Abstract:
A utility control system governs provision of genuine on-demand lighting, as well other utilities as in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) in territories of a building in accordance with occupant demand. In lighting control, the present invention enacts on-demand lighting anterior to the occupant entering a normally dimmed/unlighted territory; lighting is provided immediately anterior to occupant entry into an oncoming territory of entry, adjoining selected territories to said oncoming territory which may or may not be entered by the occupant, in accordance with a unique lighting scene in each of those territories created by the control system or defined by the occupant. As the occupant leaves each territory, lighting provision is suspended/terminated in that territory for energy conservation. The utility control system predicts an occupant traversal path and provides the occupant with the best-suited lighted environments in each territory of the occupant traversal path.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/081,617, filed on Apr. 7, 2011, which claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/321,913, filed Apr. 8, 2010. The disclosures of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/081,617 and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/321,913 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in particular to a sophisticated utility control system with a major breakthrough—genuine on-demand lighting provision. Illumination is activated immediately anterior to occupant entry into an oncoming territory such that the occupant is not exposed to light fixture brightening during the illumination process. Subsequent occupancy traffic and departure from a territory is tracked and analyzed by the controller in the occupancy verification process for determination of illumination extinguishment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Existing utility control systems control lighting and other utilities characterized in HVAC in conformance with occupancy detection and preconfigured responses. Problems arise as illumination in a normally dimmed, sensor monitored territory is activated after sensor detection of an occupant without obviation of the occupant from the brightening process in the entered territory, or oncoming territory of immediate entry; concurrent systems do not obviate the occupant from visually experiencing the brightening process in a dimmed building territory of intended entry, building territories pertaining to a projected traversal path of entry or territories not visited by the occupant yet the lighting conditions within which are visually exposed to the occupant—even though the occupant may be detected anterior to making entry into a normally dimmed building territory. In addition, the occupant undetected by the occupancy sensing apparatuses in a territory may possibly experience termination of provision of lighting and other utilities upon the lapse of preconfigured time periods. However, to optimize power conservation, an unattended common use building territory unavoidably remains as normally dimmed and only illuminated with sensor signals verifying expectation of occupant entry and verified presence, thereby unavoidably inflicting brightening of visually exposed, dimmed territories on the visiting occupant. 
         [0006]    There is a need in the art for a system to provide on-demand lighting with provision of illumination in territories in which the lighting conditions are visually exposed to the unvisited occupant located in an adjoining territory, including antecedent illumination as in completion of the brightening process anterior to an occupant&#39;s visual contact with the oncoming building territory and visual exposure to the brightening in a territory of entry—therefore prior to actual presence in the territory, and illumination extinguishment after verification of occupant departure through data supporting possible departure of an occupant from attended territory with undetected occupancy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention relates to a utility control system that governs lighting and other utility provision to building territories (“territories”). The invention relates to illumination of light groups with scene alterations by a modular controller governing a corresponding zone of monitored territories in conformity with embedded control methods and received sensor signals. At least one override switch is installed in each building territory for the sending of command signals to extend illumination upon activation, as well a link with the ECS to receive elevator scheduler information. In fact, the invention relates to on-demand utility control system to optimize energy efficacies, in particular a utility control apparatus governing on-demand lighting and utility control in accordance with the prediction of an occupant traversal path based on signals received from a combination of sensors and information from the ECS. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The drawings constitute various embodiments of the present invention and serve to depict the control infrastructure and operating principles. The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanied drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary building environment comprising a zone governed by the utility control system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an interactive sensor using various technologies and operation principles; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the control method of the utility control system in operation with real-time ECS operation information; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary passive infrared (“PIR”) sensor performing a diagnosis function in conformity with control signals receiving from a controller; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates interaction of apparatuses of an exemplary modular utility control system governing one building zone; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary implementation of antecedent illumination in a building environment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the present invention for activating antecedent illumination and an occupancy verification process; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary building environment comprising a zone of non-common use and common use territories governed by the utility control system in providing on-demand lighting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention may be better understood with reference to embodiments illustrated by the supporting drawings. However, the invention is not restricted to specific apparatuses, technologies, methods or particular protocols, which may be modified or substituted by equivalent counterparts or new approaches to serve similar purposes or functions as long as the overall operation and performance remain unimpeded and unaltered in principle. Terminology and protocol used herein is to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting in scope. 
       Terminology and Terms as Used Herein: 
     Client Computer 
       [0018]    A network linked electronic device such as a microcomputer or a handheld personal digital assistant (“PDA”), etc. 
       Electrical Device 
       [0019]    Electrically operated devices controlled by the utility control system including but not limited to light fixtures, occupancy sensors and the client computer. 
       Grace Time Period 
       [0020]    Each occupant entering a territory from another territory is assigned a grace time period by the controller, during which lighting and other utility provision is to continue without disruption. The grace time period may be terminated upon detecting possible occupant exit from the territory provided with antecedent illumination and other utilities such as HVAC, through interactive sensor detection of occupant initiated actions, or elevator car departure from said territory in accordance with operational data or information received from a communicatively connected ECS. 
       Lamp 
       [0021]    The light fixture is mounted with at least one lamp, which attains lighting intensity up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness from dimmed in accordance with a unique lighting scene within a brief time duration beginning from interactive sensor detected occupant initiated action to visual exposure of the brightening, or to the territory of entry: including but not limited to the light emitting diode (“LED”), halogen lamp, incandescent lamp. 
