Multi-Dimensional Power Graph for Equipment Operational Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphical displays for power consumption and production data from electrical equipment are cumbersome, requiring separate graphs to interpret mode, time, and power data, making it difficult to analyze the energy operating characteristics of equipment ensembles with multiple pieces of electrical devices in various on and off states.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that display power characteristics as a multi-dimensional shape on a graph, with one axis representing time increments and another axis for power units, where the shape's dimensions indicate the duration and power consumption or production of electrical devices in their on-state, allowing for a unified and efficient visualization of operating modes across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate graphs are used to display power consumption data and operating time data, then measurement precision of power and time data is maintained, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower and time data accuracyVSAvoidgraphical display system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power consumption data and operating time data into a single graphical display. The bar graph simultaneously shows power characteristics on the vertical axis and operating time on the horizontal axis, eliminating the need for separate graphs and reducing system complexity while maintaining data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a two-dimensional bar graph where the vertical dimension represents power consumption and the horizontal dimension represents operating time. This dimensional approach allows both power and time data to be visualized simultaneously in one graph, improving ease of operation without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple separate graphs are used to show power data and time data for equipment ensembles, then data completeness is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to look between multiple graphs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower and time data completenessVSAvoiddata interpretation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges power data and time data into a single integrated bar graph display. Each bar represents a specific operating mode and simultaneously encodes both power consumption (vertical axis) and operating time (horizontal axis), allowing users to interpret all necessary information from one graph without switching between multiple displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single bar graph serves multiple functions: it displays power consumption, operating time, and operating mode identification all in one visual representation. This multi-functional display eliminates the need for separate graphs while maintaining complete information about equipment operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If detailed separate displays are used for power consumption and operating time, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases due to complex data analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower and time measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power and time measurements into a single visual bar representation where both parameters are immediately visible. This eliminates the need for analysts to cross-reference multiple graphs or perform complex data synthesis, significantly reducing analysis time while preserving the precision of both measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By representing power and time as perpendicular dimensions in a bar graph, the patent allows simultaneous visualization of both parameters. This dimensional approach enables rapid comprehension of both power consumption and operating time without requiring sequential analysis of separate data sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If unified graphical display showing both power and time data is implemented, then ease of operation improves and data analysis time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphical display usabilityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the complexity issue by using a standard two-dimensional bar graph format where power and time are represented as perpendicular axes. This approach achieves unified display without requiring complex three-dimensional graphics or specialized visualization hardware, maintaining simplicity while improving usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2343512B1Methods and Apparatuses for Computation and Display of Equipment Operational Data
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP2343512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2343512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2343512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for displaying a characteristic of power associated with a first piece of electrical equipment that has an on-state and an off-state. A measurement of current consumed or produced by the first piece of electrical equipment in the on-state is received. Data derived from the current measured and associated times when the first piece of electrical equipment is in the on-state are stored on a memory device. A characteristic of power is calculated as a function of the data. A graphical representation (300) of the first data as a multi-dimensional shape on a graph having a first axis (302) with time increments and a second axis (304) with increments representing units of the characteristic of power is displayed on a video display (160). The multi-dimensional shape includes a first dimension representing a duration of the on-state and a second dimension representing the characteristic of power consumed or produced by at least the first piece of electrical equipment during the time period associated with the duration of the on-state.