Commissioning Tool for Addressable Lighting Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for commissioning illumination systems, such as the blinking and barcode methods, are time-consuming and prone to errors when mapping light sources to a floor plan, especially in large systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a display, processors, and memory that wirelessly receives identification signals from controllable devices, displays a map with icons corresponding to the devices, and allows users to select and place icons on the map to assign their locations, providing visual or audio cues for device identification and facilitating efficient location mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the blinking method is used to map light sources to floor plan locations, then location information can be obtained, but the commissioning process becomes extremely time-consuming for large lighting systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses barcode labels as physical copies of device identifiers that can be rapidly scanned and captured. Instead of manually observing blinking lights, the system captures images containing barcode representations of device IDs, transforming a time-intensive visual identification process into a rapid automated scanning process that maintains location mapping accuracy while dramatically reducing commissioning time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visually tracking blinking lights and recording locations with an automated optical scanning system. The mobile device captures images of barcodes using its camera, automatically extracts device IDs through image processing, and maps locations without human intervention in the identification process, substituting mechanical observation with automated optical recognition
2Productivity
If the barcode method is used to map light sources to floor plan locations, then location information can be obtained faster, but errors occur during manual barcode placement and data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic image processing and device ID extraction without requiring human intervention. The mobile device automatically captures the barcode image, processes it to extract the device ID, and maps it to the location, eliminating manual data transfer steps that introduce errors and enabling the system to self-complete the mapping process accurately and rapidly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic verification through image processing feedback. The system captures the barcode image, processes it to extract the device ID, and can verify the successful extraction before proceeding. This feedback mechanism ensures data accuracy by confirming that the device ID was correctly read and mapped, preventing errors from propagating through the commissioning process
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional manual commissioning methods are used, then the process can be completed with simple tools, but the overall commissioning efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the mobile device's existing multi-functionality, using its camera for barcode capture, its processor for image analysis, and its display for presenting results. By utilizing a device that commissioning engineers already possess and are familiar with, the system achieves high commissioning efficiency without requiring specialized equipment, maintaining ease of implementation while dramatically improving productivity
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 automates the discovery and location mapping of controllable devices, reducing the time and error associated with traditional commissioning processes, enabling faster and more accurate configuration of illumination systems.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver configured for wirelessly receiving the identification signal comprising the identifier
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The invention relates to a method enabling commissioning of a system comprising a plurality of controllable devices capable of transmitting their identification signals. The method includes receiving identification signals from the devices, displaying a map of a structure and icons corresponding to the devices from which the identification signals have been received, detecting a first user input indicating a selection by a user of a first icon from the displayed icons, the first icon corresponding to a first device, and, in response to the first user input, providing a command to the first device to issue a cue identifying the first device to the user. The method further includes, subsequent to the first device issuing the cue, detecting a second user input indicating a selection by the user of a location on the map for the first icon, and displaying the first icon on the map at the selected location.