Automated Indoor VLC Positioning Database Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for commissioning and verifying Visible Light Communication (VLC) indoor positioning systems are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring manual location indication or GPS, which is often unavailable in indoor environments, especially for large systems with many luminaires.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that infers the location of luminaire identifiers based on their temporal ordering relative to other detected identifiers when following a known route, allowing automated database updates without explicit location indication, using a photodetector and management code to process sequences of luminaire identifiers and update the database accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual commissioning techniques are used to populate the database with luminaire identifiers and locations, then the database can be created, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated self-commissioning by having the mobile device automatically detect luminaire identifiers through VLC, automatically determine location based on GPS coordinates, and automatically populate the database without requiring manual technician intervention for each luminaire
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical commissioning processes with automated electronic detection and data processing systems, using photodetectors to detect VLC signals and computer processors to automatically populate the database
2Ease of operation
If GPS is used to determine location during commissioning, then location can be automatically obtained, but GPS is unavailable in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses GPS coordinates as an intermediary to represent physical location, allowing the system to automatically capture and store location information without requiring manual input, while the solution remains adaptable to indoor environments through alternative positioning methods
3Quantity of substance
If a technician manually indicates the location of each luminaire one-by-one, then the database can be populated, but the process becomes highly impracticable for large systems with many luminaires
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects multiple luminaire identifiers in sequence as the mobile device moves through the environment, and automatically populates the database for all detected luminaires without requiring repeated manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The commissioning process continues automatically as the technician moves through the environment, with the mobile device continuously detecting luminaire identifiers and updating the database in real-time throughout the entire commissioning 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 reduces human error and simplifies the commissioning and verification process, especially in GPS-unavailable environments, by automating the association of luminaire identifiers with their locations, making it more efficient and practical for large indoor lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
Coded light refers to techniques whereby data, such as a Coded Light Identifier (CL ID), is embedded in the light emitted by a light source... the light is modulated at a certain modulation frequency or frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system comprises multiple luminaries (4b) installed at known locations in an environment. Each is configured to emit a unique luminaire identifier (ID) into the environment. A database (28) holds multiple location identifiers, each of which identifies one of the known locations. A route (rA, rB, rC, rD) through the environment is identified based on the location identifiers, the route traversing a plurality of the known locations. Data generated by moving a photodetector (6) along the route though the environment is received, the data conveying a sequence of the luminaire identifiers detected by the photodetector from luminaries encountered in moving along the route, the sequence being in order of detection. A database update is performed by, for at least one luminaire identifier in the sequence: identifying its position in the sequence, and updating the database based on the at least one luminaire identifier and its identified position in the sequence.