Building Installation Control Adapting Standby Duration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing the operation of building installations with visual or thermal comfort and safety elements often result in inconsistent standby durations and high residual energy consumption due to the accumulation of equipment usage patterns not aligning with user behavior.

Innovation Solution

A method that adapts the operation of these elements based on the probability of user presence, switching to a lower energy consumption mode when presence is unlikely and maintaining full functionality when presence is likely, using presence probability information to determine the appropriate mode of operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If standby duration is extended to maximize energy savings, then energy consumption decreases, but user convenience deteriorates due to inconsistent behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts standby duration based on contextual factors and learned user preferences rather than using a fixed extended period. This allows the system to adapt to different situations - sometimes using longer standby periods for maximum energy savings, other times switching more quickly to maintain user convenience, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy optimization and user experience consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of standby duration from a fixed value to a variable that is adjusted based on multiple factors including user behavior patterns, time of day, and equipment type. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption in each specific context while maintaining user convenience, avoiding the inconsistency that would result from a universally extended standby period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If equipment switches between standby and usage modes frequently, then energy consumption is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically learn user behavior patterns and make autonomous decisions about when to switch equipment between standby and off modes. This eliminates the need for complex user configuration or manual intervention, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption through adaptive switching while keeping the user interface simple and the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or rule-based switching systems with an intelligent system that uses learning algorithms and contextual analysis to determine optimal switching times. This substitution of simple adaptive logic for complex predetermined rules reduces system complexity while achieving better energy optimization through frequent but intelligent mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2950170B1Method for managing the operation of a building installation
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP2950170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2950170B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method for managing the operation of an installation comprising a plurality of visual or thermal comfort or building security elements comprising the steps of (E1) having, for at least some of the visual or thermal comfort or security elements, at least one piece of information relating to a spatial location of said elements in the building, (E2) having at least one command and/or control information relating to at least one visual or thermal comfort or security element, (E3) establishing, for at least one visual or thermal comfort or security element, information on the probability of presence of an individual likely to use said element, (E4) transmitting the probability of presence information established to said at least one element.