Thermostat with direction handoff features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating complex building layouts can be challenging, especially during emergencies, as existing systems lack methods for providing directions beyond evacuation routes, and occupants may struggle to find specific rooms or areas without adequate guidance.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat equipped with an occupancy sensor, communications interface, and processing circuit that identifies users and generates navigation directions, which can be displayed on the thermostat and sent to other devices in the building, including alternate routes based on user information such as handicapped status, and emergency alerts like active shooter locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If building navigation directions are provided through multiple display devices, then navigation efficiency and user guidance are improved, but device complexity and system coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation direction data is segmented and distributed to multiple display devices (thermostats) located at different positions in the building. Each thermostat displays a portion of the navigation directions relevant to its location, allowing users to receive continuous guidance as they move through the building without requiring a single complex centralized display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat devices serve multiple functions: they continue to provide HVAC control while simultaneously acting as navigation display devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide navigation guidance without adding dedicated navigation hardware, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving navigation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If personalized navigation directions are generated based on user information, then ease of operation and user experience are improved, but processing requirements and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
User information such as handicapped status is collected and stored in advance before navigation is needed. When a user requests navigation, the system retrieves pre-stored user information and automatically generates appropriate personalized directions without requiring complex real-time processing or user input during the navigation event.
3Reliability
If emergency alerts and navigation directions are provided through the thermostat network, then response time and safety are improved, but communication infrastructure requirements and system reliability demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency alert and navigation communication functions are merged into the existing thermostat communication network. The same communications interface and processing circuit that handle routine HVAC operations are utilized to transmit emergency alerts and navigation directions, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated emergency communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A first thermostat of a building includes a communications interface configured to communicate with at least one of a second thermostat or a network server, a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate building navigation direction data for user navigation through the building, cause the user interface to display a first building navigation direction based on the generated building navigation direction data, and cause, via the communications interface, the second thermostat to display a second building navigation direction on a second display of the second thermostat based on the generated building navigation direction data.