Wireless parameter adjustment based on node location

Abstract

The invention relates to adjusting one or more radio parameters of one or more nodes (12, 14, 16) based on one or more node parameters comprising relative positions of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16). The nodes (12, 14, 16) are wirelessly connected in a wireless connectivity system (100) and are configured for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals (18), receiving RF signals (18), or both. The one or more radio parameters are adjusted such that the wireless performance of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) is optimized for the application of the wireless connectivity system (100). The transmit power can be adjusted such that the probability of detecting an event in a volume (212, 222) not covered by one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) is reduced, thereby allowing for a reduction of false positives from the non-covered volume (212, 222).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless parameter adjustment device, a wireless connection system, a method for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes of a wireless connection system, and a computer program product for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes of a wireless connection system. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless connectivity systems are particularly used in home automation. Nodes in a wireless connectivity system can wirelessly connect to remote control devices (such as smartphones) or to routers or gateways, allowing users to remotely control the system. Nodes in a wireless connectivity system can be used, for example, to perform radio frequency (RF) based sensing or asset tracking.

[0003] US 2012 / 0146788 A1 discloses a system and method for deviceless motion detection and presence detection within a region of interest. Multiple nodes are configured to form a wireless network arranged around the region of interest. The multiple nodes transmit and receive wireless signals as radio waves. The received signal strength (RSS) of the transmitted wireless signals between the multiple nodes is measured and a value is reported. A computing device receives the reported value of the measured RSS and tracks the reported value over time. The computing device processes the reported value using total interference calculation to detect motion and presence within the region of interest.

[0004] US 2019 / 166562 discloses a method for dynamically controlling the transmit power of a wireless transmitter, for example, based on changes in power levels and interference levels at each of a set of sensors. The changes in the transmit power of the wireless transmitter can be dynamically implemented based on desired variations.

[0005] The wireless performance of a wireless connectivity system affects whether a user can reliably control the wireless connectivity system and whether RF-based sensing (such as motion detection and presence detection) can be reliably performed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of this invention can be considered to be to provide a wireless parameter adjustment device, a wireless connection system, a method, a computer program product, and a computer-readable medium that allow for improved wireless transmission performance, improved wireless reception performance, or both.

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, a wireless parameter adjustment device for a wireless connectivity system including wireless connection nodes is provided. The wireless connection nodes are configured to transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both. The wireless parameter adjustment device is configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters of the relative positions of the nodes, such that the wireless performance of the nodes is optimized for the application of the wireless connectivity system.

[0008] Because a wireless parameter adjustment device is configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on the relative positions of one or more nodes, it can influence the wireless performance of a wireless connectivity system. Adjusting the wireless parameters of one or more nodes can allow symmetrical or at least homogeneous wireless performance across nodes at different relative positions. Furthermore, for applications where symmetrical wireless performance may be required or desired, the wireless performance of each node can be optimized. Wireless performance can include both wireless transmit and receive performance. Wireless performance can be particularly improved for residential wireless connectivity systems compared to those in offices, where the materials, relative positions, and designs of nodes used in wireless connectivity systems typically vary considerably. Adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes can also allow for maintaining a healthy mesh routing network and optimize the detection and reliability of RF-based sensing and asset tracking.

[0009] Relative position describes where a given node is positioned relative to its environment. Relative position includes information about the node's environment. The environment may include one or more other nodes or one or more objects that affect RF signals, such as walls, windows, ceilings, metal beams, appliances, furniture, or other objects that affect the RF signals emitted and received by the node. Relative position may include the node's location relative to one or more other nodes or one or more objects that affect RF signals. The relative position of one or more nodes may, for example, be the location of a node in a room with walls, floors, and ceilings. Relative position may include the arrangement of the given node on a wall, ceiling, floor, table, or any other location. For example, when the node is a luminaire, the luminaire may be arranged in different locations, such that the luminaire may be a wall-mounted luminaire, a ceiling-mounted luminaire, a chandelier, a tabletop luminaire, a side luminaire, a portable luminaire that moves dynamically around a volume and thus dynamically changes its relative position, etc. The relative position of a node relative to one or more other nodes may be determined, for example, based on the grouping or clustering of nodes (e.g., the grouping of luminaires within a chandelier).

[0010] Applications of wireless connectivity systems can include RF-based sensing, asset tracking, wireless communication between nodes, or other applications.

[0011] One or more wireless parameters may include one or more of the following: transmit (Tx) power, number of antennas used to generate RF signals, type of antenna used to generate RF signals, one or more channels, bandwidth, and receive (Rx) sensitivity.

[0012] Wireless adjustment devices can be configured, for example, to adjust the Tx power of one or more nodes based on the relative position of the respective nodes. For instance, the device can reduce the Tx power of a wall-mounted node compared to a ceiling-mounted node because wall-mounted nodes have a greater lateral influence, while ceiling-mounted nodes treat objects below them as relatively small targets. This allows for improved RF-based sensing performance of wireless connectivity systems.

