Occupancy Detection via Energy Consumption and Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining occupancy in buildings are inadequate for real-time analysis and energy management, as they rely on subjective scaling and fail to accurately account for occupancy changes, leading to difficulties in evaluating energy efficiency improvements and managing resource consumption effectively.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that use energy consumption data and outside temperature to automatically determine occupancy levels, enabling the generation of run-time schedules for security and resource management, and integrating with a network operations center to adjust these schedules based on occupancy components and levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective scaling methods are used to determine occupancy, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision of occupancy levels is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual subjective scaling methods with an automated computational system that uses energy consumption data and temperature data to calculate occupancy levels. The processor automatically applies the determination algorithm, substituting human judgment with objective mathematical computation based on measurable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service occupancy determination by automatically processing energy consumption and temperature data through the determination algorithm without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously calculates occupancy levels and generates results that can be directly used for energy management decisions.
2Productivity
If real-time occupancy analysis is implemented, then energy management effectiveness is improved, but the use of energy for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes only the specific data elements needed for occupancy determination (energy consumption data and temperature data) rather than analyzing all possible building operations. This partial action approach focuses computational resources on the critical path of occupancy analysis, reducing overall processing energy requirements while maintaining management effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs occupancy determination continuously in the background using pre-collected energy consumption data, so that occupancy levels are already calculated and ready when needed for energy management decisions. This eliminates the need for intensive on-demand processing.
3Measurement precision
If automated occupancy determination using energy consumption data is used, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing energy consumption measurement infrastructure and temperature sensors already present in the building, making the existing multi-functional data collection system serve the additional purpose of occupancy determination. This avoids adding dedicated occupancy sensors and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines occupancy determination with the existing energy management system by integrating the determination algorithm into the processor that already handles energy consumption data. This merging eliminates the need for separate occupancy monitoring hardware and software systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for security control of a facility is provided, including devices, a network operations center (NOC), and control nodes. The devices are within the facility, each consuming a portion of a resource, and each performing a corresponding function when actuated. The NOC is external to the facility, and generates run time schedules, where the run time schedules coordinate actuation times for the each of the devices to maintain security for local security environments, and adjusts the run time schedules based upon occupancy levels generated by the NOC, where the occupancy levels are exclusively generated based on consumption of the resource and outside temperature. The control nodes are within the facility, each coupled to a corresponding one of the devices, where the control nodes are coupled together via a building security network that is operatively coupled to the NOC, control nodes execute selected run time schedules to actuate the devices.