Wireless Lighting Device Selection via Link Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing wireless networks, such as ZigBee-based lighting control systems, is complex due to the need for manual device pairing, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize broadcast and unicast messages to automatically select devices based on communication link quality, determined by RSSI measurements, allowing for device selection without a physical button press, using a wireless remote device that sends broadcast messages with threshold values to filter devices within a specific range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual device pairing is used in wireless networks, then device connections can be established, but the network management process becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables devices to automatically perform pairing operations without manual intervention. The wireless remote device autonomously broadcasts pairing requests, receives responses from target devices, and establishes connections based on automated selection criteria, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate complex pairing procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures threshold values for device selection and automatically executes the pairing process before the user needs to use the device. The wireless remote device proactively discovers available devices, evaluates them against predetermined criteria, and establishes connections in advance, so that when the user needs to control a device, the pairing is already complete
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are selected based on RSSI measurements only, then the closest device is paired, but devices outside the desired range cannot be selected
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a configurable threshold parameter that modifies the device selection criteria. Instead of solely relying on RSSI measurements, the system compares RSSI values against a predetermined threshold, allowing flexible adjustment of the selection range. This enables users to expand or constrain the pool of eligible devices based on their specific needs, balancing between selecting the closest device and including devices at acceptable distances
3Adaptability or versatility
If a threshold value is introduced to filter devices, then devices within a specific range can be selected, but the selection process requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a two-stage filtering process: first, it quickly identifies devices that meet the minimum threshold criteria, and second, it selects from this reduced subset based on RSSI ranking. This partial action approach processes only the necessary devices in detail while quickly dismissing those that clearly fail to meet criteria, improving overall selection efficiency without sacrificing accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the selection of devices of a wireless network, particularly wireless home control networks, for example lighting control networks in buildings. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method and System to select devices of a wireless network, particularly a network of wireless lighting devices. According to the invention, for selecting a certain device in the wireless network a broadcast message is sent out by a wireless remote device (S10). Only devices with a certain communication link quality respond with unicast messages (S20). The wireless remote device then sends a command to the device with best communication link quality for selecting this device. This enables a user to select devices without buttons in a wireless network.