Event Space Occupancy Control for Energy-Efficient Building Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems lack efficient methods to determine occupancy in spaces, leading to suboptimal use of resources such as energy and space allocation for scheduled events.
Innovation Solution
A building automation system that integrates occupancy sensors, access control systems, and environmental control modules to generate occupancy information, control environmental conditions, and optimize event scheduling based on attendee presence, preferences, and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If building management systems use traditional occupancy detection methods, then system complexity is reduced, but occupancy detection precision and resource allocation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection technologies (motion sensors, access control systems, environmental sensors) into an integrated building management system. This merging approach enables precise occupancy detection by cross-validating data from multiple sources while achieving resource allocation efficiency through unified system control.
Solution Approach 2:
The building management system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: occupancy detection, environmental monitoring, access control integration, and resource allocation optimization. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision across different parameters without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Loss of energy
If building management systems allocate resources without accurate occupancy information, then system operation is simpler, but energy efficiency and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors occupancy status using integrated sensors and access control data, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust environmental controls (HVAC, lighting). This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes energy efficiency by ensuring resources are allocated based on actual occupancy rather than static schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary resource allocation based on scheduled events and anticipated occupancy patterns. By pre-configuring environmental settings before events begin and adjusting them based on actual occupancy detection, the system achieves energy efficiency without requiring complex real-time decision-making operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If building management systems integrate multiple subsystems for comprehensive event control, then event management capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces that allow diverse subsystems (HVAC, lighting, access control, entertainment) to be integrated through a common platform. This universality enables comprehensive event management capability while managing integration complexity through standardized connection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an event management module as an intermediary layer between the various building subsystems and the control interface. This mediator translates high-level event requirements into specific subsystem commands, enabling versatile event management while shielding users from the underlying system integration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An event automation system controls building management systems (e.g. building automation, access control, and/or security systems of a building) for scheduled events. An occupancy module generates occupancy information for event spaces where events are scheduled via occupancy sensors installed at the event spaces. A building automation module instructs distributed devices of the building management systems to control the environmental settings of the event spaces based on the occupancy information and stored space, attendee, and schedule information. The event automation system also facilitates scheduling the events at event spaces of the building based on configuration information from an event organizer (e.g. invited attendees, start and end times, and activities to be performed at the event), required automation features for the event, location information and exercise preferences for the invited attendees, and/or aggregated usage information for the event spaces.