Building automation control systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems lack advanced control mechanisms that allow for seamless integration of user location-based adjustments, leading to inefficiencies in energy management and comfort settings.
Innovation Solution
A building automation system that utilizes a mobile device with location services to define geo-fences, allowing users to select and adjust proximity boundaries, which in turn control HVAC operations, including scheduling and energy management based on user presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional HVAC control systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy management efficiency and user comfort control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a building automation system as an intermediary layer between users and HVAC equipment. This automation system includes a controller that receives user preferences, determines optimal settings, and automatically controls HVAC components. The intermediary handles the complexity of energy management algorithms, geo-fence processing, and coordination between multiple building systems, while users interact with a simplified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC control system performs self-service by automatically adjusting operational parameters based on geo-fence detections and user profiles stored in memory. The controller autonomously determines when to activate heating or cooling modes, adjusts temperature setpoints, and coordinates with lighting and security systems without requiring continuous user intervention. This self-service capability improves energy management efficiency while maintaining user comfort preferences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual HVAC control is used, then user customization is limited, but system operation simplicity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring user profiles with preferred temperature settings, lighting preferences, and security configurations. When a user approaches the building (detected via geo-fence), the controller automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-configured settings. This preliminary preparation of control parameters allows high adaptability to user preferences while maintaining operational simplicity, as users do not need to manually adjust settings each time they arrive.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC control system dynamically adapts to changing user preferences and environmental conditions. The controller continuously monitors geo-fence status, occupancy sensors, and external conditions (temperature, humidity) to dynamically adjust operational parameters. User profiles can be updated and modified, and the system responds dynamically to different users, times of day, and seasonal variations, providing high versatility while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation.
3Extent of automation
If geo-fence technology is integrated, then automated location-based control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The building automation controller serves multiple functions: it manages HVAC operations, processes geo-fence location data, coordinates with lighting systems, controls security systems, and stores user profiles. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a single integrated platform. The controller universally handles different types of sensors, actuators, and communication protocols, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high automation through location-based control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A building automation system may adjust operation of a building system based upon information regarding the relative location of one or more users of the building automation system. In some embodiments, a mobile device having location services for determining a location of the mobile device may provide this information. A mobile device may include a user interface, a memory for storing two or more predetermined geo-fences each defining a different sized region about a home of a user of the mobile device and a controller operatively coupled to user interface and the memory, the controller configured to accept a selection of one of the two or more predetermined geo-fences via the user interface. The controller may report when the location of the mobile device crosses the selected one of the two or more predetermined geo-fences to a remote device. Other geofencing approaches are also described.