Lighting Fixture Commissioning Using Camera and VLC Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the identity and address of lighting control devices in a lighting control system during commissioning is time-consuming and expensive, as existing methods such as turning on individual devices or RF signal strength detection are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device uses visible light communication (VLC) or RF signals to identify unique identifiers of lighting control devices, which are then associated with floor plan identifiers using a camera and user input, enabling automatic or semi-automatic commissioning of the lighting control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional commissioning methods (turning on individual devices or RF signal strength detection) are used to identify lighting control devices, then device identification can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual commissioning methods (mechanical/systematic approach of turning on devices one by one) with an optical system. A camera captures images of lighting fixtures, and image processing automatically identifies devices, substituting the mechanical commissioning process with an optical-digital approach that is both faster and more accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the physical lighting fixture using a camera. This image serves as a digital representation that can be processed to extract device identifiers, eliminating the need for physical inspection or manual device activation during commissioning.
2Reliability
If manual device-by-device commissioning is performed, then proper control programming can be achieved, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service commissioning where the lighting fixtures themselves provide their identification information through visible light communication. The fixtures transmit their own identifiers that can be captured by the camera, eliminating the need for installers to manually configure each device and reducing labor costs while maintaining programming accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the camera and image processing software that mediates between the physical lighting fixtures and the control programming process. This intermediary automatically extracts device identifiers from images, serving as a bridge that connects physical devices to their digital representations without manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If RF signal strength detection is used to identify lighting control devices, then device location can be approximated, but identification precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF signal-based detection with an optical detection system using a camera. Instead of using electromagnetic waves (RF), the system uses visible light to capture images of fixtures, providing a more direct and visually verifiable method of identification that is both simple to operate and highly precise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the visible light emitted by lighting fixtures (which may include specific color characteristics or patterns) as the basis for identification. By capturing and analyzing the optical properties of the fixtures through the camera, the system achieves precise identification based on visual characteristics rather than RF signal properties.
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective commissioning of lighting control systems by accurately associating lighting control devices with their physical locations, reducing installation time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting control device in the lighting fixture may transmit the unique identifier by causing the lighting load to blink, such that the unique identifier is imperceivable to the human eye but may be detected by a camera
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device uses visible light communication (VLC) or RF signals to identify unique identifiers of lighting control devices
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting control systems may be commissioned for programming and/or control with the aid of a 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 mobile device may be used to help identify the lighting devices that have been installed in the physical space. The 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.