Decentralized Sensor Unit for Scalable Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized lighting control systems are vulnerable to failures, limited in scalability, and require complex commissioning processes, making them inefficient for automated and manual operation, especially in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A standalone sensor unit with a controller that detects motion and strobe light signals from a mobile unit within a predetermined time, allowing for secure configuration settings to be received wirelessly, enabling decentralized and scalable environmental control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized lighting control system is used, then all lighting devices can be controlled from one location and energy costs are reduced, but the system becomes vulnerable to controller failures and connection issues that can disable all lighting control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized lighting control system into decentralized sensor units, each capable of independent operation. Each sensor unit contains its own controller and sensors, allowing it to function autonomously without relying on a central controller, thus segmenting the system to improve reliability while maintaining control capabilities.
2Extent of automation
If a centralized lighting control system is used, then lighting devices can be controlled automatically, but the system is limited in scalability and requires complex commissioning processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are designed to be self-configuring and self-commissioning. When a new sensor unit is added to the system, it automatically configures itself and integrates with the existing network without requiring manual commissioning or complex setup procedures, enabling easy scalability while maintaining automated control.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized lighting control system is used, then system settings can be managed centrally, but partial or system-wide functional changes cannot be made quickly during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are pre-configured with the capability to receive and execute emergency override commands. During emergencies, authorized users can quickly send override signals to specific sensor units or the entire system, which immediately execute pre-programmed emergency responses without requiring centralized reconfiguration, enabling rapid functional changes when needed.
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 solution provides a decentralized lighting control system that enhances security, scalability, and user configurability, ensuring continuous operation even if the central controller fails and allowing for immediate overrides during emergencies, while reducing energy consumption through intelligent lighting management.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the presence of the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative to sense motion with a motion sensor
Implementation Method 2
sense a strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for standalone sensor unit are disclosed. For an embodiment, the standalone sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller is operative to detect a presence of a mobile unit, wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative to sense motion with a motion sensor, and sense a strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other, and receive a configuration setting from the mobile unit within a window of time after presence of the mobile unit has been detected.