Dot Code Paper Controller for Facility Equipment Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote control devices for managing equipment in large facilities face challenges such as hierarchical information display limitations, complex operation procedures, and the need for extensive software updates when equipment configurations change, leading to increased labor, time, and costs. Additionally, achieving optimal environmental conditions across varying spaces and climates is difficult due to equipment layout and external factors.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing a paper controller with a dot code pattern that encodes control operations, a remote control device to decode and transmit control information, and sensors to adjust equipment outputs based on sensor information, ensuring optimal environmental conditions through a predetermined algorithm that calculates influence coefficients and adjusts operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If hierarchical information display is used in conventional remote control devices, then the screen can display information in an organized manner, but the operation becomes complex and error-prone when controlling equipment in large facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of navigating hierarchical menus with a camera-based optical recognition system. The remote control device captures an image of the physical control panel, automatically detects the target area code, and transmits control signals without requiring manual menu navigation. This substitutes the mechanical step-by-step menu selection process with an optical recognition and automatic signal transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service control by allowing the remote control device to automatically identify and control equipment based on visual recognition of the control panel. The device autonomously captures the panel image, decodes the target area information, and executes control without human intervention in the intermediate steps, making the system serve itself in the control process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control software is used, then the system can manage equipment configurations, but extensive software updates are required when equipment configurations change, increasing labor, time, and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the physical control panel itself as a template for control. The panel's visual layout and area codes serve as the reference copy that the remote control device reads directly. When equipment configurations change, only the physical panel needs to be updated, not the software, because the system copies control information directly from the visual panel representation rather than relying on software databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel design serves multiple functions: it acts as both the physical control interface and the information template for the remote control system. The same visual panel is used for local control and for guiding the remote control device, eliminating the need for separate software configuration systems and making the system universally adaptable to different equipment layouts.
3Device complexity
If fixed equipment layouts are used, then the control system can be simplified, but it becomes difficult to achieve optimal environmental conditions when equipment arrangements or external factors vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different equipment layouts and environmental conditions by capturing real-time images of the control panel and automatically decoding the current configuration. The remote control device adjusts its control signals based on the dynamically detected target area codes, allowing the system to remain simple while adapting to various static and dynamic configurations without requiring complex pre-programming.
Data Source
AI summary
A printed matter, on which a dot pattern, in which a dot code corresponding to the control operation of equipment to be controlled is encoded; a storage that stores a table that includes a correspondence between the dot code and the control operation of the equipment; a remote control device that images the dot pattern, decodes the dot code, and transmits the decoded dot code; and an interface device that performs processing of receiving the dot code, processing of specifying the control operation for the equipment to be controlled based on the dot code, and processing of transmitting the control operation as a control signal to the equipment to be controlled, where the table stored in the storage means includes a correspondence between the dot code and a location where the equipment is installed.