Smart Lighting Commissioning via Optical Pattern Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart home lighting systems require complex programming and expertise for commissioning, making it cumbersome and expensive to install and configure lighting devices before other building systems are enabled, especially in early stages of construction.

Innovation Solution

A method and control unit that generate unique patterns for each lighting device, allowing them to be linked with peripheral interfaces through replicable sequences of powering pulses, enabling commissioning without complex programming and without the need for data connectivity, allowing low-skilled installers to easily connect lighting devices to their corresponding interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional commissioning methods are used for smart lighting systems, then the system can be configured, but it requires high expertise and complex programming that increases cost and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configuration reliabilityVSAvoidcommissioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical copying by projecting a visual code pattern from the lighting device onto a surface. This code can be captured by a mobile device camera, eliminating the need for complex manual programming and reducing commissioning expertise requirements while maintaining reliable system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical commissioning processes with an automated optical system. The lighting device automatically projects its identification code, and the mobile device automatically captures and processes it, substituting the manual mechanical process of reading codes and entering data with an automated optical-mechanical system.

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

2Ease of operation

If commissioning is delayed until later stages, then expertise requirements are reduced, but system testing and validation cannot be performed early

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommissioning easeVSAvoidproject timeline
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary commissioning actions to be performed early in the installation process. The lighting device can project its code and be identified before final installation positions are determined, allowing early validation of system connectivity and device functionality without requiring complete system setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device automatically performs the commissioning function by projecting its own identification code. This self-service capability allows the device to provide its own identification information without requiring external commissioning equipment or complex setup procedures, enabling early commissioning at any installation stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If specialized commissioning equipment is used, then detection precision is improved, but system costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification precisionVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a mobile device that serves multiple functions: it acts as a camera to capture the code, a processing unit to decode the information, and a communication device to transmit data to the control unit. This universal use of a common device eliminates the need for specialized commissioning equipment while maintaining accurate device identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive specialized commissioning equipment with inexpensive, widely available mobile devices. The mobile device's camera and processing capabilities are sufficient for code capture and decoding, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains identification precision without requiring investment in specialized hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3726939B1Commissioning of electrical devices in an automated home environment
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 NIKO NV
  • EP3726939B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726939B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3726939B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method of commissioning a lighting system in a house or building includes linking a plurality of peripheral interfaces with a plurality of lighting devices in a network. The method includes generating a set of patterns with at least as many different patterns as the number of lighting devices, retrieving the plurality of lighting devices and assigning each pattern to a unique lighting device of the plurality, activating each lighting device following its assigned pattern as a sequence of powering pulses, and replicating the pattern of a particular lighting device by actuating a peripheral interface to be linked with that particular lighting device. Upon detecting actuation of the peripheral interface following an assigned pattern of the set of patterns, the actuated peripheral interface is linked with the lighting device with that pattern assigned. A corresponding control unit and lighting system are also provided.