Emergency RF Sensing in Lighting Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency lighting systems lack the ability to effectively support first responders during emergencies by providing real-time information on occupant location and environmental conditions, such as fire presence, due to limitations in radio frequency-based sensing performance during power outages.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that activate an emergency radio frequency-based sensing function in emergency lighting systems, allowing for enhanced motion detection and presence inference by reallocating processing and network resources, and utilizing radio frequency signals to transmit and receive data, even during power outages, to support first responders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radio frequency-based sensing is activated continuously, then sensing accuracy and response time are improved, but battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the RF sensing activation state based on operational mode. During emergency mode, the sensing function is activated to provide accurate occupancy detection. During normal mode, the sensing function is deactivated to conserve battery power. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting sensing accuracy to the actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of RF sensing from deactivated to activated based on the transition from normal mode to emergency mode. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high sensing accuracy when needed (emergency) while maintaining low power consumption during non-critical periods (normal operation).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If processing and network resources are reallocated to emergency RF sensing, then sensing performance is improved, but other RF functions are impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing performanceVSAvoidother RF functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments resource allocation by separating emergency mode operations from normal mode operations. During emergency mode, all processing and network resources are dedicated to RF sensing functions. During normal mode, resources are allocated to other RF functions such as lighting control and occupancy-based dimming. This segmentation allows optimal performance for each function during its designated operational period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reallocates processing and network resources based on the operational mode. When emergency mode is detected, resources are shifted from lighting control and other RF functions to emergency RF sensing. When normal mode resumes, resources are reallocated back to their original functions. This dynamic resource management resolves the contradiction by temporarily prioritizing sensing performance when critical while maintaining other functions during non-critical periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If RF sensing is used during power outages, then occupancy detection capability is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupancy detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is designed to perform multiple functions: normal lighting control, emergency lighting, and RF-based occupancy sensing. The same hardware infrastructure (processors, communication interfaces) is utilized across all modes. During power outages, the system automatically transitions to emergency mode and activates RF sensing without requiring separate dedicated hardware, thus maintaining occupancy detection capability while minimizing the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate location tracking, people counting, and environmental monitoring, providing critical information to first responders, such as fire detection and structural integrity assessment, while conserving battery power and optimizing sensing accuracy and latency.

Implementation Method 1

radio frequency-based sensing comprising detection of disturbances to a radio frequency field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency field disturbance detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11810450B2Emergency radio frequency-based sensing function

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A method for use in a lighting system for rendering emergency lighting comprises detecting (101) a switch from a normal mode of the lighting system to an emergency mode of the lighting system and a switch from the emergency mode to the normal mode and activating (103) an emergency radio frequency-based sensing function upon detecting the switch from the normal mode to the emergency mode. The radio frequency-based sensing comprises detection of disturbances to a radio frequency field. The method further comprises deactivating (105) the emergency radio frequency-based sensing function upon detecting the switch from the emergency mode to the normal mode.