Inference server and environment controller for inferring one or more commands for controlling an appliance taking into account room characteristics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current environment control systems fail to generate optimal commands for appliances by not adequately considering both environmental characteristic values and room characteristics, leading to inefficient energy use and stress on appliance components.

Innovation Solution

An environment controller and inference server utilizing a neural network to determine commands based on environmental characteristic values, set points, and room characteristics, generating predictive models for optimal appliance control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quick convergence from current temperature to target temperature is prioritized, then comfort of people in the room is improved, but stress on components of the controlled appliance and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of peopleVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes control parameters (command intensity, heating/cooling rate) based on the temperature difference magnitude. When the difference is large, aggressive parameters are used for quick convergence; when small, conservative parameters are used to reduce energy consumption and appliance stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy transitions from static to dynamic adjustment. The system continuously monitors the temperature difference and adapts the control approach in real-time, switching between comfort-priority and energy-saving modes based on current conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If quick convergence from current temperature to target temperature is prioritized, then comfort of people in the room is improved, but stress on components of the controlled appliance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of peopleVSAvoidstress on components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts control parameters based on temperature difference magnitude. For large differences, higher intensity commands are issued for quick response; for small differences, lower intensity commands reduce component stress while maintaining comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using just enough control intensity to achieve the desired temperature change. When the temperature difference is small, excessive heating or cooling is avoided, thereby reducing component stress while still meeting comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If preservation of controlled appliance and minimization of energy consumption is prioritized, then stress on components and energy use are reduced, but convergence speed may be insufficient for rooms with challenging geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidconvergence speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts control parameters based on room geometry characteristics and temperature difference magnitude. For rooms with challenging geometry (high ceilings, large volume), the system increases command intensity to compensate for slower heat distribution, ensuring adequate convergence speed while still managing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If preservation of controlled appliance and minimization of energy consumption is prioritized, then stress on components and energy use are reduced, but convergence speed may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidconvergence speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes control parameters based on the magnitude of temperature difference. When the difference is large, faster convergence is enabled with higher energy consumption; when small, energy-saving mode is activated with slower but sufficient convergence rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11747771B2Inference server and environment controller for inferring one or more commands for controlling an appliance taking into account room characteristics

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 DISTECH CONTROLS

AI summary

Inference server and environment controller for inferring via a neural network one or more commands for controlling an appliance. The environment controller determines at least one room characteristic. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and at least one set point. The environment controller transmits the at least one environmental characteristic, set point and room characteristic to the inference server. The inference server executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring the one or more commands for controlling the appliance. The inference is based on the received at least one environmental characteristic value, at least one set point and at least one room characteristic. The inference server transmits the one or more commands to the environment controller, which forwards the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.