Power Usage Differential Conversion to Appliance Use Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy conservation systems fail to effectively convey the magnitude of power usage differences to users, leading to generalized energy-saving advice that is not tailored to individual appliance usage and requires extensive memory storage for various comparison scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method that inputs power usage data for multiple user IDs, generates differential values, and converts these into electricity bill values and use times for specific appliances, allowing for personalized energy-saving recommendations by displaying the difference in terms of appliance usage time, thereby reducing memory requirements and enhancing user understanding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional energy conservation systems provide generalized comparison advice, then users can receive energy-saving recommendations, but the advice lacks personalization and does not effectively convey the magnitude of power usage differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the abstract parameter of power usage difference into concrete, relatable parameters: use time of specific appliances and electricity bill values. By changing the representation from raw power consumption data to familiar concepts like 'hours of air conditioner use' or '$5.00 on your bill', the system makes the magnitude of differences comprehensible and actionable for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary conversion layer that translates differential power usage values into meaningful equivalents. Instead of directly presenting power consumption differences, the patent uses use time and cost as intermediary representations that bridge the gap between technical data and user understanding, making the information both personalized and comprehensible.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system stores extensive comparison scenarios for different appliances and users, then personalized energy-saving advice can be provided, but memory storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal conversion mechanism that works across all appliance types and user scenarios without requiring separate stored profiles for each combination. The system uses a single differential value calculation method that can be applied universally to any appliance comparison, eliminating the need to pre-store extensive scenario-specific data while maintaining full personalization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from storing fixed comparison scenarios to calculating dynamic differentials based on actual usage data, the system reduces memory requirements. The patent computes personalized recommendations on-demand using real-time power usage data and appliance specifications, rather than relying on pre-stored comparison libraries.
3Loss of information
If the system converts differential power usage into use time and electricity bill values, then users can understand energy-saving opportunities better, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall power usage differential into appliance-specific components. Instead of processing one large aggregate value, the system calculates differentials for individual appliances separately, then presents them in ranked order. This segmentation simplifies processing by breaking down complex aggregate data into manageable, appliance-level calculations that can be handled independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of a first electric home appliance; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the differential value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data.