Building Control System Using Multi-Sensor User State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building technology control systems inadequately account for the state of building users, leading to inefficient energy usage and limited user comfort, as they rely on geo-position data that may be unreliable or unavailable, and fail to accurately determine user activities such as sleep or exercise.
Innovation Solution
A building technology control system that uses a combination of devices like electricity consumption recording, geodata acquisition, device usage monitoring, radio frequency monitoring, and noise detection to infer user states, allowing for adaptive control of building components like HVAC systems, ensuring energy is used only when needed and to the required extent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building control systems rely on geo-position data to control HVAC systems, then remote control capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates when geo-position data is unavailable or inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary sensors (electricity consumption recording devices, geodata acquisition devices, device usage monitoring devices, radio frequency monitoring devices, noise detection devices) that mediate between the user and the HVAC system. These intermediaries provide alternative data sources when geo-position data is unavailable, ensuring reliable control decisions through diverse information channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various data sources and user states. The system can operate using geo-position data, electricity consumption patterns, device usage information, radio frequency signals, or noise levels depending on availability. This universal approach ensures the system maintains reliability across different scenarios and data availability conditions.
2Measurement precision
If building control systems use multiple sensors to determine user state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user state determination function into multiple independent sensing modules: electricity consumption recording devices for power usage patterns, geodata acquisition devices for location information, device usage monitoring devices for appliance activity, radio frequency monitoring devices for wireless signals, and noise detection devices for acoustic patterns. Each segment handles a specific data type, improving measurement precision while allowing independent configuration and maintenance of individual sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system merges data from multiple heterogeneous sensors to form a comprehensive user state profile. The evaluation device combines electricity consumption data, geolocation information, device usage patterns, radio frequency signals, and noise levels into a unified user state determination. This merging approach achieves high measurement precision by cross-validating multiple data sources while managing complexity through integrated processing.
3Ease of operation
If HVAC systems operate continuously to maintain comfort, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by analyzing electricity consumption patterns, device usage information, and user behavior data to predict when users will need HVAC control. The system proactively adjusts temperature settings before users arrive or before comfort needs arise, using learned patterns from historical data. This allows the HVAC system to operate only when necessary rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring electricity consumption data, user device usage patterns, and environmental conditions. The evaluation device processes this feedback information to determine actual user state and adjust HVAC operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the system provides comfort only when users are present and need it, automatically reducing operation during absence periods to minimize energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A building-installation control system comprises at least one interface unit for functional coupling to a building-installation functional unit, and a user status determination arrangement designed to determine a current building user status, wherein on the basis of the determined building user status, a control specification for the building-installation functional unit adapted thereto is then determined and used for controlling the operation of the building-installation functional unit. The user status determination arrangement preferably comprises one or more of the following devices: a building user geodata acquisition device, an appliance usage sensing device, a radio frequency monitoring device and/or a power consumption sensing device that can be coupled to a smart meter.