Pointing Device Intermediary for Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems, particularly lighting systems, face challenges in reliably detecting user presence, especially for stationary individuals, leading to inefficient energy usage and user irritation, and existing solutions compromise security and maintenance burdens.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate device is placed between a computer and its pointing device to detect use signals from the pointing device, forwarding them transparently to the computer and transmitting control signals to a building automation system, providing reliable user presence indications without additional software installation or security risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If PIR sensors are used to detect user presence, then energy consumption is reduced by turning off lights when no one is present, but stationary users are not detected and lights are unnecessarily turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PIR sensor detection with pointing device signal detection to create a hybrid presence detection system. The PIR sensor detects movement and general presence, while the pointing device (mouse, trackball, etc.) provides additional confirmation of user presence through interaction signals. This merging of detection methods resolves the contradiction by maintaining energy savings while improving detection reliability for stationary users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the presence detection mechanism universal by accepting multiple types of input signals from various pointing devices (wired mice, wireless mice, trackballs, touchpads). This multi-functionality allows the system to detect presence through different user interaction modes, ensuring reliable detection regardless of the specific pointing device used while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If computer software is installed to detect user presence, then detection accuracy improves for stationary users, but security risks and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the presence detection function from the computer's operating system and relocates it to the pointing device level. Instead of installing software on the computer to detect presence, the detection logic is embedded in the pointing device itself, which sends direct signals to the lighting control system. This extraction eliminates the security risks associated with installing software while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The pointing device acts as an intermediary between the user and the lighting control system. Rather than the computer software mediating presence detection (which creates security vulnerabilities), the pointing device directly mediates the signal transmission to the lighting system. This intermediary approach maintains detection accuracy while eliminating the need for computer software installation and associated security risks.
3Reliability
If communication links are established from computer to building automation system, then presence indication reliability improves, but maintenance burden and security complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the computer and relocates it to the pointing device. The pointing device directly communicates with the lighting control system without requiring a communication link through the computer. This extraction simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable presence indication, as the pointing device is already physically present and its signals are directly actionable by the lighting system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device transmits control signals to a node of a building automation network. The device comprises a connector for connecting to a port of a computer device, as well as a signal input for receiving use signals from a pointing device and a signal output for forwarding said use signals to said connector. A controller and a wireless transmitter are also provided. The device is configured to forward use signals received at said signal input transparently to said signal output, and said controller is configured to make said wireless transmitter transmit said control signals in response to use signals received at said signal input.