Template Database Configuration for Multi-Area Load Control Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack an efficient method for configuring and controlling various devices across different areas in a user environment, leading to complexity and inefficiency in managing lighting, temperature, and daylight levels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a template database system that allows for the creation of area-specific configurations, where local processor devices map programming information to physical devices using template identifiers, enabling centralized control and updates across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional load control systems are used to manage devices across different areas, then device control functionality is provided, but system complexity and configuration difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template databases that store pre-configured programming information for different area types. Instead of manually configuring each device individually, the system creates copies of standardized templates and maps them to physical devices through template identifiers. This copying approach dramatically reduces configuration complexity while maintaining full device control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The template database system provides universal configuration templates that can be applied across multiple area types (e.g., bedrooms, living rooms, offices). A single template can serve multiple devices and locations, reducing the need for area-specific customizations and simplifying the overall system configuration process.
2Productivity
If individual device configuration is performed manually for each area, then device-specific control is achieved, but time and effort required for setup increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining programming information in template databases before actual device deployment. Templates contain all necessary control settings, associations, and parameters that are prepared in advance. When devices are installed, the pre-configured templates are quickly mapped to physical devices using template identifiers, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration of each device individually.
3Productivity
If standardized templates are used for all area types, then configuration efficiency is improved, but adaptability to specific area requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The template database system implements local quality by organizing templates according to specific area types (e.g., bedroom templates, living room templates, office templates). Each template contains programming information tailored to the characteristics and requirements of that particular area type. This allows the system to apply standardized efficient configuration within each area category while maintaining adaptability to the specific needs of different areas through dedicated templates.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for enabling configuration and/or control of a load control system based on templates for different area types. Programming information may be stored in a template database. Each template database may include one or more devices or device types defined for the area type. Programming information may be generated for being included in the template database for configuring the one or more devices or device types. The template database may be transmitted to each of a plurality of local processor devices in the load control system. The template database may include a template identifier for each device or device type therein. Each local processor device may use the template identifier to map the programming information in the template database to physical devices in the load control system that are managed by the local processor device. Each local processor device may create a local instance database that corresponds to a template database configured for an area type in a load control system.