Remote Lighting Load Control via GUI and Occupancy Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack the ability to communicate effectively with and control lighting and other electrical loads remotely, making it difficult for users to manage energy usage efficiently across environments.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a display screen, communications circuit, and processor that receives information from a controller to manage lighting control devices, allowing users to determine which lights are on and control them remotely through a graphical user interface, and includes occupancy sensors to adjust lighting based on occupancy events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a load control system is implemented without remote communication capability, then the system structure remains simple, but users cannot remotely identify or control lighting loads
Solution Approach 1:
A network device serves as an intermediary between users and the load control system. The network device receives information from the controller about lighting loads and presents it through a graphical user interface, allowing remote control without requiring direct complex communication between user devices and individual lighting controls
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual representation of the physical lighting environment through graphical user interfaces. Icons representing lighting loads and their states (on/off) are displayed on the network device, allowing users to interact with a simplified digital model rather than the complex underlying control system
2Loss of information
If real-time status information of all lighting control devices is displayed, then users can quickly identify which lights are on, but the amount of information to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface uses visual indicators such as colored icons to represent the operational state of lighting loads. For example, illuminated icons may indicate lights that are on, while unilluminated or differently colored icons indicate lights that are off, allowing rapid status assessment without processing detailed numerical data
Solution Approach 2:
The information about multiple lighting control devices is segmented into individual, discrete icons in the graphical user interface. Each lighting load is represented by a separate icon that can be independently identified and controlled, making the overall information manageable through division rather than presenting a single complex data set
3Loss of energy
If occupancy sensors are integrated to automatically control lighting, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy sensor automatically detects the presence or absence of occupants and triggers appropriate lighting control actions without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by using sensor data to automatically turn lights on or off based on occupancy conditions, reducing energy consumption without requiring continuous user interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The occupancy sensor provides feedback about environmental conditions (presence of occupants) to the control system, which then adjusts lighting accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic energy-saving operations by continuously monitoring occupancy status and responding with appropriate lighting control actions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating via a communications network with a load control system of a respective user environment, receiving information on the load control system via the communications network, displaying graphical user interfaces based on the received information, and controlling and configuring the load control system via graphical user interfaces by communicating via the communications network messages the load control system.