Automatic and decentralized commissioning of replacement lighting units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing environmental conditions in large physical structures, such as office buildings, face challenges in coordinating and prioritizing concurrent control requests from various users, integrating diverse lighting and HVAC devices, handling new technologies, managing large amounts of usage data, and ensuring privacy and security, while also lacking efficient methods for automatic commissioning of replacement lighting units.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising commissioned units that transmit coded light signals, an environment control device for detecting user inputs, and processors executing an environment manager module to generate control commands, along with a commissioning module for associating and localizing devices, and a gateway module for data conversion and monitoring, enabling coordinated control of environmental conditions, data management, and automatic commissioning of replacement lighting units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual commissioning of replacement lighting units is performed, then configuration accuracy is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the replaced lighting unit's configuration data before physical replacement occurs. The commissioning system retrieves and stores operational parameters, group memberships, and scene settings in advance, so that when the replacement unit is installed, configuration is instantly transferred without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating a digital replica of the replaced lighting unit's configuration data. The commissioning system copies all operational parameters, control settings, and network identifiers from the old unit and applies them to the replacement unit, ensuring identical functionality without manual reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If centralized commissioning system is used, then control coordination is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system serves as an intermediary between lighting units, HVAC devices, and control interfaces. It manages communication protocols, coordinates control requests, and handles device registration automatically, reducing the complexity burden on individual components while maintaining centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing lighting units and HVAC devices to automatically register themselves with the commissioning system upon installation. Devices transmit their identifiers and capabilities autonomously, and the system automatically integrates them into the network without requiring manual configuration or complex setup procedures.
3Measurement precision
If replacement lighting unit parameters are manually configured, then configuration accuracy is improved, but commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system copies all operational parameters including dimming levels, color temperature settings, operational schedules, and control group assignments from the replaced lighting unit. This digital copying ensures parameter accuracy matches the original configuration exactly while eliminating time-consuming manual entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary retrieval and validation of configuration parameters before the replacement unit is physically installed. By preparing the configuration data in advance and verifying its completeness, the system ensures accurate parameter transfer occurs instantly upon installation, maximizing commissioning speed without sacrificing precision.
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 user requests, integrates diverse devices, manages data efficiently, ensures privacy and security, and automates the commissioning of replacement lighting units, thereby enhancing the management of environmental conditions in large structures.
Implementation Method 1
two other significant technological developments present even greater opportunities for innovations in the area of environmental management and control: Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Coded Light (CL)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Lighting units, lighting systems, and methods are described herein for automatic and decentralized commissioning of a replacement lighting unit (140, 150, 250). In various embodiments, a replacement lighting unit may receive, from one or more remote lighting units over one or more communication networks, one or more identifiers associated with the one or more remote lighting units. The replacement lighting unit may also receive, from at least one of the one or more remote lighting units over the one or more communication networks, the lighting operation parameters associated with an inoperative lighting unit. The replacement lighting unit may then selectively energize one or more light sources (258) associated with the replacement lighting unit to emit light having one or more properties indicated in the lighting operation parameters associated with the inoperative lighting unit.