[0013] One or more node parameters may include one or more of the following: orientation of one or more nodes of the node, antenna design of one or more nodes of the node, directivity of RF signals generated by one or more nodes of the node, polarization of RF signals generated by one or more nodes of the node, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) characteristics of one or more nodes of the node, one or more materials of one or more nodes of the node, connectivity of one or more nodes of the node to one or more other nodes of the node, probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by one or more nodes of the node, confidence level of events detected by one or more nodes of the node, background parameters of one or more nodes of the node, number of nodes at different relative locations, current Tx power, current Rx sensitivity, one or more channels, and bandwidth.

[0014] Instead of the current value of the parameter, node parameters can also include trends for the corresponding node parameter, such as patterns over a certain time period. This allows for avoiding overly frequent adjustments to wireless parameters, as changes to node parameters can be considered over a longer period, and adjustments to wireless parameters can be performed less frequently.

[0015] The orientation of one or more nodes of a node can include the orientation of one or more nodes of the node relative to a specific volume, one or more other nodes, one or more objects, or a combination thereof. Depending on the node design, the directivity of the RF signals generated by one or more nodes of a node can be the inherent directivity of the respective node. For example, if the node is a lamp, the bulb design can affect the directivity of the RF signals generated by the lamp. The material of the node can additionally or alternatively affect the directivity by interfering with RF signals in certain directions. The material of the node can include, for example, one or more materials of the node's housing. The connectivity of one or more nodes of a node to one or more other nodes can include the data transmission rate between nodes, such as the data transmission rate required for real-time wireless communication between nodes. For example, if the data transmission rate between nodes is lower than the data transmission rate required for real-time communication, wireless parameters can be adjusted to increase the data transmission rate. The connectivity of one or more nodes of a node to one or more other nodes can also include, for example, the number of retries for transmitting data; for example, if transmitting data requires a higher number of retries, the node can have poorer connectivity.

[0016] A wireless parameter tuning device can be configured to reduce the Tx power of one or more nodes based on node-to-node connectivity. This reduces potential connectivity issues by preventing the Tx power from being reduced too much. The wireless parameter tuning device can be configured to reduce the Tx power of one or more nodes to a threshold Tx power only, based on node-to-node connectivity. The threshold Tx power can be selected so that the overall proportion of Tx power is as high as possible without significantly reducing the connectivity of one or more nodes.

[0017] Wireless parameter adjustment devices can be configured to adjust the Tx power of one or more nodes based on the number of nodes at different relative locations in a wireless connectivity system, or the number of nodes at different relative locations within a group of nodes in a wireless connectivity system. A group of nodes in a wireless connectivity system can, for example, include a group of nodes or all nodes arranged in a room, on the floor, in a house, etc. For example, a group of nodes may include ceiling-mounted nodes and four desktop nodes. If the ceiling-mounted node is arranged in the center of the room and the four desktop nodes are distributed throughout the room, the overall relative increase in the Tx power of the ceiling-mounted node is higher than in the case of three ceiling-mounted nodes. This allows ensuring that the spatial wireless performance of RF-based sensing throughout the volume remains as homogeneous as possible. For example, this allows people to be detected with equal confidence levels throughout the room, rather than having blind spots in the center due to the proportionally lower relative wireless transmission performance of the ceiling-mounted nodes.

[0018] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to adjust Tx power based on the confidence level of an event detected by one or more nodes of the node (e.g., a sensing event such as presence detection). The confidence level of the event can be provided to the wireless parameter adjustment device from one or more nodes of the node. Alternatively or additionally, the wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to determine the confidence level of an event detected by one or more nodes of the node. For example, for a low confidence level, the Tx power of a node positioned on a wall in a room adjacent to one or more rooms can be reduced, while for a high confidence level, the Tx power can be left unchanged. This can allow false alarms to be avoided in rooms adjacent to the room where the event is to be correctly detected. The wireless parameter adjustment device can include, or be connected to, a source for verifying the confidence level. The source for verifying the confidence level (e.g., high or low confidence) can be, for example, a ground truth mechanism (such as another sensing modality covering the same volume), or it can be based on manual user input.

[0019] A wireless parameter tuning device can be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on background parameters. Background parameters may include currently available bandwidth, time of day, weather conditions, temperature, or other background data. This allows for improved wireless performance by taking the background into account and adjusting wireless parameters accordingly; for example, temperature can affect the wireless performance of a node.

[0020] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes such that the signal parameters of RF signals outside the volume to be covered by the one or more nodes have values ​​below a threshold. The signal parameters of the RF signals can be, for example, signal strength. The wireless parameter adjustment device can also be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes such that the signal parameters of RF signals outside the volume to be covered by the one or more nodes have values ​​below a corresponding threshold for the corresponding signal parameter. Signal parameters can also include signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), carrier frequency bandwidth, carrier frequency offset, or any other signal parameters. This allows for a reduction in the risk of RF signals leaking from their intended volume. This can improve data security because the risk of data sniffing is reduced. Additionally, interference from RF signals of nodes covering adjacent volumes can be reduced. Furthermore, in the case of nodes used for event detection, this can reduce the detection of false alarms from adjacent volumes. The threshold signal strength can be predetermined. For example, a threshold signal strength can be selected such that the RSS indication (RSSI) value outside the volume to be covered is on the order of noise, making it impossible to obtain information from uncovered adjacent volumes.

