Lighting control analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems are not optimal in providing energy-efficient illumination, as they often rely on additional sensors and components to determine occupancy behavior, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control analyzer that determines occupancy behavior based on light settings and a lighting control strategy, allowing for energy-efficient illumination without additional sensors, by analyzing dimming levels and presence information from existing lighting controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors and components are used to determine occupancy behavior, then measurement precision of occupancy behavior is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting control system uses its own existing light settings and control strategy data to determine occupancy behavior, without requiring external sensors. The system serves itself by analyzing its operational data to infer occupancy patterns, thereby avoiding additional hardware complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light settings and lighting control strategy as intermediary data to indirectly determine occupancy behavior. Instead of directly measuring occupancy with sensors, the system analyzes the relationship between lighting control decisions and actual light settings to infer occupancy patterns, serving as a mediator between existing system data and occupancy information
2Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to improve occupancy detection, then reliability of occupancy information is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts occupancy information from its own operational data (light settings and control strategy) without requiring external sensor installations. This self-service approach maintains reliable occupancy detection while avoiding the operational complexity of installing, calibrating, and maintaining additional sensing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts occupancy behavior information from existing lighting system operational data rather than relying on separate sensor systems. By taking out the occupancy detection function from dedicated sensors and embedding it in the analysis of existing light settings data, the system maintains reliability while simplifying operation
3Device complexity
If existing lighting control data is analyzed to determine occupancy behavior, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the lighting control strategy and actual light settings to iteratively refine occupancy behavior determination. By continuously analyzing the relationship between intended lighting control actions and actual implemented settings, the system compensates for information loss and improves occupancy detection accuracy over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing lighting control data serve multiple functions: both controlling illumination and determining occupancy behavior. This multi-functionality allows the system to extract maximum information from existing data without adding complexity, though some information completeness may be sacrificed compared to dedicated sensor systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting control analyzer (170), and a corresponding method (600), for determining occupancy behavior in an area (110, 200) illuminated by at least one lighting device (120a-c) controllable by a lighting controller (160). The lighting control analyzer is adapted to receive light settings (d) for control of the at least one lighting device, the light settings being determined by the lighting controller using a lighting control strategy for the area. The lighting control strategy represents a desired illumination of the area,based on presence information associated with the area. The lighting control analyzer is further adapted to determine the occupancy behavior,based on the light settings and the lighting control strategy. The occupancy behavior may comprise normal locations of occupants (401-417), how often occupants are normally located at different locations, and entrance points of the area.