BMS Occupant Proximity Control for Pre-Arrival Zone Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) lack the ability to efficiently adjust operations based on the location of building occupants, leading to suboptimal energy usage and security protocols, as they do not effectively utilize location data to preemptively prepare zones or facilitate entry.
Innovation Solution
A controller within the BMS that receives location data from occupants using GPS, allowing it to provide control signals to various subsystems such as HVAC, lighting, and security based on proximity, enabling preemptive actions like temperature adjustments, access management, and security notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the BMS continuously monitors occupant location and preemptively adjusts building systems, then comfort and convenience are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting occupant approach via GPS location data and preemptively adjusting HVAC settings, lighting, and access control before the occupant arrives at the building. This allows the building systems to be optimized in advance rather than continuously operating, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining occupant convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic location data updates from mobile devices to trigger building system adjustments only when needed, rather than continuous monitoring. The BMS receives location updates at intervals and activates preemptive actions based on distance thresholds, creating a periodic rather than continuous operation mode that reduces energy usage.
2Loss of energy
If the BMS adjusts HVAC and lighting systems based on real-time location data, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BMS controller is designed with multi-functionality, integrating GPS location data processing, distance threshold evaluation, and control signal generation for multiple building subsystems (HVAC, lighting, access control) into a single universal platform. This consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by leveraging the mobile device's existing GPS functionality as the sensing mechanism, rather than installing dedicated location sensors in the building. The mobile device acts as an intermediary that provides location data to the BMS, simplifying the overall system architecture by utilizing already-deployed technology.
3Ease of operation
If the BMS prepares building zones in advance based on predicted arrival times, then occupant comfort is improved, but response time for actual entry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates estimated arrival times based on current location and speed, then preemptively prepares building zones in advance of the actual arrival. HVAC systems are pre-cooled or pre-heated, lighting is pre-activated, and access control is pre-configured, ensuring immediate readiness upon occupant arrival and eliminating wait time while maintaining comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for making initiating actions in a building management system (BMS) is shown. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a first location outside of a building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining the first location is within a first distance range of the building, provide control signals to a first subsystem of the BMS. The processing circuit is configured to receive location data relating to the building occupant located at a second location outside of the building. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to determining that the second location is within a second distance range of the building, provide control signals to a second subsystem of the BMS.