Floorplan Load Control Layout for Multi-Device Energy History
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control systems are inefficient and unintuitive, making it difficult for users to monitor and control electrical loads, as they lack the ability to display information for multiple devices simultaneously, require unnecessary navigation, and fail to provide detailed historical energy usage data in an easily understandable format, leading to inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
A load control system comprising electrical load control devices and a computing device with a graphical user interface, which receives information from sensors and devices to provide graphical representations of load control data, allowing users to control and monitor multiple devices and access historical data in a user-friendly manner, including natural light, occupancy, and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional load control systems are used to control electrical loads, then basic control functionality is provided, but the systems are inefficient and unintuitive, making it difficult for users to monitor and control multiple devices simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional tab-based navigation to a floorplan visual representation, adding a spatial dimension to the user interface. This allows users to interact with load control devices by selecting locations on a visual map of the building, making it intuitive to monitor and control multiple devices simultaneously across different floors and rooms.
Solution Approach 2:
The floorplan visual serves as a universal interface that consolidates multiple functions: device selection, status monitoring, control operations, and historical data access. By integrating these functions into a single visual framework, the system eliminates the need for separate tabs and radio buttons, improving ease of operation while managing complexity.
2Loss of information
If detailed historical energy usage data is provided, then comprehensive energy management information is available, but the information is not presented in an easily understandable format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of energy usage data through graphical representations on the floorplan. Instead of presenting raw numerical historical data, the system generates visual indicators that mirror and represent energy consumption patterns, making the information both accessible and easy to understand at a glance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded visual indicators on the floorplan to represent different levels of energy usage and device status. This visual encoding transforms complex historical energy data into intuitive color patterns, allowing users to quickly understand energy consumption without interpreting numerical data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tabs and radio buttons are used for controlling different load control devices, then comprehensive control options are provided, but unnecessary navigation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control interfaces (tabs for different device types, radio buttons for device selection) into a single integrated floorplan visual. This consolidation maintains comprehensive control versatility while eliminating the time-consuming navigation through multiple tabs and selection buttons, as all devices are accessible from their respective locations on the floorplan.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.