Occupancy-Weighted Set Point Scheduling for Shared Indoor Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building systems often fail to accommodate individual occupant preferences for indoor environmental conditions in shared locations, leading to inefficient energy usage and discomfort, as they rely on pre-determined schedules that do not account for actual occupancy or user preferences.
Innovation Solution
An integrated environmental control system that determines an occupancy schedule and user preferences, calculates a weighted set point based on complaint history and energy efficiency, and adjusts the set point schedule to transition between planned and weighted settings, using a processor and control device to optimize indoor conditions based on user presence and scheduled events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pre-determined schedules are used to regulate indoor environmental conditions in shared spaces, then energy consumption is reduced during unoccupied periods, but occupant comfort and satisfaction deteriorate because individual preferences cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-cooling or pre-heating shared spaces before scheduled occupancy events. The processor determines an adjusted set point schedule that transitions between previously planned set points and weighted set points based on predicted occupancy, allowing the building system to prepare environmental conditions in advance. This enables energy-efficient operation during unoccupied periods while ensuring comfort is ready when occupants arrive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts indoor environmental conditions based on real-time and predicted occupancy data. Rather than using static pre-determined schedules, the processor continuously modifies set points by calculating weighted averages between planned set points and occupant preference set points. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to respond to changing occupancy patterns while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Device complexity
If pre-determined schedules are used to regulate indoor environmental conditions, then system operation is simplified and energy is saved during unoccupied periods, but adaptability to actual occupancy and individual preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by collecting occupancy data from various sources (sensors, scheduling systems, mobile devices) and using this information to adjust environmental set points. The processor determines weighted set points by combining previously planned set points with occupant preference data, creating a closed-loop system that continuously adapts to actual occupancy patterns while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining adjusted set point schedules without requiring manual intervention from facility managers or occupants. The processor autonomously calculates weighted set points based on occupancy predictions and preference data, then sends control signals to building systems. This self-adjusting capability enhances adaptability while keeping system operation simple for users.
3Ease of operation
If individual occupant preferences are accommodated in shared spaces, then user satisfaction is improved, but energy consumption increases due to lack of coordination with actual occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting environmental conditions only when occupancy is predicted, rather than continuously maintaining preferred conditions. The processor determines adjusted set point schedules that transition between planned set points and weighted set points based on predicted occupancy timing, allowing the system to accommodate user preferences only when needed while saving energy during unoccupied periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances user satisfaction and energy consumption by continuously adjusting set points based on real-time occupancy data. The processor calculates weighted set points that reflect both occupant preferences and current occupancy status, enabling the system to accommodate individual preferences during occupied periods while automatically reducing energy consumption during unoccupied periods without manual intervention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If continuous adjustment of environmental conditions based on occupancy is implemented, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing a processor that acts as a mediator between occupancy data and building system controls. The processor automatically determines adjusted set point schedules by calculating weighted averages between planned set points and occupant preferences, translating complex occupancy patterns into simplified control signals for building systems. This intermediary layer handles the computational complexity while presenting a simple interface to both occupants and facility managers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of integrated environmental control for shared locations includes determining, by a processor of an indoor environment planning system, an occupancy schedule for users scheduled to be at a shared location. The processor of the indoor environment planning system determines a plurality of occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for the users scheduled to be at the shared location based on the occupancy schedule and a weighted set point for a building system operable to adjust an indoor environment at the shared location based on the occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for the users scheduled to be at the shared location. The processor of the indoor environment planning system determines an adjusted set point schedule for the shared location to transition between a previously planned set point and the weighted set point. A control device of the building system is operated based on the adjusted set point schedule.