Methods and systems of building automation state load and user preference via network systems activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building control systems fail to efficiently adapt to individual comfort preferences and occupancy changes, leading to inefficient energy use and comfort levels, as they rely on traditional sensors that react slowly to changes in temperature and humidity.

Innovation Solution

A building control system that utilizes sensors to detect personal electronic devices, associate them with user preferences, and adjust environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and lighting in real-time, using a comfort level calculator to combine preferences and modify space states based on occupancy, thereby enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional sensors are used to detect occupancy and environmental conditions, then the system can monitor space state, but the response to occupancy changes and comfort adjustments is slow and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to occupancy changesVSAvoidtime delay in comfort adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting personal electronic devices before occupants physically enter or settle in a space. The building control system proactively adjusts environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, lighting) in advance based on device detection, eliminating the lag between occupancy detection and comfort adjustment that plagues traditional sensor-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the building control system continuously adjusts environmental parameters to match individual user preferences, then comfort level improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to individual comfort preferencesVSAvoidenergy consumption for HVAC and lighting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing personalized environmental adjustments only in specific zones where personal electronic devices are detected, rather than uniformly adjusting the entire building. The building control system modifies HVAC and lighting settings locally in occupied spaces while maintaining energy-efficient settings in unoccupied areas, thus balancing comfort adaptation with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the system uses personal electronic devices to determine occupancy and preferences, then accuracy of comfort adjustment improves, but device complexity and privacy concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of occupancy detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity for device association

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs an intermediary approach by using personal electronic devices as mediators between occupants and the building control system. Devices such as smartphones or wearables automatically communicate occupancy status and preference data to the building control system through established communication protocols, simplifying the association process while maintaining high measurement precision without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11553618B2Methods and systems of building automation state load and user preference via network systems activity

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 PASSIVELOGIC INC

AI summary

Tools and techniques are described to modify a defined space state depending on number of users in the space and/or preferences of users in the space. In some embodiments, users entering or leaving a space are noticed by network systems. A controller then modifies resources in the space to account for the greater or lesser load. In other cases, the network system notices that a specific user has entered a building. This user may have preferences stored in the system which the building control system then responds to by changing state of a device that controls physical state within the space.