Luminaire Functional Association via Optical Sensor Data Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light management systems face inefficiencies in setup and control, particularly in forming functional associations among luminaires without relying on physical wiring or manual network addressing, which can be complex and prescriptive.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized light management system where luminaires communicate using infrared data transmission to form functional associations based on shared sensor data, such as occupancy and daylight patterns, allowing dynamic membership and synchronization without the need for wiring or manual addressing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If low voltage wiring is used to connect luminaires in a functional association, then device membership is physically established, but installation complexity and wiring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice membership establishmentVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an optical communication system using visible light transmission. Luminaires communicate functional association membership and sensor data through light signals rather than physical electrical connections, eliminating the need for low voltage wiring while maintaining reliable device grouping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for communication between luminaires. Instead of direct electrical connections or digital addressing protocols, luminaires use visible light signals as a mediator to transmit membership information and sensor data, simplifying the physical infrastructure required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual network addressing is used to define functional associations, then device identification is achieved, but setup time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identificationVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables luminaires to automatically determine their own functional association membership by analyzing sensor data patterns from their environment. Instead of requiring manual configuration or network addressing, each luminaire independently identifies which other luminaires share similar occupancy and daylight patterns, automatically forming functional associations without technician intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary sensor data collection and pattern analysis to pre-establish functional associations before operational control begins. Luminaires continuously monitor and compare sensor patterns, pre-configuring their group memberships based on environmental data rather than waiting for manual setup or network configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If logical addressing schemes are used for luminaire communication, then data transmission to specific groups is enabled, but system complexity and configuration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces digital logical addressing schemes with optical signaling for data transmission. Luminaires transmit control commands and sensor data through visible light signals, eliminating the need for complex network protocols, addresses, and communication infrastructure while maintaining the ability to target specific functional associations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables efficient and dynamic grouping of luminaires for coordinated control, reducing setup complexity and improving operational efficiency by automatically forming and adjusting functional associations based on real-time sensor data comparisons.

Implementation Method 1

Each luminaire communicates its luminaire data to neighbouring luminaires with which it shares a communication channel. The luminaire data may include historical sensor data, luminaire output levels and control data. Infrared data transmission may be used for example.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10798800B2System and method for automatically creating and operating a functional association of lights

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 JDRF ELECTROMAG ENG INC

AI summary

A system and a method for automatically creating and operating a functional association of multiple luminaires is proposed. The system consists of two or more devices that each contain one or more sensors, logic processing circuitry and communication circuitry that is able to transmit messages between devices. The set of devices that constitute the members of a functional association is selected from a larger set of candidate devices. The selection process involves each device comparing the sensor data received from neighbouring devices relating to occupancy and daylight sensors against the device's occupancy and daylight sensor data.