Illuminated Building Control Element With Unobstructed Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control elements for building installations often lack effective optical feedback, as user input can obscure visual cues, making it difficult for users to determine the operating status during operation.
Innovation Solution
An illumination-supported control element with a logic unit that converts user input into control signals and animation signals to control LEDs, providing continuous optical feedback through light-emitting diodes and a light guide, ensuring the user can recognize the operating status at all times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If optical feedback is arranged on the control element, then the user can recognize the operating status, but the user's hand or finger conceals the optical feedback during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the optical feedback from a two-dimensional surface display to a three-dimensional spatial display by projecting light onto the surrounding environment (wall, ceiling, or air). This dimensional change allows the feedback to be visible from multiple angles and not obscured by the user's hand covering the control element surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary medium (light projection) between the control element and the user's visual perception. Instead of directly displaying feedback on the control element surface, the system projects light patterns onto external surfaces or air molecules, using these intermediaries to convey operational status information without being blocked by the user's hand.
2Reliability
If the control element provides tactile or optical feedback, then the operating status is indicated, but the feedback is obscured during user operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the reliability-visibility contradiction by moving the feedback display to a different spatial dimension. The light projection creates a three-dimensional visual indicator in the surrounding space, ensuring that the feedback remains reliably visible regardless of the user's hand position on the control element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control element actively projects light patterns that respond to user input and system state. This dynamic feedback loop ensures that operational status information is continuously provided through visible light animations that are not obscured during interaction.
3Loss of information
If conventional optical feedback is used, then the operating status is indicated, but the user must remember the feedback before and after operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous visibility of operating status information through persistent light projection. The feedback is not interrupted or hidden during operation, allowing users to continuously observe the system state without needing to remember it, thereby eliminating cognitive load and time loss associated with memorization.
Solution Approach 2:
By using light projection onto external surfaces as an intermediary, the system provides continuous, unobstructed visual feedback that remains visible throughout the entire operation cycle, eliminating the need for users to rely on memory before and after interaction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides clear and continuous visual feedback, enhancing user experience by maintaining visibility of the operating status even when the user's hand or finger covers the control element, facilitating easier operation of building installations.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide optically coupled to the plurality of LEDs
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for an illumination-supported control element (200) and a control method (800) for controlling at least one building installation by a user is provided. The control element (100) comprises at least one operating element (10) configured to detect a user input, a logic unit (14) configured to convert the user input to the at least one operating element into a control signal for the at least one building installation, a BUS interface (12) configured to transmit the control signal to a control system of the at least one building installation, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, LEDs (16), and a light guide (18) optically coupled to the plurality of LEDs (16). The logic unit (14) is configured to control each of the plurality of LEDs (16) according to the control signal.