Conference Room Occupancy Detection Using Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic reservation systems for conference rooms lack accurate real-time occupancy tracking, leading to frustration and inefficiency due to unutilized reserved rooms and unclear availability.
Innovation Solution
An in-room device equipped with sensors such as infrared proximity sensors, cameras, microphones, and communication elements that determine room occupancy and sends electronic notifications to the reservation system, allowing for dynamic adjustment of reservations based on actual usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic reservation systems are used to reserve conference rooms, then room booking capability is improved, but accuracy of real-time occupancy information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback loops where sensor data (motion detectors, cameras, microphones, Bluetooth detectors) continuously monitors room occupancy status and feeds this information back to the reservation system. This real-time feedback mechanism updates the reservation system's occupancy status based on actual sensor readings rather than relying solely on manual reservations, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining booking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual occupancy tracking (mechanical/administrative system) with automated sensor-based detection (optical, acoustic, electromagnetic systems). Motion detectors use infrared sensors, cameras use optical sensors, microphones use acoustic sensors, and Bluetooth detectors use electromagnetic sensors to automatically detect and report occupancy status, eliminating the need for manual check-ins and providing accurate real-time data.
2Device complexity
If manual reservation updates are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but waiting time for accurate availability information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service occupancy detection where sensors automatically monitor and report room status without requiring manual intervention. Motion detectors, cameras, microphones, and Bluetooth detectors continuously self-monitor the room and automatically update the reservation system, eliminating the need for users to manually check or update availability status. This maintains relative system simplicity while dramatically reducing waiting time for accurate information.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor network operates continuously to monitor occupancy status, providing uninterrupted real-time updates to the reservation system. Rather than periodic manual checks, the system maintains continuous surveillance through motion detection, camera monitoring, audio detection, and Bluetooth device detection, ensuring that availability information is always current and eliminating waiting time for updates.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve occupancy detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functional sensor units that can perform multiple detection tasks. For example, camera systems can simultaneously detect motion, capture images for occupancy verification, and monitor room conditions. Bluetooth detectors can identify devices and track their locations. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor unit to contribute to multiple aspects of occupancy detection, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple types of sensors (motion detectors, cameras, microphones, Bluetooth detectors) into an integrated occupancy detection system that works together synergistically. Rather than operating as separate independent systems, these sensors are merged into a unified architecture where their data is correlated and cross-validated to improve detection accuracy. The combined approach leverages the strengths of each sensor type while sharing processing and control resources, thereby managing complexity.
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
Ensures accurate and timely updates on room availability, reducing wait times and improving resource utilization by reflecting actual occupancy, thus enhancing the efficiency of conference room bookings.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor may include at least one infrared (IR) proximity sensor, and the determination may be based at least in part on whether input from the at least one IR proximity sensor indicates movement in the conference room and/or indicates human presence in the conference room
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sensor may include at least one camera, and the determination may be based at least in part on whether input from the at least one camera indicates presence of at least one person in the conference room
Implementation Method 3
the at least one sensor may include at least one microphone, and the determination may be based at least in part on whether input from the at least one microphone indicates that at least one person is speaking
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a first device includes at least one processor and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage includes instructions executable by the at least one processor to determine, based on input from at least one sensor, whether a conference room is in use. The instructions are also executable to, based on the determination, provide an electronic notification to a second device regarding whether the conference room is in use.