Occupancy sensing systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupancy sensing systems, such as PIR sensors, are not robust enough for advanced workspaces that require accurate occupancy determination for automated processes like room reservations and activity tracking, often leading to incorrect occupancy assessments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising space sensors, boundary sensors, and a processor that communicate via a gateway, using a signal communication protocol to accurately determine occupancy by analyzing falling edges of signals from both sensors within a predetermined time frame, indicating space occupancy or absence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional PIR sensors are used for occupancy detection, then the system is simple and low cost, but the occupancy detection accuracy is insufficient leading to false positives and negatives
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy detection function is segmented into two independent sensor types: space sensors for detecting presence/movement within the space, and boundary sensors for detecting movement across the space boundary. This segmentation allows each sensor type to specialize in its specific detection task, improving overall accuracy while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges data from multiple sensor sources (space sensors and boundary sensors) through a gateway that receives and processes signals from both. By combining the detection capabilities of different sensor types and analyzing their signals together, the system achieves more accurate occupancy determination than any single sensor type could provide alone.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and signal processing are used to improve occupancy detection accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves multiple functions: it receives signals from both space sensors and boundary sensors, processes the combined data, determines occupancy status, and can interface with various automated processes. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single component, making the overall system easier to manufacture and deploy despite using multiple sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the multiple sensors and the automated processes. It handles the complexity of signal processing and occupancy determination, shielding the rest of the system from complexity while enabling accurate occupancy detection through coordinated sensor input.
3Reliability
If traditional occupancy sensors are used, then the system is simple to deploy, but the reliability for automated processes like room reservations and activity tracking is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses boundary sensor feedback to verify occupancy status changes. When a boundary sensor detects movement across the space boundary, this feedback is cross-referenced with space sensor data to confirm occupancy changes, improving reliability for automated processes while managing complexity through coordinated verification.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for determining occupancy status of a space. The systems and methods can utilize one or more space sensors in combination with one or more boundary sensors. The space sensors can transmit passive signals corresponding to presence of movement in the space. The boundary sensors can transmit boundary signals corresponding to movement into or out of the space. In response to falling edges of a passive signal and a boundary signal occurring within a predetermined time period of one another, an indication that the space is not occupied can be provided. In some cases, the passive signals and the boundary signals can be communicated via a gateway utilizing a signal communication protocol.