Mobile device with contractor accessible screens for configuring a building device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Coordination between contractors and users during the setup process of building control systems is challenging, as existing technologies lack effective methods to differentiate user experiences and provide contractors with additional features and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A mobile application that verifies a contractor's identifier to grant access to specific configuration screens, allowing contractors to configure building devices with additional features not available to users, while users can still interact with the system without a verified identifier for basic settings changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single user interface is provided for all users, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to provide contractors with additional features and functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface accessibilityVSAvoidcontractor-specific features

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements local quality by providing different interface configurations based on user type. Contractors receive access to contractor-specific configuration screens and features, while regular users see a simplified interface. This is achieved through user-type identification and conditional rendering of interface elements, allowing each user group to experience the interface tailored to their specific needs and capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If contractor-specific configuration screens are provided, then adaptability or versatility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilitiesVSAvoiduser interface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into multiple distinct screen types: contractor configuration screens, customer configuration screens, and operational screens. This segmentation allows the system to present different functionality sets to different user types without creating a single complex interface. Each screen type is optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the perceived complexity for each user group while maintaining overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If verification of contractor identifier is implemented, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontractor authenticationVSAvoidsetup process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by verifying contractor identifiers during the initial setup process before granting access to contractor-specific features. This upfront verification ensures that only authorized contractors can access sensitive configuration capabilities, while the verification process is seamlessly integrated into the setup flow to minimize disruption to the overall ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10820199B2Mobile device with contractor accessible screens for configuring a building device

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 RESIDEO LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods and tools for coordinating the activities of a contractor and a user during a setup process of a building control system. In some instances, an application program for a mobile device may provide contractors and users with different user experiences when configuring a building device, where the contractor is provided with additional features and functionality.