Wall Module Label Configuration for Enumerated Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall modules for HVAC systems lack the ability to easily define and display meaningful labels for enumerated parameters, making it difficult for users to understand and set parameter values.
Innovation Solution
A field-configurable system that allows users to define label-number pairs for enumerated parameters, which can be downloaded to the wall module, enabling the display of labels to users and associating selected labels with parameter values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If numeric values are used for enumerated parameters, then resource efficiency is improved, but user understanding and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration tool as an intermediary between the user interface and the wall module's internal representation. This tool allows users to define custom labels for numeric enumeration values, creating a mapping layer that translates user-friendly labels into efficient numeric representations stored in the wall module. The configuration tool serves as the mediator that resolves the contradiction by handling the translation process externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring users to pre-configure label mappings for enumerated parameters using the configuration tool before deploying the wall module. This upfront configuration step creates a permanent mapping between numeric values and meaningful labels, allowing the wall module to efficiently store and process numeric values while presenting labeled interfaces to users during operation.
2Ease of operation
If custom labels are defined for each parameter, then user experience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through the configuration tool, which serves multiple functions: defining labels for enumerated parameters, creating mappings between labels and numeric values, and generating configuration data for the wall module. This single multi-functional tool handles all label-related operations, preventing the system from becoming cluttered with separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by allowing users to define label mappings once in the configuration tool, which then generates and stores the mapping data in the wall module. This copied configuration data is reused across multiple parameters and operations, eliminating the need to repeatedly define the same labels and reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If meaningful labels are displayed, then user understanding is improved, but memory resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by separating the representation of enumeration values into two dimensions: numeric values for internal storage and processing, and text labels for user display. The configuration tool creates a mapping between these two dimensions, allowing the system to efficiently store compact numeric values while presenting meaningful labels to users, thus resolving the memory versus clarity trade-off.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and approach for defining labels for values, such as ordinal numbers, of enumerated parameters in a wall module. Label and number pairs may be downloaded to a wall module as part of definitions of the parameters. The wall module may be a source of a list of labels to a user and then set each parameter to a value associated with a label selected by the user.