ENVIRONMENT OPTIMIZATION FOR SPACE BASED ON PRESENCE AND ACTIVITIES

• US 20170208664A1
• Filed: 03/14/2017
• Published: 07/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: MEAD, KARL, YOO, HYUN, JOHNSON, CHERIE
• Granted Patent: US 10,057,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 first space within a facility, the system comprising:

at least a first lighting device located within the first space, the first lighting device controllable to generate at least first, second and third visually distinguishable lighting effects within the first space;

at least a first sensor for sensing user activities within the first space;

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

sensing occupancy of the first space;

sensing at least a second user parameter associated with a user that occupies the at least a first space; and

controlling the at least a first lighting device to generate the first lighting effect when the first space is unoccupied, to generate the second lighting effect when the first space is at least initially occupied and to generate the third lighting effect while the first space is occupied and the at least a second parameter associated with the user has a first value.

2. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the at least a second parameter is associated with posture of a user that occupies the first space.

3. The environment control system of claim 2 wherein the step of sensing at least the second parameter includes sensing whether or not a space occupying user is standing or sitting and wherein the at least a first lighting device is controlled to generate the third lighting effect while the user that occupies the first space is sitting.

4. The environment control system of claim 3 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.

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

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

7. The environment control system of claim 1 wherein the at least a first light device includes a light device that generates light that is also visible as a signal outside the first space to indicate a space use condition.

8. The environmental control system of claim 1 further including at least a first audio device linked to the controller, the controller further controlling the first audio device to generate different first, second and third sound tracks when the first, second and third lighting effects are generated, respectively.

9. The environmental control system of claim 8 further including an interface device located proximate the first space, the interface device including preference selection tools for selecting different environmental experiences for the first 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.

10. The environmental control system of claim 1 further including a user identification sensor device located proximate the first space, the controller also liked to the identifications sensor device, the controller further programmed to identify a user upon entering the first space and selecting at least a sub-set of the lighting effects generated as a function of user identity.

11. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of the first, second and third lighting effects include generation of light having an effect distinct color.

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

13. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of the first, second and third lighting effects include blinking the first lighting device on and off.

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

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

16. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein different sensor devices are provided for sensing user presence and the at least a second user parameter.

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

18. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least a first sensor is a camera and wherein the camera senses each of occupancy and the at least a second user parameter within the first space.

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

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

at least a first sensor for sensing user activities within the first space;

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

sensing occupancy of the first space;

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

tracking time; and

controlling at least a subset of the environment control devices to generate at least a first environmental effect when the first space is unoccupied, to generate a second environment effect when the first space is at least initially occupied and to generate a third environment effect while the first space is occupied and the at least a second parameter associated with the user has a first value, and, wherein, the controller further controls lighting effects as a function of time.

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

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

at least a first sensor for sensing user activities within the first space;

an interface device located proximate the first space, the interface device including a touch sensitive 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 a subset of the environment control devices to generate space experience that is optimized for the selected activity to be performed within the first space.