Thermopile Sensor Orientation and Virtual Mapping for Presence Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting human presence in spaces, such as offices or factories, face challenges in efficiently covering large areas with thermopile sensors, leading to high construction and maintenance costs due to the need for numerous sensors and difficulties in visualizing presence due to distorted detection cell shapes when sensors are inclined.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors installed at a non-zero angle to the surface, with processing circuitry that calculates detection areas and generates correspondence information to associate detection cells with space areas, allowing for efficient detection and control of lighting and air conditioning based on human presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermopile sensors are arranged in an array to detect human presence in a space, then detection coverage is improved, but the number of sensors required increases leading to high construction and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing lighting fixtures and air conditioning units serve dual functions: as control targets and as mounting positions for detection apparatus. The detection apparatus uses the housing of these devices to mount thermopile sensors, eliminating the need for separate sensor installations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection apparatus with lighting fixtures and air conditioning units by mounting sensors on their housings. This merging approach allows a single device to serve both as an environmental control unit and as a detection node, reducing the total number of separate components needed in the system
2Area of stationary object
If sensors are installed at a non-zero angle to expand detection area coverage, then detection coverage is improved, but detection cell shapes become distorted making visualization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model of the detection space that replicates the physical layout of detection cells. This virtual model allows for accurate representation and visualization of detection areas even when sensors are inclined, enabling the system to maintain proper spatial relationships and cell shapes in the digital representation for easier monitoring and analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from physical sensor installation geometry to a virtual three-dimensional model of the detection space. By creating a digital replica of the detection cells and their spatial relationships, the system can visualize and analyze detection areas in a standardized coordinate system, eliminating the visual distortion caused by physical sensor inclination
3Measurement precision
If numerous sensors are deployed to cover large areas, then detection precision is improved, but construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing lighting fixtures and air conditioning units serve dual functions: as control targets and as mounting positions for detection apparatus. This approach reduces the need for separate sensor installations and lowers overall system costs while maintaining detection precision through strategic sensor placement
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines detection cell positions and creates correspondence information between detection cells and control target apparatus without requiring manual configuration. This self-organizing capability reduces installation and maintenance complexity, lowering construction and operational costs while maintaining precise detection capabilities
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
This approach reduces the number of sensors required, lowers costs, and effectively manages human presence detection while maintaining comfort and energy efficiency by adjusting lighting and air conditioning accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects heat source data indicating presence or absence of an object
Implementation Method 2
a thermopile sensor can measure the surface temperature of a remote object
Data Source
AI summary
A system in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a sensor and an information processing apparatus that includes processing circuitry. The sensor is installed on a surface so that a detection direction of the sensor is at a non-zero angle from a line normal to the surface. The processing circuitry is configured to communicate with the sensor, calculate a position of a detection area, in which the sensor detects an object in a predetermined space, according to the non-zero angle and a location of the sensor on the surface, and create correspondence information that associates an area of the predetermined space with the detection area.