NFC-DALI Protocol Converter for Lighting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting installations with DALI-capable devices face complexity in configuration due to the need for multiple NFC interfaces, protocols, and tools per luminaire, making it difficult to achieve simple NFC-based access to a plurality of DALI-enabled devices.
Innovation Solution
A device for NFC-DALI protocol conversion is provided, comprising an NFC interface, a configuration information memory, a control unit, and a DALI interface. This device allows for the reception of information from an NFC-enabled handheld device, distinction between DALI command information and configuration information, storage of configuration information, and transmission of DALI commands and configuration information on a DALI bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFC-based configuration is used per gear, then configuration capability is provided, but the number of NFC interfaces and configuration tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single unit: it includes both an NFC interface for wireless configuration and a DALI interface for lighting control, allowing one device to serve as both a configuration endpoint and a lighting controller, eliminating the need for separate NFC interfaces and configuration tools for each gear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the NFC configuration capability and DALI control functionality into a single integrated device, where the NFC interface receives configuration data and the DALI interface executes lighting commands, combining what were previously separate components into one unified system
2Ease of operation
If multiple NFC interfaces are used per luminaire, then configuration access is provided, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single device performs multiple roles: it acts as an NFC configuration receiver, a DALI command generator, and a lighting application controller, providing universal access to luminaire configuration through one interface rather than requiring multiple specialized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves as an intermediary between the NFC-enabled handheld device and the DALI lighting system, translating configuration data received via NFC into DALI commands that control the lighting, simplifying the interaction between different protocols and interfaces
3Device complexity
If a single NFC interface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but access to multiple DALI devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single NFC-DALI device is designed with universal functionality to control multiple DALI devices through the DALI bus, while maintaining a single simplified NFC interface for user interaction, achieving both interface simplicity and multi-device capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the configuration reception function (NFC interface) from the lighting control function (DALI interface), allowing the single NFC interface to handle all configuration data while the DALI interface manages communication with multiple lighting devices, enabling one interface to control multiple devices
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a device (1) for NFC-DALI protocol conversion. The device (1) comprises an NFC interface (11), a configuration information memory (12), a control unit (13), and a DALI interface (14). The NFC interface (11) is configured to receive (81) information from an NFC-enabled handheld device (2A, 2B) being connectable to the NFC interface (11). The control unit (13) is configured to distinguish (82) the received information into one or more of: DALI command information, and configuration information; store (83) the received configuration information in the configuration information memory (12); and generate (86) a transmittable DALI command in accordance with the received DALI command information. The DALI interface (14) is configured to transmit (87) the transmittable DALI command on a DALI bus (3) being connectable to the DALI interface (14); and transmit (85) the stored configuration information on the DALI bus (3) upon request of a DALI-enabled device (4) being connectable to the DALI bus (3). This avoids a plurality of NFC interfaces, NFC protocols and configuration tools per luminaire.