Sensor Unit Luminaire Grouping Distance Criteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual configuration of luminaire groups in lighting systems is labor-intensive and prone to errors, especially in large systems, where each luminaire is typically assigned to a group based on a single sensor signal, leading to inefficiencies in lighting control and energy management.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a communication portion for wireless communication and a control portion that uses a luminaire grouping template to automatically or semi-automatically determine luminaire groups based on distance criteria, assigning luminaires to groups and controlling their light outputs accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration of luminaire groups is used, then lighting control can be implemented, but significant labor effort and time are required especially in large systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit automatically determines luminaire groups by itself without requiring manual configuration. It receives sensor signals, derives distance measures to luminaires, and autonomously assigns luminaires to groups based on distance criteria, enabling the system to configure itself automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit performs preliminary actions by automatically determining luminaire groups before actual lighting control operations begin. This preliminary automatic grouping eliminates the need for subsequent manual configuration efforts
2Reliability
If manual configuration of luminaire groups is used, then lighting control can be implemented, but the process is prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical configuration process with an automated electronic/digital system. The sensor unit uses electronic signal processing and automated distance calculation to determine luminaire groups, eliminating human error associated with manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit receives sensor signals from sensors, processes them to derive distance measures, and uses this feedback information to automatically determine accurate luminaire group assignments based on distance criteria, ensuring reliable configuration
3Productivity
If automated luminaire grouping is implemented, then configuration effort is reduced, but distance measurement and calculation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed as a multi-functional device that combines sensor signal reception, distance measure derivation, luminaire group determination, and lighting control capabilities in a single integrated unit, reducing the need for separate configuration devices
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the luminaires, automatically processing sensor signals to derive distance measures and determining luminaire group assignments, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example, a sensor unit (110-k) for a lighting system (100) that comprises a plurality of luminaires (120) for illuminating respective locations of a space is provided, the sensor unit (110-k) comprising: a sensor portion (111-k) comprising one or more sensors for observing respective environmental characteristics at a location of the space; a communication portion (113-k) for wireless communication with other devices; and a control portion (114-k) arranged to: obtain a luminaire grouping template that defines one or more grouping criteria for determining a luminaire group for the sensor unit (110-k), wherein said one or more grouping criteria comprise at least one distance criterion; derive a respective local distance measure for luminaires (120-j) of a first subset of the plurality of luminaires (120) based on one or more messages received therefrom at the communication portion (113-k), wherein each local distance measure is descriptive of a distance between the sensor unit (110-k) and the respective luminaire (120-j); determine a luminaire group for the sensor unit (110-k) via assigning thereto, in accordance with the at least one distance criterion, one or more luminaires (120-j) of the first subset based on the local distance measure derived therefor; and control, based on the sensor data received from the sensor portion (111-k), respective light outputs of the luminaires (120-j) assigned to said luminaire group for the sensor unit (110-k).