[0021] The signal parameters of an RF signal can be determined, for example, by nodes of a wireless connection system outside the volume covered by one or more nodes of the node.

[0022] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes, thereby reducing the probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by the one or more nodes. These nodes can be configured, for example, to perform RF-based sensing, such as detecting events like the presence of a person. These nodes can be arranged around a volume to perform RF-based sensing within that volume, thereby covering that volume. RF-based sensing should not cover adjacent volumes. However, nodes may detect false alarms, i.e., events in volumes not covered by the one or more nodes. Adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes, thereby reducing the probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by the one or more nodes, allows for a reduction in the number of false alarms detected in volumes adjacent to the volume covered by the node (e.g., a room). For example, the wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes, such that the relative Tx power of the RF signal emitted by the one or more nodes is reduced based on the distance to the center of the volume covered by the one or more nodes. In this scenario, both the distance from the corresponding node to the center of the volume covered by one or more nodes and the relative position of the corresponding node with respect to its environment are crucial for adjusting the Tx power of the RF signal emitted by the corresponding node. If nodes are arranged such that the covered volume corresponds to the volume of a room, adjacent volumes in other rooms should not be covered. If the Tx power of the RF signal generated by a node far from the center and close to adjacent rooms is high, that node has a higher probability of detecting false alarms in adjacent rooms. Reducing the Tx power of a node based on its distance to the center of the volume covered by one or more nodes can allow for a reduction in the number of detected false alarms.

[0023] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to determine the relative position of one or more nodes. Because the wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to determine the relative position of one or more nodes, it can take the relative position of the nodes into account when adjusting one or more wireless parameters of the nodes. The relative position of the nodes can be determined manually or automatically. The relative position of the nodes can be manually entered by a user, for example, via a user interface (such as a user input device with a touchscreen or display and keyboard). The relative position can also be determined automatically, for example, based on the location and environment of the tracking node, for example, via a camera and image analysis unit, or in any other way known to a person skilled in the art. Alternatively or additionally, the relative position can be node parameters stored for each node on the node, for example, during node production, node placement, or both. Alternatively or additionally, nodes can be configured to determine their relative positions. For example, a node can include a microphone for determining the distance to another node. For example, a node in the form of a television can wirelessly transmit its current volume setting to another node with a microphone, and the microphone can determine the received volume. The difference between the volume setting and the received volume can be used to determine the distance between the node and the television. Nodes can be configured to provide their relative positions to wireless parameter adjustment devices.

[0024] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to determine the probability of detecting an event in a volume not covered by one or more nodes, based on one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of one or more nodes. The wireless parameter adjustment device can, for example, be configured to adjust the Tx power based on the probability of detecting an event in a volume not covered by one or more nodes. This can allow for the avoidance of detecting false alarms in rooms adjacent to the room where the event is to be correctly detected.

[0025] A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes if a trigger event is detected. The trigger event can be provided to the wireless parameter adjustment device. The trigger event may include, for example, a user manually triggering the adjustment of one or more wireless parameters, or a node being replaced, removed, malfunctioning, activated, or deactivated. This allows the wireless parameters to be kept up-to-date.

[0026] In another aspect of the invention, a wireless connectivity system is proposed. The wireless connectivity system includes two or more nodes, and a wireless parameter adjustment device or any embodiment thereof. The two or more nodes are configured to transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both. The wireless connectivity system may allow for improved wireless transmission performance, improved wireless reception performance, or both.

[0027] In one embodiment of the wireless connectivity system, each node can be configured to initially transmit an RF signal at maximum Tx power. A wireless parameter adjustment device can be configured to reduce the Tx power of one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of the nodes.

[0028] The wireless connectivity system may further include a camera and an image analysis unit. The camera may be configured to image the arrangement of nodes, the nodes themselves, or both. The image analysis unit may be configured to determine one or more of the following: the relative position of one or more nodes, the material of one or more nodes, the orientation of one or more nodes, and the number of nodes at different relative positions. This allows for the automatic determination of the relative position, material, and / or orientation of one or more nodes, and / or the number of nodes at different relative positions.

[0029] The wireless connectivity system is configured to perform RF-based sensing, asset tracking, or both. RF-based sensing can include, for example, applications such as proximity detection, motion detection, presence detection, object counting, or other RF-based sensing.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes in a wireless connectivity system. These nodes are configured to transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both. The method includes the following steps:

[0031] - Based on one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of one or more nodes, adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes so that the wireless performance of one or more nodes is optimized for the application of the wireless connectivity system.

[0032] This method allows for the adjustment of available wireless parameters to compensate for differences in the wireless performance of nodes, mitigate performance disparities between different nodes, and enhance the overall wireless performance of the wireless connectivity system. For example, the Tx power of the RF signal can be optimized for each node covering a volume to improve the overall wireless performance of the wireless connectivity system.

[0033] This method can be executed as an algorithm or as part of an algorithm. The algorithm can be executed, for example, on a processor of a general-purpose computer, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0034] The method may include the following steps:

[0035] - Determine one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of one or more nodes.