       Interactive Sensor, and Occupant Initiated Action 
       [0022]    A sensor detecting occupant initiated action prior to making entry into an oncoming territory, which may be segregated from the concurrent occupant attended territory with a normally closed door, or openly adjoined to the concurrent occupant attended territory through a stairway. Occupant initiated actions include but not limited to: occupant approaching toward a normally closed door, touching the door installed door knob, turning the door bolt with the door knob, opening a normally closed door partitioning two territories pertaining to the occupant traversal path, insertion/withdrawal/reading of a chip embedded key/key card with a card reader, activation of a door bell, traversing through a stairway between two openly adjoined territories. 
       Occupancy Sensor 
       [0023]    A sensor monitoring occupancy and occupant location within a territory and sending sensor signal to the controller upon detecting the occupant through PIR sensing, laser sensing, imaging capturing and processing, or, a sensor detecting the traversing occupant through active sensing of a chip embedded PDA using RFID sensing and WiFi sensing, etc. 
       Power Reduction Mode 
       [0024]    An electrical device may be switched from a power reduction mode indicating either a standby mode with reduced or minimal power consumption or total power disconnection to an operation mode with full power connection to electricity and readiness for intended operation. 
       Territory and Zone 
       [0025]    A zone within a building is monitored by a controller of the utility control system and is comprised of at least one common use territory. As the traversing occupant departing from the present territory enters an oncoming territory adjacent to the present territory and reaches a destination territory—the occupant traversal path. 
       On-Demand Lighting 
       [0026]    Illumination including but not limited to antecedent illumination (as illustrated below) and occupancy verification process (also as illustrated below), comprising a process of power connection or boost to one or more totally or partially dimmed lamp mounted light fixtures—disposed in the territory to be entered by the occupant, and one or more territories adjoined to territory of occupant making entry, which is a common use territory—by sequentially or simultaneously attaining lighting intensity up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness in accordance with one or more unique lighting scenes in those territories, providing illumination over a grace time period and executing the occupancy verification process prior to deactivating the brightened light fixtures in terms of dimming. 
       Antecedent Illumination 
       [0027]    Illumination in a normally dimmed/unlighted territory is activated upon detected of occupant initiated action, immediately anterior to occupant entry and visual exposure to the territory of occupant entry—the brightening process is precluded from inflicting on the occupant. 
       Occupancy Verification Process 
       [0028]    Illumination is continuously provided over a preconfigured grace time period, upon the lapse of which the controller analyzes received sensor signals and information from the elevator control system—in particular, interactive sensor signals related to door opening for exit from the visited territory, elevator departing from an occupant attended territory in accordance with ECS scheduling, exit gate card reading in the parking garage—for determination of possible occupant departure from the territory of detected occupancy in accordance with execution of the occupant verification process, as well as territory of entry unvisited by an occupant imposing an occupant initiated action, which invariantly differs from signals of occupancy sensors showing undetected occupancy in an occupant attended territory. 
       Illumination Extinguishment 
       [0029]    Illumination extinguishment denotes lighting in the occupant attended territories are dimmed or, entering a power reduction mode, after the control system has performed an occupancy verification process for assurance of occupant departure from those territories through analysis of sensors sent signals, data and information received through a communicative linkage from an ECS, upon the lapse of a preconfigured grace time period commencing upon activation of antecedent illumination. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary building environment  100  in which utility control system  180  monitors occupancy and controls provision of lighting. Controller  130  of utility control system  180  implements the operation and is communicatively linked to hub  110  via bus  102 . Note that although wired connections are shown in  FIG. 1 , wireless communication of control signals can also be used by the present invention. Real-time monitoring of environment  100  and control of the operation by management is enabled through client  105 , which is also linked (wired or wireless) to hub  110 . Client  105  sends configurations and commands to controller  130  and receives operation information, such as power consumption, apparatus status, etc. from controller  130 . 
         [0031]    An exemplary zone encompasses elevator car (“car”)  159  serviced common use territory elevator hall  119 , residence units  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  as non-common use territories; installed within elevator hall  119  of the zone includes a plurality of light fixtures  140 , occupancy sensors  143 , interactive sensors  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 ,  144 - 3  and override switch  145  which are communicatively linked to controller  130  through wired/wireless communicative linkage  102 . Utility control system  180  provides antecedent illumination in a territory in anticipation of an arriving occupant (not shown). 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the occupant (not shown) may enter unattended elevator hall  119  from unit  116 - 1 , unit  116 - 2  or stairs  118 ; prior to making entry, the occupant (not shown) triggers respective interactive sensor  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 , or  144 - 3 , at the opening of corresponding doors  117 - 1 ,  117 - 2 , or  117 - 3 . A signal is sent by the pertinent interactive sensor to controller  130 , which then brightens normally and concurrently dimmed light fixtures  140  from a power reduction mode to an operation mode with the light intensity ramped up to a lux level preconfigured in accordance with a unique lighting scene by controller  130  anterior to visual contact of the occupant (not shown) made with elevator hall  119 —to obviate the occupant (not shown) from visual notification of the brightening process in dimmed elevator hall  119 . 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, controller  130  obtains information regarding passenger arrival (not shown) in unattended elevator hall  119  from landing car  159 : an elevator car detection section (not shown)—communicatively linked with controller  130  detecting car landing—sends a signal to controller  130  upon landing of car  159 ; controller  130  brightens light fixtures  140  anterior to opening of elevator doors  116 - 3  and the occupant (not shown) experiencing visual contact with elevator hall  119  as the oncoming building territory of entry: the occupant (not shown) is precluded from notification and visual exposure to the brightening process in elevator hall  119  as the territory of entry. In an alternative embodiment, ECS  450  sends information  471  comprising landing schedules of car  159  to controller  130 ; controller  130  brightens light fixtures  140  anterior to opening of elevator doors  116 - 3  and the occupant (not shown) experiencing visual contact with elevator hall  119  as the oncoming building territory of entry: the occupant (not shown) is obviated from notification and visual exposure to the brightening process in elevator hall  119  as the territory of entry. 
