INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

Micro-location is the process of locating any entity with high accuracy (possibly in centimeters), while geofencing is the process of creating a virtual fence around a so-called Point of Interest (PoI). In this paper, we present an insight into various micro-location enabling technologies and services. We also discuss how these can accelerate the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) in smart buildings. We argue that micro-location based location-aware solutions can play a significant role in facilitating the tenants of an IoT equipped smart building. Also, such advanced technologies will enable the smart building control system through minimal actions performed by the tenants. We also highlight the existing and envisioned services to be provided by using micro-location enabling technologies. We describe the challenges and propose some potential solutions such that micro-location enabling technologies and services are thoroughly integrated with IoT equipped smart building.

Tokom svog životnog veka (od izgradnje, preko upotrebe i održavanja do rušenja) zgrade zahtevaju znatne količine energije, vode i drugih resursa. Izgrađeni objekat je izvor znatnog dela zagađenja vazduha, vode i zemlje, kao i veliki proizvođač otpada. Hotelske zgrade, zbog svoje specifične i jedinstvene funkcije i drugačijeg obrasca funkcionisanja, imaju daleko veći ekološki udar od drugih komercijalnih zgrada slične veličine. S druge strane, razvoj turizma i hotelijerstva je dosta vezan za dostupnost čiste i zdrave životne sredine. Zato je za održivi rast i razvoj važno da se hoteli grade, ali i da funkcionišu, na način koji je najmanje štetan za okolinu, jer, ako je prirodna okolina važna za poslovanje hotela, onda njena zaštita znači i zaštitu tog poslovanja. Zbog potreba za smanjenom potrošnjom energije, i korišćenjem energije iz obnovljivih prirodnih resursa, projektovanje zelenih hotela se od procesa, koji su prvenstveno vodili arhitekte, pretvorilo u pristup u kojem multidisciplinarni stručni timovi treba da obezbede ekonomski opravdano, socijalno i funkcionalno prihvatljivo i pre svega energetski efikasno održivo rešenje, koje će da zadrži, pa čak i poveća nivo komfora gostiju hotela. Rezultat implementacije energetski efikasnih tehnologija i procesa su hoteli koji koštaju manje tokom eksploatacije, a koji su vredniji svojim korisnicima, tzv. inteligentni zeleni hoteli, koji predstavljaju optimalnu dinamičku reakciju na postojeće uslove iz okruženja sa razvijenom sposobnošću učenja sa ciljem optimalne upotrebe energije.

If we use the metaphor of the body for an approach to buildings, in their many and various forms, it is clear that for the greater part of history we have been dealing with entities that have a skeleton and a system of muscles and sinews, and which use some form of plumage for display, but which have lacked for anything that might be called a nervous system. Even now with most homes in the western world fully electrified, connected to a telephone network by wire and a communications network via broadcast terrestrial and satellite providers, the nervous system of the house is almost entirely undeveloped. This paper explores these issues.

This paper presents an innovative soft computing architecture based on a combination of DAI (distributed artificial intelligence), fuzzy-genetic driven embedded-agents and IP Internet technology applied to the domain of intelligent-buildings. It describes the nature of intelligent buildings (IB) and embedded-agents, explaining the unique control and learning problems they present. We show how fuzzy -logic techniques can be used to create a behaviour-based multi-agent architecture in intelligent-buildings. We discuss how this approach deals with the highly unpredictable and imprecise nature of the physical world in which the system is situated, and how embedded-agents can be constructed that utilise sensory information to learn to perform tasks related to user comfort, energy conservation, and safety. We explain in detail our machine learning methodology that is based on a novel genetic algorithm mechanism referred to as an associative experience engine (AEE) and present the results of practical experiments. We compare results obtained from the AEE approach to that of the widely known Mendel-Wang method. Finally we explain potential applications for such systems ranging from commercial buildings to living-area control systems for space vehicles and planetary habitation modules.

Our homes are rapidly being filled with diverse types of products ranging from simple lighting systems to sophisticated entertainment systems, all adding to the functionality and convenience available to the home user. In this paper we introduce a variant of end-user programming in the form of a toolcalled PiP that empowers non technical end users to be able to “program” the functionality of their personal pervasive computing environments to suit their particular needs. The paper also includes a user evaluation that shows end-users find this approach to be a useable and enjoyable experience.

We describe a new approach to Intelligent Building systems, that utilises an intelligent agent approach to autonomously governing the building environment. We discuss the role of learning in building control systems, and contrast this approach with existing IB solutions. We explain the importance of acquiring information from sensors, rather than relying on pre-programmed models, to determine user needs. We describe how our architecture, consisting of distributed embedded agents, utilises sensory information to learn to perform tasks related to user comfort, energy conservation, safety and monitoring functions. We show how these agents, employing a behaviour-based approach derived from robotics research, are able to continuously learn and adapt to individuals within a building, whilst always providing a fast, safe response to any situation. Finally, we show how such a system could be used to provide support for older people, or people with disabilities, allowing them greater independence and quality of life.

One of the striking aspects of world-wide-web is how it has empowered ordinary nontechnical people to participate in a digital revolution by transforming the way services such as shopping, education and entertainment are offered and consumed. The proliferation of networked appliances, sensors and actuators, such as those found in digital homes heralds a similar ‘sea change’ in the capabilities of ordinary people to customise and utilise the electronic spaces they inhabit. By coordinating the actions of networked devices or services, it is possible for the environment to behave in a holistic and reactive manner to satisfy the occupants needs; creating an intelligent environment. Further, by deconstructing traditional home appliances into sets of more elemental network accessible services, it is possible to reconstruct either the original appliance or to create new user defined appliances by combining basic network services in novel ways; creating a so called virtual appliance. This principle can be extended to decompose and re-compose software applications allowing users to create their own bespoke applications. Collectively, such user created entities are referred to as Meta –appliances or –applications, more generally abbreviated to MAps. Deconstruction and user customized MAps raise exciting possibilities for occupants of future intelligent environments, and sets significant research challenges. For example, how can MAps be constructed and managed by ordinary non-expert home occupants? At one extreme it is possible to use artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and equipment, such as autonomous intelligent agents. These monitor an occupants habitual behaviour, modelling their behaviours, and creating rule-based profiles (self-programming) so they can pre-emptively set the environment to what they anticipate the user would like. However, some people have privacy concerns about what is being recorded, when it is being recorded and to whom (or what) any information is communicated. These concerns are particularly acute with autonomous agents, in which people have little direct control. Such matters are especially sensitive when the technology is used in the private space of someone’s home. Frequently, end-users are given very little choice in setting-up digital home technology and are obliged to accept whatever is offered. Apart from the issues of privacy and trust, we argue that creativity is an essential and distinctive human quality, and that many people would enjoy the process of creating their own novel networked appliances and personalising their ’electronic spaces’, providing they can be shielded from unnecessary technical complexity. This has parallels to the common practice of people decorating their own homes with paintings, walls hangings, pictures, colour schemes and furniture. This rationale has led many researchers to investigate what is termed ‘end-user programming’, a methodology aimed at allowing non-technical people to personalise their own digital spaces with network enabled embedded-computer based devices. Historically, programming has only been accessible to well-qualified professionals, such as computer scientists, or the outcome of self-programming (learning) using autonomous intelligent agents. The challenge for achieving an end-user programming vision is to devise programming methodologies that are usable by non-technical people. This chapter explores these issues and offers some solutions.