Occupancy sensing and building control using mobile devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupancy sensing technologies for building environmental control systems are often costly and error-prone, relying on static schedules rather than actual occupancy, which leads to inaccurate control of HVAC and lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A building control system that utilizes mobile devices to determine the location and number of occupants within control zones, adjusting environmental controls based on real-time occupancy data through a system controller with a location module, occupancy module, and rules processor, which compares signal strength and location indicators to control HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static schedules are used for HVAC control, then the control system is simple to implement, but the occupancy detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical occupancy sensing systems (motion detectors, access control sensors) with a wireless mobile device-based detection system. The building control system receives electromagnetic signals from mobile devices and determines occupancy based on signal presence and strength, eliminating the need for complex physical sensing infrastructure while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediaries between occupants and the building control system. Instead of directly sensing physical presence, the system uses mobile device electromagnetic signals as a mediator to indicate occupancy status, providing more reliable and timely occupancy information without requiring direct physical sensors in each zone.
2Reliability
If access control sensors are used to detect occupancy, then the system can track entry and exit, but cumulative errors increase due to failure to badge out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback by monitoring mobile device signals in real-time throughout the building. Instead of relying on discrete entry/exit events that may be missed, the system continuously receives electromagnetic signals from mobile devices, providing ongoing confirmation of occupancy status and eliminating cumulative errors from missed badge-outs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the occupancy detection system self-service by utilizing the mobile devices that occupants already carry. The mobile devices themselves serve as the sensing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate access control infrastructure and ensuring that every occupant is automatically tracked without requiring active participation or adherence to badge-out procedures.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If motion detectors are used to sense occupancy, then the system can detect movement, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when multiple people are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the building into multiple control zones, each with its own occupancy detection capability. By dividing the building space and associating specific mobile device signals with specific zones based on signal strength and access point location, the system can accurately count occupants in each zone independently, avoiding the aggregation errors that occur when multiple people are detected as a single motion event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality to occupancy detection by using signal strength and access point location data to determine which control zone a mobile device is in. This dimensional information allows the system to distinguish between multiple occupants in different zones, transforming a single-dimensional motion detection problem into a multi-dimensional spatial tracking system.
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
This approach allows for dynamic and accurate control of building environments, reducing energy costs, improving comfort and safety, and extending equipment service life by responding to actual occupancy rather than anticipated schedules.
Implementation Method 1
one or more communication access points configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems and methods for ascertaining the occupancy of a building are presented. The building is divided into one or more control zones which correspond to physical areas of the building associated with controllable modules, such as HVAC units, lighting, irrigation, or other environmental features such as fountains, music, video, and the like. Zone parameters define how zone devices shall react to the number of occupants located in the particular zone. A building control system detects individual mobile devices in and around the building, and determines the locations of each device by using trilateration and/or location services. The identified mobile devices act as proxies for building occupants. The locations of these devices are correlated with the locations of the zones in the building, and the building control system then adjusts the operating parameters of the zone based on the number of devices present in the zone.