         [0034]    The occupant (not shown) entering elevator hall  119  from unit sensors  117 - 1  is assigned a preconfigured grace time period; which may be preconfigured in accordance with occupant identity, interactive sensor  144 - 1 , and stored in the memory means (not shown) of controller  130 , or defined through client  105  and is initiated by one or a combination of occupancy sensors, interactive sensors, elevator car detection sections, the ECS, etc. upon detection of the occupant (not shown) entering into an oncoming, normally dimmed territory. Upon depletion of the grace time period, controller  130  dims light fixtures  140  after implementing the occupancy verification process for ascertainment of occupant departure in the respective territories. 
         [0035]    Information pertaining to units  116 - 1  and  116 - 2  mounted respective interactive sensors  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2  including but not limited to unit numbers, occupant identifications and associated parking spaces in a building parking garage (not shown), etc. is stored in the memory means (not shown) of controller  130 . Occupant entry and exit through units  116 - 1  and  116 - 2  trigger corresponding interactive sensors  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 ; related unique lighting scenes pertaining to each of interactive sensor  114 - 1 , or interactive sensor  114 - 2 , may be utilized by controller  130  for automated utility provision including on-demand lighting comprising antecedent illumination, as well as, HVAC in corresponding units  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  upon occupant (not shown) entry from elevator hall  119 . On the other hand, inferred occupant traversal path and destination territory may be projected by controller  130  in accordance with occupant information tagged with interactive sensors  144 - 1  and  144 - 2  upon occupant (not shown) entry into elevator hall  119 : controller  130  will activate on-demand lighting comprising antecedent illumination and HVAC provision in the territories, pertaining to the inferred/projected occupant traversal path. 
         [0036]    Further, the state of interactive sensors  144 - 1  and  144 - 2  may be utilized by controller  130  for signals recording and analyzing of occupant entry/exit contributed from unit  116 - 1  and unit  116 - 2 , in control of automated utility provision in common use territories including but not limited to elevator hall  119 , through activation of on-demand lighting comprising antecedent illumination and HVAC provision anterior to occupant (not shown) entry in or visual exposure to the brightening of dimmed light fixtures  140  installed in elevator hall  119  at an instantaneous time before the recorded first of the day activity detected by interactive sensors  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 , and the corresponding occupancy verification process prior to activating illumination extinguishment and termination of HVAC provision in the aforementioned unattended common use territories at an instantaneous time before the start of low traffic as demonstrated in controller  130  recorded data. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates various embodiments of the interactive sensor pertaining to territory  200 . In one embodiment, interactive sensor  220  is a contact sensor encompassing sensing plate  220 - 1  mounted on the door frame and is communicatively linked to controller  230 , as well as contact plate  220 - 2  which is mounted on door  201 . When door  201  is in the closed state, sensing plate  220 - 1  is faced with contact plate  220 - 2 . When the door  201  is opened by occupant  255 , contact plate  220 - 2  moves away from sensing plate  220 - 1 : interactive sensor  220  sends a signal to controller  230 , which switches one or more electrical devices (not shown) in the oncoming territory behind door  201  from a power reduction mode to an operation mode, at the same time, performs antecedent illumination by brightening dimmed lamp (not shown) mounted light fixture  203  in said oncoming territory anterior to occupant  255  is visually exposed to the territory, or visually detects brightening in the territory behind door  201  from dimmed. As door  201  closes, interactive sensor  220  enters the closed state wherein contact plate  220 - 2  is reverted to a position facing sensing plate  220 - 1  while interactive sensor  220  sends a signal to the controller. 
         [0038]    While located within territory  200 , occupant  255  is detected by occupancy sensor  205 . 
         [0039]    In an alternative embodiment, occupant  255  exiting from territory  200  while withdrawing key card  261  from, or entering into the territory behind normally closed door  201  by bringing key card  261  to interactive sensor  260  as card reader, which performs read-out of information stored in chip imbedded key card  261  and sends a signal to controller  230  to perform antecedent illumination by brightening to attain lighting intensity up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness in accordance with a unique lighting scene created by light fixture  203  installed in the territory behind door  201  before closed door  201  (not shown) is opened at all, or to an extent sufficient for occupant  255  to be visually exposed to the territory, or to visually detect brightening in the territory behind door  201  from dimmed. 
         [0040]    The interactive sensor may include a variety of technologies that operate on the principle of detecting occupant initiated action followed by opening/closing of a normally closed door partitioning two territories in the occupant traversal path. Some technologies and methods constituting the interactive sensor, including but not limited to: 
         [0041]    Compression switch (not shown) for detection of the turn of the bolt (not shown) or door latch  222  of the door lock, sending signals when compressed or released; 
         [0042]    Capacitance Sensor  222 : capacitance sensing on door latch  223 ; 
         [0043]    Key Card Reader  260 : information read-out of key card  261 . 
