Lighting Communications Gateway for LED Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED illumination devices lack the ability to communicate effectively between devices and with external systems, limiting their integration into comprehensive lighting control and management networks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Light Control and Communications Gateway (LCCG) that enables LED-based illumination devices to receive light control commands, communicate operational status, and interface with both lighting control and building management networks through dedicated radio frequency transceivers and processors, allowing for centralized management and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LED illumination devices are made as standalone units, then device simplicity is maintained, but communication capability between devices and with external systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Light Control and Communications Gateway (LCCG) as an intermediary device that bridges the lighting control network and building management network. The LCCG contains a processor and radio frequency transceiver that enable communication between LED illumination devices and external building management systems, allowing standalone LED devices to gain network connectivity without modifying their core illumination functionality.
2Productivity
If LED devices communicate directly with building management systems, then communication efficiency improves, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LCCG serves as a mediator that simplifies network infrastructure by consolidating communication protocols and data processing. It receives control commands from the lighting control network, processes them, and communicates with the building management system through standardized interfaces, thereby reducing the complexity of direct device-to-system communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The LCCG is designed with multi-functionality to handle various communication protocols and data types. It can manage multiple LED devices, process different types of control commands, and interface with building management systems using standardized protocols, making the network infrastructure more versatile and easier to manage.
3Loss of information
If operational data from multiple LED devices is collected and stored, then data accessibility improves, but memory requirements and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LCCG acts as a centralized data management intermediary that collects operational data from multiple LED illumination devices. It stores identification data and operational data in its memory, processes this data, and makes it accessible to building management systems. This centralized approach improves data accessibility while managing complexity through standardized data processing and storage protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An LED based illumination device includes an and a LED based light engine and a light control and communications gateway (LCCG). An LED driver in the LCCG receives receives a light control command via a lighting control network interface and in response provides an an electrical current that controls the amount of light produced by the LED based light engine. The lighting control network interface of the LCCG is communicatively coupled to a lighting control network. The LCCG additionally includes a building management network interface that is communicatively coupled to a building management network. Identification and operational data for a plurality of LED based illumination devices communicatively coupled to the lighting control network is stored in memory, and operational data is communicated from the LCCG over the building management network interface to a building management system communicately coupled to the LCCG over the building management network.