Indoor environmental preference management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively manage occupant preferences for indoor environmental conditions in complex environments with multiple zones and occupants, such as commercial buildings, as residential techniques do not translate well.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for indoor environmental preference management that includes initializing occupant preferences, receiving feedback, and adjusting building system controls based on user input and location, using a preference processing system to determine and apply offsets to current settings through a translation table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If residential smart thermostat techniques are used in commercial buildings, then automation of set point adjustments is achieved, but the system fails to effectively manage preferences in complex multi-zone environments with multiple occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the building into multiple zones with distinct occupants, each having their own preference profiles. The preference processing system divides the complex control problem into individual occupant preferences, location-based contexts, and zone-specific environmental parameters, allowing customized control strategies for each segment rather than a single centralized approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by allowing different environmental settings and control strategies for different zones and occupants. Each occupant's preferences are tailored to their specific location and needs, with the translation table providing localized mapping between descriptive feedback and quantitative control adjustments for each zone's specific conditions
2Ease of operation
If detailed occupant feedback is collected and processed, then personalized environmental control is achieved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The preference processing system acts as an intermediary layer between occupants and the building automation system. It receives diverse feedback from occupants, processes it through translation tables that map descriptive language to quantitative adjustments, and converts it into standardized control commands for the building systems, thereby simplifying the interaction for end users while managing the complexity internally
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by changing parameters from qualitative descriptive feedback to quantitative control adjustments through translation tables. These tables define parameter mappings between occupant language (e.g., 'a little colder') and precise control values (e.g., temperature offsets), allowing the system to handle varied input formats while maintaining consistent control outputs
3Loss of information
If continuous feedback collection from occupants is implemented, then occupant satisfaction insights are improved, but energy and computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by collecting feedback at scheduled intervals rather than continuously monitoring all occupants at all times. The preference processing system can periodically solicit feedback, update preference profiles, and adjust settings in batches, reducing the constant computational and communication overhead while still capturing sufficient data to maintain occupant satisfaction
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively processing feedback from specific occupants or zones based on predefined criteria, such as comfort thresholds or feedback frequency limits. Rather than processing every piece of feedback equally, the system prioritizes adjustments that have the most impact on occupant satisfaction while consuming minimal resources, processing only the necessary portion of feedback data
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of indoor environmental preference management includes initializing, by a processor of a preference processing system, a plurality of occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for a plurality of users with a plurality of default settings based on a plurality of control types for a plurality of building systems. The processor of the preference processing system adjusts at least one control setting of the occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for a first user based on feedback from the first user. At least one control device of a building automation system is operated based on the adjustment to the at least one control setting of the occupant indoor environmental setting preferences.