         [0044]    These technologies can be used alone or in combination to provide information about an occupant initiated action and tagging of identity related an occupant resided building unit: 
         [0045]    PIR based occupancy sensor  205 : passive infrared motion sensor for detection of occupant approaching a normally closed door segregating two territories in a building zone; 
         [0046]    Image Sensor  240 : occupant image capturing; 
         [0047]    Smart Floor  270 : exerted weight sensing; 
         [0048]    RFID reader  260 : detecting an RFID tag  280  in a key holder, or, worker&#39;s permit/key card/smart card; 
         [0049]    WiFi access point  290 : detecting the WiFi adapter in a PDA, cellular phone, etc. 
         [0050]    While the above represent various current sensor technologies, new sensors enabled by technological advancements and sensor model improvements will not alter the operation principle of the interactive sensor or limit the scope of functionality in the present utility control system and thus such improved sensors are contemplated for use in the present invention. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of control method  300  illustrating the utility control system in operation with the ECS. 
         [0052]    In step  301 , a building zone in  FIG. 8  including non-common use territory residence unit  839 - 0 , common use territories  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 , are unattended—light fixtures  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 , are dimmed by controller  830  executed illumination extinguishment after completing an occupancy verification process in territories  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 . 
         [0053]    In step  302 , interactive sensor  804  as card reader of data imbedded integrated circuit card, or “smart card”—linked to controller  830  via communicative linkage  802  and installed in normally brightened common use territory lobby  809 —detects occupant in position  855 - 1  initiated action through performing information read-out of smart card  888 , prior to occupant in position  855 - 1  traversing in an occupant traversal path by entering through elevator doors  808  to ride on a servicing car (not shown) for traversing through elevator hall  839 - 1  and entering residence unit  839 - 0  as destination territory; ECS  450  of the elevator system (not shown) receives interactive sensor  804  sent occupant identity related data from controller  830  and provides elevator service by landing a servicing car (not shown) on the floor level of lobby  809 , then sends information  471  via communicative linkage  803  to controller  830  pertaining to the landing schedule of the servicing car (not shown) on the floor level of residence unit  839 - 0 . 
         [0054]    In step  303 , controller  830  provides HVAC as well as, antecedent illumination in elevator hall  839 - 1  as territory of entry and territory  839 - 2  as territory of vicinity to occupant entry, in accordance with clock/timer  830 - 3  of controller  830  and ECS  450  sent information  471  encompassing scheduling of servicing car (not shown) landing in elevator hall  839 - 1  and opening of elevator doors  838 , and assigns grace time period 1 having a time span commencing from the opening of elevator doors  838  to the servicing car (not shown) departing, which is sufficient for the expected arriving occupant (not shown) to step out of the landed servicing car (not shown) and be detected by occupancy sensor  835 - 1 : controller  130  brightens light fixtures  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 —by effectively attaining lighting intensity up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness attributing to a unique lighting scene in each of those territories in accordance with memory  830 - 2  stored identity of the expected arriving occupant, whose identity was memory  830 - 2  stored and interactive sensor  804  verified—after landing of the servicing car (not shown) and imminently anterior to opening of elevator doors  838  and visual contact of the expected arriving occupant (not shown) with elevator hall  839 - 1  for obviation from notification and visual exposure to the brightening process in elevator hall  839 - 1  as the territory of entry. While remaining fully dimmed are light fixtures  813 - 1 ,  813 - 2 ,  813 - 3 ,  823 - 1 ,  823 - 2 ,  823 - 3 ,  833 - 3 ,  843 - 1 ,  843 - 2 , to serve the purpose of power conservation. 
         [0055]    Upon the lapse of grace time period 1 in step  304 , controller  830  examines memory  830 - 2  recorded data pertaining to occupancy sensor  835 - 1  detected occupancy within the duration of grace time period 1 and after the landed servicing car (not shown) has departed from elevator hall  839 - 1 : if recorded data does not indicate occupancy detection in elevator hall  839 - 1 , return to step  301  as the preliminary occupancy verification process is completed for controller  830  to activate illumination extinguishment by dimming light fixtures  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 ; on the flip side, go to step  305  if memory  830 - 2  recorded data indicates occupancy sensor  835 - 1  detected occupancy in elevator hall  839 - 1 . 
         [0056]    In step  305 , controller  830  provides continued illumination in brightened territories  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 . 
         [0057]    In step  306 , controller  830  receives interactive sensor  834 - 1  sent signal pertaining to detected occupant initiated action including but not limited to opening of door  837 - 1 —controller  830  starts counting grace time period 2 before it lapses upon closing of door  837 - 1 ; or in an alternative embodiment, ECS  450  sent information  471  pertains to landing and departure of a servicing car (not shown)on the floor level of elevator hall  839 - 1 —controller  830  starts counting grace time period 2 upon departure of the servicing car (not shown) before it lapses over a preconfigured time span. 
         [0058]    In step  307 , controller  830  retrieves memory  830 - 2  stored data for exploration of occupancy sensors  835 - 1 ,  835 - 2  sent signals pertaining to occupancy detection in corresponding territories  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 : go to step  305 , if memory  830 - 2  stored data indicates occupancy detection within grace time period 2; go to step  301  if memory  830 - 2  stored data does not indicate occupancy detection within grace time period 2, as the preliminary occupancy verification process is completed for controller  830  to activate illumination extinguishment by dimming light fixtures  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  demonstrates implementation of an exemplary embodiment comprising testing the operativity of a PIR sensor based occupancy sensor  443 . In a regular PR sensor operation, PR sensing element  463  of PR module  462  receives IR radiation  481  emitted by a foreign entity (not shown) that is focused by sensor optics  461  including but not limited to Fresnel lens; PR module  462  generates an output signal  486  and sends it to controller  430 . 
