Auto-Commissioning Sensor-Luminaire Assignment in PoE Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assignment of controlling devices, such as sensors, to controlled devices, like luminaires, in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lighting systems is a tedious and complex process, especially in large installations with thousands of luminaires and hundreds of sensors, requiring manual effort and skilled personnel.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a trigger unit and an assigning unit, allowing for easy generation of assignments between controlling and controlled devices by generating a trigger signal, enabling auto-commissioning of devices within a subsystem before connecting it to the larger system, thus simplifying the installation process and reducing the need for manual configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual assignment procedure is used for assigning sensors to luminaires, then assignments can be established between controlling and controlled devices, but the installation process becomes very tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-assignment where sensors and luminaires automatically establish associations through signal exchange. When a sensor detects a luminaire, it automatically assigns itself to control that luminaire without requiring manual installer intervention, making the system perform the assignment task itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification actions before final assignment is needed. Sensors continuously scan and detect luminaires in their vicinity, pre-establishing potential assignments that are activated when needed, so the actual assignment process is already prepared in advance
2Ease of operation
If manual assignment procedure is used for assigning sensors to luminaires, then assignments can be established between controlling and controlled devices, but skilled personnel are required to perform the commissioning
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning process is automated through self-service mechanisms where devices automatically detect, identify, and assign themselves. The sensor performs automatic luminaire detection and assignment, eliminating the need for skilled personnel to manually configure the system
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of assignment (physical configuration by installers) is replaced with an automated electronic/digital system. Sensors use electronic signal exchange and automatic detection algorithms to perform assignments that previously required manual installer actions
3Productivity
If all devices are connected to the overall system at once, then the complete system can be commissioned, but the assignment process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning process is segmented into independent subsystems that can be commissioned separately. Each subsystem (sensor-luminaire group) can be detected and assigned independently before being integrated into the overall system, breaking down the complex global assignment into manageable local segments
Solution Approach 2:
Subsystems are preliminarily commissioned and assigned in isolation before full system integration. Sensors detect and assign luminaires within their local subsystems first, establishing correct assignments before connecting to the overall system, preventing errors from propagating across the entire system
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) comprising a controlling device (4) like a sensor for controlling a controlled device (5) like a luminaire, a trigger unit (7) for generating a trigger signal, and an assigning unit (6) for assigning the controlling device and the controlled device to each other, if the trigger signal has been generated, wherein the controlling device controls the controlled device, if they have been assigned to each other. This allows an installer to generate assignments between the controlling device and the controlled device very easily. The installer just needs to connect the controlling and controlled devices, which should be assigned to each other, to the system and actuate the trigger unit. For instance, it can relatively easily be defined which luminaires should react on signals from which sensors.