[0036] Determining the relative position of one or more nodes can be done manually or automatically. Other node parameters that can be determined may include one or more of the following: orientation of one or more nodes, antenna design of one or more nodes, directivity of RF signals generated by one or more nodes, polarization of RF signals generated by one or more nodes, MIMO characteristics of one or more nodes, one or more materials of one or more nodes, connectivity of one or more nodes to one or more other nodes, probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by one or more nodes, confidence level of events detected by one or more nodes, background parameters of one or more nodes, number of nodes at different relative positions, current Tx power, current Rx sensitivity, one or more channels, and bandwidth.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes in a wireless connectivity system. These nodes are configured to transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both. The computer program product includes program code means that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform the described method or any embodiment thereof.

[0038] In another aspect, a computer-readable medium storing the aforementioned computer program product is proposed. Alternatively or additionally, the computer-readable medium may enable the storage of a computer program product according to any embodiment of the computer program product.

[0039] It should be understood that wireless parameter adjustment devices, wireless connection systems, methods, computer program products, and computer-readable media have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments.

[0040] It should be understood that the preferred embodiments of the present invention may also be any combination of the above embodiments.

[0041] These and other aspects of the invention will become clear and explained with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0042] In the following figures:

[0043] Figure 1A An embodiment of a wireless connectivity system is illustrated schematically and exemplaryly, the wireless connectivity system having a wireless parameter adjustment device included in a node of the wireless connectivity system, the wireless connectivity system being arranged in a building having several rooms and a person in the first room;

[0044] Figure 1B It shows Figure 1A The wireless connection system, in which the person is in the second room;

[0045] Figure 2 Schematic and exemplary illustrations Figure 1A and Figure 1B Details of an embodiment of a wireless parameter adjustment device for a wireless connection system;

[0046] Figure 3 An embodiment of a method for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes in a wireless connectivity system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An embodiment of a wireless connectivity system in the form of a lighting (CL) system 100 with a wireless parameter adjustment device 10 is illustrated schematically and exemplary.

[0048] The CL system 100 includes three wireless connectivity nodes in the form of a Hue bridge 12, and two wall-mounted light fixtures 14 and 16 for transmitting and receiving RF signals 18. In other embodiments, the wireless connectivity system may include more nodes. In this embodiment, a wireless parameter adjustment device 10 is included in the Hue bridge 12 and additionally performs the functions of the Hue bridge 12. In other embodiments, the wireless parameter adjustment device may also be a standalone device, or it may be embedded and distributed among different nodes. In this embodiment, the Hue bridge 12 is connected to a server 40. The server 40 allows the CL system 100 to connect to the Internet. In other embodiments, the Hue bridge 12 may also connect to the Internet in any other way.

[0049] Hue bridge 12 and luminaires 14 and 16 are arranged in the first room 200 and cover the respective volume 202 defined by the walls, floor, and ceiling of room 200. The first room 200 is adjacent to a corridor 210 and a second room 220, which define corresponding adjacent volumes 212 and 222. Rooms 200 and 220 are separated from each other by walls 230 and connected to corridor 210 via doors 240. In other embodiments, additional nodes of the wireless connectivity system may be arranged in other rooms, such as corridors and floors. In this case, a subset of nodes of the wireless connectivity system (i.e., nodes in each room) preferably forms a node group for covering the respective volume.

[0050] In this embodiment, the CL system 100 is used for RF-based sensing, specifically for presence detection. Therefore, an RF signal 18 is transmitted between the lamps 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12. Interference with the RF signal 18 caused by the person 20 is analyzed to detect the presence of the person 20 in the first room 200. In other embodiments, presence detection may be performed by a group of nodes covering other volumes, such that the volume in which the person was detected can be determined based on which group of one or more nodes detected the presence.

[0051] In other embodiments, the wireless connectivity system may also be configured to use RF signals from nodes deployed within the wireless connectivity system to perform asset tracking or any other application. The wireless connectivity system may also be configured to perform RF-based sensing and asset tracking.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the nodes (i.e., lamps 14 and 16) and the Hue bridge 12 initially transmits RF signals at maximum Tx power. In other embodiments, the nodes may transmit with a predetermined Tx power, which may be different for each of the nodes.

[0053] The wireless connectivity system additionally includes a camera 50 and an image analysis unit 60. In this embodiment, the camera 50 is included in the image analysis unit 60. The camera 50 and the image analysis unit 60 are optional. The camera 50 images the arrangement of luminaires 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12 to generate an image of the luminaires 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12, and their arrangement relative to their environment. The image is provided to the image analysis unit 60, which determines node parameters including the relative positions of the luminaires 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12, as well as their materials, orientations, and the number of nodes at different relative positions. The image analysis unit 60 may provide the node parameters to a wireless parameter adjustment device 10. In this embodiment, the image analysis unit 60 includes a wireless transceiver for wirelessly transmitting the node parameters to the wireless parameter adjustment device 10 (not shown). In other embodiments, the image analysis unit may also be included in the wireless parameter adjustment device, and the wireless adjustment device may be configured to determine the relative positions of the nodes. In other embodiments, node parameters, including the relative position of nodes, and other node parameters can be manually inserted by the user, for example, via a user interface such as a touch display (not shown).

