Load Control Panel Configuration Using Reusable GUI Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack an efficient method for designing and configuring load control panels with varying types and numbers of control devices, making it difficult to replicate configured panels and maintain device associations for seamless operation.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) software is used to design and configure load control systems, allowing users to easily add and connect control devices, generate model numbers for panels, and replicate configurations, while maintaining associations between control-source and control-target devices through digital messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration methods are used for load control panels, then flexibility in customizing control devices is achieved, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a panel template system where configured load control panels can be saved as templates and subsequently copied and instantiated multiple times. This allows users to create a panel configuration once and replicate it across multiple locations, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining the ability to customize individual panels when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to pre-configure panel templates with specific control devices, associations, and settings before actual deployment. By performing the configuration work in advance and storing it as a reusable template, the system eliminates the need to manually configure each panel from scratch during installation or modification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each load control panel is configured individually, then unique customization is possible, but replication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to copy panel configurations by selecting a source panel, choosing a template, and instantiating multiple copies with the same configuration. This copying mechanism maintains unique customization capabilities while dramatically improving replication efficiency, as identical panels can be deployed across multiple locations through a single template instance.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel template serves multiple functions: it acts as a configuration blueprint, a replication source, and a modification template. A single template can be used to create multiple panels, and modifications to the template can be propagated to all instances, making the system universally applicable to various panel deployment scenarios.
3Reliability
If device associations are manually maintained, then accurate control-source and control-target mappings are achieved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
When panels are copied using templates, all device associations (control-source to control-target mappings) are automatically replicated along with the panel configuration. This ensures accurate associations are maintained across multiple panels without requiring manual reconfiguration, reducing maintenance complexity while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks and manages device associations, providing feedback mechanisms to ensure proper mapping between control-source and control-target devices. This automated association management reduces the complexity of maintaining accurate mappings across multiple panels.
Data Source
AI summary
A design software, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI) software, may be used to design and/or configure a load control system. The design software may be executed on a network device (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone). The design software may allow for easy configuration of load control panels and effortless multiplication of configured panels during the design of the load control system. Each load control panel may have a plurality of control devices, such as load control devices (e.g., power modules, dimming modules, and/or switching modules), system controllers, and/or power supplies. The design software may allow for the configuration of load control panels having different types and numbers of control devices. In addition, the design software may allow for the multiplication of load control panels having the same configuration (e.g., the same type and number of control devices).