Lighting Units with Optical Communication for Automated Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems require manual configuration steps, especially for secure communication, which is inefficient and not fully automated.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with lighting units that include a lighting element, a control unit, a communication unit, and an optical receiver, allowing for automated configuration and secure communication through an additional optical channel, enabling easy reconfiguration and secure network setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration steps are used for secure communication setup, then security can be ensured, but the system requires significant manual intervention and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting units automatically perform configuration tasks including encryption key generation, exchange, and storage without manual intervention. The system self-configures by having units communicate their identities and exchange cryptographic materials autonomously when brought into optical range, eliminating the need for manual security configuration while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
Encryption keys and cryptographic materials are pre-generated and stored in secure elements within each lighting unit before deployment. This preliminary preparation enables automatic secure communication establishment without requiring manual key distribution or configuration during system setup.
2Productivity
If automated configuration is implemented, then efficiency is improved, but secure communication setup becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements serve dual functions: providing illumination and transmitting configuration data optically. The optical receiver serves multiple purposes including receiving light for illumination control and receiving modulated optical signals for configuration data transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated configuration hardware, managing complexity while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical communication serves as an intermediary channel for secure key exchange and configuration data transfer between lighting units. This intermediary optical channel enables automated configuration by providing a physical layer for secure communication without requiring direct electrical connections or complex wireless pairing protocols.
3Reliability
If encryption keys are distributed manually to each lighting unit, then security is maintained, but the reconfiguration process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
When lighting units are added or reconfigured, they automatically perform the entire encryption key exchange and registration process with the controller unit. The units self-configure by optically communicating their identities and receiving cryptographic materials autonomously, eliminating manual key distribution and reducing reconfiguration time to mere seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lighting unit contains a secure element that pre-generates cryptographic materials and maintains secure storage capabilities. This preliminary preparation enables rapid automated key exchange during reconfiguration events, as the units are already equipped with the cryptographic infrastructure needed for immediate secure communication establishment.
4Extent of automation
If an additional optical communication channel is added, then automated configuration is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements and optical receivers are designed to serve multiple functions: primary illumination and control, plus configuration data transmission and reception. By making these components multi-functional rather than adding entirely separate dedicated configuration hardware, the patent manages device complexity while enabling automated configuration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration communication function with the existing optical infrastructure. Instead of adding separate wireless configuration modules or electrical connection interfaces, the system combines configuration data exchange with the optical communication channel already present for lighting control, reducing overall system complexity.
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
The system enables automated clustering and secure network configuration, reducing manual intervention and ensuring secure communication by using an optical channel for data transfer and alignment, while maintaining efficient communication over a shared medium.
Implementation Method 1
an optical receiver for receiving the light from other lighting units
Implementation Method 2
a lighting element for generating light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A lighting system and a method of operating the lighting system are described. A plurality of lighting units (10, 10') each comprise, a lighting element (12) with a lighting control unit (14) for controlling its light output, and a communication unit (16, 16') for communicating over a communication medium, e.g. RF or power line communication. The units (10, 10') further have an optical receiver (18) for receiving light from other lighting units (10, 10'). A controller unit (20) is connected to the optical receiver (18), the communication unit (16, 16') and the lighting control unit (14). In order to allow easy, automated set-up, at least in a configuration phase, the lighting units (10, 10') send information by operating the lighting elements (12) in a modulated manner, and this information is received by a further lighting unit (10, 10') observing the generated light. According to a first aspect, the lighting units (10, 10') are grouped in clusters by turning on the lighting element (12) in a first lighting unit and generating cluster information depending on whether or not the emitted light is observed by further lighting units. According to a second aspect, lighting units (10, 10') form a communications network and communicate with a joining lighting unit (66) by transmitting code data (78a, 78b) by operating the lighting element (12) according to a modulation sequence, and then transmitting configuration data (80) over the communication medium encrypted with the code data (78a, 78b).