Building Sensor Fusion Control for Accurate Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building technology systems, such as lighting, rely on presence sensors with limited spatial resolution and accuracy, leading to inefficient control and regulation, especially after a preset time when a non-moving person is no longer detected by motion detectors.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a mobile device with sensors and a data processing unit, connected via a communication network, generates control and regulation signals by calibrating and combining information from both mobile and stationary sensors, improving detection accuracy without the need for additional stationary sensors, using reference positions and inertial measurement units to enhance position determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If presence sensors with limited spatial resolution are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the detection accuracy and spatial resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing unit as an intermediary that fuses data from multiple sensors (motion detectors, presence sensors, and mobile device sensors) to generate improved position information. This mediator component synthesizes information from different sources to achieve higher detection accuracy without requiring a complete redesign of the sensor network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile devices serve multiple functions: they act as both user communication tools and as additional sensing nodes that provide position and motion data to the building technology system. This multi-functionality approach leverages existing mobile devices to enhance detection capabilities without adding dedicated sensor infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If the number of stationary sensors is increased to improve spatial resolution, then detection accuracy improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices as portable copies of sensing functionality, replicating the detection capabilities without installing additional stationary sensors throughout the building. Each mobile device acts as a temporary, movable sensor node that provides position and motion information, effectively copying the sensing function in a resource-efficient manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the self-contained sensors already present in mobile devices (accelerometers, gyroscopes, position sensors) to provide building system control data. The mobile devices serve themselves as sensing platforms, eliminating the need for the building system to provision and maintain additional sensor infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If motion detectors are used for presence detection, then the system remains simple, but non-moving persons are no longer detected after preset time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection modalities into a unified presence detection system: motion detection, presence sensing, and mobile device position tracking are combined. This fusion allows the system to detect persons regardless of whether they are moving or stationary, as the mobile device's position data provides continuous presence confirmation even when motion is absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where the data processing unit continuously receives and evaluates data from multiple sensors, adjusting presence detection decisions based on the combined information. The system uses feedback from mobile device position data to confirm presence even when motion detectors show no activity, ensuring continuous and reliable detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for controlling building systems engineering on the basis of measured values detected by sensors. The system comprises a mobile device (3), at least one stationary sensor unit (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) and a data processing unit (16). The mobile device (3), the at least one sensor unit (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) and the data processing unit (16) are connected by at least one communications network. The system is distinguished in that the mobile device (3) has at least one sensor (5) for detecting a physical variable, and the data processing unit (16) generates a control signal for the building engineering system on the basis of a combination of information about the physically detected variable of the sensor of the mobile device (3) and of the stationary sensor unit (14.1, 14.2, 14.3).