Occupant Detection Using Beacon Signal Strength Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beacon communication methods for detecting occupants in building automatic control systems suffer from inaccuracies due to signal distortion and reflection caused by bulkheads, leading to incorrect identification of occupied spaces and inefficient energy distribution.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a first and second beacon, each transmitting signals at different strengths, and a repeater to receive and transmit reception strength information, which is used by a device to calculate vectors and estimate the location of a communication terminal based on cosine similarity, thereby improving the accuracy of occupant detection and adjusting environmental conditions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional beacon communication method using only signal strength and beacon ID is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of occupant location is degraded due to signal distortion and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon signal transmission into multiple phases with different transmission strengths (first transmission strength and second transmission strength). By dividing the signal transmission process into segments and collecting reception strength information at different levels, the system can distinguish between signal paths that pass through bulkheads versus direct paths, thereby improving location detection accuracy without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the traditional two-dimensional beacon ID and signal strength approach by introducing transmission strength as a third parameter. The device calculates a third value based on the difference between reception strength at first and second transmission strengths, creating a three-dimensional feature space that provides additional discrimination capability for accurate location determination.
2Area of stationary object
If beacon signal is transmitted through bulkheads, then coverage area is improved, but signal distortion and reflection occur causing wrong space identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the communication terminal measures and reports reception strength information at multiple transmission strengths back to the determining device. The determining device uses this feedback information to calculate a third value that indicates whether the signal path passes through a bulkhead, enabling reliable identification of actual occupied spaces even when signals traverse bulkheads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation (the third value) that acts as a mediator between the raw signal reception data and the final location determination. This intermediary parameter specifically captures the bulkhead passage characteristic, allowing the system to filter out incorrect space identifications while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Measurement precision
If multiple beacons transmit signals at different strengths, then occupant detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by having beacons transmit signals in alternating phases at different transmission strengths. Rather than continuously transmitting at high power, the system alternates between first transmission strength phases and second transmission strength phases, achieving the necessary measurement data while reducing overall energy consumption through duty cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting beacon signals at multiple different strengths rather than always at maximum strength. The system uses lower transmission strengths when sufficient accuracy can be achieved, and only employs higher transmission strengths when necessary to overcome signal attenuation, thereby avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting occupants, and more specifically, to a system and method for accurately detecting positions of occupants in a building using beacon signals.