         [0060]    In an operativity diagnosis process, an external IR radiation energy source  481  becomes unavailable; controller  430  sends signal  485  to PIR sensor based occupancy sensor  443  having an accessorized inductor  465 , which emits energy  483 —related to an energy source such as but not limited to heat for detection by PIR sensing element  463 . PIR module  462  correspondingly sends output signal  486  to controller  430 , indicating operativity of occupancy sensor  443 . In contrast, failure to generate an output signal  486  by PIR module  462  indicates inoperativity of occupancy sensor  443 . 
         [0061]    An exemplary architecture  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein a modular utility control system  580  constituting to a distributed intelligence system with high granularity is communicatively linked (wired or wireless) with ECS  450 , client  505  and BMS  506  through hub  510 . In one embodiment, controller  530  receives configurations and commands from client  505  and/or BMS  506 ; in return, client  505  and BMS  506  receive real-time and archived operation information of utility control system  580 . 
         [0062]    Controller  530  comprises a processor  531 , memory  532 , clock/timer  533 , program code  534 , interface  535 , input/output gateway (“I/O”)  536  and AD converter  537 . Memory  532 , working with or within controller  530 , can be any device, including magnetic, optical or solid-state memory comprising random access memory (“RAM”), nonvolatile memory such as Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (“EEPROM”) which is connected to processor  531  and to other components of controller  530 ; memory stored information can be changed via communicatively connected thin client  505  or BMS  506 . 
         [0063]    Controller  530  receives/retrieves information  471  from ECS  450  through communicative linkage  502 , including one or more of the following (but not limited thereto): 
         [0064]    car landing and departure pertaining to elevator services provided in response to prompted car calls and the floor levels corresponding to those car calls; 
         [0065]    real-time locations of said passengers; 
         [0066]    timing and scheduling of car landing/departing; 
         [0067]    car load and increase/decrease in car load after car landing/departing; 
         [0068]    car doors opening/closing pertaining to car landing/departing; 
         [0069]    detected passenger identification in correspondence with active sensing technology, for example, user identification through RFID chip or WiFi adapter equipped PDA and cellular phone and similar technologies with identifiable wireless tags embedded in portable or personal belongings. 
         [0070]    Controller  530  sends information  471  to ECS  450  through communicative linkage  502 , including one or more of the following (but not limited thereto): 
         [0071]    real-time occupancy and number of occupants in building territories demanding elevator services and the related floor levels, including but not limited to the elevator hall, corridors, stairs and parking garage, etc.; 
         [0072]    recorded occupancy and number of occupants in accordance with time and day. 
         [0073]    Information  471  is utilized by controller  530  in operation, in one or more of the following ways: 
         [0074]    activating provision of antecedent illumination in territories including but not limited to the elevator hall as common use territory in a building zone anterior to passenger unboarding from the landing car; and 
         [0075]    executing the occupancy verification process, following with activating illumination extinguishment by terminating provision of lighting in unattended, antecedent illuminated provided territories upon the lapse of a preconfigured grace time period entailed in the antecedent illumination, or, following occupant departure through a departing car. 
         [0076]    Controller  530  receives/retrieves and processes real-time operation information sent from other systems through interface  535  for activation of on-demand antecedent lighting provision and occupancy verification process for ascertainment of total occupant departure from said territories in the corresponding landing floor and terminates provision of lighting and optional utilities as in HVAC, including one or more of the following: 
         [0077]    commands and operation information from client  505  and BMS  506 ; 
         [0078]    Through I/O  536 , controller  530  controls activation and termination of utility provision by switching selected electrical devices including but not limited to a plurality of light fixtures  540 , between an operation mode and a power reduction mode, including one or more of: 
         [0079]    receiving real-time signals in accordance with clock time from elevator car detection section  542  detecting car arrival and car departure; occupancy sensor  543 , interactive sensor  544 , override switch  545 ; 
         [0080]    brightening and dimming lamp mounted light fixtures  540 - 1 ,  540 - 2 ,  540 - 3 . 
         [0081]    Processor  531  processes incoming signals via I/O  536  and executes preinstalled programs in program code  534 . Data is stored in memory  532  while commands are sent or executed in conformity with clock/timer  533 . Communications are performed via interface  535  with other systems that are linked to linkage  502  through hub  510 . Incoming analog signals are converted to digital data by AD converter  537 . 
         [0082]    In an embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , occupant in position  655 - 3  and occupant in position  655 - 4  represent the locations of an occupant with respect to two instantaneous times t1, t2, pertaining to two synchronized clock/timers (see clock/timer  533  in  FIG. 5 ) individually integrated into controllers  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 : the occupant is located in position  655 - 3  before opening normally and concurrently closed door  627 , and in position  655 - 4  after opening and traversing through door  627 . At instantaneous time t1, interactive sensor  624 - 3  detects occupant in position  655 - 3  prompted occupant initiated action—such as approaching toward closed door  627 , touching the door  627  installed door knob (not shown), turning the door bolt (not shown) with the door knob (not shown), opening door  627 , etc.—and transmits a signal via linkage  502 - 2  to controller  530 - 2 . 
