Remote Lighting Load Control via Graphical Status Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack the ability to efficiently communicate with and control lighting and other electrical loads remotely, making it difficult for users to monitor and manage lighting loads in environments from a centralized location.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a network device with a display screen, communications circuit, and processor, which receives information from a controller to determine the status of lighting control devices and allows users to control them remotely through graphical user interfaces, including icons and interfaces that enable selection and control of lighting loads, occupancy sensing, and automated control 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 monitor and control lighting loads from a centralized location
Solution Approach 1:
A network device serves as an intermediary between users and the load control system. The network device receives information from controllers, determines lighting control device statuses, and presents control interfaces to users, enabling remote monitoring and control without requiring direct user interaction with individual lighting controllers
Solution Approach 2:
The network device creates a virtual representation of the physical lighting system through graphical user interfaces. Icons representing lighting control devices and their statuses are displayed on the network device's display screen, allowing users to interact with a digital copy of the system state rather than the physical devices themselves
2Loss of information
If real-time status information of all lighting control devices is displayed, then users can quickly determine which lights are on, but the information processing and display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments information about multiple lighting control devices into individual icons displayed on the network device. Each lighting control device is represented by a separate icon showing its status (on/off), allowing users to quickly scan and identify the state of each device without being overwhelmed by a single large data set
Solution Approach 2:
Visual icons are created as graphical copies of the actual lighting control devices and their states. These icons are displayed on the network device's screen, providing a visual representation that is easier to process and interpret than raw data, reducing the cognitive load on users
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual control of each lighting control device is enabled, then users can precisely control specific lights, but the control interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into discrete icons, each representing a controllable lighting device. Users can interact with individual icons to control specific devices, while the segmented layout maintains visual organization and ease of navigation compared to a monolithic control interface
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a graphical visual dimension to the control interface. Instead of text-based or numerical controls, lighting devices are represented as visual icons on a display screen, creating a two-dimensional visual mapping of the physical environment that intuitively guides user interaction
Data Source
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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.