Multi-Sensor Thermal Comfort Estimation Using Correction Algorithms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for estimating thermal comfort using wearable sensors suffer from large errors and low accuracy due to the limitations of biological information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple acquisition units and estimation units that utilize a combination of sensors, including those that acquire biological information from both direct contact and non-contact sources, such as arm sensors and air conditioning apparatuses, to improve accuracy through correction and learning algorithms like random forest, and feature extraction from thermal images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If wearable sensors are used to acquire biological information for thermal comfort estimation, then the system can continuously monitor the target, but the measurement accuracy is low due to large errors in the acquired data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple acquisition units with different sensor types (wearable sensors and non-contact sensors) to estimate thermal comfort. By merging the continuous monitoring capability of wearable sensors with the high accuracy of non-contact sensors, the system achieves both continuous operation and improved measurement precision through data fusion and correction algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If multiple types of sensors are used to improve measurement accuracy, then the thermal comfort estimation becomes more accurate, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs acquisition units that can perform multiple functions - wearable sensors serve both as continuous monitors and as part of the data fusion system, while non-contact sensors provide periodic calibration data. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components serve multiple purposes in the thermal comfort estimation process.
3Measurement precision
If correction algorithms are applied using previously acquired biological information, then the thermal comfort estimation accuracy is improved, but the loss of time in data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies correction algorithms that use previously acquired biological information to adjust current thermal comfort estimates. By performing corrections based on historical data trends and patterns, the system improves measurement precision while minimizing real-time processing requirements, as much of the analytical work is done on previously collected data rather than requiring intensive real-time computation.
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
The system achieves more accurate thermal comfort estimation, reducing energy consumption by effectively detecting excess energy usage without impairing user comfort, with improved precision and recall rates in thermal comfort level classification.
Implementation Method 1
The second acquisition unit acquires second biological information without coming into contact with the living body
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes first and second acquisition units that acquire first and second biological information of a target, and an estimation unit. The first acquisition unit includes at least one first sensor. The second acquisition unit includes at least one second sensor different from the at least one first sensor. The estimation unit estimates a thermal comfort of the target based on the first and second biological information. The estimation unit further estimates a first thermal comfort of the target based on the first biological information, and the thermal comfort of the target based on the first and second biological information. When the second acquisition unit does not acquire the second biological information, the estimation unit sets, as the thermal comfort of the target, the first thermal comfort that is corrected using previous thermal comfort of the target estimated by the estimation unit based on at least the second biological information previously acquired by the second acquisition unit.