Presence-Based Appliance Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems fail to efficiently manage energy consumption based on user location and presence information, leading to unnecessary energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a location detector and energy-usage controller to manage appliances by activating or deactivating energy-consuming elements based on user location and presence information, including mood and communication willingness, to optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy-consuming elements are continuously activated to ensure appliance functionality, then appliance availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the appliance's operational state changeable based on user presence and mood. The energy-consuming elements transition between active and inactive states dynamically, rather than remaining continuously on. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the appliance to be available when needed (when user is present and in certain moods) while conserving energy when the user is absent or not in need of the appliance's functions.
2Loss of energy
If energy-consuming elements are deactivated to reduce energy costs, then energy efficiency is improved, but appliance responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor user presence and mood information. This feedback loop allows the appliance to make intelligent decisions about when to activate or deactivate energy-consuming elements. The system responds to real-time user state changes, ensuring that the appliance remains responsive when the user needs it while minimizing energy consumption during periods of non-use. The feedback from mood detectors and presence sensors enables the appliance to anticipate user needs and adjust its operational state accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
The illustrative embodiment describes a system that manages the energy usage of a user's appliance based on: (i) the user's location, and (ii) the user's “presence information.” The “presence information” of a user is defined as a status indicator that includes, but is not limited to: the ability and willingness of a user to communicate and a user's mood. For example, when a user is lonely and at work, the office door should open, but when the user is not lonely and at work, the user's instant messages should be shut off. The illustrative embodiment comprises: an appliance; and an energy-usage controller for de-activating an energy-consuming element of the appliance based on presence information of a user of the appliance.