Emergency Lighting Initialization via Automatic Address Query

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for initializing emergency lighting systems are complex, error-prone, time-consuming, and costly due to the need for manual entry and verification of address data, which complicates the commissioning process and reduces operational reliability.

Innovation Solution

The emergency lighting control center queries address data automatically via a data connection, allowing lights to emit unique flashing patterns for easy identification, reducing the need for manual data entry and enabling simultaneous parameter checking, thereby simplifying and accelerating the initialization process while enhancing operational safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual entry of address data is used during initialization, then the system can be configured, but the initialization process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitialization accuracyVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency lighting control center automatically queries and retrieves address data from the lights themselves via the data connection, eliminating the need for manual entry. The system serves itself by having lights broadcast their own address data, which the control center automatically captures and stores, thereby reducing both time and errors in initialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of writing down and entering address data is replaced by an automated electronic data retrieval system. The control center uses the data connection to electronically query and receive address data directly from each light, substituting human manual operations with automated electronic communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If address data is manually written down and entered, then the lights can be configured, but the process requires considerable checking effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitialization simplicityVSAvoidchecking procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control center queries each light and receives its address data as feedback, then automatically verifies the data has been correctly received and stored. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for manual checking procedures, as the system self-verifies the initialization process through automatic data retrieval and confirmation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If location data is stored together with address data, then lights can be located during errors, but the initialization process does not become simpler

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault location capabilityVSAvoidinitialization process
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The initialization process merges the retrieval of address data and location data into a single automated operation. The control center queries each light once and automatically receives both the address data and associated location data, storing them together in the database without requiring separate manual entry steps, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining full fault location capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2453719B1Emergency lighting system and a method for initialising the same
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 DIN DIETMAR NOCKER FACILITYMANAGEMENT GMBH
  • EP2453719B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2453719B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The address data of lamps (4,5) are transmitted through a data connection line (3), and the flashing patterns are formed by the lamps based on the address data of lamps. The flashing patterns are made to differ depending on the respective address data of the lamps. The address data of lamps is interrogated in the emergency center (2), and a license plate is illuminated to provide the escape route. An independent claim is included for emergency lighting system.