Occupancy Sensor Verbal Notification Prevents False Light Offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupancy sensors sometimes turn off lights on occupants due to inadequate motion detection, leading to false "vacant" readings.
Innovation Solution
An occupancy sensing system that includes a transmitter for emitting a verbal notification before turning off lights, allowing occupants to respond and reset the countdown timer, thereby preventing unnecessary light shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If occupancy sensors use automatic countdown timers to turn off lights when no motion is detected, then energy savings are improved, but false vacancy detections occur causing lights to turn off on occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary verbal notification to occupants before the countdown timer expires and lights are turned off. This advance warning allows occupants to become aware of the impending light shutdown and take action (move or respond) to prevent it, thereby resolving the false vacancy detection issue while maintaining the energy-saving countdown timer function
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a feedback mechanism where occupants can respond to the verbal notification (either by moving to trigger motion detection or by providing a detectable response) to reset or extend the countdown timer. This feedback loop prevents false light shutdowns while preserving the automatic energy-saving operation when spaces are truly vacant
2Extent of automation
If occupancy sensors rely on motion detection algorithms, then automation is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates leading to false readings
Solution Approach 1:
The verbal notification acts as an intermediary between the automatic motion detection system and the occupants. It provides a communication bridge that allows the automated system to convey its intended action (turning off lights) to occupants, who can then respond to prevent false shutdowns, thereby improving detection accuracy without reducing automation
Data Source
AI summary
An occupancy sensing system and/or an occupancy sensor including a transmitter arranged and configured to provide a verbal (i.e., audio) notification before changing a state of a load such as, for example, turning OFF a load (e.g., lights, etc.) coupled thereto. In some embodiments, at a predetermined period of time prior to changing the state of the load, the occupancy sensor emits a verbal notification to elicit feedback from any occupant who may be present in the monitored space. In response, the occupant may respond with a verbal confirmation and/or by moving. In some embodiments, the transmitter may be a speaker for transmitting a verbal notification. Alternatively, the transmitter may be a wireless transmitter for communicating with a remote device for relaying the verbal notification.