Building Presence Detection Using Sensors and Power Usage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately determine the presence or absence of individuals in a building, particularly distinguishing between normal activity and anomalies, and often mistakenly identify absence as an anomaly when the individual is outside the building.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that utilizes open/close sensors and human detecting sensors to monitor entry and exit of individuals, combined with electricity usage patterns, to differentiate between normal absence and potential anomalies, and provides timely and accurate notifications to providers or family members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simple presence/absence detection is used, then response speed is improved, but accuracy deteriorates causing false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (sensor-based presence detection, electricity usage monitoring, and activity pattern analysis) into a unified detection system. This integration allows the system to cross-validate information from different sources, significantly improving detection accuracy while avoiding false alarms that would occur with any single method alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a multi-functional approach where the detection apparatus serves multiple purposes: it detects presence/absence, monitors electricity usage patterns, analyzes activity types, and provides notification services. This universal detection framework improves accuracy by considering multiple indicators simultaneously without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
2Reliability
If multiple detection methods are combined, then accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into distinct functional modules: a sensor module for presence detection, an electricity monitoring module for power consumption analysis, an activity recognition module for behavior pattern identification, and a notification module for alerting. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect while maintaining overall system reliability, and simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting compared to a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification apparatus serves as an intermediary that receives processed information from the detection apparatus and relays it to appropriate parties. This intermediary layer decouples the complex detection system from the notification system, allowing the detection side to focus on accuracy while the notification side handles communication, thereby managing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If presence information is shared with third parties, then communication efficiency is improved, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The notification apparatus implements local quality control by providing different information to different third parties based on their specific needs and authorization levels. For example, emergency contacts receive only critical absence alerts, while facility managers may receive detailed presence patterns for operational planning. This selective information distribution improves communication efficiency for each stakeholder while minimizing overall information exposure and security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where notification delivery and user responses are tracked. This allows the system to learn from actual information needs and adjust future communications accordingly, improving efficiency over time while maintaining appropriate security boundaries based on observed usage patterns and authorization protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes: an obtainer that obtains request information for requesting presence/absence related information indicating presence or absence of a user in a building; and an outputter that outputs, in response to the request information obtained, the presence/absence related information identified by identification information included in the request information.