[0054] Figure 2Details of an embodiment of the wireless parameter adjustment device 10 are illustrated schematically and exemplary. The wireless parameter adjustment device 10 is used to adjust the Tx power of lamps 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12 based on their relative positions, such that the signal strength of the RF signal 18 outside the volume 202 covered by lamps 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12 is below a threshold signal strength. The relative position describes where the respective nodes are positioned relative to their environment. A threshold signal strength is selected to prevent RF signal leakage into volumes 212 and 222 not covered by the nodes. The signal strength of the RF signal 18 decreases with distance from its respective source (i.e., lamp 14 or 16, or Hue bridge 12), and is further reduced by absorption, diffraction, and reflection at objects such as wall 230 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1A and Figure 1B ).

[0055] In other embodiments, the wireless parameter adjustment device can also be used to adjust one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters of the relative positions of the nodes, in order to optimize the wireless performance of the one or more nodes for a specific application of the CL system. Other wireless parameters may include, for example, the number of antennas used to generate RF signals, the type of antenna used to generate RF signals, one or more channels, bandwidth, and Rx sensitivity. The adjustment of one or more wireless parameters of the one or more nodes can be performed with the additional requirement that the signal parameters of the RF signals outside the volume to be covered by the one or more nodes have values ​​below a threshold. Signal parameters may, for example, be or include signal strength, SNR, carrier frequency offset, carrier frequency bandwidth, or any other signal parameter.

[0056] The wireless parameter adjustment device 10 includes a control unit 22 and a transceiver unit 24. The transceiver unit 24 is optional. In other embodiments, the wireless parameter adjustment device 10 may use a transceiver unit that includes a node for wireless parameter adjustment.

[0057] The control unit 22 includes a processor 26 and a computer-readable medium in the form of a memory 28.

[0058] Transceiver unit 24 includes a transceiver in the form of a WiFi transceiver 30. The WiFi transceiver 30 can operate at different frequencies. In this embodiment, the WiFi transceiver 30 can operate in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 60 GHz band. Therefore, the WiFi transceiver 30 has antennas 32, 34, and 36 for the respective WiFi bands. The WiFi transceiver may also include an antenna array comprising multiple antennas for each band. Transceiver unit 24 transmits and receives RF signals 18 to and from lamps 14 and 16 for wireless communication with lamps 14 and 16.

[0059] In other embodiments, the transceiver unit may further include two or more transceivers, such as narrowband transceivers and wideband transceivers. Additionally or alternatively, the transceiver unit may include one or more transceivers using ZigBee, Thread, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or other communication protocols.

[0060] The following text discloses in more detail how the wireless parameter adjustment device 10 adjusts the Tx power based on the relative positions of the lamps 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12.

[0061] Memory 28 stores a computer program product for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes in the CL system. The computer program product includes program code means for causing processor 26 to execute methods for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes in the CL system when the computer program product is run on processor 26, such as... Figure 3 The method presented herein. Memory 28 also includes a computer program product for operating CL system 100, which includes controlling the luminaires 14 and 16 of CL system to provide illumination, and controlling the nodes of CL system 100 to perform RF-based sensing and asset tracking.

[0062] In addition, memory 28 stores the relative positions of nodes. In other embodiments, memory 28 may also store additional node parameters, including one or more of the following: node orientation, node antenna design, directivity of the RF signal generated by the node, polarization of the RF signal generated by the node, MIMO characteristics of the node, node material, node connectivity with other nodes, probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by nodes, confidence level of events detected by nodes, node background parameters, number of nodes at different relative positions, current Tx power, one or more channels, bandwidth, and Rx sensitivity.

[0063] In this embodiment, processor 26 receives the relative positions of lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12 from memory 28. Processor 26 then adjusts the Tx power of lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12 based on their relative positions. To prevent RF signals 18 from leaking into volumes 212 and 222 not covered by lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12, the Tx power of lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12 is reduced. Specifically, because lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12 in this embodiment transmit RF signals 18 at maximum Tx power, the Tx power is individually reduced for each node such that the signal strength of RF signals 18 outside the volume 202 covered by lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12 is below a threshold signal strength. This also allows for a reduction in the probability of detecting events in the form of presence detection in adjacent volumes 212 and 222 that should not be covered by lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12.

[0064] Figure 1B The scenario depicts the presence of person 20 in the second room 220. Given that the signal strength of the RF signal 18 from lamps 14 and 16 will be high in the adjacent volume 222, it is highly likely that an event in the form of the presence of person 20 in room 200 (i.e., in volume 202 covered by lamps 14 and 16 and Hue bridge 12) will be falsely detected. By reducing the Tx power, the signal strength of the RF signal 18 outside volume 202 is also reduced, thus mitigating the risk of false alarms.

[0065] In other embodiments, processor 26 may also be provided with additional node parameters from memory 28, and one or more wireless parameters may be adjusted based on relative position and additional node parameters.

