Networked Equipment Identification Using Correlated Environmental Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric equipment management systems struggle to accurately correlate displayed information with actual equipment, especially when multiple pieces of identical equipment from the same manufacturer and model are connected to a network.
Innovation Solution
An electric equipment management apparatus and method that displays equipment type information and correlated support information, using sensors like cameras, temperature, and signal strength sensors to classify and identify equipment, enabling easy correlation by displaying group identification, equipment type, and environmental data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple pieces of identical electric equipment are connected to the network, then the quantity of managed equipment increases, but the ability to correlate displayed information with actual equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process by dividing equipment identification into multiple dimensions: external appearance images, equipment type information, and environmental information (temperature, illuminance, signal strength). This segmentation allows each piece of equipment to be uniquely identified through a combination of these segmented features, even when they are identical in model and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces environmental information (temperature, illuminance, signal strength) as intermediary elements that mediate between the equipment and the management device. These intermediaries provide additional distinguishing characteristics that help correlate displayed information with actual equipment when direct visual identification is insufficient.
2Device complexity
If only external appearance is displayed, then the display information is simple, but the correlation with actual equipment becomes difficult when equipment are identical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple types of information (external appearance images, equipment type information, and environmental information) into a comprehensive display. This combination creates a unique information fingerprint for each equipment instance, making it easy to correlate displayed information with actual equipment while maintaining manageable display complexity through organized presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds new dimensions to the display by incorporating environmental information (temperature, illuminance, signal strength) alongside traditional external appearance images. This dimensional expansion provides additional axes for differentiation, enabling users to easily correlate displayed information with actual equipment even when appearances are identical.
3Measurement precision
If detailed equipment information is displayed for each device, then the correlation accuracy improves, but the information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management device automatically acquires and processes equipment information without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by automatically collecting external appearance images, equipment type information, and environmental data, then organizing and displaying this information in a structured manner, reducing the complexity burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The management device performs multiple functions: it acts as an image acquisition device, environmental sensor, information processor, and display system. This multi-functionality consolidates information management complexity into a single universal device rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An equipment information acquirer (133) acquires, from electric equipment connected to a network (102), equipment type information indicating the type of electric equipment and at least one of environment information and operation information. A display controller (138) causes the equipment type information acquired by the equipment information acquirer (133) and correlation support information based on at least one of the environment information and the operation information to be displayed on a monitor (122) after correlating the two with each other. The environment information indicates the environment of an area in which the electric equipment is installed. The operation information indicates the operating status of the electric equipment.