         [0083]    The control system—comprising communicative linkages  502 - 1 ,  502 - 2 ,  502 - 3 , controllers  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 , gate card readers  616 - 1 ,  616 - 2 , hub  510 , interactive sensors  614 - 3 ,  624 - 3 , lamps (not shown) mounted normally dimmed light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 , occupancy sensors  613 - 1 ,  613 - 2 ,  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 —provides on-demand lighting comprising antecedent illumination along a possible, projected occupant traversal path in the parking garage  600 —encompassing vehicle use driveway ramp adjoined (not shown) parking garage territories  619 ,  629  located on two separate floor levels—for occupant in position  655 - 3  to depart through exit  618 - 2  in parking garage territory  619  by driving vehicle in position  653 - 2  parked in parking garage territory  629 , through asynchronously brightening, or, synchronously brightening parking garage territories  619  and  629 . 
         [0084]    In accordance with the control system asynchronously activated antecedent illumination in the possible, projected occupant traversal path: firstly, controller  530 - 2  brightens to effectively attain a preconfigured percentage of full lumens in brightness lamps (not shown) mounted dimmed light fixtures  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 —installed in parking garage territory  629  located on the same floor level as the immediately adjoining, door  627  segregated, occupant in position  655 - 3  located territory—before closed door  627  is opened at all, or to an extent that occupant in position  655 - 3  is able to visually detect the lighting conditions in parking garage territory  629  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed, and at the same time transports signal α (not shown) through linkages  502 - 1 ,  502 - 2  and hub  510  to controller  530 - 1 ; secondly, at posterior instantaneous time t2, occupancy sensor  623 - 1  transports signal β (not shown) to controller  530 - 2  via linkage  502 - 2  upon detecting occupant in position  655 - 4 , beyond which the occupant will be visually exposed to parking garage territory  619 , or able to visually detect the lighting conditions in parking garage territory  619  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed, controller  530 - 2  transports signal β (not shown) to controller  530 - 1  via linkages  502 - 2 ,  502 - 1  and hub  510 —controller  530 - 1  in turn brightens to effectively attain a preconfigured percentage of full lumens in brightness lamps (not shown) mounted dimmed light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2 —installed in parking garage territory  619  and located on a different floor level to vehicle use driveway ramp adjoined (not shown), occupant in position  655 - 4  located parking garage territory  629 . 
         [0085]    In accordance with the control system synchronously activated antecedent illumination in the possible projected occupant traversal path: brightening to effectively attain a preconfigured percentage of full lumens in brightness lamps (not shown) mounted dimmed light fixtures  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2  installed in parking garage territory  629 , as well as, lamps (not shown) mounted dimmed light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2  installed in parking garage territory  619  before door  627  is opened at all, or to an extent that occupant in position  655 - 3  is able to visually detect the lighting conditions in parking garage territory  629  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed. 
         [0086]    Controllers  530 - 2  and  530 - 1  provide for occupant in position  655 - 3 ; undisrupted and continuous illumination within parking garage territories  619 ,  629  is provided by continuously brightened light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 , and after an occupancy verification process is performed. 
         [0087]    In  FIG. 7 , a flow diagram illustrates illumination extinguishment upon completion of the occupancy verification process pertaining to on-demand lighting in control method  700 . Referring to parking garage  600  in  FIG. 6 , controller  530 - 1  monitors occupancy in parking garage territory  619  through occupancy sensor  613 - 1 ; controller  530 - 2  monitors occupancy in parking garage territory  629  through occupancy sensor  623 - 1 . 
         [0088]    In step  710 , controller  530 - 2  activates illumination extinguishment by dimming normally dimmed and concurrently brightened light fixtures  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2  as controller  530 - 2  determines that parking garage territory  629  is unattended with occupancy. 
         [0089]    In step  720 , the driver (not shown) of vehicle in position  653 - 1  entering through entrance  618 - 1  into unattended parking garage territory  619  performs information read-out of a smart card (not shown) with gate card reader  616 - 1 , which sends the corresponding information pertaining to location of vehicle parking space in position  653 - 2  and therefore a projected occupant (vehicle) traversal path from gate card reader  616 - 1 , driver&#39;s residence floor and unit (not shown) to controllers  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 . 
         [0090]    Controllers  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2  activate antecedent illumination by brightening normally and concurrently dimmed light fixtures  611 - 2 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2  anterior to vehicle in position  653 - 1  passing an area in parking garage territory  619  that is continuously illuminated by normally brightened light fixture  611 - 1  toward parking space in position  653 - 2 , such that the occupant as driver (not shown) of vehicle in position  653 - 1  is evaded from visual exposure to the lighting conditions in parking garage territories  619 ,  629  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed, and provides undisrupted illumination for the visiting occupant (not shown) of vehicle in position  653 - 1  to park the vehicle in parking space in position  653 - 2 , and depart from parking garage territory  629  through elevator doors  626 - 3  or door  627 . 
         [0091]    In step  730 , controller  530 - 2  activates a count-down on a grace time period with the integrated clock/timer  533  (see  FIG. 5 ); occupant in position  655 - 4  has parked the vehicle in position  653 - 2  and departs from parking garage territory  629  through elevator doors  626 - 3  into a departing car (not shown). 
         [0092]    In step  740 , controller  530 - 2  receives/retrieves information  471  related to the real-time ECS  450  operation—and activates the occupancy verification process in step  750 , including: 
         [0093]    processing data pertaining to interactive sensors  614 - 3 ,  624 - 3  for detection of door opening (implying possibility in occupant making entry/exit), gate card reader  616 - 1  for detection of vehicle entry into parking garage territory  619  through entry  618 - 1  and gate card reader  616 - 2  for detection of vehicle departure from parking garage  600  through exit  618 - 2 ; 
         [0094]    processing selected data of ECS  450  sent information  471 ; 
         [0095]    processing selected data of clock/timer  533  (see  FIG. 5 ); 
         [0096]    analyzing occupancy sensors  613 - 1 ,  623 - 1  sent signals for detecting occupancy within parking garage territories  619 ,  629 . 
