Distinguishing Devices Using Direction Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for distinguishing between devices, such as lighting devices, fail when they are located closer than the accuracy of their position sensors, leading to ambiguity in device identification during commissioning procedures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving position and direction information from sensors on each device, analyzing the direction information to differentiate between devices, even when their positions are insufficiently distinct, and using this information to distinguish and control the devices, especially in commissioning processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position sensors are used to distinguish devices, then device identification is possible, but devices located closer than sensor accuracy cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using only position information (one dimension of identification) to combining position information with direction information (adding another dimension). This dimensional expansion allows devices that are too close to be distinguished by position alone to be differentiated through their directional orientations, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and distinction reliability.
2Device complexity
If only position information is used for device distinction, then the system remains simple, but devices with insufficiently distinct positions cannot be differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The direction sensor serves multiple functions: it provides directional information for device distinction, and its data can be combined with position information to create a more robust identification system. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplicity while avoiding information loss, as the same sensing infrastructure supports both position-based and direction-based identification.
3Reliability
If direction sensors are added to devices, then devices can be distinguished even when positions are too close, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position sensing and direction sensing functions into a unified device identification system. By combining the data from both sensor types, the system achieves high reliability in device distinction without requiring completely separate identification mechanisms. This merging approach optimizes the balance between reliability and complexity by leveraging existing sensor infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods for distinguishing devices (1, 2) receive position information from position sensors (13, 23) defining positions of the devices (1, 2), and receive direction information from direction sensors (14, 24) defining directions of the devices (1, 2), and analyze the direction information. The devices (1, 2) can be distinguished from each other, even in case they are located closer to each other than the accuracies of their position sensors (13, 23). First devices (1) comprise first drivers (11) for driving first loads (15), and first controllers (12) for controlling the first drivers (11) and for receiving first position signals from first position sensors (13) and for receiving first direction signals from first direction sensors (14). The first direction sensors (14) may comprise first light detectors (16). Apparatuses (3) may commission the devices (1, 2) and may comprise receivers (31) for receiving the position information and the direction information and analyzers (32) for analyzing the direction information to distinguish the devices (1, 2).