Space management monitoring and reporting using video analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveillance and building management systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method to monitor the usage of workspaces and resources within buildings, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A building occupancy monitoring system that utilizes image analytics from surveillance cameras to track individuals and resources, generating occupancy reports and maps to visualize usage patterns, which can be integrated with building automation and access control systems to optimize resource allocation and energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surveillance systems are used to monitor building occupancy, then security coverage is provided, but space utilization monitoring capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling surveillance cameras to perform both security monitoring and space utilization tracking. The system processes video feeds from existing surveillance cameras to detect occupancy patterns, desk usage, and resource utilization, transforming a single-function security system into a multi-functional platform that provides both security coverage and space management insights without requiring separate dedicated monitoring hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces video analytics software as an intermediary that bridges the gap between traditional surveillance systems and space management requirements. This intermediary layer processes raw video data to extract meaningful occupancy information, enabling the existing surveillance infrastructure to communicate space utilization data to building management systems without requiring direct integration between previously unrelated systems
2Measurement precision
If dedicated space monitoring systems are deployed, then occupancy tracking accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves accurate occupancy tracking by extracting multiple types of information from single video feeds. The video analytics engine analyzes camera footage to detect presence, count occupants, identify desk usage, and track resource utilization simultaneously, providing comprehensive space monitoring data without requiring separate sensors or detection devices for each metric
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing existing surveillance infrastructure to provide space management functions. Rather than requiring dedicated monitoring hardware, the solution repurposes already-deployed surveillance cameras and their video feeds to perform occupancy analysis, eliminating the need for additional investment in separate monitoring systems while maintaining tracking accuracy
3Productivity
If manual space management methods are used, then system cost is reduced, but space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops that continuously monitor space utilization and provide real-time insights to building management. Occupancy data, desk usage patterns, and resource utilization metrics are automatically collected, analyzed, and presented through dashboards and reports, enabling dynamic space allocation decisions and proactive resource management without requiring manual surveys or interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual space management processes with automated video analytics-based monitoring. Instead of relying on manual headcounts, physical space audits, or paper-based tracking methods, the system uses computer vision technology to automatically detect and record occupancy patterns, eliminating time-consuming manual processes and providing continuous real-time data for space optimization decisions
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for space management monitoring and reporting using video analytics are disclosed. Such a building occupancy monitoring system monitors building resources that include rooms, areas such as work areas, and chairs and desks in the rooms, in examples. These building resources are monitored to determine whether the resources are being used by individuals, and for how long. In more detail, the system includes an image analytics module that tracks individuals in image data from surveillance cameras, relative to the building resources. The system also includes an occupancy report module that generates occupancy information including building resources that are used/unused by the individuals. The occupancy information is then used to program building control systems. Dwell maps and motion maps generated by the system, based on the occupancy information, can also be used to guide individuals to available building resources in a ‘hot desking’ environment.