Occupancy Sensing for Custodial Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current custodial services management systems rely on static schedules, leading to inefficient workforce allocation and increased costs due to under- or over-servicing of facilities based on real-time occupancy, especially in dynamic environments like airports and hospitals, where real-time monitoring of restroom usage is challenging without invasive sensors.
Innovation Solution
An occupancy sensing system using depth sensors at entryways to monitor people flow and occupancy, providing data to a server for optimizing custodial services management, including supply estimation and scheduling, without compromising privacy by not capturing images or unique features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If static schedules are used for custodial services, then workforce management is simplified, but service efficiency decreases due to under- or over-servicing of facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static custodial schedules to dynamic, real-time occupancy-based scheduling. Depth sensors continuously monitor facility occupancy and automatically adjust custodial service timing and resource allocation, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by using depth sensors to monitor occupancy in real-time and automatically adjusting custodial service deployment. The server receives continuous occupancy data and dynamically schedules custodial tasks based on actual facility usage patterns, creating a self-optimizing system.
2Loss of information
If real-time occupancy monitoring is implemented, then service optimization is improved, but privacy concerns increase due to potential image capture
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary occupancy information (presence/absence, count, duration) from depth sensor data while deliberately excluding any visual or identifying features. The depth data is processed to derive occupancy metrics without capturing images or personal characteristics, separating useful information from privacy-sensitive data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional camera-based visual monitoring with depth sensor technology. Depth sensors use time-of-flight or structured light methods to detect occupancy without capturing visible images, substituting a privacy-presensing measurement mechanism for one that inherently protects personal information.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If depth sensors are used instead of cameras, then privacy protection is improved, but measurement capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the measurement parameter from visual spectrum (cameras) to depth/distance spectrum (depth sensors). By measuring distance and depth information rather than visual appearance, the system achieves occupancy detection without capturing images, transforming the measurement domain to simultaneously improve privacy and maintain functionality.
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 optimizes custodial service schedules based on real-time occupancy data, reducing labor costs and improving resource allocation while maintaining privacy, as it only tracks metadata and does not store images, thus being less invasive.
Implementation Method 1
each occupancy sensor having a depth sensor that faces the entryway to the respective site and is configured to provide depth sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
An occupancy sensing based system for custodial service management is disclosed that allows schedule custodial services based on actual usage of a site, such as a restroom, instead of following a static schedule and hence can potentially save a significant amount of labor cost. The system is very accurate, privacy aware, and easy to use. In addition to allowing custodial management to optimize their workforce, the system is capable of detecting theft of supplies and performing inventory management. It can be useful in airports, hospitals, stadiums, theaters, academic buildings, convention centers, and many other dynamic places.