Mesh Lighting Apparatus Wireless Re-integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting systems face difficulties in re-integrating a lighting apparatus into a mesh network after it has disconnected and in directly accessing and repairing ceiling-installed lighting apparatuses due to their inaccessibility and potential temperature increases.

Innovation Solution

The lighting apparatus includes an apparatus communicator for wireless communication and an apparatus controller that interprets mesh and user profiles, allowing it to select optimal communication paths and receive commands for re-participation in the mesh network, with user profiles enabling direct reset commands for reintegration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lighting apparatuses form a mesh network for wireless communication, then communication coverage and control capability are improved, but when a lighting apparatus disconnects from the mesh network, it becomes difficult to re-integrate into the network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidre-integration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary that facilitates re-integration of disconnected lighting apparatuses into the mesh network. The server coordinates the re-integration process by managing communication between the lighting apparatus and the network, making the re-integration process automated and user-friendly without requiring manual network configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting apparatus is equipped with a reset function that allows it to automatically re-integrate into the mesh network by resetting its communication settings and re-establishing connections. This self-service capability enables the apparatus to recover from disconnection issues without external intervention, improving both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Illumination intensity

If lighting apparatuses are installed on ceilings for optimal lighting coverage, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but direct access for repair and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting coverageVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical access methods (physical contact and manual repair) with wireless communication-based reset and diagnostic functions. The lighting apparatus includes wireless communication capabilities that allow users to reset the device, diagnose issues, and perform maintenance operations remotely through a terminal device, eliminating the need for physical access to ceiling-installed apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A terminal device serves as an intermediary between the user and the ceiling-installed lighting apparatus. This intermediary enables remote communication, reset operations, and diagnostic functions, allowing users to perform maintenance and repairs without physically accessing the ceiling-mounted devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple communication paths are established for lighting apparatus communication, then network reliability and flexibility are improved, but protocol complexity and coordination difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication path redundancyVSAvoidprotocol management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple communication protocols into a unified management framework. The lighting apparatus can communicate through different paths using different protocols (direct wireless communication, mesh network communication through other lighting apparatuses, and communication through terminal devices), but the management server and apparatus controller coordinate these diverse communication methods through a single integrated system, reducing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10327315B2Lighting apparatus and lighting system supporting a mesh network

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A lighting apparatus includes an apparatus communicator and an apparatus controller. The apparatus communicator wirelessly transmits and receives information on operations of the lighting apparatuses. The apparatus controller interprets: a mesh profile which is a communications protocol for the lighting apparatus to transmit and receive the information to and from another lighting apparatus and a communication terminal forming a mesh network, and a user profile which is a communications protocol for the lighting apparatus and the communication terminal to communicate with each other, the user profile being set depending the communication terminal.