Dynamic Energy Flow Visualization in Power Management Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management systems lack user-friendly and dynamic graphical interfaces for effectively visualizing and managing energy flow from various energy sources to sinks in local power systems, particularly in renewable energy setups, which can be intermittent and complex.
Innovation Solution
A power management system with a graphical user interface that includes a controller and a computing device displaying a dynamic representation of energy flow, using peripheral icons and a central icon to represent energy sources and sinks, with arrows indicating energy direction and visual characteristics to show energy levels and consumption status, allowing real-time updates and intuitive user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional power management interface is used, then the system can manage energy sources and sinks, but the interface is not user-friendly and difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified graphical copy of the actual power system, replacing complex technical components with intuitive icons (sun for solar, wind for wind, battery for storage, house for load). This visual copy maintains the essential relationships and energy flows while being much easier to understand than traditional technical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding to represent different energy sources and their status (e.g., yellow for solar, blue for wind, green for battery). Colors dynamically change to indicate energy flow direction, availability status, and system state, providing immediate visual feedback without requiring users to interpret numerical data or technical parameters.
2Loss of information
If detailed status information for multiple power sources is displayed, then complete information is provided, but the interface becomes complex and cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power system interface into distinct modular icons, each representing a specific component (solar panel, wind turbine, battery, load). Each icon independently displays its status through visual characteristics, allowing users to understand multiple power sources simultaneously without a cluttered unified display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional text-based status displays to two-dimensional graphical icons with multiple visual dimensions (color, size, position, internal graphics). This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive status information to be conveyed through a single icon rather than requiring multiple text fields.
3Productivity
If real-time energy flow monitoring is implemented, then dynamic updates are provided, but the system requires complex processing and display updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback mechanisms where the graphical icons automatically update their appearance based on real-time energy flow data. Arrows indicate flow direction, colors change with energy availability, and icons animate to show active power transfer, providing continuous system feedback without complex data presentations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or text-based status indicators with graphical visualizations. Instead of numerical readouts or text labels that require parsing, the system uses visual metaphors (arrows for flow, filled circles for storage levels, colored icons for status) that are processed visually by the human brain rather than requiring cognitive analysis of data.
4Loss of information
If visual representation of energy flow is implemented, then user understanding is enhanced, but the graphical interface requires more processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial visualization by displaying only the most relevant energy flow information through simplified icons. Rather than rendering complete system diagrams or detailed data visualizations, the interface shows essential energy relationships (source to load, charging/discharging status) using minimal graphical elements that require minimal processing resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system includes a controller configured to receive status information for one or more energy sources coupled to the power management system and to provide energy from the one or more energy sources to at least one energy sink connected to the power management system and a computing device in communication with the controller. The computing device includes a display, a processor in communication with the display, and memory in communication with the processor, the memory comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause a graphical user interface to be provided on the display. The graphical user interface is configured to display a graphical representation of a flow of energy from the one or more energy sources to the at least one energy sink, and dynamically update the graphical representation to reflect changes in the flow of energy. The graphical representation includes a central icon and a plurality of peripheral icons arranged around the central icon and representing the at least one energy sink and each of each of the one or more energy sources.