Building Human Flow Prediction with Simulation Reproduction Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building human flow estimation systems lack a method to accurately determine the reproduction degree of estimated flow of people, making it difficult to assess the accuracy of simulation results without specialized knowledge.

Innovation Solution

A building human flow estimation system that includes a building human flow simulation section, an evaluation section, and an output section, which calculates and outputs an evaluation value for evaluating the reproduction degree of the estimated flow of people using first and second evaluation indices based on simulation and actual flow data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If camera-based detection systems are used to detect building occupants, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces camera-based optical detection systems with RF electromagnetic wave-based detection systems. The RF detection apparatus uses electromagnetic waves in the RF band to detect occupants through walls and doors, eliminating the need for complex camera systems while maintaining or improving detection capability through non-line-of-sight penetration ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RF electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to detect occupants. Instead of directly observing occupants with cameras, the system uses RF waves that can penetrate building materials (walls, doors) to indirectly detect the presence and movement of occupants, simplifying the detection system while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If camera-based systems are used for occupancy detection, then detection accuracy improves, but privacy concerns and public acceptance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupancy detection accuracyVSAvoidprivacy intrusion perception
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual camera-based detection with RF electromagnetic wave detection. This substitution eliminates the privacy intrusion associated with cameras capturing images of occupants, as RF waves detect only the presence and movement of occupants without capturing visual information, thereby addressing privacy concerns while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses RF electromagnetic waves as an intermediary that can penetrate building materials to detect occupants without requiring line-of-sight visual access. This intermediary approach allows occupancy detection without the privacy implications of camera-based visual surveillance, improving public acceptance while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional occupancy detection methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but prediction accuracy and functionality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidprediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of RF electromagnetic wave characteristics (reflection, refraction, transmission properties) to establish a database of building-specific RF propagation patterns. This preliminary action enables accurate prediction of occupancy states without requiring complex real-time processing, improving prediction accuracy while maintaining system simplicity through pre-computed models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detected RF wave characteristics are continuously compared against predicted values to update occupancy predictions. This feedback loop allows the system to improve prediction accuracy over time by learning from actual occupancy patterns, transforming simple detection data into accurate predictions without requiring overly complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the evaluation of the reproduction degree of the estimation result, ensuring the accuracy of simulation outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

it has come to light through experimentation that RF waves are reflected when they encounter objects such as building occupants, and that the reflected waves can be detected by a receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF electromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

RF waves are refracted when they encounter objects such as building occupants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF electromagnetic wave refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the transmitted waves can be detected by a receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRF electromagnetic wave transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP3705439B1Building interior human flow prediction system and prediction method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3705439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3705439B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a building human flow estimation system having a building human flow simulation section which receives, as input values, building traffic data indicative of floors between which people move by using an elevator in a building, building layout data related to a layout of the building, and an elevator parameter value related to the elevator and estimates a flow of people, there are provided an evaluation section which calculates an evaluation value for evaluating a reproduction degree of the flow of people estimated by the building human flow simulation section based on a first evaluation index related to the flow of people estimated by the building human flow simulation section and a second evaluation index related to an actual flow of people in the building, and an output section which outputs the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation section.