WO2013001407A1

WO2013001407A1 - Environment control apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013001407A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/053070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca TIBERI; Andre Melon Barroso; Bahaa Eddine Sarroukh
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-06-30
Filing date: 2012-06-19
Publication date: 2013-01-03

Abstract

The invention relates to an environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area. A sensor (2) generates a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons (3) within the area (4), an activity type determination unit (5) determines an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons within the area based on the generated sensing signal, and a control unit (6) controls at least one environmental unit (7) for influencing the environment of the persons within the area, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit depending on the determined activity type. The environment control apparatus allows therefore controlling the environment of the persons within the area depending on their activity. For example, lighting settings in a classroom can be controlled depending on the activity of the pupils in the classroom.

Description

ENVIRONMENT CONTROL APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an environment control apparatus, an environment control method and an environment control computer program for controlling the

environment of persons in an area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

WO 2010/086757 Al discloses a system for controlling lighting responsive to ambient light conditions, wherein an illumination controller controls the illumination of a workspace near a display. The illumination controller includes a memory device storing a user's preference for illumination of the workspace, a processor assessing the user's preference in the memory device and an interface between the processor and an electronic sensor located proximate to the display, which collects a reading from the electronic sensor. The processor compares the reading with the user's preference, and sends a command to at least one luminaire to adjust the illumination of the workspace. The electronic sensor can be, for example, a photo sensor, an occupancy sensor, an orientation sensor or a location sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an environment control apparatus, an environment control method and an environment control computer program for controlling the environment of persons in an area, wherein the environmental control can be improved.

In a first aspect of the present invention an environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area is presented, wherein the environment control apparatus comprises:

- a sensor for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons within the area, an activity type determination unit for determining an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons within the area based on the generated sensing signal, and

a control unit for controlling at least one environmental unit for influencing the environment of the persons within the area, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit depending on the determined activity type.

Since the sensor generates a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons within the area, wherein an activity type is determined based on the generated sensing signal and the at least one environmental unit is controlled depending on the determined activity type, the environment control apparatus allows to control the environment of the persons within the area not only depending on occupancy, i.e. not only depending on whether persons are there or not, but depending on their activity defined by their movements, of which the generated sensing signal is indicative. This allows the environment control apparatus to adapt the environment to the respective activity type of the persons within the area and, thus, to improve the control of the environment.

It is preferred that the activity type determination unit is adapted to determine an amount of motion within the area based on the generated sensing signal and to determine the activity type based on the determined amount of motion. The activity type determination unit can comprise activity rules defining the respective activity type depending on the determined amount of motion. For example, the rules can define assignments between motion ranges and activity types, wherein an activity type can be determined depending on the actually determined amount of motion and the assignments. The assignments can be predefined by calibration determinations of the amount of motion, while the respective activity type is known.

The amount of motion can be determined as, for example, a number of events indicated by the generated sensing signal or by the amount of variance in the generated sensing signal. In particular, if the sensor is a passive infrared sensor, the amount of motion can be determined by counting the events, i.e., determining the number of events, detected by the passive infrared sensor in a given time interval. The larger the number of events in the given time interval, the larger is the amount of motion. The generated sensing signal can also be an ultrasound signal generated by an ultrasound sensor, wherein the amount of motion can be determined by determining the amount of variance in the ultrasound signal. For example, the amount of motion can increase with increasing amount of variance. It is further preferred that the at least one environmental unit is at least one of a lighting unit, a heating unit, a ventilation unit and an air conditioning unit. Thus, the environment control apparatus can, for example, be adapted to control at least one of the light, the temperature, the humidity and the noise depending on the actual activity type.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit comprises environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the area depending on the determined activity type, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit such that the desired environmental property is achieved based on the determined activity type and the environmental rules. The control unit can be adapted to control the at least one environmental unit further depending on at least one measured environmental property within the area provided by at least one environmental property sensing unit. Correspondingly, the control unit can comprise environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the area depending on the determined activity type, wherein the control unit can be adapted to control the at least one environmental unit such that the desired environmental property is achieved based on the determined activity type, the environmental rules and the provided at least one measured environmental property. In an embodiment, the at least one measured environmental property is at least one of the light intensity, the C0₂ concentration, the humidity and the environmental noise. By also considering an actually measured environmental property the control of the environment can be further improved.

