Multi-Sensor Presence Profiling for Optimized Building Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current presence detection systems using PIR or radar technology in lighting technology only indicate the presence or absence of people without providing information on the number of individuals or their direction of movement, leading to inefficient control of building technologies like lighting, heating, and ventilation, and can be obstructed by objects, resulting in delayed or inappropriate responses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple sensors for each sub-area within a detection zone and a data processing device that creates a presence profile with location and time-resolved information on people's presence, movement, and speed, allowing for optimized control of building technologies by predicting patterns and adjusting operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If presence detection sensors (PIR or radar) are used to detect people, then the presence or absence of people can be detected, but no information is provided on the number of people or their direction of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is divided into multiple sub-areas (e.g., left, center, right zones) so that sensors can detect not only presence but also approximate location and movement direction of people. This segmentation allows the system to extract additional information (number of people, movement direction) from the same sensor data without adding complex new sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from binary presence detection (present/absent) to spatially-resolved detection by adding the dimension of spatial location within sub-areas. This enables derivation of movement direction and person count information from temporal-spatial patterns of detection signals.
2Reliability
If a single detection area is used, then the system is simple, but objects can cover the detection area causing delayed or inappropriate responses
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is segmented into multiple overlapping sub-areas. When an object blocks one sub-area, other sub-areas can still detect people, preventing false negatives. The system can also determine movement direction by tracking which sub-areas are activated, improving response accuracy without requiring a completely different detection approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If presence detection is used without sub-area division, then the system is simple, but no location-resolved information is available for optimized building control
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the detection area into sub-areas, the system gains location-resolved information that enables differentiated building control (e.g., opening specific doors, adjusting lighting in particular zones, controlling ventilation to specific areas). The segmentation approach allows this enhanced adaptability while using the same basic sensor technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates presence profiles that predict future presence based on detected movement patterns and directions. This allows building systems to be prepared in advance (e.g., pre-heating rooms, pre-opening doors) before people actually arrive, optimizing comfort and energy efficiency.
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
Enables precise control of lighting, heating, and ventilation systems by providing detailed presence profiles, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and improving responsiveness to occupancy patterns, while distinguishing between people and objects based on temperature differences.
Implementation Method 1
Such sensors mainly use passive infrared (PIR) or radar technology to detect people
Implementation Method 2
Such sensors mainly use passive infrared (PIR) or radar technology to detect people
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3E
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for creating a presence profile (P) of persons in a detection zone (B) for building management. The system comprises at least one sensor (S1..S3) for detecting the presence of at least one person in each of a plurality of different sub-zones (T1..T3) of the detection zone (B) for detecting the presence of the person(s) in each of the different sub-zones (T1..T3); and a data processing device (1) for creating and outputting at least one presence profile (P) on the basis of the presences of persons detected in the different sub-zones (T1..T3).