Occupant-Aware Home Temperature Control Using Multi-Sensor Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home automation systems for temperature control are inflexible and unable to provide personalized ambient temperature management tailored to individual preferences and varying situations within a home.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses sensors and processors to determine the location, temperature, and state of occupants within a home, adjusting home components such as HVAC systems based on these inputs to provide personalized temperature management, including consideration of outdoor conditions and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional temperature control systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but personalization and flexibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the home into multiple zones with individual temperature control, and segments temperature management by occupant profile. Each zone and occupant can have customized temperature settings, allowing personalized control without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermostat, occupancy detector, profile manager, and system coordinator. By making the control device universal and multi-functional, the system achieves personalization capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and control mechanisms are added for personalization, then temperature management flexibility improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies temperature control locally to occupied zones rather than uniformly across the entire home. Sensors detect occupancy and trigger HVAC adjustments only in relevant areas, providing flexible temperature management while minimizing energy consumption in unoccupied spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements temperature adjustments based on actual occupancy patterns rather than continuously operating all systems at full capacity. HVAC equipment operates partially or intermittently according to detected needs, achieving sufficient temperature control flexibility without excessive energy use.
3Ease of operation
If real-time sensor monitoring and dynamic adjustment are implemented, then user comfort is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors sensor data, identifies occupants through profiles, determines their temperature preferences, and adjusts HVAC settings without requiring manual user input. This self-service approach improves user comfort while keeping the control interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature sensors, occupancy detectors, and HVAC status, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust settings. The closed-loop feedback mechanism automates complex control decisions, improving comfort while masking system complexity from the user.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus (100, 400) for automation control for personalized ambient temperature management are disclosed. First input corresponding to a first set of sensors may be processed (402). A location of a first occupant of a home may be determined based on the first input (404). Second input corresponding to a second set of sensors may be processed. A first temperature in the location may be determined based on the second input corresponding to the second set of one or more sensors. A first state of the first occupant in the location may be determined based on third input corresponding to the first set of sensors or corresponding to a third set of sensors (410). An adjustment may be determined based on the location, the first temperature, and the first state of the first occupant (416). One or more components of the home may be caused to adjust based on the adjustment (418).