Rental Unit Automation Hub for Occupancy State Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resident management software platforms do not automate tasks necessary for transitioning a rental unit from a former to a new resident, such as rekeying locks, adjusting thermostat settings, and monitoring conditions, requiring physical presence of maintenance personnel.
Innovation Solution
An automation hub system that receives and stores different automation settings for various occupancy states of a rental unit, including tenant-defined and vacancy settings, which are loaded into home automation devices upon transition events like a tenant moving out, enabling remote control and automation of lighting, locks, thermostats, and other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention by maintenance personnel is used for transitioning rental units between tenants, then tasks can be performed reliably, but labor costs increase and management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures automation settings for different occupancy states (occupied, vacant, under maintenance) before transition events occur. When a tenant moves out, the system automatically loads the appropriate vacancy settings without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability through pre-planned automation sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The automation hub system enables rental units to self-manage their own transition states by automatically detecting occupancy changes and applying appropriate automation settings. The system serves itself by monitoring device states, identifying transition events, and executing setting changes without external human intervention, thus eliminating labor costs while maintaining task reliability
2Loss of time
If maintenance personnel physically travel to rental units for transition tasks, then tasks can be verified and completed reliably, but time and travel costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical system of physical travel and manual task execution with an automated electronic control system. The automation hub communicates with smart devices (locks, thermostats, lighting) to remotely execute transition tasks, eliminating travel time while maintaining reliability through automated verification of device state changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the automation hub monitors the state of connected devices to verify that transition tasks have been completed successfully. After automatically applying vacancy settings, the system receives confirmation from devices (e.g., thermostat confirming temperature change, lock confirming rekeying) to ensure reliable completion without requiring physical verification by personnel
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple automation settings are stored for different occupancy states, then the system can automatically adapt to various scenarios, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments automation settings into distinct, clearly defined occupancy states (occupied, vacant, under maintenance), each with its own configuration set. This segmentation allows the complex multi-state system to be managed through modular, independent setting groups that can be independently configured and applied, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The automation hub is designed as a universal platform that can manage multiple occupancy states and control various device types (locks, thermostats, lighting, appliances) through a single system. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into one unified device, managing complexity through integration while providing versatile adaptability across different scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects and embodiments of automation in tenancy transitions are described. Among other aspects or features of the embodiments, a computing device in an automation or gateway hub receives and stores automation settings from an automation management service environment over time. The automation settings can include different settings for various states of occupancy of a rental unit or dwelling. For example, the automation settings can include a first set of automation settings, which can be used while the dwelling is occupied, and a second set automation settings for use after the dwelling is no longer occupied. The automation or gateway hub can determine whether a transition has occurred for the dwelling and, in response to the transition, load the different automation settings into one or more home automation devices of the dwelling.