The environmental rules are preferentially predefined based on, for example, general knowledge. For instance, if the area is a class room and the persons are pupils, a first activity type indicating technical reading and a second activity type indicating group activity can be defined, wherein the environmental rules can be predefined such that environmental noise being smaller than a first threshold is determined as a desired environmental property, if the determined activity type is the first activity type, and that environmental noise being larger than a second threshold, which is larger than the first threshold, and smaller than a third threshold, which is larger than the second threshold, is determined as a desired environmental property, if the determined activity type is the second activity type.

It is preferred that the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit further depending on a time schedule defining expected occupancies of the area. For instance, the time schedule can define when the persons are within the area and when the persons are not within the area. This allows the environment control apparatus to further improve the control of the environment. In particular, the control unit can be adapted to control the at least one environmental unit based on the determined activity type and at least one of the provided at least one measured environmental property and the time schedule. Preferentially, the control unit is adapted to apply environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the area depending on the determined activity type and at least one of the provided at least one measured environmental property and the time schedule and to use the environment rules for controlling the at least one environment unit based on the determined activity type and at least one of the provided at least one measured environment property and the time schedule. The environmental rules can define desired environmental properties directly, i.e., for example, they can define a certain desired noise level and the control unit can control the at least one environmental unit such that the noise level is reached, or the environmental rules can indirectly define the respective desired environmental property by defining control settings for controlling the respective environmental unit, wherein the control unit then uses the control settings for controlling the respective environmental unit depending on the determined activity type and at least one of the provided at least one measured environmental property and the time schedule.

It is also preferred that the environment control apparatus further comprises an input unit for allowing a user to input a desired environmental property, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit in accordance with the input desired environmental property. In particular, if the user has input a desired environmental property, the control unit controls the at least one environmental unit accordingly, without considering the determined activity type, i.e. the user can override an automatic activity-type- based control. The input unit can be adapted to allow a user to directly input a desired environmental property and/or the input unit can be adapted to allow a user to input a desired environmental property indirectly by inputting, for example, an activity type, wherein then the control unit controls the at least one environmental unit depending on the input activity type. The input unit can also be adapted to allow a user to directly input control settings, wherein then the control unit controls the at least one environmental unit depending on the input control settings.

It is preferred that the sensor is adapted for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of pupils within a class room being the area, wherein the activity type determination unit is adapted to determine an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the pupils in the class room. The activity types can distinguish between, for example, technical reading, group activity, individual task, dynamic task, et cetera.

It is further preferred that the activity determination unit is adapted to determine a noisy activity type, if the sensing signal indicates a movement above a predefined first movement threshold, and to determine a silent activity type, if the sensing signal indicates a movement below a predefined second movement threshold. In an embodiment, the first and second movement thresholds are the same. In another embodiment, the first movement threshold is larger than the second movement threshold. The noise activity type corresponds, for example, to an activity type being indicative of group activity and the silent activity type can be indicative of, for example, technical reading.

The sensor for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of persons within an area can comprise at least one of a passive-infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an optical camera. The optical camera is preferentially a low resolution camera.

In a further aspect of the present invention an environment control method for controlling the environment of persons in an area is presented, wherein the environment control method comprises:

generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons within the area by the sensor,

determining an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons within the area based on the generated sensing signal by an activity type determination unit, and

controlling at least one environmental unit for influencing the environment of the persons within the area by a control unit, wherein the control unit the control unit controls the at least one environmental unit depending on the determined activity type.

In a further aspect of the present invention an environment control computer program for controlling the environment of persons in an area is presented, wherein the environment control computer program comprises program code means for causing an environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1 to carry out the steps of the environment control method as defined in claim 13, when the environment control computer program is run on a computer controlling the environment control apparatus.

It shall be understood that the environment control apparatus of claim 1, the environment control method of claim 13 and the environment control computer program of claim 14 have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments as defined in the dependent claims.

It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims with the respective independent claim. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings:

Fig. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of an

environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area, and

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart exemplarily illustrating an embodiment of an

environment control method for controlling the environment of persons in an area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of an environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area. In this embodiment, the persons are pupils 3 and the area is a classroom 4. However, in other embodiments the environment control apparatus can be adapted to control the environment of other persons in other areas. The environment control apparatus 1 comprises a sensor 2 for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4. The environment control apparatus can comprise one or several sensors for generating one or several sensing signals being indicative of movements of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4. In this embodiment, at least one of a passive-infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor and an optical camera, which is preferentially a low resolution camera, is used as the sensor 2 for generating the sensing signal being indicative of movements of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4.

