Room Control System with Centralized Data Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current room-in-room systems lack dynamic and user-friendly access control, booking systems, and multifunctionality, making it unclear when and by whom they can be used, and failing to provide time-programmable service functions.

Innovation Solution

A room control system with input and display units interacting with a data processing system that processes user inputs to control technical devices, implementing service functions, access functions, and room functions, including heating, ventilation, lighting, and shading, through a central data processing system connected to various input and display devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a room-in-room system is implemented as a free-standing unit with basic control capabilities, then the system provides basic temperature and humidity control, but it lacks access control functions, booking systems, and dynamic user management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice functionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed to perform multiple functions beyond basic climate control, including access control through code input, booking system management, user data storage, and coordination with multiple room components (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting). This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by making a single device serve diverse purposes rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines previously separate functions (climate control, access control, booking management) into a single integrated control device that can process multiple types of inputs and coordinate various room systems. This merging reduces overall system complexity while expanding adaptability, as the unified device manages all functions through centralized control rather than requiring multiple independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access control and booking systems are added to room-in-room systems, then user management and scheduling capabilities are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring activation codes and complex procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device enables users to independently manage access and bookings through self-service operations. Users can input access codes, make bookings, and modify settings directly through the device interface without requiring external authorization or complex procedures. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while maintaining robust access control and booking management functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides immediate feedback to users through its display interface, confirming access code entry, showing booking status, and indicating system state. This real-time feedback simplifies operation by making the system's response to user actions transparent and immediate, reducing the cognitive load and steps required to operate access control and booking functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If multiple input and display units are integrated with a data processing system, then user-friendly control and time-programmable functions are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interfaceVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves as an intermediary between users and the complex room systems. It provides a simplified user interface with input units (keyboard, touchscreen) and display units that mask the underlying complexity of coordinating heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and access control systems. This intermediary role resolves the contradiction by presenting ease of operation at the user interface level while managing system complexity through centralized data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual, mechanical control approaches with electronic data processing and digital communication. Instead of separate mechanical controls for each room function, the patent uses electronic input/display units connected to a data processing system that digitally manages all room parameters. This substitution reduces physical complexity while enabling sophisticated time-programmable and user-friendly control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3516462B1Room control system
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 RUTZKE MARCO
  • EP3516462B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a complex and multifunctionally operable room control system for a room-in-room. The invention relates to a room control system for a room-in-room (6), comprising at least one input unit (1), at least one display unit (2) and a data processing system (3) cooperating with the input unit (1) and the display unit (2), wherein at least one technical device (4) can be controlled by the data processing system (3), and wherein at least one service function can be implemented by the at least one technical device (4).