Load Control Scene Configuration for Multi-Zone Electrical Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems face complexity in configuring and controlling multiple zones with different types of electrical loads and load control devices, which can lead to improper configuration and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A computing device configured to define and update scenes for controlling zones in a load control system, using a control/configuration application that provides graphical user interfaces for users to interact with. The application automatically determines curated configuration settings based on selected options and zone purposes, and transmits these settings to load control devices for collective control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated curated configuration settings are provided, then user complexity is reduced and efficiency is increased, but device complexity increases due to the need for automatic determination logic
Solution Approach 1:
The control/configuration application automatically determines curated configuration settings for zones without requiring manual user input. The system self-configures by accessing device information, identifying control types, and selecting appropriate settings from a dataset, thereby reducing user complexity while the automation logic handles the computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
A predefined dataset of control types and their associated curated configuration settings is established in advance. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate configurations without real-time complex calculations, simplifying the user interface while maintaining sophisticated configuration capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple zones with different electrical loads and control devices are supported, then system versatility is improved, but configuration complexity increases for users
Solution Approach 1:
The control/configuration application serves multiple functions: it identifies various control types (lighting, HVAC, window treatments), accesses a comprehensive predefined dataset, determines appropriate curated configuration settings, and transmits them to diverse load control devices. This universal approach handles multiple zone types through a single unified configuration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control/configuration application acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex load control system. It translates user selections into appropriate configuration settings by accessing device information, identifying control types, and retrieving predefined settings from the dataset, thereby shielding users from the underlying complexity while supporting versatile zone configurations.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of each zone is required, then configuration precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Curated configuration settings for multiple control types are predefined and stored in a dataset before runtime. This preliminary preparation includes lighting control settings, HVAC settings, window treatment settings, and other zone-specific configurations, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and apply accurate settings without manual user input during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control/configuration application receives device information from load control devices, identifies their control types, and uses this feedback to automatically retrieve the appropriate predefined curated configuration settings from the dataset. This feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy while eliminating manual configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
The computing device may be configured to automatically determine curated configuration settings for a scene that is configured to control one or more zones. Each of the zones may be assigned a respective zone purpose. Each zone may be assigned at least one load control device that is configured to control a corresponding electrical load. Each of the one or more zones may be assigned a control type, which may be based on a respective product type and/or load type of the load control devices/electrical loads within each zone. The computing device may be configured to display one or more graphical user interfaces that a user of the computing device may interact with to select a curated configuration option for configuring the scene. The computing device may be configured to automatically determine curated configuration setting for the scene based on the selected curated configuration option and/or the zone purpose.