Home Automation Alert Rules for Predictive Maintenance Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current home automation systems face challenges in efficient maintenance and repair due to the need for on-site or remote monitoring, which can be time-consuming and often not targeted correctly, as maintenance operators struggle to predict and detect malfunctions effectively from supervision information.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to define alert conditions based on device state variables and external factors, enabling notifications and actions when specific triggers are met, optimizing maintenance operations by facilitating targeted interventions through customizable alerts and communication modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If on-site or remote monitoring is performed by maintenance operators, then device malfunctions can be detected and repairs can be made, but the operations are time-consuming and may not be completed within a satisfactory timeframe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance timeframe
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring device state variables and evaluating alert triggering conditions before malfunctions occur. Alerts are configured to detect predicted malfunctions based on state variable evolution, enabling maintenance operators to prepare and respond proactively rather than reactively, thus reducing maintenance response time while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously collecting device state variables, evaluating them against configured alert conditions, and sending notifications when triggering conditions are met. This closed-loop feedback enables automated detection and timely alerting, reducing the time maintenance operators need to spend on manual monitoring while improving the reliability of malfunction detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If maintenance operators perform preventive maintenance or repairs, then device malfunctions are addressed, but operations may not correspond to a situation requiring such intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance targeting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses parameter changes by monitoring state variable values and their evolution over time. Alert triggering conditions are defined based on specific parameter thresholds, rate of change, or statistical anomalies in state variables. When parameters indicate a predicted malfunction, targeted maintenance is triggered, improving both the accuracy and ease of operation by clearly identifying when and what to maintain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical inspection and judgment with automated electronic monitoring and algorithmic evaluation. State variables are automatically collected, processed, and evaluated against configured conditions, substituting human interpretation with objective computational logic. This improves maintenance targeting accuracy while making the operation easier by automating the detection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If maintenance operators monitor devices remotely, then travel time is reduced, but complex interpretation of monitoring data is required to anticipate and detect malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel timeVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling devices to automatically monitor their own state variables and evaluate them against pre-configured alert conditions. Each device or central control unit autonomously detects when triggering conditions are met and sends notifications without requiring operator intervention for data interpretation. This reduces the complexity burden on operators while maintaining remote monitoring efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer of automated alert management between the devices and maintenance operators. Instead of operators directly interpreting complex device data, the intermediary system evaluates state variables against configured conditions and translates them into simple alert notifications. This intermediary reduces the perceived complexity for operators while maintaining effective remote monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3488306B1Method for configuring, controlling or monitoring home automation equipment
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3488306B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488306B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3488306B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for configuring a management unit connected to at least one home automation equipment (17) comprising at least one home automation device (D) and at least one central control unit (U), the method being implemented by a management unit (Sv) and comprising the following steps: configuring (EcfSv2) an alert (Al) corresponding to the triggering of a notification (N) and/or an action (Ac) when a triggering condition (Cnd, Cndp) is produced relating to at least one state variable (S) for a home automation device (D), a group of home automation devices (D), a type of home automation device (DT) or a group of types of home automation devices (DT); the step of configuring an alert (Al) being carried out on the basis of instructions of a first user (Usr1) having a first user profile type (UsrT1); declaring (ECfUsr25) the monitoring of an assembly (SDS) of home automation devices (D) comprising at least one home automation device (D) for which at least one alert (Al) has been defined by a second user (Usr2) having a second user profile type (UsrT2). The present invention also relates to a method for controlling and monitoring said equipment.