Intelligent Lighting Self-Mapping via Visual Light Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lighting systems face challenges in setup and management due to the increasing complexity of deploying numerous lighting devices with associated controllers and sensors, requiring efficient methods for network communication and device commissioning.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an autonomous neighbor discovery and self-mapping process using visual light communication, where lighting devices exchange identification information to determine neighbor relationships and configure logical associations, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing network setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual setup and configuration of lighting devices is performed, then network communication and device commissioning can be established, but the setup time and manual effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communicationVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting devices perform self-discovery and self-configuration automatically. Each device autonomously identifies its neighbors through visual light communication, determines its position in the network topology, and configures its communication settings without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining reliable network communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary neighbor discovery and topology mapping before full network operation begins. By pre-establishing the network structure through automated visual light communication during the initial commissioning phase, the system prepares the communication framework in advance, enabling faster subsequent operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous lighting devices with controllers and sensors are deployed, then lighting control capabilities are enhanced, but system complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting control capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into independent, modular devices that each perform specific functions. Each lighting device operates as an autonomous unit with its own controller and sensors, allowing the system to scale by adding individual devices rather than managing complex centralized configurations, thus enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through modularity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting devices are designed with multi-functionality, combining illumination, sensing, and communication capabilities in single units. This universal design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying system management while maintaining enhanced control capabilities through integrated multi-functional devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automated neighbor discovery using visual light communication is implemented, then manual setup effort is reduced, but the requirement for visual line-of-sight communication between devices is imposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual setup effortVSAvoidcommunication requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Visual light acts as an intermediary medium for neighbor discovery between lighting devices. The system uses modulated light signals to transmit device identification and status information, enabling automated discovery without direct electrical or wireless communication connections, thereby reducing manual setup effort while managing communication requirements through optical mediation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 automates the setup and management of lighting systems, reducing manual effort and costs by enabling efficient network configuration and operation of lighting devices through automated neighbor discovery and logical mapping.

Implementation Method 1

autonomous neighbor discovery and configuration utilizing light based data communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisual Light Communication: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9998219B2Auto-discovery of neighbor relationships and lighting installation self-mapping via visual light communication

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

Networked intelligent lighting devices may utilize visual light communication to perform autonomous neighbor discovery, for example, as part of a map generation process. Individually, each intelligent lighting device within an installation transmits a series of packets via visual light communication for receipt by one or more of the other intelligent lighting devices. Receiving intelligent lighting devices record the number of received packets from each transmitter. Records of numbers of received packets are conveyed via a data communication network to a centralized process. The centralized process utilizes the conveyed records to determine neighbor relationships between lighting devices, for example to generate a map of devices as located within the installation.