Multi-port LED Gateway for Smart Lighting Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED illumination devices operate as standalone units, lacking connectivity to enable centralized control and data exchange with building management systems, limiting their integration into smart lighting networks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port communications gateway that connects LED illumination devices to a lighting control system and building management system, enabling the transmission of data and power signals, and incorporating a processor to determine summary status values and a real-time clock for synchronized time transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LED illumination devices are operated as standalone units, then device simplicity is maintained, but connectivity and integration capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communications gateway as an intermediary device that connects LED illumination devices to building management systems. The gateway handles the complexity of network communication, data processing, and protocol conversion, allowing simple LED devices to achieve connectivity without incorporating complex communication hardware directly into each fixture. The gateway acts as a mediator between the simple LED devices and the building management system.
2Extent of automation
If centralized control is implemented through communications gateway, then integration into smart lighting networks is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the communications gateway, including data processing, protocol conversion, network communication, and device management. By consolidating these functions in a single centralized device rather than distributing them across multiple components or individual LED fixtures, the system achieves centralized control while managing complexity through functional integration. The gateway becomes a single point of control that simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Loss of information
If LED illumination devices are connected to building management system, then data exchange and monitoring are enabled, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communications gateway serves as an intermediary that handles all complex data exchange protocols and communication protocols between the simple LED illumination devices and the building management system. The LED devices only need basic communication capability to exchange data with the gateway, while the gateway manages the complexity of interfacing with different building management systems, protocols, and data formats. This separation simplifies the installation process for the LED devices themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port communications gateway for one or more LED based illumination devices includes a lighting communications interface that is configured to be coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). The lighting communications interface transmits both data signals and power signals. A lighting control network interface is configured to be coupled to a lighting control system, which generates control commands. A building management network interface is configured to be coupled to a building management system and is configured to receive and transmit information from sensors coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). Memory in the gateway stores information received from the LED based illumination device (s). A processor determines a summary status value associated with the LED based illumination device(s) based on information stored in memory. A real time clock determines a date and time that is periodically transmitted to the LED based illumination device(s).