Occupancy Based Temperature Control for HVAC Systems
Modern HVAC systems in commercial buildings typically operate on fixed schedules or basic motion detection, leading to inefficient temperature control that wastes up to 30% of heating and cooling energy. Current systems struggle to account for varying occupancy patterns, resulting in temperature inconsistencies that affect both comfort and energy consumption across different zones.
The fundamental challenge lies in accurately detecting and responding to real-time occupancy changes while maintaining consistent comfort levels without compromising system efficiency.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including thermal imaging-based detection systems, dynamic airflow control mechanisms, integrated sensor networks, and machine learning approaches for occupancy prediction. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation strategies that building managers can use to optimize HVAC performance while reducing energy consumption.
1. Occupancy Detection System with Thermal Imaging and Body Counting for Dynamic Temperature Adjustment
VENTAIRGE LTD, 2024
Occupancy-driven heating and cooling system that dynamically adjusts temperature based on occupancy patterns, incorporating advanced sensing technologies like thermal imaging and body counting. The system employs a unified occupancy detection and sex-occupancy analysis approach, enabling precise temperature control tailored to individual occupancy profiles. This approach eliminates traditional occupancy-based temperature control, instead leveraging real-time body detection to optimize heating and cooling distribution. The system integrates with existing building infrastructure, providing automated temperature management that adapts to changing occupancy patterns without manual intervention.
2. Air Conditioning System with Dynamic Airflow Control Using Temperature Gradient and Occupant Position Sensors
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, 2024
Air conditioning system that dynamically controls airflow to maintain comfortable temperatures while preventing cold spots. The system incorporates temperature difference sensors to detect temperature gradients across the space, and position sensors to track occupant movement. When the space temperature difference exceeds a threshold, the system automatically directs warm air towards the feet of occupants to prevent cold spots. This intelligent airflow management system ensures consistent comfort while maintaining the desired temperature range.
3. Vehicle Climate Control System with Integrated Occupancy and Door Sensor Feedback
RIVIAN IP HOLDINGS LLC, 2023
Vehicle cabin climate control system that optimizes heating and cooling based on occupant presence and door status. The system combines occupancy sensor data with door sensor feedback to generate precise control signals to the climate control system, ensuring optimal temperature and ventilation conditions regardless of passenger presence or vehicle door status.
4. Building System Control via Movement-Based Occupancy Detection Without Human Proxies
Ivany LLC, IVANI LLC, 2022
Building system control using occupancy detection enables machine-initiated actions without requiring human interaction. The system detects occupancy by monitoring movement patterns in spaces within the building, rather than relying on reference elements like smartphones. It tracks human and machine movement through detection of their presence in spaces, enabling automatic system control without requiring a human proxy. The system adapts its actions based on occupancy status, allowing machines to take control of building systems when humans are present.
5. Thermostat Circuit with Integrated Infrared Sensing, Temperature Detection, and Gesture Recognition for Automated Environmental Control
GUANGDONG SAVEKEY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 广东思万奇科技有限公司, 2021
Thermostat circuit that enables smart home automation through body-sensing technology. The circuit integrates infrared sensing, temperature detection, and gesture recognition to automatically control heating and cooling systems based on occupants' presence. The system employs infrared transmitters and receivers, a temperature detection module, and gesture recognition capabilities to detect body heat and movement. When someone enters a space, the system automatically activates the heating or cooling system. The system also includes a communication module for wireless communication between devices and a display module for visual feedback.
6. Building Management System with Integrated Occupancy and Environmental Sensor-Controlled HVAC Adjustments
HELVAR OY AB, 2021
Building management system that optimizes HVAC performance through occupancy-based control. The system integrates occupancy sensors with environmental sensors to monitor building conditions, then applies occupancy-dependent control actions to the HVAC system. The system continuously monitors and adapts to occupancy patterns, automatically adjusting ventilation rates and other parameters to maintain optimal indoor air quality and thermal comfort. This occupancy-driven approach eliminates the need for traditional occupancy-based controls and enables more efficient HVAC operation.
7. Zone Heating and Ventilation Control System with Occupancy-Responsive Parameter Monitoring
ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE, 2021
A system and device for optimizing heating and ventilation in a zone by coordinating the actions of a heating device and an air renewal device. The system monitors parameters like CO2 level, temperature, and humidity to detect if a person is present in the zone. If absence is determined, it reduces heating and increases ventilation. If presence is detected, it increases heating and reduces ventilation. This coordinated response optimizes comfort and energy efficiency based on occupancy.
8. Active Cooling Control System with Infrared Thermal Imaging and User Presence Detection
HANNAM UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA COOPERATION, Hannam University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, 2021
Active cooling control system that optimizes cooling based on thermal imaging and user behavior. The system employs an infrared thermal imaging camera to detect users' body heat, determining whether a user is present in the space. When a user is detected, the system sets the cooling target position and temperature based on the user's thermal signature, with cooling output adjusted to maintain optimal temperature balance. The system continuously monitors user presence and adjusts cooling parameters accordingly, ensuring consistent temperature control while maintaining energy efficiency.
9. HVAC System with Occupancy-Linked Sensor and Device Mapping for Adaptive Operation
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC, 2021
Operating HVAC systems using occupancy sensing systems to provide more informed HVAC operation. The system uses a mapping between spaces, occupancy sensors, and HVAC devices to modify HVAC operations based on occupancy. The mapping provides contextual information about which devices govern comfort in which spaces. The system uses this information to modify HVAC operations to provide human comfort and save resources.