The environmental control apparatus 1 further comprises an activity type determination unit 5 for determining an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4 based on the generated sensing signal. In this embodiment, the activity type determination unit 5 is adapted to determine an amount of motion within the classroom 4 based on the generated sensing signal and to determine the activity type based on the determined amount of motion. The activity determination unit 5 can comprise activity rules defining the respective activity type depending on the amount of motion. For instance, the activity rules can be defined such that a noisy activity type is determined, if the sensing signal indicates a movement above a predefined first movement threshold, and to determine a silent activity type, if the sensing signal indicates a movement below a predefined second movement threshold. The first and second movement thresholds can be predefined by calibration, wherein the first and second movement thresholds can be the same or the first movement threshold can be larger than the second movement threshold. Thus, the environment control apparatus can automatically determine the activity type, in particular, a noisy activity type, which may indicate group activity, and a silent activity type, which may indicate technical reading, based on the generated sensing signal, especially based on an amount of movement determined from the generated sensing signal. In an embodiment, the classroom 4 can be divided into different zones, wherein the activity rules can be predefined such that a noisy activity type is determined, if in all zones of the classroom the amount of movements is above the first movement threshold, and the silent activity type is determined, if in all zones of the classroom the amount of movement is below the second movement threshold.

The environment control apparatus further comprises a control unit 6 for controlling at least one environmental unit 7 based on the determined activity type and at least one of a provided at least one measured environmental property and a time schedule. The at least one environmental unit 7 is, for example, a lighting unit, a heating unit, a ventilation unit or an air conditioning unit. One or more environmental units 7 can be provided for influencing the environment of the pupils 3 in the classroom 4. The at least one measured environmental property is measured by at least one environmental property sensing unit 8, which is preferentially adapted to measure, for example, the light intensity, the C0₂ concentration, the humidity or the environmental noise within the classroom 4. The time schedule preferentially defines when the pupils 3 are within the classroom 4.

The control unit 6 comprises environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the classroom 4 depending on the determined activity type and at least one of the provided at least one measured environmental property and the time schedule. The environmental rules are preferentially predefined based on, for example, general knowledge about which environmental properties support which activity of the pupils.

In an embodiment, at least one environmental unit 7 is a fan and the environmental rules can be predefined such that, if the activity type is a noisy activity type, which indicates, for example, group activity of the pupils, and if the C0₂ level is above a lower threshold, the ventilation rate of the fan is set to a maximum level. The environmental rules can further define that, if the activity type is a noisy activity type and if the C0₂ level is below the low threshold, the ventilation rate of the fan is set to a minimum level. Moreover, if the noisy activity type has been determined, light settings of a lighting unit can be set to a rest mode, wherein the output of the lighting unit can be controlled depending on a light sensor. In an embodiment, a specific combination of color temperature and light intensity can be assigned to the rest mode, wherein, if the noisy activity type has been determined, the lighting unit can emit light having the specific combination of color temperature and light intensity. The specific combination of color temperature and light intensity can be a fixed combination or it can be a combination of color temperature and light intensity, which depends on a signal generated by a light sensor, wherein in the latter case in the rest mode the output of the lighting unit can be controlled depending on the light sensor.

The environmental rules can further define that, if a silent activity type being indicative of, for example, a technical reading activity of the pupils, has been determined and if the C0₂ level is above a high threshold, the ventilation rate of the fan is controlled based on the actual C0₂ level. For instance, the ventilation rate of the fan can be adjusted such that a specific C0₂ concentration level below the high threshold is reached. The specific C0₂ concentration level is preferentially predetermined.

The environmental rules can further define that, if the determined activity type is a silent activity type and if the C0₂ level is below a high threshold, the ventilation rate of the fan is set to a minimum level. The environmental rules can further define that, if the determined activity type is a silent activity type and the C0₂ level is below the high threshold and if the C0₂ level becomes smaller than the high threshold in a predefined time window after the start of the school day in the morning or after lunch, the light settings of a lighting unit are set to an energy mode. The environmental rules can further define that otherwise the light settings are set to a concentration mode. In an embodiment, a specific combination of color temperature and lighting intensity can be assigned to the energy mode and another specific combination of color temperature and lighting intensity can be assigned to the concentration mode. Thus, if the light settings of the lighting unit are set to the energy mode or the concentration mode, the lighting unit emits light with the respective specific combination of color temperature and lighting intensity.

The environment control apparatus 1 further comprises an input unit 9 for allowing a user to input a desired environmental property, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit 7 in accordance with the input desired environmental property. In particular, if the user has input a desired environmental property, the control unit 6 controls the at least one environmental unit 7 accordingly, without considering the determined activity type, i.e. the user can override an automatic activity-type- based control. Preferentially, the input unit 9 allows the user to input the desired environmental property by selecting one of several predefined settings of the at least one environmental unit 7. In this embodiment, the user is a teacher who has the possibility to override the automatic controls by a wall-mounted user interface being the input unit 9 with which he/she can choose between a set of different preset modes like a standard mode, a concentration mode, an energy mode and a rest mode, for example, as in the Philips SchoolVision system, which correspond to predetermined settings of the at least one environmental unit 7, in particular, which correspond to lighting and/or ventilation settings.

