Camera-Guided Lighting Commissioning for Fixture ID Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting control systems face challenges in efficiently commissioning and identifying lighting control devices during installation, as determining the identity and address of specific devices is time-consuming and costly, often requiring manual methods like turning on/off devices or RF signal strength detection.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication (VLC) or radio-frequency (RF) signals, with the device capturing images or video streams to associate the identifiers with physical locations, and broadcasting identifiers for easy recognition, utilizing technologies like LiFi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods (turning on/off devices or RF signal strength detection) are used to identify lighting control devices, then device identification can be achieved, but the commissioning process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual identifiers (such as colored stickers, labels, or visual cues on the lighting fixtures) as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the installer and the lighting control device. These visual identifiers can be captured by a mobile device camera to automatically retrieve device information, eliminating the need for manual identification methods while maintaining accurate device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification methods (physically turning devices on/off or using RF signal detection) with an optical-based system. A mobile device captures images of visual identifiers on lighting fixtures, and the system automatically processes these images to identify and associate devices with floor plan locations, significantly reducing commissioning time while maintaining identification accuracy.
2Loss of information
If manual device identification methods are used, then device addresses can be determined, but the complexity and cost of the commissioning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service commissioning by allowing the mobile device to automatically capture visual identifiers, retrieve device information, and associate devices with floor plan locations without requiring complex manual procedures. The lighting control devices automatically respond to identification requests and provide their addresses, eliminating the need for installers to manually configure or probe devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual identifiers (images or photos of labels/stickers on fixtures) as a simplified copy or representation of the actual lighting control device. Instead of directly interacting with the complex electrical or RF identification systems, the installer captures a simple visual copy that the system then processes to extract device information, greatly simplifying the commissioning process.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If RF signal strength detection is used to identify lighting control devices, then approximate device location can be determined, but precise device identification and association with floor plan locations becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual identifiers as an intermediary that provides a direct line of sight between the installer and the specific lighting fixture. Unlike RF signals that can be blocked or reflected, visual identifiers on the actual fixture provide unambiguous identification, ensuring that the device captured in the image is precisely the one being identified and associated with the floor plan location.
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
This method streamlines the commissioning process, reducing time and costs by automating the identification and association of lighting control devices with their corresponding locations, enabling efficient programming and control of lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting control device may communicate the unique identifier by blinking, which may be received from the lighting control device via a camera
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication (VLC) or radio-frequency (RF) signals
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting control systems may be commissioned for programming and/or control with the aid of an autonomous mobile device. Design software may be used to create a floor plan of how the lighting control system may be designed. The design software may generate floor plan identifiers for each lighting fixture, or group of lighting fixtures. During commissioning of the lighting control system, the autonomous mobile device may be used to help identify the lighting devices that have been installed in the physical space. The autonomous mobile device may receive a communication from each lighting control device that indicates a unique identifier of the lighting control device. The unique identifier may be communicated by visible light communication (VLC) or RF communication. The unique identifier may be associated with the floor plan identifier for communication of digital messages to lighting fixtures installed in the locations indicated in the floor plan identifier.