Controlling the access to a user interface for atmosphere control with an atmosphere creation system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current atmosphere creation systems face challenges such as complex and unreliable controller solutions, inflexible user interfaces, high installation costs, and lack of access control, making it difficult for retailers to maintain a consistent brand image across stores.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with multiple user interfaces, each tailored to a specific control configuration, and using access control codes to restrict access based on user position and expertise, allowing authorized personnel to access and control atmosphere creation systems securely and efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive control of lighting parameters is provided to create desired atmospheres, then atmosphere control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmosphere control capabilityVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the atmosphere creation system into multiple independent light units, each with its own controller. The central controller distributes control tasks to individual light units, allowing comprehensive atmosphere control without requiring a single complex controller. Each light unit can be controlled independently for parameters like intensity, color, and timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal controller architecture that can control multiple types of light units (LED, halogen, fluorescent) through a standardized interface. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including atmosphere creation, scene management, and remote control, all through a single control system that adapts to different light unit types.

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

2Ease of operation

If expensive and comprehensive user interfaces are provided for controlling all parameters, then control functionality is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal user interface that can operate in multiple modes (local controller, remote control, centralized management) depending on the user's needs. This single interface provides comprehensive control functionality without requiring multiple specialized devices, reducing overall cost while maintaining ease of operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes pre-configured atmosphere programs and automatic scene transitions that reduce the need for complex manual control. Users can simply select from pre-programmed atmospheres or use simple remote controls, and the system automatically manages the complex parameter adjustments, providing ease of operation without expensive interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If access control to user interfaces is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess securityVSAvoidaccess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements access control by dividing user permissions into different levels (e.g., administrator, operator, viewer) and assigning specific access rights to each level. The system segments control capabilities based on user roles, providing security without requiring a single complex access control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user interfaces with different control configurations are provided, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface adaptabilityVSAvoidinterface management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal user interface framework that can adapt its presentation and functionality based on the logged-in user's permissions and preferences. Rather than maintaining separate interface systems, a single adaptive interface provides different control configurations to different users, reducing complexity while improving adaptability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3709109B1Controlling the access to a user interface for atmosphere control with an atmosphere creation system
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3709109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3709109B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to accessing user interfaces for atmosphere controlling, particularly to comfortably accessing dedicated user interfaces of a complex atmosphere control system. A basic idea of the invention is to provide several user interfaces, each of which is provided for a certain control configuration for atmosphere control with an atmosphere creation system and to control the access to the user interfaces. In an embodiment of the invention, the atmosphere creation system includes a lighting system and a system for controlling the access to a user interface for lighting control with the lighting system comprises: (a) several user interfaces (12), wherein each use interface is provided for a certain control configuration for atmosphere control with the atmosphere creation system, (b) several access control codes (14, 16), wherein each access control code is assigned to one of the several user interfaces, and (c) user interface access control means (18, 20) being adapted to receive an access control code and to access the user interface assigned to the received access control code.