Linked Lighting Control Using Coded Light and Occupancy Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing environmental conditions in large structures fail to leverage the benefits of Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Coded Light (CL) technologies, struggle with device communication and data management, and face challenges in prioritizing and coordinating multiple control requests from various users and devices, while also needing to be adaptable to new technologies and handle large volumes of data and privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising commissioned units that transmit coded light signals, an environment control device, and modules for device association, data management, and communication, which includes a processor-executed environment manager module to generate control commands and manage device interactions, while accommodating new devices and handling large data volumes and privacy issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple devices are integrated into a unified system for environmental management, then system coordination and control capability are improved, but device complexity and integration challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway module as an intermediary component that mediates communication between diverse devices and the central controller. The gateway handles protocol conversion, data formatting, and device registration, isolating the complexity of device integration from the core control system. This allows multiple devices to be coordinated without directly increasing the complexity of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: commissioned units (sensors, actuators), gateway module (communication broker), and central controller (environment manager). Each module has specialized responsibilities, allowing independent development, testing, and maintenance. This segmentation reduces integration complexity while enabling coordinated control across the entire system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system accommodates new devices and technologies continuously, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but system complexity and data management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway module is designed with universal functionality to support multiple device types, communication protocols, and data formats. It provides a standardized interface for device registration, communication, and data exchange, allowing new devices to be integrated without modifying the core control logic. This universality enables continuous accommodation of new technologies while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Productivity
If numerous concurrent control requests are handled simultaneously, then system responsiveness and user control capability are improved, but processing overhead and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the environment manager monitors system state, device capacity, and request queues. When coordination complexity becomes excessive or devices are unavailable, the system adjusts its request handling behavior, prioritizing critical requests and deferring non-urgent ones. This feedback-driven approach maintains high productivity while managing coordination complexity dynamically.
4Measurement precision
If large volumes of data from multiple sensors and devices are collected and processed, then measurement precision and environmental monitoring accuracy are improved, but data management complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway module extracts and filters data from multiple sources before forwarding it to the central controller. It performs preliminary processing including data validation, format standardization, and redundancy elimination. This extraction of data management complexity from the core system allows high-precision environmental monitoring while keeping data processing requirements manageable.
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
The system effectively coordinates and prioritizes control requests, ensures seamless device communication, and manages large data volumes, providing adaptable and secure environmental control in large structures.
Implementation Method 1
CL technology can be used to embed unique identifiers, or codes, into the light output from different light sources
Data Source
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Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for adjusting environmental conditions within a physical structure comprising a plurality of linked commissioned units. One or more occupancy sensors (140-1, 150-1) produce data indicating that a designated zone has transitioned from an unoccupied state to an occupied state. A first one or more luminaires (140-2, 150-2) associated with a first one of the plurality of linked commissioned units (120D), produces a background level of illumination within a predetermined reaction period following the production of the sensor data. The first one of the plurality of linked commissioned units transmits data indicative of the state change of the designated zone, and at least a second one of the plurality of linked commissioned units receives the data indicative of the state change, and causes at least a second one or more luminaires to alter illumination.