[0066] In other embodiments, the wireless parameter adjustment device may also be configured to determine the probability of detecting an event (e.g., detecting the presence of a person) in a volume not covered by nodes based on node parameters including the relative positions of the nodes.

[0067] In this embodiment, whenever a triggering event is detected, the processor 26 adjusts the Tx power of the nodes in the CL system 100. Triggering events include user requests to adjust one or more wireless parameters, turning a node on or off (i.e., one of the lights 14 and 16 and the Hue bridge 12), removing a node, or adding a node.

[0068] Various other embodiments of the wireless connectivity system and the wireless parameter adjustment device are described below.

[0069] In one embodiment, the wireless connectivity system is used to perform RF-based sensing to detect the presence of a user using a luminaire placed in a living room. Presence is detected by determining dynamic changes in the RSSI (Radio Reflection Standard) in messages transmitted between the luminaires. The wireless connectivity system determines the relative position of each relevant luminaire. These could be, for example, wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, pendant, table lamp, recessed lamp, portable, or other locations. The relative position relates to where the luminaire is positioned relative to other nodes and / or other objects. The relative position can be stored during the later configuration of the luminaires in the production facility, or it can be acquired during use by a light control system—such as a Hue bridge, gateway, or remote control unit (such as a smartphone). It is also possible that a user provides the relative position, for example, using a smartphone app, where they indicate the relative position of the corresponding luminaire. A wireless parameter adjustment device can then determine how the Tx power of each luminaire needs to be adjusted to optimize the wireless performance of the wireless connectivity system and adjust the Tx power accordingly. For example, the Tx power of ceiling lights can be increased because, compared to wall-mounted lights or table lamps, which can have a greater lateral impact, they perceive the human body as a smaller target due to their top-down field of view. This allows wireless connectivity systems to ensure that ceiling lights contribute as much Tx power as other lights, meaning that RF sensing mechanisms can have a wealth of data than before.

[0070] In another embodiment, all luminaires can be configured to transmit at their maximum Tx power, such as hardware (HW) defined or limited by regional regulations. In this case, further increasing the Tx power of any luminaire, especially ceiling-mounted luminaires, is not possible. This additional node parameter can be considered when adjusting wireless parameters, particularly Tx power. When the Tx power of some luminaires cannot be increased, in order to maintain the same Tx power ratio across all luminaires, the Tx power of some other luminaires (e.g., table lamps) must be reduced. This can allow for a similar overall RF-based sensing effect.

[0071] Reducing Tx power can cause connectivity issues, potentially preventing some lights from connecting to Hue bridges or gateways, or degrading the health of the mesh network. Wireless parameter tuning devices can additionally consider these node parameters when adjusting wireless parameters. For example, an upper limit or maximum reduction rate of Tx power can be provided to keep the overall wireless transmission performance close to expectations, but with minimal impact on the connectivity of nodes in the wireless system.

[0072] In another embodiment, the wireless parameter adjustment device adjusts the wireless parameters based on the number of nodes (such as light fixtures at different relative locations). For example, in a room with a single ceiling light fixture but four table lamps distributed throughout, the overall relative increase in the Tx power of the ceiling light fixture will be considered higher than in a room with three ceiling light fixtures. This allows ensuring that the RF-based sensing spatial wireless performance across the volume covered by the light fixtures is as homogeneous as possible. In practice, this can allow people to be detected with equal confidence levels throughout the room, rather than having blind spots in the center due to the proportionally lower relative wireless transmission performance of the ceiling light fixtures.

[0073] In another embodiment, the wireless connectivity system is optimized to reduce the detection of false alarms. For example, when a user enters his bedroom, it is not expected that a light fixture in his child's adjacent room will detect its presence and activate. The wireless connectivity system can infer, based on the relative positions of the light fixtures, that some of these fixtures are more likely to detect false alarms than others. For example, wall-mounted light fixtures are more likely to detect false alarms than ceiling-mounted light fixtures. This results in: with higher RF signal leakage from wall-mounted light fixtures than ceiling-mounted light fixtures, the RF signal has a higher signal strength in adjacent volumes not covered by the node, because in most buildings, floor construction materials tend to absorb more RF signals than walls. The wireless parameter adjustment device can take this leakage probability or the probability of detecting an event in a volume not covered by the node into account to adjust the wireless parameters.

[0074] Additionally, the Tx power of the wall-mounted luminaire can be adjusted in real time and based on the confidence level of the detected presence. For example, if the luminaire is mounted on a wall in one room and close to an adjacent room, and presence is detected with low confidence in both rooms, the Tx power of the wall-mounted luminaire can be reduced to ensure that presence is not detected due to RF signal leakage into the adjacent room. If presence is detected with high confidence, no Tx adjustment is required.

