Space Affordance Control for Presence- and Activity-Based Offices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Office spaces are not optimally adapted for specific activities due to user unawareness of optimal affordance settings and the complexity of adjusting multiple control systems, leading to underutilization of environmental features like lighting, temperature, and sound, which can enhance productivity and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically adjusts environmental characteristics based on trigger events, such as user presence and activity phases, using a server to control lighting, temperature, sound, and air circulation, allowing for optimized settings without user intervention, and allowing users to customize settings for personalized experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If environmental affordances are made adjustable to optimize specific activities, then productivity and comfort are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple environmental control systems (lighting, temperature, sound, air circulation) into a single integrated system that can be controlled through one interface. The server consolidates control of various affordances including lighting devices, temperature control devices, audio devices, and air flow devices, allowing unified management rather than separate controls for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts environmental settings based on detected user presence and activity phases without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect when users are present and what activity they are performing, then the server automatically optimizes lighting, temperature, sound, and air circulation settings, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust multiple controls.
2Productivity
If environmental affordances are made adjustable to optimize specific activities, then comfort is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user unawareness and complexity of adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts environmental settings based on detected user presence and activity phases without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect when users are present and what activity they are performing, then the server automatically optimizes lighting, temperature, sound, and air circulation settings, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust multiple controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor user presence and activity phases, providing feedback to the server which then adjusts environmental settings accordingly. This closed-loop system ensures settings remain optimized based on real-time conditions without requiring user input or awareness of optimal settings.
3Ease of operation
If automatic adjustment based on trigger events is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to server control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts environmental settings based on detected user presence and activity phases without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect when users are present and what activity they are performing, then the server automatically optimizes lighting, temperature, sound, and air circulation settings, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust multiple controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between sensors that detect user presence/activity and the various environmental control systems. Rather than requiring direct user control of each device, the server mediates by receiving sensor data and automatically adjusting appropriate environmental settings based on detected conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple environmental controls are provided for different activities, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple environmental control systems (lighting, temperature, sound, air circulation) into a single integrated system that can be controlled through one interface. The server consolidates control of various affordances including lighting devices, temperature control devices, audio devices, and air flow devices, allowing unified management rather than separate controls for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions by controlling different environmental parameters (lighting, temperature, sound, air circulation) through a single server platform. This universal control system can adapt to various activities and user needs without requiring separate specialized control systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.