Multiprotocol Wireless Lighting Interface for Single-SKU Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting systems require multiple stock keeping units due to the lack of a predominant wireless standard, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing, distribution, and installation.
Innovation Solution
A network device that supports multiple wireless networking standards, such as Bluetooth Mesh and Matter, by advertising and activating the appropriate standard based on received responses, reducing the need for multiple stock keeping units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stock keeping units with different firmware are provided to support different wireless standards, then market coverage is improved, but device complexity and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple wireless networking standards (Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, Wi-Fi) within a single device. The control unit can dynamically activate different wireless interfaces based on the selected standard, allowing one stock keeping unit to serve multiple market segments and eliminate the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stock keeping units are maintained by manufacturers and distributors, then support for different wireless standards is ensured, but supply chain efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The network device consolidates support for multiple wireless standards into a single universal platform. Manufacturers and distributors can maintain a single stock keeping unit rather than multiple specialized devices, streamlining the supply chain from production through distribution to installation, and improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic activation capabilities where the control unit can enable or disable specific wireless interfaces (Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, Wi-Fi) based on the selected networking standard. This dynamic behavior allows the same hardware to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring physical reconfiguration or multiple device variants.
3Device complexity
If a single wireless standard is used in lighting systems, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and market coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple wireless networking standards (Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, Wi-Fi) within a single device. The control unit can dynamically activate different wireless interfaces based on the selected standard, allowing one stock keeping unit to serve multiple market segments and eliminate the need for multiple specialized devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a network device (1) of a lighting system. The network device (1) comprises a wireless interface (11) and a control unit (12). The control unit (12) is configured to advertise (21), over the wireless interface (11), at least two different wireless networking standards; receive (22), over the wireless interface (11), a response to an advertisement of one of the wireless networking standards; and activate (23) the wireless interface (11) for operation in accordance with the one of the wireless networking standards. This avoids a more extensive stock keeping for lighting systems being capable of wireless communications.