Centralized Water Installation Control via Descriptor Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water installation control systems require multiple applications and user interfaces for managing different devices, leading to complexity in maintenance, updating, and operation, especially when multiple devices with varying logic implementations are involved, making it expensive and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A method using a descriptor file with textual data format to control and configure water installation devices, allowing for centralized management through a water installation controlling apparatus, which processes operation and configuration instructions to simplify device operation and maintenance by sharing common descriptor files across similar devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate control devices with individual control panels are used for different water installation devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but the user must be at the vicinity of each device and multiple applications/interfaces are required, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control devices and their individual control panels into a single centralized control device. This control device displays information from multiple water installation devices and allows centralized control of all devices through a unified interface, eliminating the need for users to visit each device location or manage multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized control device is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously - it can display information from different types of water installation devices (pools, spas, fountains), control various operational parameters, and provide a universal interface for all devices. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for device-specific control panels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each water installation device has its own control panel and application, then device-specific control is achieved, but maintenance and updating of multiple applications and interfaces becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses a single universal application that can adapt to control multiple different types of water installation devices. This unified software solution eliminates the need to develop, maintain, and update separate applications for each device, significantly reducing maintenance costs and complexity while preserving device-specific control capabilities through configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses information holders that store device-specific control logic and parameters. These information holders can be copied and distributed to multiple devices, allowing the centralized control system to manage various device types without requiring custom software development for each device. Updates can be made centrally and propagated to all devices.
3Reliability
If logic and rules for device operation are implemented inside each water installation device, then device autonomy is maintained, but maintenance and updating of these implementations becomes complicated and expensive, especially when many different device types coexist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control logic and operational rules from individual water installation devices and relocates them to external information holders that are accessible by the centralized control device. This extraction maintains device autonomy for execution while enabling centralized management, updates, and maintenance of the logic without requiring physical access to each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The information holder acts as an intermediary between the centralized control device and the water installation devices. It stores the logic and rules that govern device operation, allowing the control device to manage multiple device types through a standardized interface while maintaining the ability to update and maintain logic centrally without affecting the physical devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a first aspect, a method is provided of controlling a water installation device by a water installation controlling apparatus by using a descriptor file. The descriptor file comprises one or more operation instructions and one or more configuration instructions having a textual data format. The method comprises processing the one or more operation instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that operation of the water installation device is performed based on the one or more operation instructions. The method further comprises processing the one or more configuration instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that configuration of the water installation device via a user interface is performed based on the one or more configuration instructions.