Interactive Floor-Map Energy Control for Dynamic Zone Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation systems lack an easy and interactive way to visualize and dynamically control energy consumption by devices and zones, often compromising user comfort or requiring time to adjust settings, and do not provide full control to users for optimizing energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that visualizes energy consumption on an interactive floor map, allowing users to dynamically adjust energy consumption by percentage and time, using a processor to calculate and display energy usage in various areas, and automatically generate recommendations for optimization, with options to control devices such as thermostats, lights, and fans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If existing home automation systems are used to control energy consumption, then energy usage can be monitored and adjusted, but the systems lack interactive visualization and require time to adjust settings, compromising user comfort and ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to energy control by implementing a floor map visualization that displays energy consumption across different zones of a building. This geographic mapping allows users to intuitively understand and control energy usage by location rather than through complex device-by-device settings, resolving the contradiction between energy monitoring capability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control by allowing users to adjust energy consumption settings in real-time based on the visualized data. The floor map enables dynamic zone selection and adjustment, where users can instantly modify thermostat settings, lighting, and other energy-consuming devices in specific areas without navigating through multiple menus or compromising comfort settings.
2Loss of information
If existing systems monitor energy consumption, then energy usage data is collected, but they lack interactive visualization and automatic recommendations, requiring manual analysis and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system automatically analyzes energy consumption data displayed on the floor map and provides actionable recommendations to users. The visualized information includes comparative data (such as energy usage by zone, time-based patterns) that automatically generates optimization suggestions, eliminating the need for manual analysis while maintaining system simplicity through intuitive graphical interfaces.
3Loss of energy
If users manually adjust energy settings, then energy consumption can be optimized, but it requires time and may compromise user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of energy consumption patterns and pre-generates optimization recommendations based on the visualized floor map data. By automatically identifying energy-saving opportunities and presenting pre-analyzed options to users, the system eliminates the time required for manual analysis and adjustment while maintaining or improving energy optimization effectiveness.
4Measurement precision
If detailed energy monitoring is implemented, then energy consumption by device and zone is tracked, but the system becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the building into distinct zones on the floor map, each with its own energy consumption metrics and control options. This spatial segmentation allows detailed monitoring of energy usage by zone and device while maintaining operational simplicity through the intuitive geographic interface. Users can interact with specific zones independently, managing detailed energy data without being overwhelmed by system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling energy consumption. The system may incorporate devices configured on a floor map, a monitor that detects energy consumption by each device, a heat map shown on the floor map, a processor, and a user interface having a display connected to the processor. The heat map may indicate energy consumption in various areas of the floor plan. The floor map with the heat map may be a screen on the display. The energy consumption by each of the devices from the monitor may be calculated by the processor in time that each device is active and in a power rating of the respective device. The energy consumption by each of the devices may be converted by the processor into cost. From a screen, a user may define a virtual and dynamic zone to optimize and control the energy consumption.