Camera-Based Lighting Commissioning for Floor Plan Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commissioning lighting control systems is challenging due to the difficulty in identifying and assigning unique identifiers to specific lighting control devices within a space, making it time-consuming and expensive to program and control the devices accurately.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication or RF signals, allowing the device to associate these identifiers with their physical locations on a floor plan, enabling efficient programming and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional commissioning methods are used (manual identification and assignment of unique identifiers), then the lighting control system can be programmed and controlled, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification methods with automated optical detection. A camera captures images of unique identifiers displayed on lighting control devices, and image processing algorithms automatically extract and recognize the identifiers, substituting the manual visual inspection and manual data entry process with an automated optical-mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control devices automatically display their unique identifiers through their lighting elements (e.g., blinking patterns or static displays), enabling self-identification. The system captures this self-displayed information without requiring external manual intervention to read or input the identifiers, allowing the devices to provide their own identification data.
2Ease of operation
If manual identification methods are used (turning on individual devices or RF signal strength detection), then the physical location can be associated with device identifiers, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual procedures (physically moving to each device, turning devices on/off, measuring RF signal strength) with a simplified camera-based imaging system. The camera captures images of unique identifiers from multiple devices simultaneously, and automated image processing extracts the identifiers, greatly simplifying the operator's task while reducing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the camera and image processing software that mediates between the lighting control devices and the commissioning process. This intermediary automatically captures, processes, and extracts unique identifier information, serving as a bridge that simplifies the interaction between the operator and the multiple lighting devices.
3Measurement precision
If RF signal strength detection is used to approximate device location, then device identification can be achieved, but the precision of location association is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect RF signal-based location approximation with direct visual capture of unique identifiers. The camera system captures images that contain the actual unique identifier information displayed on each device, providing direct and precise identification rather than indirect approximation through signal strength, thereby maintaining high measurement precision and accurate floor plan association.
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 simplifies the commissioning process by automatically or semi-automatically identifying and associating lighting control devices with their corresponding locations, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting control device may transmit the unique identifier by causing a lighting load of the lighting fixture to blink
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication or RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting control systems may be commissioned for programming and/or control with the aid of a 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 mobile device may be used to help identify the lighting devices that have been installed in the physical space. The 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.