Device and method for regulating user temperature in an environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environments, such as buildings and vehicles, often have uneven temperature distribution, leading to discomfort for individuals due to personal sensitivities and preferences, as traditional heating and cooling systems do not account for individual user needs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a primary electronic device with processors that obtain context data to determine environmental conditions and communicate with users or adjust environmental devices, such as smart clothing, to dynamically optimize temperature and comfort levels based on user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional heating and cooling systems are used to maintain environmental temperature, then the overall environment can be heated or cooled, but individual user comfort cannot be optimized due to personal sensitivities and preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the environment into multiple zones with different temperature characteristics. Sensors are distributed throughout the environment to detect temperature at multiple locations, and the system can independently control heating/cooling in different zones to match individual user preferences rather than maintaining a uniform temperature throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different users to experience different temperature conditions in different locations. The system adjusts environmental conditions locally based on detected user presence and preferences, so that one user can have a warmer zone while another experiences a cooler zone, optimizing comfort for each individual.
2Adaptability or versatility
If environmental conditions are adjusted to accommodate one user's temperature preference, then that user's comfort is improved, but other users with different preferences may become uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the environment into multiple controllable zones, each capable of maintaining different temperature levels. This allows simultaneous accommodation of multiple users with different temperature preferences by assigning different temperature settings to different zones where different users are located.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect user presence, location, and potentially user preferences. This feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously monitor environmental conditions and user states, then automatically adjust temperature in specific zones to accommodate the needs of individual users without affecting other areas.
3Ease of operation
If uniform temperature control is maintained throughout the environment, then system operation is simple, but cold spots and drafts create discomfort in certain locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static uniform temperature control to dynamic localized control. Multiple sensors continuously monitor temperature at different locations, and the system dynamically adjusts heating or cooling in specific zones based on real-time conditions, eliminating cold spots and drafts while maintaining overall system manageability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an environment of interest is provided that includes a primary electronic device that can have a memory to store executable instructions and one or more processors. When implementing the executable instructions, the one or more processors are configured to obtain context data within an environment of interest and determine a condition within the environment of interest related to a user based on the context data. The one or more processors are also configured to communicate a message from the primary electronic device to the user, or dynamically adjust a characteristic of an environmental electronic device based on the condition within the environment.