Boundary and Space Sensors for Self-Correcting Occupancy Counts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Occupancy sensing systems inaccurately count individuals entering and exiting a space, leading to incorrect occupancy counts and failing to detect empty spaces when desired accuracy is needed.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system with boundary and space sensors, a processor, and a computer-readable medium that autonomously maintains an active occupancy count, adjusting for known sensor errors and space sensor determinations to ensure accurate occupancy tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If boundary sensors are used to count entrances and exits, then occupancy count is maintained automatically, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor errors causing inaccurate counts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic occupancy count maintenanceVSAvoidoccupancy count accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses space sensors to provide feedback on actual occupancy status, which is then used to correct errors in the boundary sensor counts. The processor continuously compares the active count from boundary sensors with space sensor determinations and adjusts the count accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains both automation and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Space sensors act as intermediaries that verify the occupancy status determined by boundary sensors. When space sensors detect a discrepancy (such as the space being empty when the active count suggests occupancy), they mediate the correction of the count, resolving the precision issue while maintaining the automatic counting function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If occupancy count is reset at predetermined times, then accuracy is improved for predictable patterns, but adaptability deteriorates for unpredictable or irregular occupancy patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupancy count accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to different occupancy patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the occupancy count based on real-time space sensor feedback rather than following a fixed reset schedule. The processor continuously monitors space sensor data and automatically corrects the active count when discrepancies are detected, making the system adaptable to any occupancy pattern whether predictable or irregular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-correction of occupancy counts by using its own space sensors to detect when the active count is inaccurate. When space sensors determine the space is empty but the active count is positive, or when they detect occupancy that contradicts the active count, the system automatically adjusts the count without external intervention or predetermined reset schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12424045B1Occupancy count systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 STEELCASE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for improved occupancy count for a space are provided. The systems and methods utilize one or more boundary sensors and one or more space sensors. The boundary sensors are utilized to determine entry and exit from the space and the space sensors are used to determine if the space is empty. If the space sensors determine that the space is empty and an active occupancy count is greater than zero, then the active occupancy count is reset to zero.