Augmented Reality System for Building Lighting and Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building control systems face challenges in maintaining energy efficiency and regulatory compliance due to high costs associated with installing new sensors and controllers, especially in environments where lighting and temperature conditions are difficult to maintain consistently.

Innovation Solution

An augmented reality (AR) system that utilizes embedded sensors in AR devices to monitor environmental conditions such as lighting and temperature, and a processor to determine optimal control settings for energy reduction, regulatory compliance, and worker comfort, without the need for additional infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If new sensors and controllers are installed to improve environmental monitoring and control, then measurement precision and control capability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental condition monitoring accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing AR devices perform multiple functions by adding environmental monitoring capabilities. The AR device's camera and processor are used not only for augmented reality display but also for detecting lighting conditions, temperature, and other environmental parameters, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the AR device's own existing components (camera, processor, sensors already present for AR functionality) to monitor environmental conditions. The device serves itself by utilizing its inherent capabilities rather than requiring external added equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional sensors are installed to maintain consistent environmental conditions, then reliability of environmental control is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental condition consistencyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses existing AR device components for environmental monitoring, eliminating the need for separate sensor installations. The camera and processing unit already present in the AR device are utilized to detect environmental conditions, making the system reliable without additional installation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If more sensors are deployed to track environmental conditions throughout the building, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental condition data accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensors required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes each AR device serve multiple purposes: it provides augmented reality functionality while simultaneously acting as an environmental sensor node. This eliminates the need for deploying separate dedicated sensors throughout the building, as workers' AR devices become the monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The AR devices already present in the workplace (for their primary function) are utilized to collect environmental data. The system leverages the existing deployment of AR devices rather than requiring additional sensor installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If environmental control systems are adjusted to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but reliability of maintaining regulatory compliance may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding energy consumptionVSAvoidregulatory compliance assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors environmental conditions using AR devices and provides real-time feedback to the building management system. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust lighting and temperature controls dynamically while ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained, as the actual conditions are constantly measured and reported.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10146194B2Building lighting and temperature control with an augmented reality system

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

An augmented reality (AR) system, device, and method for reducing energy usage by monitoring and determining optimal control settings for conditions within a building. Sensors embedded in AR devices worn by workers performing job duties are utilized to detect and measure physical conditions such as visible light intensity and air temperature. Location, time/date, and worker occupancy data is also provided to the AR system. A time- and location-based data profile of environmental conditions within the building is created and regularly updated to track changes in environmental conditions over time. Algorithms running on a processor calculate and provide optimal control settings to building lighting and climate control systems. Optimal control settings take into account energy reduction goals, worker comfort, and regulatory compliance. The system utilizes the data profile to determine initial, reduced-energy control settings based on expected physical conditions within the building.