Lighting Control Devices for Real-Time Device Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack the ability to accurately determine the location of tracked devices within a space, such as mobile devices or tags, due to limitations in communication protocols and data processing, leading to inefficiencies in controlling electrical loads based on user location.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that utilizes beacon messages from tracked devices and processing communication quality metrics to determine their location, employing a system controller that identifies the closest lighting control devices and calculates path loss values to pinpoint the device's area or fixture location, and transmits this information to a network device for display on a floorplan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing load control systems use basic communication protocols to track devices, then device control functionality is maintained, but location determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments location determination into multiple components: beacon message transmission from tracked devices, signal strength measurement by lighting control devices, path loss calculation, and triangulation processing by the system controller. This segmentation enables accurate location tracking by breaking down the complex measurement process into manageable stages, each handling a specific aspect of location determination.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighting control devices serve as intermediaries between tracked devices and the system controller. They receive beacon messages from tracked devices, measure signal strengths, calculate path loss values, and forward processed data to the system controller. This intermediary role distributes processing load and enables accurate location determination without requiring direct complex communication between all system components.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple lighting control devices for tracking data collection, then location determination accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lighting control devices perform multiple functions: they control lighting loads, receive and process beacon messages from tracked devices, measure signal strengths, calculate path loss values, and transmit tracking data to the system controller. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking hardware, thereby improving location determination accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges location tracking functionality with existing lighting control infrastructure. Lighting control devices that already control electrical loads are also equipped to handle beacon messages and perform path loss calculations. This merging of functions leverages existing device capabilities to achieve accurate location determination without requiring a completely separate tracking system.
3Measurement precision
If the system processes communication quality metrics from multiple sources, then location accuracy is enhanced, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Lighting control devices perform preliminary processing of beacon messages by measuring signal strengths and calculating path loss values before transmitting data to the system controller. This preliminary action reduces the processing burden on the central controller, as raw data has already been partially processed at distributed points, enabling accurate location determination with reduced overall data processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where lighting control devices continuously monitor and report path loss values to the system controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine tracked device locations and can request additional measurements or adjust processing based on signal quality. This feedback loop enables accurate location tracking while optimizing data processing power by only processing necessary measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location (e.g., an area location and/or a fixture location) of the tracked device.