Communication Device Role Profile Switching for Outdoor Lighting Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high costs and complexities associated with commissioning and maintaining outdoor lighting communication networks, particularly due to the need for active GPRS links for all devices, leading to significant operational expenses.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow communication devices in outdoor lighting networks to switch from a high-energy, long-range telecommunication mode to a low-energy, low-range mode after commissioning, using a selected role profile to deactivate unnecessary transceiver modes, thereby reducing operational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each communication device maintains an active GPRS link throughout its lifetime, then commissioning is simplified and automatic, but operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommissioning simplicityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the communication mode adjustable rather than fixed. Devices can dynamically switch between GPRS mode (during commissioning) and IEEE 802.15.4 mode (during operation), allowing the system to adapt its resource consumption to actual operational needs while maintaining commissioning simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by establishing the GPRS link temporarily during the commissioning phase to automatically configure devices and network topology, then discontinuing it afterward. This preliminary use of GPRS enables automatic setup without requiring subsequent continuous operation, thereby reducing long-term operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If installer performs manual commissioning on site, then network configuration can be optimized, but installation and commissioning costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork configuration qualityVSAvoidcommissioning cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling devices to automatically commission themselves using GPRS communication. Each device can independently establish connections, exchange configuration data, and integrate into the network without requiring installer intervention, thereby reducing commissioning costs while maintaining configuration quality through automated optimization algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses GPRS communication as an intermediary medium during the commissioning phase, allowing devices to exchange configuration information and establish network topology automatically. This intermediary communication channel enables remote configuration and eliminates the need for physical presence of installers on site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If all devices use long-range high-energy telecommunication mode, then network coverage is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different communication modes to different devices based on their specific roles and locations in the network. Border router devices use GPRS for long-range communication to maintain network coverage, while end device luminaires use energy-efficient IEEE 802.15.4 for local mesh networking, optimizing the balance between coverage and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network into different functional layers: a core layer using GPRS for wide-area coverage and connectivity to remote areas, and a local layer using IEEE 802.15.4 for energy-efficient device-to-device communication. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive coverage while minimizing overall energy consumption by using the appropriate communication mode for each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9930166B2Method for operating a communication device in a communication network, a communication device, a luminaire equipped with such communication device

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

This invention related to a communication device and a method for operating a communication device comprising a transceiver being adapted to communicate in a communication network, comprising a configuration phase including the step of (a1) the communication device obtaining by means of a first telecommunication mode a selected role profile selected out of a set of role profiles, said selected role profile defining the role of the communication device in the communication network in an operation phase, and an operation phase including the steps of (b1) the communication device disabling or maintaining its transceiver to communicate by means of the first telecommunication mode depending on the selected role profile; (b2) the communication device communicating in the network using a second telecommunication mode.