Lighting System Local Fallback Control for Central Unit Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems using a single central control unit lack robustness and stability, as they become inoperable if the central unit fails, and adding a backup unit increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing local fallback control units within luminaires or sensors that can take over control in case of central unit failure, allowing the system to switch to a fallback mode without the need for additional backup units, using stored control algorithms or hardware to manage basic functions like on/off states based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single central control unit is used to control multiple luminaires, then costs and configuration flexibility are reduced, but system robustness deteriorates because all luminaires become inoperable if the central unit fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is segmented between a central control unit and local fallback control units. Each luminaire or sensor group has its own local control unit that can independently execute control algorithms, allowing the system to function even if the central unit fails. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing control responsibilities while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes its operational parameters between standard mode (centralized control) and fallback mode (distributed control). In normal operation, the central control unit manages all luminaires efficiently. When failure is detected, the system switches to fallback mode where local control units take over, maintaining control functionality without requiring a permanent backup central unit.
2Reliability
If a backup central control unit is provided to improve system robustness, then system stability improves, but costs and system complexity increase in an unacceptable way
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a backup central control unit, the control functionality is segmented into distributed local fallback control units at each luminaire or sensor. These local units are much simpler and cheaper than a full backup central unit, yet they provide sufficient functionality to maintain basic lighting control during failures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each local fallback control unit is equipped with the capability to independently control its associated luminaires without external assistance. When the central control unit fails, these self-sufficient local units automatically take over control functions, eliminating the need for complex backup systems while maintaining system stability.
3Reliability
If local fallback control units are implemented within luminaires or sensors, then system robustness improves by enabling continuous operation, but device complexity increases at the luminaire level
Solution Approach 1:
The fallback control unit functionality is merged into the existing luminaire or sensor design. Rather than adding separate backup systems, the control algorithm is integrated directly into the luminaire's existing controller, combining multiple functions into a single unified component that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The local fallback control units are designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both standard mode (receiving commands from central unit) and fallback mode (independent operation). This universal design allows the same hardware to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
4Reliability
If the central control unit regularly checks its operational status by sending information signals, then system monitoring capability improves, but network communication load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central control unit sends information signals at regular periodic intervals to check the operational status of local control units. This periodic monitoring approach balances the need for system surveillance with acceptable network traffic levels, allowing the system to detect failures while maintaining reasonable communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising a plurality of luminaires (10, 12, 14, 16, 18), a plurality of sensors (24, 26), a central control unit (22) and a network (20) comprising networking devices for establishing a communication between the luminaires, the sensors and the central control unit. These luminaires, sensors and networking devices represent local units of the lighting system. In a standard operation mode, the luminaires (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are controlled by the central control unit (22) on the basis of sensor data transmitted to the central control unit (22). In case of failure of operation of the central control unit (22), the lighting systems switches into a fallback mode, wherein each luminare (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) is controlled by a local unit associated to or represented by this luminaire (10, 12, 14, 16, 18).