Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection
View Patent ↗Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device embodiment includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to determine energy consumption data associated with a structure at a point in time, and determine whether the structure is occupied at the point in time based, at least in part, on the determined energy consumption data.
1. A computing device for determining an occupancy status of a structure, the computing device comprising:
a memory storing executable instructions that, when executed, analyze energy consumption data to determine the occupancy status of the structure; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the executable instructions stored in the memory to:
obtain energy consumption data associated with the structure at a point in time;
analyze the obtained energy consumption data to identify energy consumption directly caused by a current occupant and energy consumption not directly caused by a current occupant;
determine that the occupancy status of the structure is occupied at the point in time if energy consumption directly caused by a current occupant is detected;
determine that the occupancy status is not occupied at the point in time if energy consumption directly caused by a current occupant is not detected; and
cause the occupancy status to be sent to another device.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the executable instructions stored in the memory to:
determine whether a first portion of the obtained energy consumption data meets or exceeds a threshold for the first portion of the obtained energy consumption data; and
determine whether a second portion of the obtained energy consumption data meets or exceeds a threshold for the second portion of the obtained energy consumption data if the first portion of the obtained energy consumption data meets or exceeds the first threshold, wherein the structure is considered to be occupied at the point in time if the second portion of the determined energy consumption data meets or exceeds the second threshold.
3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the energy consumption data includes a peak current and a rate of change of a current.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the occupancy status to be send to a programmable thermostat to activate or deactivate an HVAC system and/or to adjust a set point of the programmable thermostat.
5. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the executable instructions stored in the memory to send a communication to a mobile device if the first portion of the obtained energy consumption data meets or exceeds the threshold for the first portion of the obtained energy consumption data stored in the memory.
6. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the structure is considered to not be occupied at the point in time if the second portion of the determined energy consumption data does not meet or exceed the second threshold.