Camera-Guided Lighting Control Commissioning With Fixture ID Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting control systems face challenges in efficiently commissioning and identifying lighting control devices during installation, as determining the unique identifier or address of specific devices is time-consuming and costly, often requiring manual methods like turning on/off devices or RF signal strength detection.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication (VLC) or radio-frequency (RF) signals, with the device capturing images or video streams to associate the identifiers with physical locations, utilizing software to create a database for programming and control, and employing autonomous navigation to streamline the commissioning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods like turning on/off devices or RF signal strength detection are used to identify lighting control devices, then the unique identifier or address of specific devices can be determined, but the commissioning process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification methods (turning devices on/off, physical inspection) with automated optical detection using a camera. The camera captures images of lighting fixtures, and image processing algorithms automatically extract and identify device addresses, substituting human labor with automated visual recognition technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control devices themselves provide their identification information through visible light communication (VLC). Each device emits encoded light signals containing its unique address, allowing the camera-based system to automatically receive and process this self-provided information without requiring external manual identification methods.
2Ease of operation
If RF signal strength detection is used to approximate which lighting control device is closest to the installer, then device location can be estimated, but the identification process remains time-consuming and requires comparison with floor plans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF-based wireless signal detection with optical camera-based identification. Instead of using radio frequency signals to locate devices, the system uses a camera to capture visual information of lighting fixtures and automatically processes images to identify device addresses and locations, providing a more direct and faster identification method.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera creates a visual copy (image) of the lighting fixture and its associated identification information. This optical copy is then processed through image recognition algorithms to extract the device address, creating a digital representation that can be directly matched with floor plan data without requiring physical proximity measurements or signal strength comparisons.
3Reliability
If installers manually associate physical device locations with floor plan identifiers, then proper programming and control information can be uploaded, but the commissioning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback by capturing images of lighting fixtures, processing these images to extract device addresses, and automatically matching these addresses with corresponding floor plan identifiers. This closed-loop process provides immediate feedback confirmation that the correct device is being programmed, eliminating manual verification steps and reducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automated identification and matching of device addresses with floor plan locations before the actual programming process begins. By pre-establishing the correct associations between physical devices and their digital representations, the system prepares accurate programming data in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual association during the commissioning process.
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 method significantly reduces the time and cost associated with commissioning by automating the identification and programming of lighting control devices, enhancing efficiency and accuracy through visual and RF-based identification and autonomous navigation within the lighting control system.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting load may blink to provide a visual indication of a unique identifier of the lighting control device
Implementation Method 2
A camera may receive images or video streams that include the visual indication of the unique identifier
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting control systems may be commissioned for programming and/or control with the aid of an autonomous mobile device. Design software may be used to create a floor plan of how the lighting control system may be designed. The design software may generate floor plan identifiers for each lighting fixture, or group of lighting fixtures. During commissioning of the lighting control system, the autonomous mobile device may be used to help identify the lighting devices that have been installed in the physical space. The autonomous mobile device may receive a communication from each lighting control device that indicates a unique identifier of the lighting control device. The unique identifier may be communicated by visible light communication (VLC) or RF communication. The unique identifier may be associated with the floor plan identifier for communication of digital messages to lighting fixtures installed in the locations indicated in the floor plan identifier.