Autonomous Lighting Power Density Detectors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying lighting power density in commercial and residential spaces are manual and prone to inaccuracies due to reliance on simulations and modeling, which do not accurately represent physical environments, leading to inefficiencies in energy conservation efforts.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized network of devices, including light fixtures with sensors and communication interfaces, autonomously measures and calculates lighting power density by combining area and power consumption data from multiple devices, allowing for precise, real-time monitoring and adjustment of lighting power levels to meet regulatory thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement processes are used for onsite verification of lighting power density, then measurement precision may be improved through direct physical measurements, but device complexity and loss of time increase due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting power density measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime for manual measurement and verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous self-measurement where the lighting system itself performs the verification functions. Sensors integrated into the lighting fixtures automatically measure power consumption and illuminance levels, eliminating the need for external manual measurement teams while maintaining measurement accuracy through continuous automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical measurement processes are replaced with an automated electronic measurement system. The system uses electronic sensors, wireless communication modules, and centralized processing to substitute the manual physical measurement process, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If simulations and modeling are used to verify lighting power density, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracies in representing physical environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of verification processVSAvoidaccuracy of lighting power density verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that directly interface with the physical lighting environment. These sensors act as mediators between the physical world (lighting fixtures and spaces) and the digital verification system, providing accurate real-world data without requiring complex simulation models to approximate physical conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Complex simulation and modeling processes are replaced with direct electronic sensing and measurement. The system substitutes computational modeling with actual physical measurements taken by sensors integrated into the lighting fixtures, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If decentralized networks of devices are deployed for autonomous measurement, then productivity is improved through real-time monitoring, but device complexity increases due to multiple devices with sensors and communication interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of lighting power density monitoringVSAvoidcomplexity of decentralized device network

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting fixtures are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as illumination sources and as measurement devices. Each fixture integrates sensors, processors, and communication modules, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions (lighting, measurement, data transmission), thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system is segmented into distributed modular units integrated within individual lighting fixtures. Each fixture operates as an independent measurement node, and the system achieves high productivity through the coordinated work of multiple simple modular units rather than one complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12185441B2Autonomous light power density detectors

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 JDRF ELECTROMAG ENG INC

AI summary

An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a power sensor to measure a power used to emit light. In addition, the apparatus includes a light source controller to control a light source to change an intensity of the light emitted by the light source. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a boundary detector to detect a room boundary. The apparatus also includes a device sensor to determine a position of a proximate device. The apparatus further includes a communications interface to communicate with the proximate device to transmit measured data to the proximate device and to receive device data from the proximate device. Also, the apparatus includes a processor to calculate a lighting power density based on the proximate device data and the measured data. The lighting power density is to be used by the light source controller to adjust the power used to emit the light.