HVAC Controller Polling Control for Low-Latency Battery Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face challenges in providing reliable and user-friendly remote control, particularly when powered by a local power source, due to varying message latencies based on user proximity, which affect user experience and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor to determine user proximity, adjusting communication latency and polling rates accordingly, and optimizing power usage by increasing polling rate only when the user is near, thereby reducing message latency and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the HVAC controller uses a higher polling rate to reduce message latency for remote control, then user experience is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the polling rate based on user proximity status. When a user is detected to be nearby via sensor, the polling rate increases to provide low-latency responsive control. When no user is nearby, the polling rate decreases to conserve battery power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system's communication behavior flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the polling rate parameter according to user proximity conditions. The controller transitions between different operational states (high polling rate when user is near, low polling rate when user is away), effectively using parameter changes to balance between responsiveness and power consumption based on real-time environmental conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the HVAC controller maintains low message latency for remote control, then user satisfaction is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between high-latency and low-latency operational modes based on user proximity. When users are nearby, the system provides responsive low-latency control for immediate feedback. When users are away, the system transitions to low-latency mode to conserve battery, accepting higher latency in exchange for extended battery life. This resolves the contradiction by making latency adaptive rather than constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The message latency parameter is adjusted based on user proximity detection. The system changes its operational parameters (polling rate, communication frequency) according to whether users are present, thereby balancing user satisfaction requirements against battery conservation needs through parameter adaptation.
3Speed
If the HVAC controller increases communication frequency with remote devices, then control responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic polling with variable intervals based on user proximity. Instead of continuous high-frequency communication, the controller employs periodic status checks and message transmissions. When users are nearby, polling intervals are shorter providing responsive control. When users are away, polling intervals are longer to reduce power consumption, effectively using periodic action with adaptive frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication frequency is dynamically adjusted based on real-time user proximity detection. The system transitions between high-frequency communication mode (when users are near for responsive control) and low-frequency communication mode (when users are away for power savings), making the communication behavior adaptive rather than static.
Data Source
AI summary
Message latency between an HVAC controller located within a building and a remote server may be reduced in response to a determination that a user is in proximity to the HVAC controller, and message latency may be increased when a user is not expected to be proximity to the HVAC controller. This may reduce the overall power consumption of an HVAC controller while still maintaining a good user experience. This can be particularly important for HVAC controllers that are powered by a local energy storage device, such as a battery.