Lighting Control System with Pseudo-Random Sensor Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems face challenges such as high costs for wiring installations, susceptibility to noise, complex commissioning and troubleshooting, and the need for specialized skills, especially in retrofits and new constructions, where wireless systems are often expensive and difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system comprising a light fixture with a controller that identifies output signals from associated occupancy sensors to regulate lighting states, using a pseudo-random time interval for transmission to reduce collisions, and employing a point-to-point or mesh network protocol, allowing for easy commissioning, troubleshooting, and reduced noise immunity, with a failsafe feature that defaults to full brightness in fault conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wireless control is used to avoid wiring installation costs, then installation cost is reduced, but device complexity and commissioning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-commissioning through automatic device discovery and pairing. When a wireless control device enters pairing mode, the lighting fixture automatically detects it and establishes communication without requiring manual configuration or specialized commissioning tools, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex wired mechanical connections with simplified wireless communication. The system uses wireless signals to transmit control commands and status information between the lighting fixture and control devices, eliminating the need for physical wiring infrastructure while maintaining system functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If mesh network protocol is used to support multiple message types, then communication capability is improved, but troubleshooting complexity and skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the pairing functionality into a distinct, simplified mode. During pairing mode, the system only handles device identification and connection establishment, separating this critical function from the complex mesh network protocol operations. This allows non-specialists to perform pairing without needing to understand the underlying communication protocol
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to understand and configure complex mesh network parameters, the system inverts the approach by automatically handling all protocol complexity internally. The user simply initiates pairing mode, and the system manages device discovery, address assignment, and connection establishment automatically, reversing the traditional model where user knowledge of protocol details is required
3Loss of information
If continuous data transmission is used to transmit large amounts of data, then data transmission capability is improved, but output power is limited compared to low duty cycle transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic transmission at low duty cycle intervals to convey control commands and occupancy status. By transmitting data in periodic bursts rather than continuously, the system achieves reliable communication while maintaining high output power capability during each transmission window, optimizing both data transmission effectiveness and wireless power performance
Data Source
AI summary
An area lighting control system is provided for a light fixture and occupancy sensors. In a pairing mode, the occupancy sensors transmit messages with respective unique addresses to the light fixture, which identifies an associated sensor network. Upon lapsing of the pairing mode, an operating mode follows during which the sensors transmit output signals representative of occupancy in the area, and the light fixture regulates respective light sources based on an occupancy state determined according to output signals received from the associated network. The output signals are transmitted according to pseudo-random time intervals in order to reduce wireless transmission collisions, and only upon determining no occupancy in the defined area. When signals are received from all sensors in the network during a predetermined time period, the light fixture dims the light sources, whereas otherwise the light fixture operates the light sources at full lighting state.