Occupancy sensing and building control using mobile devices

A building control system, comprising:

• a system controller adapted for operative communication with at least one controllable device associated with at least one control zone;
• an interface module configured to interface to a geolocation module operable in the building control system to
• receive data from a mobile device, wherein
• the data is conveyed via an electromagnetic signal received from the mobile device at a communication access point of the communication access points, and
• the data comprises
• a unique identifier that identifies the mobile device and
• an elevation indicator indicative of an elevation of the mobile device that is determined by the mobile device,
• generate signal data, based on signal strength data for the electromagnetic signal,
• determine, based on the signal data, a position of the mobile device within the building,
• determine, based on the elevation indicator, a floor of the building for the mobile device, and
• determine, based on the signal data and the floor of the building, a location of the mobile device within the building
• map data indicative of a map of a building defining one or more control zones of the building;
• an occupancy module that determines, based at least in part upon the location of the mobile device and the elevation indicator, a total number of mobile devices located within the at least one control zone;
• and
• a rules processor having a control output configured to control the at least one controllable device in response to, at least in part, the total number of mobile devices located within the at least one control zone.

A method of operating a building control system, comprising:

• for each mobile device of one or more mobile devices,
• identifying the each mobile device of the one or more unique mobile devices,
• receiving data from the each mobile device,
• wherein
• the data is conveyed via an electromagnetic signal received from the mobile device at a communication access point coupled to the building information system, and
• the data comprises
• a unique identifier that identifies the each mobile device and
• an elevation indicator that is determined by the each mobile device,
• determining a physical location of the each mobile device of the one or more unique mobile devices, wherein
• the determining the physical location comprises
• generating signal data for the each mobile device, based on signal strength data for the electromagnetic signal from the each mobile device,
• determining, based on the signal data, a position of the each mobile device of the one or more unique mobile devices within the building,
• determining a building floor of the each mobile device, based on the elevation indicator for the each mobile device, and
• determining, based on the signal data and the floor of the building, a respective location of the each mobile device within the building;
• in response to comparing the physical location of the one or more mobile devices to a stored model of a controlled building, mapping the physical location to a control zone of the stored model;
• in response to tallying a number of the one or more unique mobile devices in the control zone, determining an occupancy of the control zone;
• retrieving, from a rules database, a rule relating a controlled device within the control zone;
• in response to evaluating the rule in view of the occupancy, determining that an adjustment to the controlled device is indicated;
• and
• adjusting the controlled device in accordance with the evaluating.