Occupant Body Temperature Feedback for Dynamic Room Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling ambient temperatures in enclosed spaces, such as meeting rooms and theaters, are inefficient and wasteful, as they do not dynamically adjust to the body temperatures of occupants, leading to discomfort and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses digital processing to dynamically sense the body temperatures of individuals in a room, wirelessly transmit this data, and adjust the room temperature based on correlated parameters, with the option to prioritize certain individuals' temperatures, using facial recognition and wristband sensors for unobtrusive monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional ambient temperature control systems are used in enclosed rooms, then the room temperature can be maintained at a set point, but energy consumption increases and occupant comfort is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the room temperature set point based on real-time body temperature readings from occupants, rather than maintaining a fixed temperature. The controller continuously receives temperature data from multiple occupants and modifies the HVAC set point accordingly, making the system adaptive and responsive to changing thermal conditions of the people in the room.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where body temperature sensors continuously monitor occupant temperatures, transmit this data to a controller, and the controller adjusts the HVAC system based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that the room temperature is optimized based on actual occupant thermal states, improving comfort while reducing energy waste.
2Ease of operation
If body temperature sensing devices are deployed for all occupants, then temperature comfort can be optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the occupancy into different categories with different levels of temperature monitoring. Primary occupants (e.g., presenters, performers) have dedicated temperature sensors, while secondary occupants may have sensors only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to optimize comfort for key individuals without requiring comprehensive monitoring of all occupants, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing system is integrated with existing event management infrastructure. The same platform that manages event scheduling, seating, and communications also handles temperature monitoring and HVAC control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost.
3Loss of energy
If real-time body temperature monitoring is implemented for all occupants, then energy efficiency can be improved, but privacy concerns and occupant acceptance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and processes only the necessary thermal data for HVAC control without capturing or storing personal identifying information. Body temperature readings are processed anonymously to determine aggregate thermal conditions in the room, and only the resulting temperature adjustments are implemented. This extraction of essential data while leaving out personal identifiers reduces privacy concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements temperature monitoring only to the extent necessary for HVAC optimization, rather than comprehensive continuous monitoring of all occupants. Temperature data is collected and processed in aggregate form, and monitoring can be activated or deactivated based on event requirements. This partial action approach achieves energy efficiency goals without excessive intrusion into occupant privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
Optimum temperature in a room is controlled by directly and dynamically sensing the body temperatures of one or more people in the room and storing a set of parameters to be correlated with the sensed body temperatures in determining a selected optimum room temperature. The sensed body temperatures are wirelessly transmitted to be correlated with the set of parameters wherein optimum room temperature is determined based on those parameters. In response to this correlation, a selected optimum room temperature may be provided by appropriate heating or cooling.