Environment Optimization for Space Based On Presence and Activities

• US 20160295667A1
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Cherie, Mead, Karl, Yoo, Hyun
• Granted Patent: US 9,642,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A method for facilitating at least first and second different activities within a first space that includes a first set of environmental control affordances including at least a first subset of lighting devices, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring for triggers associated with a sensor in a personal portable device within the first space;

when a trigger occurs;

(i) determining an experience specification corresponding to the trigger;

(ii) adjusting an environmental control affordance corresponding to the trigger

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of changing a sequence of the series of environments as consecutive triggers occur.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or an elevation detector, and the trigger comprises a signal that an elevation of the personal device has changed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the environmental control affordance comprises a lighting condition.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the personal portable device is operable to present a space experience effect, and further comprising the step of presenting the space experience effect on the personal portable device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of presenting the space experience comprises presenting a sound track to the user.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of associating the personal device with the first space.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a beam from the portable personal device and that is useable with the access points to triangulate the location of the user device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a beacon from the portable personal device that is useable with the access points to proximate a space within an area.

10. A system for facilitating at least first and second different activities within a space, the system comprising:

a first set of environmental control affordances including at least a first subset of lighting devices;

a wireless access device;

a processor linked to the first set of environmental control affordances and to the wireless access device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of;

monitoring the wireless access device to identify transmissions from a portable personal device with a wireless transceiver proximate the space, the portable personal device having at least one sensor operable to produce trigger signals;

monitoring communications from the portable personal device for trigger signals associated with the space;

when a trigger occurs;

(i) determining which of the first and second activities to facilitate;

(ii) when the first activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a first series of environments associated with the first activity; and

(iii) when the second activity is to be facilitated, controlling the environmental control affordances to present a second series of environments associated with the second activity.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further programmed to facilitate environments in a sequence that changes as consecutive triggers occur.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or an elevation detector.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the trigger comprises a signal indicating that an elevation of the personal device has changed.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the environmental control affordance comprises a lighting condition.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the personal portable device is further operable to present a space experience effect.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a speaker and an earphone jack.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the personal device comprises at least one of a microphone, a speaker, and a control device for scheduling space use that operates for the space.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the personal device comprises a user identifying device enabling the system server to establish the identify of a system user in a space

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable personal device transmits a beacon useable with the access points to triangulate the location of at least one of the user device and a space within the area.