The document discusses a design team's goal of lowering standby power consumption in appliances via proximity detection. It proposes using passive infrared and infrared or ultrasonic sensors to detect a user's presence and proximity to an appliance in order to smoothly transition the appliance in and out of an energy-efficient standby mode consuming less than 1 watt of power. The document outlines specifications, proposed low-to-mid range and high-end solutions using different sensor combinations, and considerations regarding sensor selection and the future of the product with voice control and status announcements.

1. Design Team 5
Lowering Standby Power
Consumption Via Proximity
Detection
Kevin Harrison
Leslie Hodges
Eric Hosey
Nathan Kelly
Berna Saracoglu

2. • Anticipated ENERGY STAR standard
– Appliances need to operate under one watt in
standby mode
– Current appliances do not utilize standby
mode
– Standby mode would diminish customer
experience
• Need to smoothly enter and exit an
energy ethical standby mode to lower
energy consumption
The Problem

3. • Detection of user presence
– Implement a variety of
sensors for in room and
potential appliance use
detection
• Low-to-mid range and High-
end options
– Laundry and kitchen
appliances
– Cost differences
– User experience When you walk into your
kitchen, your kitchen turns on
Our Goal

4. • Power
– Less than 1 watt in standby mode
• Size
– Fit aesthetically into appliance and room
• Cost
– Limitations dependant on appliance price
• Flexibility
– Adapt intelligently to different environments
– Current and future appliances
• Accuracy
– Not interfere with appliance functionality
– Not susceptible to interference
• Safety
– Product used by general public
Design Specifications

5. Low-to-Mid Range
• Two sensors
– Passive infrared (PIR) sensor
• Monitors room for user presence
– Active infrared (IR) sensor
• Monitors for potential use of appliance
• Integration
– In standby mode PIR will monitor room
– Detection of user will turn on IR sensor
– Detection of potential use will exit from standby mode
Design Solutions

6. High-End
• Two sensors
– Passive infrared sensor
• Monitors room for user presence
– Ultrasonic sensor
• Capable of calculating user proximity
• Information density
• Integration
– In standby mode PIR will monitor room
– Detection of user will turn on ultrasonic sensor
– Will exit standby mode as user approaches appliance
Design Solutions

7. IR Sensor
• Very low cost
• Detection up to 4 ft
– Very little span
• Consumption less than 0.2 W
• No false triggers
Ultrasonic Sensor
• Detection up to 20 ft
– Span of appliance width
• 10 mW consumption
• Susceptible to false-on triggers
from air motion
Sensor Selection

8. PIR Sensor
• Power consumption of 0.5 mW
• Very low cost
• Detection up to 20 ft
– 180° hemispheric detection
• Resistant to false-on triggers
• Ideal for both design solutions
Sensor Selection

9. • Expected 1 watt standard
• Currently can save 35% with refrigerator
user interface
Power Consumption

10. • Voice commands
– Physically disabled
– Safety
• Voice announcements
– Visually impaired
– Appliance status
• LCD solution
– More common in future
– Proximity sensing improves power consumption and
marketability
Future of Product

11. Questions
?