Environment control system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing environment control systems are cumbersome to control individually through sound inputs, struggle to reproduce comfortable environments, fail to calm users feeling angry, and do not effectively utilize sequential device operations or user-specific preferences for power consumption reduction.

Innovation Solution

A setting assisting apparatus and program that analyzes sound inputs to control devices, associates keywords with control commands, and uses user authentication to personalize environment settings, including temperature, humidity, and air conditioning, while detecting user emotions to adjust settings accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple devices are controlled through sound inputs individually, then each device can be precisely controlled, but the control process becomes cumbersome and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device controlVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple device control functions into a single integrated environment control system. The system aggregates control of air conditioners, lighting, and other environment-related devices through a unified sound input interface, allowing users to control multiple devices with single commands rather than individually controlling each device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of environment control devices through a common sound input interface. The system can recognize and execute commands for different device types (air conditioners, lights, etc.) using the same interaction method, eliminating the need for device-specific control procedures

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If environment settings are customized for each user, then user comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironment customization capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies users and applies their preferred environment settings without manual intervention. When a user enters a room, the system detects their presence, retrieves their stored preferences, and automatically adjusts temperature, lighting, and other environmental parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex settings each time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic user identification and preference retrieval mechanisms that provide feedback loops. User preferences are stored and automatically applied based on detected user presence, creating a seamless adaptive experience without requiring users to navigate complex configuration interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the system asks users to input their intention regarding power consumption reduction, then power saving control precision is improved, but usability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages power consumption based on detected user presence and absence. When no users are detected in a space, the system automatically reduces power consumption by adjusting or turning off devices without requiring users to explicitly indicate their power-saving intentions, maintaining both energy efficiency and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4036709B1Environment control system
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4036709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4036709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4036709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An environment control system (2090) configured to adjust an environment using a target environment control device (2091 to 2097) provided in a target space (TS). The environment control system (2090) comprises: a device information obtaining unit (2016) configured to obtain information regarding the target environment control device; a storage unit (2017) storing a state of an environment to be achieved; a calculation unit (2018) configured to calculate a control parameter of the target environment control device for achieving the state of the environment; and a control unit (2014) configured to control the target environment control device on a basis of the control parameter.