10. Smart Thermostat with Integrated HVAC-Driven Dehumidification and Multi-Sensor Control System
GOOGLE LLC, 2021
Smart thermostat with advanced dehumidification capabilities that optimize indoor air quality while minimizing energy consumption. The thermostat employs a novel approach to dehumidification by leveraging the cooling function of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to remove moisture from enclosed spaces. When the thermostat detects high humidity levels, it activates the cooling function to maintain optimal humidity conditions. This approach enables continuous dehumidification during both occupied and unoccupied periods, eliminating the need for separate dehumidifiers. The thermostat integrates advanced sensing and control capabilities, including occupancy detection, temperature monitoring, and humidity measurement, to optimize dehumidification performance.
11. Indoor Environment Control System with Machine Vision-Based Occupancy Tracking and Smart Seating Sensors
CHINA RAILWAY CONSTR GROUP CO, 2021
Indoor environment control system that optimizes HVAC system performance through real-time monitoring of occupants and their seating arrangements. The system employs machine vision cameras above doorways to track occupancy patterns, while edge computing controllers process this data to accurately predict cooling load. When the system detects changes in occupant movement, it rapidly adjusts the HVAC system to maintain optimal temperature conditions. The system incorporates smart seating with built-in sensors that monitor occupant presence and position, enabling precise air supply targeting. This integrated approach ensures rapid response to changes in occupancy patterns while maintaining optimal indoor air quality.
12. Multi-Touch Thermostat with Proxy Sensor-Driven Occupancy Detection for HVAC Control
JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO, 2020
Improving HVAC control in buildings with multi-function, multi-touch thermostats that accurately respond to changes in occupancy. The thermostat uses proxy sensors like CO2, cameras, mics, or gas levels to detect occupancy faster than temperature sensors. When occupancy increases, it lowers the temperature setpoint proactively before measured temp rises. This prevents discomfort during sudden occupant surges.
13. HVAC Control System with Occupant Activity-Based Dynamic Temperature Adjustment
NIKO NV, 2020
HVAC control system that dynamically adjusts temperature based on occupant activity. The system integrates activity detection with temperature control, enabling automatic temperature adjustments when occupants are present versus when they are not. The system maintains a balance between comfort levels, automatically transitioning between activity-based temperature settings when occupants engage in high activity and low activity states. This approach enables energy efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort.
14. HVAC System with Occupancy-Responsive Dynamic Airflow Adjustment Using Zone-Specific Sensors
JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO, 2019
HVAC system that dynamically adjusts airflow based on occupancy patterns. The system employs occupancy sensors to detect occupancy in zones, then uses this information to determine airflow rates. When occupancy is not present, the system adjusts airflow to maintain target conditions. When occupancy is detected, the system increases airflow to maintain target conditions. This adaptive control approach enables more precise airflow management by directly accounting for occupancy patterns rather than relying on traditional setpoint-based control.
15. System for Dynamic Adjustment of Temperature Setpoints Based on Integrated Occupancy Monitoring
ECOFACTOR INC, 2019
A system that optimizes heating and cooling by dynamically adjusting setpoints based on occupancy patterns. The system integrates with thermostats and electronic devices to monitor occupancy through user interfaces, and automatically adjusts setpoints between occupied and unoccupied states. This allows users to save energy while maintaining optimal comfort levels, without the need for complex programming or additional hardware. The system continuously monitors device activity and adjusts setpoints based on user interactions, enabling energy savings through optimized temperature settings.
16. Vehicle Climate Control System with Occupancy-Based Automatic Adjustment and Profile Retrieval
DURA OPERATING LLC, 2019
A vehicle climate control system that optimizes energy usage by automatically adjusting climate settings based on occupancy. The system detects if a zone is occupied using cameras or other sensors. If unoccupied, it defaults to preset settings. If occupied, it retrieves user-specific climate preferences from a profile. This anticipates user needs and reduces wasted energy adjusting settings.
17. Air Conditioner with Dynamic Environmental and Occupancy-Based Adjustment System
Zhou Rui, ZHOU RUI, 2019
An intelligent air conditioner that dynamically adjusts its operation based on environmental conditions and occupant presence. The system integrates with smart home systems to continuously monitor indoor temperature and occupancy, then automatically adjusts the air conditioner's temperature and mode to optimize energy efficiency. This intelligent control enables optimal performance during both indoor and outdoor conditions, while also promoting energy conservation.
18. Temperature Setpoint Adjustment Method Using Activity-Level-Based Corrective Factor for HVAC Systems
GROUPE ATLANTIC ORLEANS, 2019
Regulating heating and cooling systems based on occupant activity levels to improve comfort and energy efficiency. The method involves adding a corrective factor to the temperature setpoint based on activity levels detected by a sensor. Lower activity levels have a zero correction, medium levels add 0.5°C, and higher levels subtract 1°C. This compensates for occupant heat gains and provides a more accurate setpoint.
19. Dynamic Temperature Regulation Method for Air Conditioners Using Human Body Thermal Profiling and Sensor Integration
HUI ZHONG-ZHOU, 2018
Intelligent temperature regulation method for air conditioners that dynamically adjusts heating and cooling temperatures based on human body thermal profiles. The method employs a human body sensor to detect presence and an infrared temperature sensor to monitor body temperature distribution. It then adjusts heating and cooling targets and speeds based on the minimum and maximum body temperatures, ensuring optimal thermal comfort. The system automatically turns off when no occupants are detected.
20. Air-Conditioning Control Apparatus with Adaptive Infrared Sensor Scanning Modes
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD, 2018
Air-conditioning control apparatus that optimizes temperature sensing and control through adaptive scanning strategies. The apparatus employs infrared sensors to monitor occupant temperature distribution, with scanning modes dynamically switching between high-speed and low-speed modes to balance resolution and scanning efficiency. The system adapts scanning parameters based on occupant presence and thermal requirements, enabling more accurate temperature mapping while minimizing scanning time. This approach enables enhanced thermal sensing capabilities without compromising control performance.
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