Wireless Configuring Device for Unpowered Lighting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intelligent lighting systems require significant time and effort for commissioning due to manual configuration of electronic elements, which is time-consuming and error-prone, and cannot be installed or commissioned in parallel with the installation phase as they need to be powered.
Innovation Solution
A method for electronically configuring electronic elements in lighting systems using wireless communication interfaces like NFC or RFID, allowing configuration in an unpowered state and storing information for later use, enabling parallel installation and commissioning without physical contact or power supply from the lighting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration of electronic elements is used, then the lighting system can be commissioned, but the commissioning time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration methods with automated electronic configuration. A portable configuring device electronically transmits configuration information to electronic elements via wireless communication (NFC/RFID), eliminating the need for manual setup and significantly reducing commissioning time while maintaining complete configuration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic elements automatically receive and store configuration information from the portable configuring device without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-configuration by electronically accepting configuration data and storing it in internal memory, enabling rapid commissioning of multiple elements simultaneously.
2Reliability
If electronic elements are configured manually, then configuration can be done, but errors increase due to the number of electronic elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces error-prone manual configuration with automated electronic configuration. The portable configuring device electronically transmits configuration information to each electronic element, eliminating human errors associated with manual setup while scaling efficiently to handle large numbers of electronic elements without increasing error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized configuration information templates that can be copied and transmitted to multiple electronic elements. This ensures consistency and accuracy across all elements, reducing errors by using proven configuration patterns rather than manual customization for each element.
3Productivity
If the lighting system is powered to configure electronic elements, then configuration can occur, but installation and commissioning cannot proceed in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary configuration of electronic elements before the lighting system is powered on. The portable configuring device uses wireless power transfer (NFC/RFID) to configure elements in an unpowered state, allowing installation and commissioning to proceed in parallel without waiting for system power-up.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable configuring device acts as an intermediary that provides temporary power and configuration capabilities independently of the main lighting system. It uses its own power supply and wireless communication interfaces to configure electronic elements without requiring the lighting system to be powered, enabling parallel installation and commissioning activities.
4Ease of operation
If physical contact is required to configure electronic elements, then configuration can be done, but elements in difficult locations cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical contact-based configuration with wireless communication. The portable configuring device uses NFC/RFID wireless interfaces to transmit configuration information to electronic elements without physical connection, enabling configuration of elements in difficult-to-access locations such as ceiling-mounted fixtures or enclosed panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication interface acts as an intermediary that bridges the configuring device and electronic elements without requiring physical contact. This allows configuration of elements in hard-to-reach locations by transmitting configuration data through electromagnetic fields rather than physical connections.
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 commissioning time and effort, allows for easier handling, and enables configuration of lighting systems during installation, reducing errors and increasing efficiency by using a portable device to send and store configuration information without needing to power the system.
Implementation Method 1
a bidirectional channel of a wireless communication interface, especially based on a near field communication or a radio frequency identification communication between the configuring device and the electronic element is established
Implementation Method 2
a bidirectional channel of a wireless communication interface, especially based on a near field communication or a radio frequency identification communication between the configuring device and the electronic element is established
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring an electronic element in a lighting system wherein the method comprises the steps of retrieving configuration information from a machine-readable medium by means of a configuring device; sending the retrieved configuration information from the configuring device to the electronic element in the lighting system; and storing the configuration information into a information storage means of the electronic element in the lighting system.