PoE Lighting Network Occupancy Detection and Power-Down 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 multiple 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 that includes an environment manager module, commissioning module, and gateway module, utilizing Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Coded Light (CL) technologies, to integrate and manage lighting and HVAC devices, prioritize user requests, and securely handle data, with features like occupancy-based control and automated commissioning of lighting units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and controllable LEDs are deployed throughout a physical structure to enable fine-grained environmental control, then the ability to customize illumination and respond to occupancy improves, but the complexity of coordinating concurrent control requests from multiple users and managing diverse devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the physical structure into multiple controllable zones or areas, each with its own set of sensors and controllable devices. This segmentation allows independent control of different regions while reducing the coordination complexity by localizing control decisions to specific zones rather than managing all devices globally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary controllers or bridge devices that mediate between user control requests and the actual controllable devices. These intermediaries process and prioritize concurrent control requests, manage device states, and coordinate actions across multiple devices, thereby reducing the overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If a comprehensive system collects and processes large amounts of usage data from sensors and devices to optimize environmental management, then energy efficiency and resource utilization improve, but privacy and security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes and analyzes usage data locally at distributed controllers or edge devices rather than centralizing all data collection. This allows energy optimization decisions to be made based on local patterns while minimizing the transmission and storage of sensitive personal information, thereby reducing privacy and security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms detailed usage data into aggregated statistical parameters or anonymized metrics that retain the information needed for energy optimization while removing personally identifiable information. This parameter transformation maintains productivity benefits while mitigating privacy concerns.
3Ease of manufacture
If Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology is used to deliver power and data over a single cable to remote devices, then ease of installation and device placement flexibility improve, but the need to manage power distribution across the network increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges power delivery and data communication into a single PoE infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate power wiring and simplifying installation. This consolidation reduces installation complexity while the system manages the combined power-data network through integrated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where PoE-powered devices report their power consumption and status to network controllers, which automatically adjust power allocation and distribution. This closed-loop feedback system manages power distribution complexity automatically without requiring manual intervention.
4Measurement precision
If Coded Light (CL) technology is used to embed unique identifiers in light output for device identification and location, then the precision of device location and communication improves, but the complexity of processing and differentiating light codes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of light codes at distinct frequencies or time intervals, allowing receiving devices to differentiate between multiple light sources through frequency or temporal analysis. This periodic encoding simplifies the processing complexity by providing clear temporal signatures for each light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary registration and mapping of coded light identifiers to physical device locations during system setup. This pre-established database allows receiving devices to quickly decode and interpret light codes without complex real-time analysis, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high location precision.
Data Source
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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.