Beacon-Based Load Control Commissioning for Device Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commissioning process for load control systems is time-consuming and challenging due to the difficulty in determining link addresses for lighting control devices, requiring users to physically locate and associate devices across a building, which is inefficient without internet access.
Innovation Solution
A load control system is commissioned using beacons transmitted by lighting control devices, allowing for the discovery and grouping of devices for collective configuration and control, even in offline mode, through signal strength and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the system controller randomly assigns link addresses to lighting control devices, then the system can be configured without manual intervention, but it becomes difficult to determine which link address corresponds to which device location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the commissioning device receives status information from lighting control devices and uses this feedback to automatically map link addresses to physical locations. The system queries devices at different locations and builds a mapping database based on the responses, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining automated configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The commissioning device serves as an intermediary between the system controller and the lighting control devices. It collects link address assignments from the controller, queries devices at various locations, and creates the mapping between logical addresses and physical positions, acting as a mediator that preserves location information throughout the automated process.
2Loss of information
If users manually identify and associate each lighting control device with its location during commissioning, then accurate device-location mapping is achieved, but the commissioning process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting control devices perform self-identification by responding to queries from the commissioning device. Each device provides its status information when queried, allowing the system to automatically build the device-location mapping without requiring manual identification or physical movement of devices, thus achieving both accuracy and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of physically locating and identifying devices with an automated electronic querying system. The commissioning device electronically queries lighting control devices at various locations and automatically maps them, substituting human physical movement and manual association with automated digital identification processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the building does not have Internet access during commissioning, then offline commissioning is possible, but lighting control devices cannot be joined to the network using traditional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning device acts as an intermediary that enables network joining without Internet access. It establishes a local communication channel between the system controller and lighting control devices, allowing configuration and network integration to proceed offline through direct queries and responses rather than requiring external network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions during offline commissioning by having the commissioning device collect device information, establish link address mappings, and prepare network configuration data before actual network joining occurs. This preliminary setup enables seamless integration once devices are joined to the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may be commissioned using beacons. The load control system may include control devices that each include a beacon transmitting circuit configured to transmit a beacon that comprises an identifier associated with the control device. A network device, such as a mobile device, may discover a control device based on the beacon received from the control device. In response to discovery of the control device, the control device may be added to a temporary group of control devices for being collectively configured and/or controlled. Control devices may be discovered based on the signal strength at which the beacons are received. The control devices may provide feedback to a user in response to confirmation messages to indicate to a user that the lighting control device has been added to the temporary group. The control devices may stop providing the feedback after they are removed from the temporary group.