PIR Occupancy Monitoring for Low-Power Shared Space Booking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing shared spaces face challenges with high energy consumption, complexity, and inefficiency in updating booking status due to reliance on wired power and communication channels, leading to outdated occupancy information.
Innovation Solution
A battery-operated monitoring device using a passive infrared sensor (PIR) with a wireless communication protocol, a time-out counter, and a processor to manage occupancy status, switching between sleep and operating modes to minimize power consumption and ensure timely updates to a central server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired power supply and communication infrastructure are used, then reliable power and data transmission are achieved, but installation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections (power cables and communication wires) with wireless electromagnetic field-based power transmission and communication. The monitoring device uses wireless power reception coils to receive power remotely and wireless transceivers to communicate occupancy status without physical connections, thereby eliminating installation complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
2Loss of information
If screens are deployed at each shared space, then real-time occupancy status is displayed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core monitoring function from energy-intensive display screens and isolates it into a low-power sensor node. The monitoring device only performs occupancy detection and wireless status transmission, removing the high-energy display component entirely. Information is transmitted wirelessly to external displays or central systems, allowing real-time occupancy information availability while dramatically reducing energy consumption at the source.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device employs periodic status transmission instead of continuous operation. The occupancy sensor periodically reports status changes or scheduled updates to external systems, allowing information to be available when needed while the device remains in low-power states between transmissions, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If touch pad screens with multiple functions are used, then comprehensive control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex multi-functional touch pad screens and implements it in a simple dedicated sensor node. The monitoring device contains only the essential occupancy detection sensor and wireless transmitter, removing all unnecessary control interfaces and functions. This simplification reduces system complexity while the extracted monitoring capability maintains ease of operation through automatic detection and wireless reporting.
4Quantity of substance
If booking information is updated manually, then system costs are reduced, but information accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback from occupancy sensors to the central server. The monitoring device continuously or periodically reports actual occupancy status wirelessly to the server, which automatically updates booking information. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual updates, ensuring information accuracy reflects real-time occupancy while keeping system costs low through automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device performs self-service by automatically detecting occupancy status and transmitting updates without human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring spaces and reporting to the central server, eliminating the need for manual information updates while maintaining accurate, real-time occupancy data, thereby reducing both labor costs and information errors.
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 provides efficient, low-power management of shared spaces with accurate, real-time occupancy updates, reducing installation complexity and costs by eliminating the need for wired power and communication infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor, such as a Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR), configured to monitor for movement at the shared work space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the management of shared work spaces. A goal is to accurately reflect the actual status of a booking as close to real time as possible. Embodiments of the invention allow for low-power, battery operated, motion sensor devices to report the actual status of shared work spaces to a central server using existing wireless communications means in the environment where the shared work spaces are to be managed.