Room management apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing room management systems in hotels and similar establishments do not effectively reduce energy consumption by optimizing air conditioner usage across rooms.
Innovation Solution
A room management apparatus and method that includes a central controller recognizing the operation state of air conditioners to determine assignable rooms based on their operation state, allowing for efficient room assignment and reducing energy waste by distinguishing between operational and non-operational units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rooms are assigned without considering air conditioner operation state, then room assignment flexibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of assignable rooms by checking air conditioner operation states before actual room assignment. The central controller proactively determines which rooms are suitable for assignment based on current AC status, so that when assignment decisions are made, the energy-efficient options are already identified and ready for selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors air conditioner operation states and uses this feedback information to dynamically update the list of assignable rooms. The central controller receives real-time status updates from AC units and adjusts room assignment recommendations accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both flexibility and energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If air conditioner operation state is monitored for each room, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller performs multiple functions: it manages room assignments, monitors air conditioner operation states, identifies assignable rooms, and provides user interfaces for managers and guests. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving energy efficiency goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioner units autonomously report their own operation states to the central controller without requiring manual intervention or complex monitoring infrastructure. Each AC unit self-identifies whether it is currently operating, and the system uses this self-reported information to determine room assignability, simplifying the monitoring architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all assignable rooms are displayed to users, then user choice is improved, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different display strategies to different user contexts and room categories. Rather than uniformly displaying all assignable rooms to all users, the system tailors the information presented based on user roles (manager vs. guest), room characteristics, and assignment priorities, reducing unnecessary information processing while maintaining user choice where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays a prioritized subset of assignable rooms rather than exhaustively listing all possible options. By presenting the most relevant or preferred assignable rooms first (partial action), the system provides sufficient user choice for practical purposes while minimizing information processing requirements compared to displaying every single assignable room.
Data Source
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AI summary
A room management apparatus is provided. The room management apparatus includes a central controller that recognizes an operation state of an air conditioner, and determines that one or more rooms are assignable on the basis of the operation state of the air conditioner.