Calendar-Based Location Automation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location automation systems are inefficient in adapting to changes in occupant schedules, leading to wastage of resources such as heat and requiring manual coordination among multiple occupants, which is time-consuming and bandwidth-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a computing device with access to a calendar database to process calendar data and update location automation settings, synchronizing with multiple calendar databases based on priority and proximity to ensure that automation events align with occupant schedules, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If location automation settings are manually adjusted via remote login, then occupants can control location automation events, but the process consumes excessive time and bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors calendar data and adjusts location automation settings without requiring manual user intervention. The calendar application detects schedule changes and automatically updates the location automation system, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring occupants to perform manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The calendar application serves as an intermediary between the occupant's schedule and the location automation system. Instead of direct manual control, the calendar data acts as a mediator that automatically translates schedule information into appropriate automation settings, eliminating the need for direct user interaction with the automation system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location automation settings are changed remotely, then occupants can adapt to schedule changes, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects calendar changes and adjusts settings locally without requiring continuous remote communication. The calendar application monitors its own data and only communicates necessary updates to the location automation system, minimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining full adaptability to schedule changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the core functionality of schedule monitoring from remote server operations and places it locally in the calendar application. This allows the system to detect and respond to schedule changes using local resources, reducing the need for continuous remote communication and thereby lowering bandwidth consumption.
3Productivity
If heating is controlled by fixed schedule, then location automation events occur at predetermined times, but resources are wasted when schedules change
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, fixed-time scheduling to dynamic, schedule-based control. Location automation settings are continuously adjusted based on real-time calendar data, allowing heating and other automation events to adapt dynamically to actual occupancy patterns rather than following rigid predetermined schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring calendar data for schedule changes and automatically adjusting location automation settings in response. When the calendar shows a change in occupancy patterns, the system receives feedback and modifies heating schedules accordingly, preventing energy waste in unoccupied spaces while maintaining comfort when occupied.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple occupants coordinate manually, then location automation settings can be adjusted for each person, but coordination requires telephone calls and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple calendar databases into a unified view that the location automation system can process simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate manual coordination for each occupant, the system combines all calendar data sources and automatically determines the appropriate settings based on the collective schedule information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically handles multi-occupant coordination by monitoring multiple calendar databases and independently determining appropriate settings without requiring occupants to communicate with each other. The calendar application serves itself by detecting changes in any occupant's schedule and automatically adjusting settings to accommodate all occupants' needs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and apparatus for controlling a location automation system via computing device having access to a calendar database is provided. Calendar data, from the calendar database, is processed to determine that at least one location automation event controlled by the location automation system is affected by the calendar data. The location automation setting data is updated, based on the calendar data, such that the at least one location automation event occurs according to the calendar data.