Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMTThe "S4ECoB" project researched, how acoustic information can be used to measure the occupancy level of large buildings, e.g. airports, shopping centers, and from this to derive an efficient control of the building technology. Technologies for position detection, sound and scene classification detected, how many people are located where within the building. The measures parameters can then be used for an automated, fit-tailored control of the heating and air conditioning. The goal of the project was to develop a simple and inexpensive solution for energy-efficient buildings.
Responsibilities of Fraunhofer IDMT
In the course of this project, the Fraunhofer IDMT's Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA in cooperation with the »Acoustics« department of Fraunhofer IDMT developed procedures for extracting acoustic data and analyse them with respect to the utilization of a building. For this, novel networks of audio sensors were developed as well as algorithms for localizing and identifying noise sources are applied. One task was connecting the developed technology to existing building technology.