Smart Lighting Dual-Network Setup via Bluetooth Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart lighting systems face reliability issues due to complex network setups involving Zigbee and WiFi, leading to frustration during initial setup and potential interruptions in control, affecting user experience and market growth.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system that employs two networks: a first network based on the IEEE 802 standard (such as Zigbee) and a second network based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing for a routed mesh network with WiFi routers and Zigbee gateways, and a backup Bluetooth network for improved connectivity and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a routed mesh network based on IEEE 802 standard (Zigbee) is used for smart lighting control, then network scalability and control capability are improved, but setup complexity and reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile computing device as an intermediary that stores and manages network address information for gateways and luminaires. This intermediary device simplifies the setup process by automatically providing address information to controllers, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing setup complexity while maintaining network scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing network address information in the mobile computing device before the actual lighting control operations. This pre-configured address information is readily available when needed, streamlining the connection establishment process and reducing the complexity of real-time network configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a routed mesh network based on IEEE 802 standard is used for smart lighting control, then network scalability is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the network parameter from a single routed mesh network to a dual-network architecture combining IEEE 802 (Zigbee) and Bluetooth Low Energy networks. This parameter change allows the system to leverage the scalability of Zigbee while using Bluetooth as a reliable backup connection, thereby improving overall connection reliability without sacrificing network scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing a Bluetooth Low Energy network as a backup connection before the IEEE 802 network fails. This redundant connection path ensures that lighting control functionality is maintained even when the primary routed mesh network experiences connection issues, thus improving reliability while preserving scalability.
3Reliability
If dual-network architecture (IEEE 802 and Bluetooth) is implemented, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the mobile computing device and controller to handle both IEEE 802 and Bluetooth Low Energy protocols. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to operate across multiple network types, improving connection reliability through redundancy while avoiding the need for separate dedicated devices for each network, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system that includes a first transceiver in a controller device for IEEE 802 connection to a routed mesh network that connects the control device to a luminaire. The routed mesh network is based on an IEEE 802 standard and includes a first WiFi connection of the controller device to a router, a second WiFi connection of the router to a gateway, and a gateway connection from the gateway to the luminaire. The lighting control system further includes a second transceiver based on Bluetooth radio frequency standard, the second network including a first Bluetooth connection between the controller device and the luminaire, and a second network connection between the controller device and the gateway. The lighting control system further includes a data exchange application run from the controller device for sharing address information for the gateway and the luminaires between the first and second network.