         [0097]    In addition, controller  530 - 2  optionally processes commands and operation information from client  505  and BMS  506 , if any. Return to step  710  in the event that controllers  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2  determine that parking garage territories  619 ,  629  are unattended with occupancy, and to activate illumination extinguishment within by dimming light fixtures  611 - 2 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 . Return to step  730  and extend illumination in parking garage territories in the event that occupancy is detected by occupancy sensors  613 - 1 ,  623 - 1  within parking garage territories  619 ,  629 . 
         [0098]    In step  760 , controller  530 - 2 —receiving an override switch  625  signal activated by an undetected occupant (not shown) in dimmed elevator hall  629 —instantly assigns an extension time period to said occupant and brightens light fixtures  621 - 1  and  621 - 2 . The extension time period having a countdown for extension of illumination is similar to the grace time period. 
         [0099]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , control system  830  provides building  800  with antecedent illumination and HVAC—wherein, emergency exit doors  827 - 2 ,  837 - 2 , and doors  827 - 1 ,  837 - 1  segregating non-common use territories residence units  829 - 0 ,  839 - 0  and common use territories  829 - 1 ,  839 - 1  are normally closed; the common use territories are normally dimmed (unless otherwise specified). 
         [0100]    In the first embodiment, occupant in position  855 - 2  located in unit  829 - 0  prompts an occupant initiated action by opening normally and concurrently fully closed door  827 - 1 —interactive sensor  824 - 1  as door sensor detects the occupant initiated action as door  827 - 1  is opening and sends a signal to control system  830  via communicative linkage  802 . Before door  827 - 1  is opened at all, or to an extent to allow occupant in position  855 - 2  to be visually exposed to the lighting conditions in territory  829 - 1  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed, control system  830  has performed antecedent illumination by amply brightening normally and concurrently dimmed light fixtures  813 - 3 ,  823 - 1 ,  823 - 2  and  823 - 3  installed in respective common use territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 1 ,  829 - 2 ,  829 - 3 , to effectively attain lighting intensities up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness in accordance with a unique lighting scene in each of those territories anterior to visual contact of occupant in position  855 - 2  made with territory  829 - 1  as the territory of immediate entry for obviation of occupant in position  855 - 2  from visual exposure and notification to the brightening process in the territory of entry. 
         [0101]    Frosted glass (not shown) installed emergency exit door  827 - 2  disperses light emitted by light fixtures  813 - 3 ,  823 - 2  and  823 - 3  possible to be visually recognized by an occupant located in territory  829 - 1 —including but not limited to occupant in position  855 - 3 . Occupant in position  855 - 2  consecutively opens (not shown) door  827 - 1 , steps into (not shown) brightened territory  829 - 1 , and enters a car (not shown) through elevator doors  828  for traveling to other floor levels of building  800 . 
         [0102]    In this embodiment, control system  830  activates antecedent illumination for occupant in position  855 - 2  by brightening light fixture  823 - 1  installed in territory  829 - 1  of occupant entry notwithstanding, as well light fixtures  813 - 3 ,  823 - 2  and  823 - 3  installed in respective common use territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 2 ,  829 - 3 —which are directly and indirectly adjoined to territory  829 - 1  of entry by occupant in position  855 - 2 . Even though interactive sensor  824 - 1  signals sent to control system  830  do not indicate that occupant in position  855 - 2  will be crossing emergency exit door  827 - 2  for entry into territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 2 ,  829 - 3 , once within territory  829 - 1 , the occupant may be possibly in position  855 - 3  to detect the lighting conditions as dimmed in territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 2 ,  829 - 3  through the frosted glass (not shown) imbedded in emergency exit door  827 - 2 . 
         [0103]    In other words, dimmed common use territories with occupant initiated action demonstrating no certainty of entry by occupant located in a territory not visually exposed to the occupant—in territory prior to or after making entry into the territory of entry—remain dimmed; whereas, dimmed common use territories with occupant initiated action demonstrating no certainty of entry by occupant located in an adjoining territory on the same floor level, or cross-over, indirectly adjacent territory on the same, or a different floor level but possible to be visually exposed to the occupant in territory prior to or after making entry into the territory of entry are brightened with antecedent illumination in accordance with on-demand lighting. 
         [0104]    In the second embodiment, control system  830  provides illumination at least in common use territories  829 - 3 ,  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 ,  839 - 3  through brightened respective light fixtures  823 - 3 ,  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 ,  833 - 3  for occupant in position  855 - 7  located in territory  839 - 1 —detected by linkage  802  linked occupancy sensor  835 - 1 —prompts an occupant initiated action by turning normally and concurrently fully closed door  837 - 1  installed door knob (not shown) prior to entering concurrently dimmed light fixture  833 - 0  installed residence unit  839 - 0 —interactive sensor  834 - 1  as door sensor detects the occupant initiated action and sends a signal to control system  830  via linkage  802 . Before door  837 - 1  is opened at all, or to an extent to impose on occupant in position  855 - 7  visual exposure to the lighting conditions in territory  829 - 1  as dimmed or brightening from dimmed, control system  830  has performed antecedent illumination by duly brightening dimmed light fixture  833 - 0  to effectively attain lighting intensities up to preconfigured percentages of full lumens in brightness in accordance with a unique lighting scene in residence unit  839 - 0 . (Different scenes may be orchestrated in residence unit  839 - 0  by having different intensities in lumens in different light fixtures, including but not limited to light fixture  833 - 0 .) 
