Automated presence detection and presence-related control within an intelligent controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems lack the flexibility and intelligence to dynamically adjust operational modes based on the presence or absence of entities within a controlled environment, leading to inefficiencies and incorrect inferences.
Innovation Solution
Intelligent controllers that utilize sensor output and electronically stored information, such as rules and parameters, to determine the presence or absence of entities, continuously adjusting control schedules to minimize errors and maximize efficiency by interconnecting multiple controllers and remote systems for distributed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional control systems are used to maintain predetermined system behavior, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to presence or absence of entities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational modes based on detected presence or absence of entities. The system transitions between different control modes (e.g., occupied, unoccupied, transition modes) depending on sensor inputs and inferred presence states, allowing it to adapt its behavior while maintaining stability through controlled transitions rather than abrupt changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data (motion sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors) and uses feedback loops to adjust control decisions. The feedback mechanism compares current sensor readings against threshold values and historical data to determine presence states, enabling the system to respond adaptively while maintaining stable operation through regulated feedback processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control systems continuously monitor and adjust operational modes, then adaptability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system employs periodic monitoring intervals rather than continuous monitoring. Sensors are activated at specific intervals to detect presence or absence of entities, and the system adjusts operational modes based on these periodic assessments. This approach maintains adaptability by regularly updating presence detection while reducing energy consumption by keeping sensors and processing units dormant between intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive sensing mechanisms that require minimal active energy input. Temperature and humidity sensors operate in passive modes, detecting environmental changes caused by entity presence without requiring active emission or high-power operation. The system leverages naturally occurring environmental variations to infer presence states, reducing the energy required for monitoring while maintaining adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and processing units are deployed for accurate presence detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system divides the monitored space into multiple zones or regions, each with its own set of sensors and detection parameters. Instead of using a single complex sensor array, the system segments the environment into manageable sections, assigning specific sensors to detect presence in each zone. This segmentation approach improves measurement precision by localizing detection while reducing overall system complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple types of presence indicators simultaneously. For example, temperature sensors serve dual purposes by monitoring both environmental temperature for climate control and temperature changes indicative of entity presence. This multi-functionality approach improves presence detection precision without adding dedicated specialized sensors, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information, including one or more of electronically stored rules, parameters, and instructions, to determine whether or not one or more types of entities are present within an area, volume, or environment monitored by the intelligent controllers. The intelligent controllers select operational modes and modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers employ feedback information to continuously adjust the electronically stored parameters and rules in order to minimize the number of incorrect inferences with respect to the presence or absence of the one or more entities and in order to maximize the efficiency by which various types of systems controlled by the intelligent controllers carry out selected operational modes.