UWB Communication Terminal for User-Identified Facility Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately determine if the current user matches the user who previously adjusted the facility settings, leading to unnecessary control and potential mismatch in user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A communication terminal equipped with ultra wide band (UWB) capabilities for distance measurement and position estimation, transmitting user information and facility control requests to a central controller for precise control of facilities like air conditioning and lighting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system determines user presence based on heat source detection without verifying user identity, then the control response speed is improved, but the control accuracy deteriorates due to unnecessary operations and potential user preference mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary user identification through communication terminal detection before executing facility control. The central controller identifies the user's communication terminal (smartphone, tablet, or wearable device) and retrieves pre-stored user preference information, thereby preparing the control parameters in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the user enters the facility, the control system can immediately apply the correct user-specific settings without trial-and-error adjustments, thus maintaining both fast response and high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the relationship between detected communication terminals and facility control outcomes. When a user's terminal is detected, the system retrieves historical control data associated with that terminal, applies the corresponding preferences, and monitors whether the control results match user expectations. This feedback loop enables the system to refine user identification accuracy over time while maintaining rapid response through established user profiles.
2Ease of operation
If the system performs control without confirming user identity, then the operational simplicity is improved, but the reliability of control results deteriorates due to mismatched user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by automatically identifying users through their communication terminals and applying their preferred settings without requiring manual user input or authentication. When a communication terminal enters the facility, the central controller automatically detects it, retrieves the associated user profile, and applies the stored preferences to facility controls. This self-service mechanism maintains operational simplicity while ensuring reliability, as the system autonomously matches the correct user preferences without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication terminal serves as an intermediary that links the user to the facility control system. Instead of requiring direct user interaction with facility controls, the terminal acts as a mediator by transmitting user identification information to the central controller, which then applies the appropriate control parameters. This intermediary approach preserves ease of operation (users simply need to bring their terminal) while ensuring control reliability through accurate user-terminal association.
3Device complexity
If the system uses basic heat source detection for user presence determination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information completeness deteriorates due to lack of user-specific data
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using the communication terminal for multiple purposes: user identification, preference storage, and control parameter transmission. Instead of implementing separate complex detection systems for each function, the terminal serves as a universal device that consolidates user identification, preference management, and control initiation. This universal approach maintains low detection system complexity while preventing information loss, as all user-specific data is efficiently managed through the terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by storing user preference information in the communication terminal and replicating it in the central controller's database. When a terminal is detected, the system retrieves a copy of the user's preference data from the terminal or from previously stored copies, eliminating the need for complex real-time detection of user characteristics. This copying mechanism reduces detection system complexity while ensuring complete user information is available for accurate control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables facility control systems to accurately adapt to user preferences, reducing unnecessary operations and enhancing user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a communication unit to communicate with the plurality of facilities using the ultra wide band signal
Implementation Method 2
a distance measurement unit to calculate distances from the communication terminal to t facility as a counterpart in communication on a basis of a result of the communication by the communication unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A communication terminal (10) constitutes a facility control system (1) together with a central controller (40) controlling facilities capable of performing communication using an ultra wide band signal. The communication terminal (10) includes: a communication unit (11) communicating with the facilities using the ultra wide band signal; a distance measurement unit (12) calculating a distance from the communication terminal to a facility as a counterpart in communication based on a result of the communication by the communication unit (11); a position estimation unit (13) estimating a position of the communication terminal based on the distance calculated by the distance measurement unit (12); and a user information notification unit (15) notifying the central controller (40) of user information including position information indicating the position estimated by the position estimation unit (13) and request information relating to control of the facility and having been acquired from a user, and causing the central controller (40) to perform control in accordance with the notified user information.