Automatic Curtsy Provisioning for Lighting Control Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of large numbers of lighting system elements, such as luminaires with controllers and sensors, poses challenges in setup and management due to the manual and time-consuming process of provisioning and creating a networking map.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a provisioning device with automatic curtsy programming, which receives wireless advertisements from lighting system elements, determines signal strengths, and forms lighting control groups by iteratively transmitting flashing commands and assigning elements based on signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual provisioning process is used to create networking map of lighting system elements, then the technician can assign network addresses and configure lighting control groups, but the process takes hours or multiple days and mistakes are often made
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system elements automatically perform provisioning functions by transmitting their own identification and location information via wireless advertisements. The system self-configures by allowing elements to broadcast their presence and characteristics, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors while accelerating the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of technicians physically visiting each luminaire, reading documents, and configuring devices is replaced by an automated wireless communication system. The provisioning device uses automated algorithms to receive advertisements, determine locations, and configure lighting control groups without human intervention.
2Ease of operation
If manual mapping process is used to coordinate luminaires in relation to space map, then the technician can configure lighting control groups, but the process becomes iterative and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The iterative manual mapping process is replaced by automated wireless advertisement-based location determination. The provisioning device automatically receives advertisements from lighting system elements, determines their physical locations based on signal characteristics, and configures lighting control groups without requiring repeated manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from wireless advertisements to automatically determine the location and configuration of lighting system elements. The provisioning device receives continuous information from elements about their presence and status, using this feedback to automatically build and update the networking map and lighting control group assignments.
3Productivity
If automated curtsy programming is used to receive wireless advertisements and determine signal strengths, then the provisioning process is accelerated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning device performs multiple functions using a unified automated approach: it receives wireless advertisements, determines signal strengths, identifies lighting system elements, determines their physical locations, and configures lighting control groups. This multi-functional automation increases productivity while the complexity is managed by integrating these functions into a single coordinated system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the time and likelihood of errors in provisioning lighting systems, enabling faster and more efficient formation of lighting control groups and zones.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication interface 192 configured for wireless communication. The provisioning device 107 receives, via the wireless communication interface 192 of the provisioning device 107, wireless advertisements 115A-X from a plurality of lighting system elements 104A-X. The provisioning device 107 determines signal strengths 196A-X to the lighting system elements 104A-X based on the wireless advertisements 115A-X
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, via a wireless communication interface of a provisioning device, wireless advertisements from lighting system elements. The method further includes determining, via the provisioning device, signal strengths to the lighting system elements based on the wireless advertisements or reported signal levels between the lighting system elements. The method further includes forming a lighting control group by the following steps. First, iteratively transmitting, via the provisioning device, a flashing command to each lighting system element to cause a light source on a lighting system element to flash in order of the determined signal strengths from highest to lowest. Second, determining whether the lighting system element with the light source flashing is being added to the lighting control group. Third, assigning, via the provisioning device, some or all of the lighting system elements to the lighting control group based on the determination.