         [0105]    At the same time, control system  830  starts counting a grace time period: ECS  450  sent information  471  does not indicate landing of servicing car on the floor level of elevator hall  839 - 1 , but signals receiving from occupancy sensors  825 - 3 ,  835 - 1 ,  835 - 2 ,  835 - 3  indicate detection of occupancy sensors  825 - 3 ,  835 - 2  detected respective occupants in positions  855 - 5 ,  855 - 6 . Subsequently, occupant in position  855 - 7  opens (not shown) door  837 - 1  to an extent to become visually exposed to brightened residence unit  839 - 0 , steps into (not shown) residence unit  839 - 0 —said grace time period lapses upon control system  830  receiving interactive sensor  834 - 1  sent signal pertinent to door  837 - 1  closing. Control system  830  continues to provide illumination at least in common use territories  829 - 3 ,  839 - 1 ,  839 - 2 ,  839 - 3  through brightened respective light fixtures  823 - 3 ,  833 - 1 ,  833 - 2 ,  833 - 3 . 
         [0106]    In the third embodiment, common use territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 1 ,  829 - 2  and  829 - 3  are concurrently brightened in accordance with a unique scene for occupant in position  855 - 3 : normally dimmed light fixtures  813 - 3 ,  823 - 3  are moderately brightened at 50% lighting intensity, whereas normally dimmed light fixtures  823 - 1 ,  823 - 2  are brightened at 100% lighting intensity; occupant in position  855 - 3  located in territory  829 - 1  performs an occupant initiated action by opening emergency exit door  827 - 2 . Through the frosted glass (not shown) installed in emergency exit door  827 - 2 , occupant in position  855 - 3  visually notices lighting conditions in territory  829 - 2 , but is unable to notice lighting conditions in territories  819 - 2  and  839 - 2 , respectively installed with light fixtures  813 - 2 ,  833 - 2 . Interactive sensor  824 - 2  as door sensor detects said occupant initiated action and sends the corresponding signals through linkage  802  to control system  830 , which activates antecedent illumination for occupant in position  855 - 3 : prior to door  827 - 2  is opened at all, or to an extent to inflict on occupant in position  855 - 3  visual exposure to the lighting conditions in territories  819 - 3 ,  829 - 3  changing from moderately brightened at 50% lighting intensity to brightened at 100% lighting intensity, control system  830  brightens light fixtures  813 - 3 ,  823 - 3  to attain 100% lighting intensity and moderately brightens light fixtures  813 - 2  and  833 - 2  to attain 50% lighting intensity. Subsequently, occupant in position  855 - 3  opens emergency exit door  827 - 2 , reaches position  855 - 4  and position  855 - 5  in common use territory  829 - 3 . 
         [0107]    In this embodiment, control system  830  activates antecedent illumination for occupant in position  855 - 3  by moderately brightening to attain 50% lighting intensity light fixture  833 - 2  installed in territory  839 - 2  located on a different floor level upon detection of said occupant initiated action, which demonstrates occupant in position  855 - 3  entry through adjoining territories  829 - 2 ,  829 - 3 , by sequentially reaching position  855 - 4 , and position  855 - 5  in one route alternative of a projected occupant traversal path. At the same time, control system  830  also activates antecedent illumination in territory  819 - 2  as the unvisited route alternative of the projected occupant traversal path having equal possibility of visit in accordance with interactive sensor  824 - 2  sent signals pertaining to said detected occupant initiated action sent to control system  830 : by moderately brightening to attain 50% lighting intensity light fixture  813 - 2  installed in common use territory  819 - 2  located on a different floor level. 
         [0108]    In the final embodiment, occupancy sensor  825 - 2  sending a signal through wired and wireless network  802  to controller  830  in accordance with detecting occupant in position  855 - 4  in common use territory  829 - 2 ; controller  830  starts counting with clock/timer  830 - 3  at instantaneous time t1. At instantaneous time t2, the occupant traversing through the stairway in common use territory  829 - 3  in position  855 - 6  is detected by interactive sensor  825 - 3 , which sends a signal through wired and wireless network  802  to controller  830 . The time span between t1 and t2 is within a preconfigured threshold tolerance. 
         [0109]    Occupant in position  855 - 5  stops traversing for a while, before arriving in position  855 - 6  at instantaneous time t3 and is detected by occupancy  835 - 2 . The time span between t2 and t3 is beyond a preconfigured threshold tolerance: controller sends a first message through wired and wireless network  802  to mobile device  888  held by user in position  855 - 1 . Occupant in position  855 - 6  moves to position  855 - 7  while controller  830  receives an occupancy sensor  835 - 1  sent signal for occupant detection at instantaneous time t4. However, a preconfigured threshold tolerance is exceeded before interactive sensor  834 - 1  sending any signal indicating opening of door  837 - 1  for entry into non-common use territory unit  839 - 0 ; in converse, interactive sensor  834 - 2  does not send any signal indicating opening of door  837 - 2  for exit into non-common use territory unit  839 - 2 ; in furtherance, ECS  450  sent information  471  neither indicates prompted car call for elevator service, nor landing of servicing car on the floor level of elevator hall  839 - 1  with passenger boarding a departed servicing car. Controller  830  sends a second message to user in position  855 - 1  held mobile device  888  through wired and wireless network  802 . 
         [0110]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention of the utility control system. The above examples are merely exemplary implementations of a particular system, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated in the claims.