Remote Device Identification via Wireless Disambiguation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration and commissioning processes for networked devices, such as lighting control systems, are hindered by physical access constraints, leading to difficulties in identifying and correcting misconfigurations, especially in large installations where technicians must physically access each device to verify its location and connection, making the process time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a handheld remote controller to identify a particular device within an array of networked devices by exchanging wireless disambiguation data and creating a map of devices based on their unique network IDs and relative physical locations, allowing for efficient and remote identification and commissioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a technician physically accesses each device to verify location and connection, then configuration accuracy is improved, but installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical device access with a wireless optical communication system. The handheld controller transmits identification signals wirelessly to devices, and devices respond with their unique identifiers and location information, eliminating the need for technicians to physically access each device while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary between the technician and the devices. Instead of direct physical interaction, the technician uses a handheld controller to send and receive information through wireless signals, which mediate the identification and configuration process.
2Measurement precision
If the technician uses a control device to sequentially step through all addresses to identify a specific device, then device identification is achieved, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming in large installations
Solution Approach 1:
Each device is pre-configured with a unique identification code and location information before installation. When the handheld controller queries a device, the device immediately responds with its pre-stored identification data, eliminating the need for sequential address stepping and enabling instant device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from sequential address stepping to direct wireless query-response using unique device identifiers. This parameter change transforms the identification process from a time-consuming sequential search to an immediate direct lookup.
3Reliability
If physical access to each device is required for configuration mode actuation, then proper device configuration is ensured, but the constraint interferes and delays the entire system setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical actuation of configuration mode (physical access to device buttons or switches) with wireless optical communication. The handheld controller sends configuration commands wirelessly to devices, and devices enter configuration mode remotely through wireless signals, maintaining configuration reliability while enabling parallel configuration of multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld controller serves multiple functions: device identification, location mapping, and configuration mode actuation, all through wireless communication. This universal tool eliminates the need for separate physical access procedures for each function, streamlining the overall setup process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the time and effort required to identify and commission devices, enabling faster setup and configuration of networked systems by allowing remote disambiguation and eliminating the need for physical access to each device.
Implementation Method 1
exchanging wirelessly a plurality of disambiguation data between a portable configurator and a set of network lighting devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for identification of a particular one device from an array of networked devices. Each of the devices are individually addressable by a controller on the network, and a technician preferably identifies a particular one device by use of a handheld remote control. Pointing one of transmitter/receiver pair at a device including the complementary component allows remote disambiguation based upon ranging and signal strength, particularly when using a pair of orthogonal antennas to discriminate and confirm which particular device is being pointed to by the remote. Optional confirmation helps improve identification robustness, and then the properly identified device may be configured/commissioned.