PoE Lighting Network Occupancy Detection and Coordinated Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing environmental conditions in large physical structures, such as office buildings, face challenges in coordinating concurrent control requests from various users, communicating between diverse lighting and HVAC devices, accommodating new technologies, managing large amounts of usage data, and ensuring privacy and security, particularly in complex and dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a network of IP luminaires, an environment manager module, a commissioning module, and a gateway module that utilize Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Coded Light (CL) technologies to coordinate lighting and HVAC control, prioritize and route user requests, integrate new devices, manage data, and implement security measures to ensure efficient and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network of PoE components and IP luminaires is deployed to enable fine-grained control and remote device placement, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal PoE infrastructure where a single Ethernet cable provides both power and data communication to diverse devices including IP luminaires, sensors, and gateways. This multi-functional approach allows different device types to operate on a common platform, improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The environment manager module serves as an intermediary that coordinates control requests from multiple users and applications, translating high-level commands into device-specific instructions. This mediator layer shields users from the underlying system complexity while enabling fine-grained control of individual luminaires and sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and controllable LEDs are integrated to enable real-time environmental monitoring and control, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (occupancy, natural light detection) with controllable LED luminaires into integrated IP-addressable units. This merging reduces the number of separate devices and connections needed, managing complexity while enhancing measurement precision through coordinated sensor-actuator pairs within each luminaire.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback where sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions (occupancy, natural illumination levels) and automatically adjust LED output accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise environmental control while reducing manual intervention, offsetting the increased device complexity through automation.
3Ease of operation
If Coded Light technology is used to embed unique identifiers in light output for device identification and location, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
Coded Light technology embeds unique identifiers by periodically modulating the LED light output at frequencies imperceptible to humans. This periodic encoding allows mobile devices to detect and decode device identities and locations through the light itself, enabling intuitive point-and-control operation without requiring users to understand the underlying detection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual device identification methods (physical labels, configuration interfaces) with optical signaling through Coded Light. Mobile device cameras detect the modulated light to automatically identify luminaires, eliminating the need for manual device discovery and simplifying user operation despite the sophisticated optical detection required.
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting units, systems, and methods are described herein for determining whether occupancy detections are legitimate or not. Methods and systems are further described herein for powering down a network of power over ethernet (PoE) components.