[0075] In another embodiment, the wireless adjustment device can additionally adjust the wireless parameters based on different materials included in the respective nodes. Different materials can affect the wireless performance of the luminaire. For example, the recessed luminaire of the GU10 spotlight is typically metallic, which helps dissipate heat from the luminaire. Accordingly, the luminaire will tend to confine the RF signal, resulting in directional RF signal transmission. In the case of using the same spotlight in a luminaire made of glass, the RF signal transmission is more homogeneous. The wireless adjustment device can additionally consider the inherent directionality of the node to adjust the wireless parameters, for example, based on the light source design. For example, by design, a spotlight is always more directional in RF signal transmission than an A19 bulb. Additionally, the wireless adjustment device takes into account the relative position of the luminaire to adjust the wireless parameters, which includes the luminaire's location and its environment (such as materials in its environment). The relative position and material can be entered by the user or can be determined automatically, for example, using an image analysis unit and camera of the wireless connection system. The user can input the relative position and material, for example, by selecting from a list of options including materials, models, and brands. The image analysis unit can determine the relative position and material by analyzing images received from the camera. The image includes one or more light fixtures and / or a room. Directionality can be compensated for by adjusting wireless parameters to reduce blind spots.

[0076] In another embodiment, the node includes multiple antennas, such as for WiFi in the 2.4 GHz band and WiFi in the 5 GHz band, and / or the node can use different portions of the spectrum (such as different channels), and the wireless adjustment device can adjust these wireless parameters to optimize wireless performance. For example, if a room contains numerous light fixtures made of metal that use WiFi in the 2.4 GHz band, the wireless adjustment device can adjust the wireless parameters by changing from the 2.4 GHz band to the 5 GHz band. This can allow for improved RF signal penetration and can allow for reduced RF signal directivity.

[0077] In another embodiment, the wireless adjustment device repeatedly adjusts the wireless parameters whenever a triggering event occurs. Triggering events may include user-selected wireless parameter adjustments, light fixture activation, deactivation, replacement, removal, malfunction, etc. For example, a wireless connectivity system performs RF-based sensing in a living room. During the day, the wireless connectivity system automatically activates the light fixture based on presence, but at night, the wireless connectivity system detects an intruder and activates a flashlight as a warning or deterrent. Alternatively, the adjustment of wireless parameters can also be done statically. In one use case of this embodiment, a user can turn off the ceiling light fixture via a wall switch next to the living room door. As a result, the wireless connectivity system is less reliable because it emits less RF signal to perform RF-based sensing. The wireless connectivity system can detect if a node is not contributing to RF-based sensing because it is, for example, deactivated. Therefore, the wireless connectivity system can, for example, measure reachability, detect missed messages, or detect unacknowledged (ACK) messages within a predetermined period of time (such as a few minutes). If a node (in this case, a ceiling light fixture) is detected as not contributing to RF-based sensing, the wireless parameter adjustment device can accordingly (e.g., by adjusting the wireless parameters of other light fixtures) adjust the wireless parameters of those other light fixtures so that they maintain the same or at least similar wireless performance as before. For example, if the Tx power of other light fixtures is reduced when the ceiling light fixture contributes to RF-based sensing, the Tx power of the other light fixtures can be restored to increase the resolution of the wireless connectivity system.

[0078] Figure 3 It shows a method for adjusting the wireless connection system (e.g.) Figure 1A and Figure 1B An embodiment of method 300 for one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes of the CL system 100 presented herein. These nodes transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both.

[0079] In step 310, the relative positions of the nodes are determined. Alternatively, one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of one or more nodes, can be determined. Step 310 is optional.

[0080] In step 320, based on node parameters including the relative positions of the nodes, the probability of detecting a person in a volume not covered by nodes is determined. Step 320 is optional.

[0081] In step 330, based on the relative positions of the nodes and the probability that they detect the presence of a person in a volume not covered by the nodes, the Tx power of the nodes is reduced so that the signal strength of the RF signal outside the volume to be covered by the nodes is below a threshold signal strength. This reduces the probability of detecting the presence of a person in a volume not covered by the nodes. Alternatively, one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes can be adjusted based on one or more node parameters including the relative positions of one or more nodes, so that the wireless performance of one or more nodes is optimized for the application of the wireless connectivity system. For example, wireless parameters can also be adjusted to optimize wireless communication between nodes in a group of nodes in a wireless connectivity system. In particular, RF signal leakage outside the volume covered by a group of nodes can be reduced to increase data security and reduce signal interference.

[0082] In other embodiments, adjustments to one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes may be performed with additional requirements, namely, such that the signal parameters of RF signals outside the volume to be covered by one or more nodes have values ​​below a threshold. Signal parameters may include, for example, signal strength, SNR, carrier frequency offset, carrier frequency bandwidth, or any other signal parameter.

[0083] While the invention has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such description should be considered illustrative or exemplary and not limiting; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, it is possible to operate the invention in one embodiment where the RF-based sensing system is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or any other type of home automation system. The invention can also operate in any other wirelessly connected system—e.g., including security cameras, speakers, voice assistants, door locks, smartphones, tablets, or any other wireless devices.

[0084] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention.

[0085] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” (“a” or “an”) does not exclude a plurality.

[0086] A single unit, processor, or device can perform the functions of several items listed in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are referenced in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0087] The following operations, performed by one or more units or devices, can be performed by any other number of units or devices: adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters including the relative positions of one or more nodes, such that the wireless performance of one or more nodes is optimized for the application of the wireless connectivity system; determining one or more node parameters including the relative positions of one or more nodes; and determining the probability of detecting an event in a volume not covered by one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters including the relative positions of nodes. These operations and / or methods can be implemented as program code means of a computer program and / or as dedicated hardware.

