Camera-Guided Lighting Control Commissioning with Floor Plan Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting control systems face challenges in determining the identity and address of specific lighting control devices during commissioning, leading to time-consuming and costly processes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication (VLC) or radio-frequency (RF) signals, allowing for automatic or semi-automatic commissioning of the lighting control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional commissioning methods are used (manual identification and association of devices with floor plan identifiers), then the commissioning process becomes time-consuming and costly, but the system can be commissioned with basic equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommissioning speedVSAvoidcommissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical identification processes with automated optical detection. A camera captures images of lighting fixtures, and image processing algorithms automatically extract device identifiers and associate them with floor plan identifiers, eliminating the need for manual device-by-device identification and association.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual copying of device information through imaging. The camera captures visual information from the lighting fixtures (such as labels, codes, or identifiers), and this visual copy is processed to automatically identify and associate devices with their corresponding floor plan locations without physical contact or manual data entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If manual device identification methods are used (turning on individual devices or RF signal strength detection), then the process is time-consuming and expensive, but it can determine device identity and address

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidcommissioning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual testing procedures (turning devices on/off) and RF signal detection with automated visual identification. The camera system captures images of fixtures, and image processing automatically extracts identifiers, providing both accurate device identification and improved commissioning efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting fixtures themselves provide their identification information through their visual appearance (labels, codes, or embedded displays). The camera system reads this self-provided information without requiring external active testing or signal transmission from the devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach simplifies the commissioning process by enabling quick identification and association of lighting control devices with their corresponding floor plan identifiers, reducing installation time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

receiving signals from the lighting load that indicates a unique identifier of the lighting control device. The unique identifier may be signaled by blinking the lighting load at a frequency that is imperceivable to a human eye and that is detected by a camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisible Light Communication (VLC):

Implementation Method 2

A mobile device is used to identify lighting control devices by receiving unique identifiers through visible light communication (VLC) or radio-frequency (RF) signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio-frequency (RF) signal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250080375A1Camera-based commissioning and control of devices in a load control system

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC

AI summary

Lighting control systems may be commissioned for programming and/or control with the aid of an autonomous 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 autonomous mobile device may be used to help identify the lighting devices that have been installed in the physical space. The autonomous 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.