Our sensors are designed to provide reliable data about occupancy and environmental conditions in real-time. Each sensor type follows a specific timing and reporting logic to balance accuracy with efficient data transmission and battery life. This article outlines how our Desk Occupancy, Room Occupancy, and Environmental (CO₂) sensors operate.
How the timer works
Occupancy is always reported immediately when motion is detected. There is no delay in this direction.
The timer only controls the opposite transition: how long the space stays occupied after the last detected motion. This prevents a space from showing as free while someone is still using it, for example:
A person sitting still while reading, typing, or on a phone call
Someone stepping out for a coffee or bathroom break
A meeting where the audience sits quietly
If the timer were shorter, these spaces would incorrectly show as free while still in use. The values of 12 minutes for desks and 5 minutes for rooms follow industry practice and are not configurable.
Desk Occupancy Sensor
The desk sensor detects motion using a PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor and reports occupancy status accordingly:
When occupancy is detected:
The sensor sends a message immediately.
A 12-minute internal timer starts.
If any movement is detected within that 12-minute window, the timer is restarted.
If no movement is detected for the full 12 minutes, the sensor changes to unoccupied.
When remaining in a continuous state (either occupied or unoccupied):
The sensor sends status updates every 15 minutes for the first hour after startup.
After that, it switches to a 2-hour reporting interval for keep-alive messages.
Room Occupancy Sensor
The room sensor works on the same principles as the desk sensor but with a shorter timeout period to suit larger spaces:
When occupancy is detected:
The sensor sends a message immediately.
A 5-minute internal timer starts.
If any movement is detected within that 5-minute window, the timer is restarted.
If no movement is detected for the full 5 minutes, the sensor changes to unoccupied.
When remaining in a continuous state (either occupied or unoccupied):
The sensor sends status updates every 15 minutes for the first hour after startup.
After that, it switches to a 2-hour reporting interval for keep-alive messages.
Environmental Sensor (CO₂ Sensor)
This sensor measures and reports air quality data
It sends the current CO₂ level every 15 minutes.
It does not respond to movement or occupancy changes.
After powering on, the device requires:
A short initialization period.
Up to 24 hours for full calibration.
During this time, data may not be accurate.
The sensor becomes fully operational once it reaches the lowest CO₂ concentration (PPM)—typically during the night—and uses this to calibrate its baseline. This process usually completes within 24 hours.