In the following an embodiment of an environmental control method for controlling the environment of the pupils 3 in the classroom 4 will exemplarily be described with reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 2.

In step 101, a sensing signal is generated being indicative of movements of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4 by the sensor 2. The sensor 2 is, for example, a passive- infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor or an optical camera, in particular, a low resolution camera. In step 102, an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the pupils 3 within the classroom 4 is determined based on the generated sensing signal by the activity type determination unit 5. In particular, an amount of motion is determined based on this generated sensing signal and the activity type is determined based on the determined amount of motion. In step 103, at least one environmental unit 7 for influencing the environment of the pupils 3 within the area 4 is controlled by a control unit 6, wherein the control unit 6 controls the at least one environmental unit 7 depending on the determined activity type and preferentially also depending on at least one of a provided at least one measured environmental property and a provided time schedule. For example, environmental rules can be used defining the control of the at least one environmental unit 7 depending on the determined activity type and optionally also depending on at least one of a environmental property, which may be measured in step 102, and a provided time schedule.

Different activities in the school, in particular, in the primary school, benefit from different environmental settings as for lighting, ventilation rate, environmental noise, et cetera. Cognitive skills such as concentration and memory can be enhanced by proper lighting and air quality, but such skills are not required in every moment of common school day. A high ventilation rate in classrooms provide a superior air quality, but can raise the noise level, if the acoustic insulation of the used heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) planned is not proper. This can end up in disturbing children during the most silent phases, which usually require a high level of concentration.

Pupils show different motion patterns depending on the school activity. For example, they sit almost still during technical reading, they walk around during group activities, et cetera. The amount of motion inside the classroom can be detected via one or several of the sensors 2 including, for example, a passive-infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a low resolution camera, et cetera and can then be correlated to the activity taking place in the classroom by using the activity type determination unit 5. The environment control apparatus allows, for example, to automatically change the settings of a ventilation controller for controlling an environmental unit 7 depending on the activity of the pupils. In particular, the environment control apparatus can be adapted to estimate the type of school activity in real-time, in order to control environmental parameters like light, air quality, ventilation-related noise, et cetera automatically according to the different needs of the activity in place. The environment control apparatus is preferentially adapted such that the teacher does not have to take any action, but still he/she can manually override the automatic control if desired.

The at least one environmental property sensing unit includes preferentially at least one of i) a light sensor for measuring the light intensity due to daylight plus artificial lighting, wherein the control unit can be adapted to control a lighting unit depending on at least the measured light intensity and the activity type, and ii) a C0₂ sensor for measuring the C0₂ level, wherein the control unit can be adapted to control a ventilation rate depending on at least the determined activity type and the measured C0₂ level. In an embodiment, the sensor 2 generates sensing signals, i.e. motion detection signals, using one or more passive- infrared sensors with non-overlapping sensitive areas provided with binary output such as those found in the Philips LRI 8134 multisensors. The activity type determination unit 5 can process the output of the sensors in order to count the movements detected and to identify motion patterns. The activity type determination unit 5 can comprise activity rules representing a comparison of the analysis with a referenced data set in order to estimate the respective activity type.

In an embodiment, several sensors generate several sensing signals being indicative of the movements of the persons within a room, in particular, being indicative of movements of pupils within a classroom. For each of the several sensors, i.e. for each region of the room sensed by a respective sensor, an amount of motion can be determined based on the respective sensing signal. The different amounts of motion, which correspond to the different sensors, can be combined into a vector, which can be used to index a database with predefined activity classifications for each possible combination of determined amounts of motion, i.e. for each vector. The database can be regarded as providing rules for assigning activities depending on combinations of determined amounts of motion. Instead of combining different amounts of motion, also other values generated from the respective sensing signal can be combined to a vector, wherein the vector can be used to index a database with predefined activity classifications for different possible combinations of the values.

In an embodiment, the C0₂ level is preferentially measured by using a commercial wall-mounted C0₂ sensor. Daylight contribution can be measured with one or more light sensors such as those found in the above mentioned Philips LRI 8134 multisensors. The daylight contribution can then be used to control the output of a lighting unit with respect to a desired light level, which has been determined depending on the activity type. The determined activity type together with values measured by, for example, light and C0₂ sensors, can determine the reaction of actuators, i.e. the at least one environmental unit 7, controlled by the control unit 6. For example, the actuators can be fans or dampers for a ventilation rate or for luminaires, respectively. The environment control apparatus can lead to an optimal learning environment tailored around the pupils' needs.

