Autonomous Space Occupancy Control for Low-Bandwidth Building Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space management systems in shared office spaces lack the ability to autonomously control multiple electrical devices while measuring occupancy rates, leading to network congestion and inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous space management device with integrated environmental sensors and a processor that calculates occupancy rates and controls electrical devices locally, reducing network load by performing intelligence and processing tasks independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If occupancy data and commands are sent over the network using remote intelligence, then space management capability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy sensor device performs occupancy detection and control commands generation autonomously without requiring remote server processing. The device sends only essential data over the network, making the system self-sufficient and reducing network dependency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heavy processing tasks (occupancy detection, image processing, control decision-making) from the network infrastructure and places them locally in the occupancy sensor device. Only minimal data needs are transmitted over the network, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical devices are controlled simultaneously while measuring occupancy rates, then space management functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions: occupancy detection, environmental parameter monitoring, control command generation for multiple electrical devices, and local data processing. This multi-functionality is achieved through integrated sensors and a processor that handles various tasks within a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines occupancy sensing, environmental monitoring, local processing, and control functionality into a single integrated device. By merging these previously separate functions into one unit, the system achieves versatile space management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
The device efficiently manages energy consumption by controlling lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning based on real-time environmental and occupancy data, reducing bandwidth usage and enhancing resource allocation with finer granularity.
Implementation Method 1
devices that typically include a pyroelectric, ultrasonic, or, less commonly, microwave or laser detection module
Implementation Method 2
devices that typically include a pyroelectric, ultrasonic, or, less commonly, microwave or laser detection module
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of environmental sensors attached to the casing, at least one occupancy sensor attached to the casing
Implementation Method 4
When the brightness measured by a light sensor falls below a certain threshold
Implementation Method 5
Light control can be achieved, for example, using the DALI protocol (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to an autonomous space management device, comprising a housing, at least one processor, and at least one network interface housed within the housing, characterized in that the autonomous device comprises: - a plurality of environmental sensors attached to the housing, - at least one occupancy sensor attached to the housing, and in that: - the processor is configured to: - define at least one detection zone within the space, - calculate an occupancy rate for each detection zone based on data from at least one occupancy sensor, - control an electrical device within the space based on data from the plurality of environmental sensors and the occupancy rate of each detection zone, - the network interface is configured to send the data from the plurality of environmental sensors through a network.the state of the electrical system in the space and the occupancy rate of each detection zone calculated by the processor.