Environment optimization for space based on presence and activities

• US 10,561,006 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2018
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Mead, Karl J., Yoo, Hyun, Johnson, Cherie
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Anh Q
• Application Number:
  US16/041,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20180332688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2664 Audio light, animation, stage, theatre light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.

Claims

1. An environment control system for controlling space experiences within a defined space within a facility, the system comprising:

a lighting device located within the space, the lighting device controllable to generate a plurality of visually distinguishable lighting effects within the space;

a sensor for sensing user activities within a first space;

at least one emissive surface;

a controller linked to the sensor, the at least one emissive surface and to the lighting device, the controller programmed to perform the steps of;

sensing occupancy of the space;

sensing a user parameter associated with a posture of the user that occupies the space; and

controlling the lighting device to generate at least one of the plurality of lighting effects when the space is unoccupied, to generate another of the plurality of lighting effects when the space is occupied, and identifying at least a portion of the at least one emissive surface for use based on a user parameter associated with the posture of the user.

2. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the step of sensing the user parameter includes determining whether the user is standing, and wherein the lighting device is controlled to generate a third lighting effect while the user that occupies the first space is standing.

3. The environment control system of claim 2 wherein the controller is further programmed to control the lighting device to generate the third lighting effect for a predefined period of time after which the controller controls the lighting device to generate a fourth lighting effect.

4. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the controller controls the lighting device to generate a third lighting effect upon a closing of a door to the first space.

5. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further programmed to sense an additional user parameter associated with a user that occupies the space and to control the lighting device to generate a third lighting effect while the first space is occupied and the additional user parameter has a specific value.

6. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the lighting device generates light that is visible outside the space to indicate a space use condition.

7. The environmental control system of claim 1 further including an audio device linked to the controller, the controller further controlling the audio device to generate a plurality of sound tracks corresponding to the plurality of lighting effects, respectively.

8. The environmental control system of claim 7 further including an interface device located proximate the space, the interface device including preference selection tools for selecting different environmental experiences for the space, the controller receiving user input via the interface and generating different sequences of lighting and audio effects based on user selections via the interface.

9. The environmental control system of claim 1 further including a user identification sensor device located proximate the space, the controller also linked to the identifications sensor device, the controller further programmed to identify a user upon entering the space and selecting a lighting effect generated as a function of user identity.

10. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting effects includes generation of light having an effect distinct color.

11. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of lighting effects includes generation of light having an effect distinct color.

12. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of lighting effects includes blinking the first lighting device on and off.

13. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the lighting device is integrated into a wall structure that defines at least a portion of the space.

14. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a camera mounted proximate the space and having a field of view that covers at least a portion of the space.

15. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein different sensor devices are provided for sensing user presence and the user parameter.

16. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the first space includes a hotelling space used by multiple users during a workday.

17. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a camera and wherein the camera senses each of occupancy and the user parameter within the space.

18. An environment control system for controlling space experiences within a defined space within a facility, the system comprising:

a plurality of environment control devices located at least one of within and proximate the defined space, each of the plurality of environment control devices controllable to generate a plurality of distinguishable environmental effects within the first space;

a sensor for sensing user activities within the defined space;

at least one emissive surface;

a controller linked to the sensor, to the at least one emissive surface and to the plurality of environment control devices, the controller programmed to perform the steps of;

sensing occupancy of the defined space;

sensing at least a user parameter associated with a user that occupies the defined space;

tracking time; and

controlling at least a subset of the environment control devices to generate a first environmental effect when the defined space is unoccupied, to generate a second environmental effect when the defined space is occupied and to identify at least a portion of the at least one emissive surface for use based on the user parameter.

19. An environment control system for controlling space experiences within a defined space within a facility, the system comprising:

a plurality of environment control devices located at least one of within and proximate the defined space, each of the plurality of environment control devices controllable to generate a plurality of distinguishable environmental effects within the defined space;

a sensor for sensing user activities within the defined space;

an interface device located proximate the defined space, the interface device including a display screen;

a controller linked to the sensor, the interface device and to the plurality of environment control devices, the controller programmed to perform the steps of;

presenting selectable icons as space experiences via the display screen, each space experience labelled as an activity to be performed within the first space;

sensing occupancy of the first space;

receiving user input via selection of one of the selectable icons via the interface; and

controlling at least one of the environment control devices to generate a space experience that is optimized for the selected activity to be performed within the defined space.

20. The environment control system of claim 19, wherein the display is a touch sensitive display.

21. The environment control system of claim 19, wherein the space experiences include at least one of a rest icon, a phone call icon, an individual focus icon, a video conference icon, an individual focus icon, a dyadic icon, or a respite icon.

22. The environment control system of claim 19, further comprising a ribbon of tool icons along an edge of the display screen.

23. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include at least one of a light control icon, a sound control icon, a temperature control icon, an air circulation icon, a notice control icon for controlling electronic notifications, or an activity icon.

24. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a light control icon, and further comprising a plurality of light color option icons associated with activation of the light control icon.

25. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a light control icon, and further comprising at least one pulse light control icon associated with activation of the light control icon.

26. The environment control system of claim 25, wherein the pulse light control icon comprises at least one of a smooth pulsing icon or a tie light pulsing to sound icon.

27. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a sound control icon, and further comprising a plurality of sound track icons associated with activation of the sound control icon.

28. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a notice control icon, and further comprising an icon for turning electronic notices on.

29. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a notice control icon, and further comprising an icon for turning electronic notices off.

30. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the tool icons include a notice control icon, and further comprising an icon for selectively activating notifications.

31. The environment control system of claim 30, further comprising at least one message sender associated with thee icon for selectively activating notifications.

32. The environment control system of claim 22, wherein the ribbon of tool icons is persistent on the display screen.

33. The environment control system of claim 19, further comprising a save icon for saving settings associated with a current space experience.