Although in the above described embodiments the environment of pupils in a classroom has been controlled by the environment control apparatus, the environment control apparatus can also be adapted to control the environment of other persons in other areas. For example, the environment control apparatus can be adapted to control the environment of employees in offices.

Although in the above described embodiments certain environmental units for influencing the environment like lighting and ventilation units have been described, the environment control apparatus can also be adapted to control the environment by using other environmental units influencing the environment like a heating unit or a humidity unit.

Although in the above described embodiments certain environmental property sensing units like a light sensor and a C0₂ level sensor have been mentioned, in other embodiments the environment control apparatus can also be adapted to use environmental properties measured by other environmental property sensing units like a temperature measuring unit, a humidity measuring unit, et cetera. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Determinations like the determination of movements based on a generated sensing signal and the determination of an activity type depending on the determined movements performed by one or several units or devices can be performed by any other number of units or devices. The determinations and/or the control of the environment control apparatus in accordance with the environment control method can be implemented as program code means of a computer program and/or as dedicated hardware.

A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

The invention relates to an environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area. A sensor generates a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons within the area, an activity type determination unit determines an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons within the area based on the generated sensing signal, and a control unit controls at least one environmental unit for influencing the environment of the persons within the area, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit depending on the determined activity type. The environment control apparatus allows therefore controlling the environment of the persons within the area depending on their activity. For example, lighting settings in a classroom can be controlled depending on the activity of the pupils in the classroom.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An environment control apparatus for controlling the environment of persons in an area, the environment control apparatus (1) comprising:

a sensor (2) for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons (3) within the area (4),

an activity type determination unit (5) for determining an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons (3) within the area (4) based on the generated sensing signal, and

a control unit (6) for controlling at least one environmental unit (7) for influencing the environment of the persons (3) within the area (4), wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit (7) depending on the determined activity type.

2. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the activity type determination unit (5) is adapted to determine an amount of motion within the area (4) based on the generated sensing signal and to determine the activity type based on the determined amount of motion.

3. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental unit (7) is at least one of a lighting unit, a heating unit, a ventilation unit and an air conditioning unit.

4. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the control unit (6) comprises environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the area (4) depending on the determined activity type, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit (7) such that the desired environmental property is achieved based on the determined activity type and the environmental rules.

5. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit (7) further depending on at least one measured environmental property within the area (4) provided by at least one environmental property sensing unit (8).

6. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the control unit (6) comprises environmental rules defining desired environmental properties within the area (4) depending on the determined activity type, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit (7) such that the desired environmental property is achieved based on the determined activity type, the environmental rules and the provided at least one measured environmental property.

7. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the at least one measured environmental property is at least one of the light intensity, the C0₂ concentration, the humidity and the environmental noise.

8. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit further depending on a time schedule defining expected occupancies of the area (4).

9. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the environment control apparatus (1) further comprises an input unit (9) for allowing a user to input a desired environmental property, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to control the at least one environmental unit (7) in accordance with the input desired environmental property.

10. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor (2) is adapted for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of pupils (3) within a class room (4) being the area and wherein the activity type determination unit (5) is adapted to determine an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the pupils (3) in the class room (4).

11. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the activity determination unit (5) is adapted to determine a noisy activity type, if the sensing signal indicates a movement above a predefined first movement threshold, and wherein the activity determination unit (5) is adapted to determine a silent activity type, if the sensing signal indicates a movement below a predefined second movement threshold.

12. The environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor (2) for generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of persons (3) within an area (4) comprises at least one of a passive-infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an optical camera.

13. An environment control method for controlling the environment of persons in an area, the environment control method comprising:

generating a sensing signal being indicative of movements of the persons (3) within the area (4) by the sensor (2),

- determining an activity type being indicative of the type of activity of the persons within the area based on the generated sensing signal by an activity type determination unit, and

controlling at least one environmental unit (7) for influencing the environment of the persons (3) within the area (4) by a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) the control unit (6) controls the at least one environmental unit (7) depending on the determined activity type.

14. An environment control computer program for controlling the environment of persons in an area, the environment control computer program comprising program code means for causing an environment control apparatus as defined in claim 1 to carry out the steps of the environment control method as defined in claim 13, when the environment control computer program is run on a computer controlling the environment control apparatus.