Wireless Emitters for Automatic Occupant Location Detection in Building Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) lack efficient methods to automatically detect and utilize the location of mobile devices within a building, leading to suboptimal control and monitoring of building zones without requiring manual input of location information.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with wireless emitters at various locations, each with a unique identifier, that mobile devices detect and report to the BMS, allowing the system to determine the device's location and provide location-specific user interfaces for control and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual input of location information is required, then system complexity is reduced, but operational efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects mobile device locations using wireless emitters and identifiers without requiring manual user input. The mobile device itself serves to trigger the location-based interface selection through its detection of wireless signals, eliminating the need for users to manually enter location information while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical input methods with automated electronic detection using wireless emitters and signal identification. Instead of requiring users to manually input location data, the system uses wireless electromagnetic signals to automatically determine device location and trigger appropriate user interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If location-based user interfaces are provided automatically, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The building is divided into multiple zones with dedicated wireless emitters in each zone. Each emitter is associated with specific building zones, allowing the system to segment the building into manageable location-based interfaces. This segmentation enables precise location detection while keeping the overall system architecture modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless emitters act as intermediary devices between the building management system and mobile devices. These emitters detect mobile device presence and transmit location information to the processing circuit, which then selects appropriate user interfaces. The wireless emitters serve as mediators that simplify the interaction between the complex BMS and user devices.
3Measurement precision
If multiple wireless emitters are deployed throughout the building, then location detection precision is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless emitters serve multiple functions: they detect mobile device presence, identify device location, and trigger appropriate user interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated location detection hardware, simplifying installation while maintaining precise location detection capabilities throughout the building.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using occupant location in a building management system are provided. A plurality of wireless emitters are provided at various locations in a building. Each of the wireless emitters broadcasts a different emitter identifier. Mobile devices in the building run an application which causes the mobile devices to detect and report, to the building management system, an emitter identifier associated with a nearby wireless emitter. The building management system uses the reported emitter identifier to determine a building zone in which the mobile device is located. The building management system provides information to the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device in the building. In some embodiments, the information includes a user interface for monitoring and/or controlling the building zone in which the mobile device is located.