PIR and Scanning Sensor Occupancy Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining occupancy in multi-occupancy spaces, such as offices, face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and data transmission, particularly in spaces used occasionally, as they require continuous operation of sensors which increases power budgets and data traffic.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a passive infrared detector (PIR) for initial occupancy detection and a plurality of scanning sensors for specific space detection, where the scanning sensors are only activated after the PIR detects presence, allowing for reduced power usage and data transmission, with a controller managing data communication to a remote server only when occupancy changes occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scanning sensors are operated continuously to detect individual presence in each space, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but use of energy increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic scanning of individual spaces only after the PIR detector triggers an occupancy event. Instead of continuous operation, the scanning sensors are activated periodically when needed, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability through event-driven periodic scanning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The PIR detector performs preliminary detection of occupancy in the multi-occupancy space before the more power-intensive scanning sensors are activated. This preliminary action filters when detailed scanning is necessary, ensuring reliable individual space detection only when occupancy is detected, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
2Loss of information
If occupancy data is transmitted continuously to remote server, then information availability is improved, but data traffic and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the relevant occupancy information to the remote server, rather than continuously transmitting all sensor data. By taking out only the necessary occupancy status updates, the system maintains information availability while minimizing data traffic and associated energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If multiple scanning sensors are deployed in each space, then measurement precision for individual presence is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function into two parts: a single PIR detector for general occupancy detection in the multi-occupancy space, and multiple scanning sensors for specific individual space detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise individual presence detection only where needed, reducing overall device complexity compared to deploying scanning sensors in every space continuously.
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
This approach effectively reduces power consumption and data traffic by activating sensors only when needed, providing accurate occupancy data while minimizing power budgets, especially in infrequently used spaces, and enabling efficient remote monitoring of occupancy levels.
Implementation Method 1
a passive infrared detector (PIR) for initial occupancy detection
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a first detector for detecting whether a multi-occupancy space is occupied by at least one individual and a plurality of second detectors for detecting whether an individual is present in each of a respective plurality of spaces within the multi-occupancy space. A controller is configured to monitor whether an individual is present in the multi-occupancy space based on a signal derived from the first detector. If the presence of at least one individual is detected based on the signal derived from the first detector, the controller determines occupancy of the multi-occupancy space based on signals derived from the plurality of second detectors.