Control system, scene control execution method, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for indoor environments, such as air-conditioners, lack adaptive capabilities to maintain a predetermined indoor environment without user input, failing to adjust settings based on environmental conditions or user preferences.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a receptor for receiving execution instructions, a controller for performing scene control, and an obtainer for gathering environmental information, which adjusts the control content based on obtained data after user agreement, allowing for adaptive changes in device operations to approximate the indoor environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If scene control is performed based on fixed predetermined settings, then the control system is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot adaptively adjust to changing environmental conditions or user preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptive control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-defines multiple scene control modes (e.g., morning, noon, evening, night scenes) with predetermined device operation settings. These scenes are prepared in advance and stored in the control system, allowing quick selection without complex real-time adjustments. The obtainer component then modifies these predetermined scenes based on obtained environmental information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The obtainer component continuously obtains environmental information (temperature, humidity, time, user preferences) and feeds this data back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the scene control content, transforming fixed predetermined control into adaptive control that responds to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the controller changes scene control content automatically based on obtained information, then adaptability improves, but user control and approval authority are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adaptation capabilityVSAvoiduser control authority
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Before the controller applies changes to scene control content, it obtains user approval through the receptor component. The system presents the proposed changes to the user and waits for confirmation. This feedback loop ensures user authority is maintained while still enabling automatic adaptation when users agree.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic scene control adjustments only when users have granted approval. Once approved, the system serves itself by automatically obtaining environmental information and adjusting controls without requiring continuous user intervention, balancing automation with user control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If environmental information is continuously obtained and processed, then control accuracy and adaptability improve, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental condition detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption for information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The obtainer component obtains only the specific environmental information necessary for scene control adjustments (temperature, humidity, time, basic user preferences) rather than continuously monitoring all possible parameters. This partial action approach provides sufficient accuracy for control purposes while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system obtains environmental information periodically rather than continuously, triggering information acquisition at relevant intervals or when scene changes are needed. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate measurement precision for effective scene control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3618452B1Control system, scene control execution method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3618452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3618452B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3618452B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device control system (100) includes: a touch panel (15a) that receives an execution instruction for scene control that operates at least part of a plurality of devices disposed in a facility (101) in order to approximate an inside of the facility (101) to a predetermined indoor environment; a controller (12a) that performs the scene control when the execution instruction for the scene control is received by the touch panel (15a); and a communicator (11) and an obtainer (12c) that obtain at least one of information indicating an environment condition in the facility (101) or outside the facility (101), prediction information of the environment condition in the facility (101) or outside the facility (101), and information about timing. The controller (12a) changes a content of the scene control according to the information obtained by the communicator (11) and the obtainer (12c)