub-controlled smart home system, the system (101) comprising:
a processor (201); and a memory (202) coupled with the processor, wherein the processor (201) is communicatively coupled with a plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present at a geographical location over a network (106), wherein the plurality of smart devices is connected to the cloud-controlled smart home system;
wherein the memory (202) is configured to store an Application Programming Interface (API) module (102) and a plurality of driver modules (103) corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols,
wherein the processor (201) is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory (202) for:
migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the cloud controlled smart home system to the hub-controlled smart home system;
performing an auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system, wherein the auto-configuration comprises:
notifying the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present at the geographical location to undergo network discovery;
transmitting a discovery command/request from the API module (102) to the plurality of driver modules (103) to discover the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on a plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location;
converting the discovery command/request, by the plurality of driver modules (103), into a communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to a communication protocol selected from the plurality of communication protocols for the geographical location;
receiving a response by the API module (102) from the plurality of driver modules (103) which discovered one or more smart device of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n);
initiating a request/command to the plurality of driver modules (103) by the API module (102) to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103); and
receiving a response by the API module (102) from the plurality of driver modules (103) about the one or more smart devices which are successfully added.
2. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of smart devices (105-2, 3, 4…n) are discovered on an available communication protocol from a group of Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-wave, Thread, Near Field Communication (NFC), Li-Fi, 5G or any other communication protocol.
3. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) using a replication protocol.
4. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to the communication protocol is transmitted to the hub-controlled smart home system over Personal Area Network (PAN) used for the communication protocol.
5. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103) comprises mapping of mac addresses of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) and network address corresponding to the communication protocol on which each of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the network (106) or cloud controlled smart system.
6. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, configured for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the hub controlled smart home system to the cloud-controlled smart home system and initiate command to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the hub controlled smart system and connect the the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) to the the cloud-controlled smart home system over the network (106).
7. A method (300) for enabling transition from a cloud controlled smart home system to a hub-controlled smart home system, the method (300) comprises:
migrating, via a processor, data of a plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present at a geographical location, from the cloud controlled smart home system to the hub-controlled smart home system;
performing, via the processor, an auto-configuration to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the cloud controlled smart system and connect to the hub-controlled smart home system, wherein the autoconfiguration comprises following steps:
notifying the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present at the geographical location to undergo network discovery;
transmitting, via an Application Programming Interface (API) module (102), a discovery command/request to a plurality of driver modules (103) to discover the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the cloud controlled smart home system on a plurality of communication protocols available for the geographical location;
converting, via the plurality of driver modules (103), the discovery command/request into a communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to a communication protocol selected from the plurality of protocols for the geographical location;
receiving, via the API module (102), a response from the plurality of driver modules (103) which discovered one or more smart device from the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n);
initiating, via the API module (102), a request/command to add one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) present in each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103) after the one or more smart devices of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) is discovered; and
receiving, via the API module (102), a response from the plurality of driver modules (103) about the one or more smart devices which are successfully added.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of smart devices (105-2, 3, 4…n) are discovered on an available communication protocol from a group of Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-wave, Thread, Near Field Communication (NFC), Li-Fi, 5G or any other communication protocol.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising a step for migrating and replicating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) using a replication protocol.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the communication protocol specific data or frame or format corresponding to the communication protocol is transmitted to the hub-controlled smart home system over Personal Area Network (PAN) used for the communication protocol.
11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein each database corresponding to each of the plurality of driver modules (103) comprises mapping of mac addresses of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) and network address corresponding to the communication protocol on which each of the plurality of the smart devices (105-2…105-n) connected to the network (106) or cloud controlled smart system.
12. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprises a step for migrating data of the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the hub controlled smart home system to the cloud-controlled smart home system and initiating a command to disconnect the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) from the hub controlled smart system and connect the the plurality of smart devices (105-2…105-n) to the the cloud-controlled smart home system over the network (106).
Dated this 29 Day of December 2022

Deepak Pawar
Agent for the Applicant
IN/PA-2052