Motion-Sensed Light Intensity Control for False Trigger Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems, especially those with motion sensing, are costly, complex, and lack intelligence to adapt to varying occupancy conditions, leading to inefficient power usage and discomfort in commercial settings due to constant light activation and deactivation in frequently traveled areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a motion sensor and controller to activate lights only if consecutive instances of motion are detected within a specific time window, allowing for adaptive sensitivity and light intensity control based on occupancy patterns and ambient light levels, thereby reducing unnecessary light activation and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If motion sensors are used to automatically control lighting, then power conservation is improved, but false triggers and constant light activation in frequently traveled areas cause distractions and reduce user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the motion detection window size based on current lighting conditions. When ambient light levels indicate daytime or well-lit areas, the system uses a larger time window to filter out brief motions. When in darker conditions, the window adjusts to be more sensitive. This dynamic adaptation allows the same motion sensor system to operate effectively across varying environmental conditions without constant false triggers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter (time window duration) of motion detection based on ambient light levels. By monitoring ambient light and adjusting the acceptable time gap between motion detections, the system adapts its sensitivity parameter to match environmental conditions, reducing false triggers in frequently traveled areas while maintaining power conservation benefits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If centralized control systems with intelligence are implemented, then lighting control capability is improved, but installation and setup costs become prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence required for adaptive motion detection from centralized control systems and embeds it directly into simple, standalone motion sensor units. Each sensor independently performs ambient light sensing, time window calculation, and motion pattern analysis without needing central coordination. This distribution of intelligence reduces installation complexity and cost while maintaining advanced lighting control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor system is self-configuring and self-adjusting. Each sensor unit autonomously monitors ambient light conditions and automatically adjusts its detection parameters without requiring manual setup or central configuration. This self-service capability eliminates complex installation and setup procedures while providing adaptive lighting control.
3Area of stationary object
If motion sensors are placed centrally in zones to control lighting, then coverage area is improved, but granular visibility of individual occupants is lost and neighboring zones are affected by constant light changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lighting control function by placing individual motion sensors with each light fixture rather than using centralized sensors. This segmentation provides granular detection capability at the fixture level while the distributed architecture collectively covers the entire zone. Each sensor independently controls its associated fixture, eliminating the constant light changes affecting neighboring areas that occur with centralized zone control.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for controlling light intensity of a light through motion sensing are disclosed. One method includes sensing a first instance of motion. The light is activated only if consecutive instances of motion are sensed, wherein each instance is sensed within a gap of time of a previously sensed instance of motion, and the consecutive instances of motion being sensed span an entire window of time after sensing the first instance of motion. One apparatus includes a motion sensor for sensing a first instance of motion. The apparatus further includes a controller interfaced to the motion sensor and the light, the controller operative to activate the light only if consecutive instances of motion are sensed, wherein each instance is sensed within a gap of time of a previously sensed instance of motion, and the consecutive instances of motion being sensed span an entire window of time after sensing the first instance of motion.