[0088] Computer program products may be stored / distributed on suitable media, such as optical storage media or solid-state media, provided together with or as part of other hardware; but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet, Ethernet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems.

[0089] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0090] This invention relates to adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more nodes based on one or more node parameters, including the relative positions of the nodes. These nodes are wirelessly connected in a wireless connectivity system and configured to transmit RF signals, receive RF signals, or both. Adjusting one or more wireless parameters optimizes the wireless performance of the nodes for the application of the wireless connectivity system. The Tx power can be adjusted to reduce the probability of detecting events in volumes not covered by the nodes, thereby allowing for a reduction in false alarms from adjacent volumes.

Claims

1. A wireless parameter adjustment device (10) for a wireless connectivity system (100) comprising wireless connectivity nodes (12, 14, 16) for transmitting radio frequency signals (18), receiving radio frequency signals (18), or both, the wireless parameter adjustment device comprising a control unit and a transceiver unit, wherein the wireless parameter adjustment device (10) is configured for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) based on one or more node parameters comprising a relative position comprising a positioning of a node relative to the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) or one or more objects affecting the radio frequency signals (18) such that a wireless performance of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) is optimized for a radio frequency based sensing and / or asset tracking application of the wireless connectivity system (100); and wherein the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) are configured for performing radio frequency based sensing and / or asset tracking; and wherein the wireless parameter adjustment device (10) is configured for adjusting one or more wireless parameters of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) based on a distance to a center of a volume covered by the one or more nodes such that a probability of detecting an event in a volume (212, 222) not covered by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) via the radio frequency based sensing is reduced.

2. The wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless parameters comprise one or more of: - a transmit power, - a number of antennas (32, 34, 36) for generating radio frequency signals, - a type of antennas (32, 34, 36) for generating radio frequency signals, - one or more frequency channels, - a bandwidth, - a reception sensitivity.

3. The wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1, wherein the one or more node parameters comprise one or more of: - an orientation of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - an antenna design of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a directivity of radio frequency signals (18) generated by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a polarization of radio frequency signals (18) generated by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a multiple input multiple output characteristic of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - one or more materials of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a connectivity of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) to one or more other nodes (12, 14, 16), - a probability of detecting an event in a volume (212, 222) not covered by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a confidence level of an event detected by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a background parameter of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), - a number of nodes (12, 14, 16) at different relative positions, - a current transmission power, - one or more frequency channels, - a bandwidth, - a current reception sensitivity.

4. The wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1, configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) such that a signal parameter of the radio frequency signal (18) outside a volume (202) to be covered by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) has a value below a threshold value.

5. The wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1, configured to determine, based on the one or more node parameters including relative positions of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), a probability of detecting an event in a volume (212, 222) not covered by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16).

6. The wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1, configured to adjust one or more wireless parameters of the one or more nodes (12, 14, 16) if a trigger event is detected.

7. A wireless connectivity system (100), comprising - two or more nodes (12, 14, 16) configured to transmit a radio frequency signal (18), to receive a radio frequency signal (18), or both, and - the wireless parameter adjustment device (10) of claim 1.

8. The wireless connectivity system (100) of claim 7, wherein each of the nodes (12, 14, 16) is configured to initially transmit a radio frequency signal (18) at a maximum transmission power, and wherein the wireless parameter adjustment device (10) is configured to reduce a transmission power of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) based on one or more node parameters including relative positions including a positioning of a node relative to the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) or one or more objects affecting the radio frequency signal (18); wherein the wireless connectivity system (100) is configured to perform radio frequency based sensing, asset tracking, or both.

9. The wireless connectivity system (100) of claim 7, further comprising - a camera (50) for imaging an arrangement of the nodes (12, 14, 16), the nodes (12, 14, 16), or both, and - an image analysis unit (60) for determining one or more of: a relative position of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), a material of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), an orientation of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16), a number of nodes (12, 14, 16) at different relative positions.

10. A method for adjusting one or more radio parameters of one or more nodes (12, 14, 16) of a wireless connectivity system (100), in which the nodes (12, 14, 16) are configured for transmitting radio frequency signals (18), receiving radio frequency signals (18), or both, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: - determining one or more node parameters comprising a relative position comprising a positioning of a node relative to the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) or one or more objects affecting the radio frequency signals (18), - adjusting one or more radio parameters of one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) based on the one or more node parameters comprising the relative position such that a radio performance of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) is optimized for radio frequency based sensing and / or asset tracking applications of the wireless connectivity system (100); and wherein the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) are configured for performing radio frequency based sensing and / or asset tracking; wherein the method further comprises adjusting one or more radio parameters of the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) based on a distance to a center of a volume covered by one or more nodes such that a probability of detecting an event in a volume (212, 222) not covered by the one or more of the nodes (12, 14, 16) via the radio frequency based sensing is reduced.

11. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method of claim 10.

12. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method of claim 10. The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method of claim 10.

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