Mobile-Based Comfort Personalization for Automated Building Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for personalizing interaction with structures, such as homes and offices, require physical interaction with sensors and devices or custom-built hardware, which can be costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a mobile device, such as a smartphone or wristband, to determine user comfort preferences based on location and context, and automatically adjusts system devices like thermostats, lights, and security systems without user intervention, using location beacons and wireless connections to provide personalized comfort settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical interaction with sensors and devices is used, then user interaction with structure devices is enabled, but user convenience deteriorates and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the structure's control systems. The mobile device communicates with sensors and actuators wirelessly, eliminating the need for users to physically interact with sensors, controllers, and actuators. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing convenient user interaction through a familiar device while keeping the underlying control system complexity hidden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical interaction systems with wireless communication systems. Instead of requiring physical contact with sensors and switches, the system uses wireless signals (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to transmit control commands and sensor data, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of physical interaction interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built hardware is used, then personalized interaction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) that users already possess for multiple purposes. These devices serve as both personalization interfaces and control interfaces for structure devices. By leveraging the universality of mobile devices, the system achieves personalized interaction without requiring custom-built hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to leverage their own mobile devices for personalized interaction with structure devices. Users' existing devices with sensors, processors, and communication capabilities are utilized to detect user presence, determine preferences, and control structure systems, eliminating the need for expensive custom hardware while enabling personalization.
3Ease of operation
If automated control is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as an intelligent intermediary that handles the complexity of automated control. It runs applications that detect user presence, interpret user preferences, and automatically control structure devices without requiring users to understand or configure the underlying complex control logic. This mediates between simple user needs and complex automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where mobile devices continuously monitor user presence and preferences, and automatically adjust structure device operations accordingly. Sensors detect user state, the mobile device processes this information, and automatically modifies lighting, temperature, and security settings, providing seamless automated control that adapts to user needs without increasing perceived system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for personalizing interaction with a structure are described herein. One method includes determining a comfort preference associated with a user of a mobile device corresponding to a particular location with respect to a structure, storing the comfort preference in a memory, and modifying an operation of at least one device in the structure to provide the comfort preference responsive to a distance between the mobile device and the particular location being less than a particular threshold.