Environmental control method and apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing environmental control systems, such as HVAC systems, lack optimal control when user behavior deviates from normal patterns, leading to inefficient energy usage and unnecessary appliance activation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device application that allows users to control environmental parameters like temperature and humidity by sending commands to the system based on geolocation and environmental conditions, with a foreground state for user interaction and a background state for notifications and command execution, minimizing resource usage and user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional remote control application is used to control environmental control systems, then users can send control commands remotely, but the application consumes memory, system resources and battery power continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential control functionality from a continuous foreground application and implements it through background notifications. The notification system delivers control commands without requiring the application to remain active in memory, thereby removing the continuous resource consumption while preserving remote control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous operation, the system uses periodic notifications triggered by specific events (geolocation threshold crossings, environmental parameter changes). This transforms continuous resource consumption into discrete, event-driven actions that occur only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the application automatically sends commands based on geolocation and environmental parameters, then control responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary commands may be sent when user verification is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoidcommand accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial automation by sending notifications with pre-determined commands based on geolocation and environmental conditions, but allows the user to review and modify the command before execution. This partial action approach maintains responsiveness while adding a verification step to ensure accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system provides feedback to the user about the detected conditions and suggested commands, allowing the user to verify whether the automatic determination is appropriate before execution. This feedback loop ensures that automated commands align with user intent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the application presents multiple command options to the user, then user choice and control precision are improved, but the number of user interactions and screen real estate requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand selection flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of user interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system presents command options with varying levels of detail and interactivity based on the specific context and user needs. Not all notifications require the same level of user interaction, allowing the interface to adapt its complexity to the local situation rather than using a uniform approach for all commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10284385B2Environmental control method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 CENTRICA HIVE LTD

AI summary

Described herein are techniques and systems for controlling, from a mobile device, an environmental control system including at least one appliance for influencing one or more environmental parameters at a premises. The mobile device comprising a user-interactive application for sending commands to the environmental control system. The application having a foreground state for controlling the environmental control system based on user-adjustable parameters; and a background state, in which user notifications are generated. A method can comprise: when the application is in a background state: determining the mobile device has crossed a geolocation threshold; determining an environmental parameter of the premises satisfies a condition; displaying a notification to a user, comprising an option to initiate a command to control an appliance; detecting the user has selected an option; and sending a message to effect the command to the environmental control system.