Air Conditioner Occupant Tracking for Adaptive Wind Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners fail to accurately adjust indoor temperature due to fixed temperature sensors and inability to account for the distance between human bodies and the air conditioner, leading to inefficient temperature control and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance control device that uses a light source module, a first image sensor, and a processing unit to project a predetermined optical pattern and calculate static and dynamic parameters of active objects, allowing for adjustment of wind strength and direction to optimize temperature control and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed position temperature sensor is used to sense indoor temperature, then the temperature control system can maintain stable operation, but the temperature sensed cannot reflect actual temperature variation instantly leading to degraded temperature adjusting efficiency and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical temperature sensing system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using a fixed temperature sensor that mechanically measures temperature at one point, the system uses an image sensor to capture infrared images and processes thermal information optically, enabling real-time temperature field mapping and significantly improving temperature adjustment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between the temperature field and the control system. The image sensor captures thermal radiation, the processor analyzes the thermal images to determine temperature distribution and active object positions, and then the controller adjusts air conditioner operations based on this processed information, creating an efficient intermediary measurement and control chain
2Ease of operation
If conventional air conditioners use fixed wind direction control, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot adjust wind direction according to the position of people making it difficult to achieve comfortable temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static wind direction control into a dynamic system. The image sensor continuously captures the positions of active objects, and the controller dynamically adjusts the wind direction based on real-time position information, allowing the air conditioner to adaptively follow and serve occupants throughout the room
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where the image sensor continuously monitors the positions of active objects, this position information is fed back to the controller, which then adjusts the wind direction accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables comfortable temperature control while managing device complexity through intelligent control algorithms
3Device complexity
If only one infrared image sensor is used to capture room images, then the device structure remains simple, but the control device cannot perform corresponding control according to the distance between human bodies and the air conditioner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging function into multiple specialized sensors: one infrared image sensor for detecting active objects and their positions, and another image sensor specifically for measuring distance. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, achieving precise distance measurement without requiring a complex single sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image processing system multi-functional by using different image sensors for different purposes. The first image sensor handles active object detection and positioning, while the second image sensor handles distance measurement. Both sensors share the same processing unit and control system, achieving universal functionality through a modular architecture that balances complexity and capability
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
The solution effectively adjusts the operation state of the air conditioner based on calculated parameters, improving temperature control efficiency and reducing power consumption by accurately accounting for the distance and movement of active objects.
Implementation Method 1
The light source module further includes a laser light source and an optical component
Implementation Method 2
The first image sensor is configured to acquire a current image containing at least one active object image and the predetermined optical pattern
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a home appliance control device for obtaining various parameters of each active object according to a variation between a plurality of current images acquired by an image sensor or according to a relation of a current image acquired by the image sensor with respect to a reference image or a reference data thereby determining an operation state of a home appliance.