Wireless Lighting Zone Configuration via Mobile Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale lighting control systems require complex setup to comply with energy codes like ASHRAE standards, necessitating specialized knowledge and trained technicians, making configuration challenging for construction contractors.
Innovation Solution
A configurable lighting system with a coordinator device and user device that allows wireless communication and intuitive zone association through a display interface, enabling users to easily link lighting devices with zones using input methods like shining a light or pressing buttons, simplifying the configuration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional configuration methods are used for large-scale lighting control systems, then the system can comply with energy codes, but the configuration process becomes complex and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile device serves as an intermediary between the lighting devices and the coordinator, providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies the configuration process. The mobile device receives user inputs, translates them into appropriate commands, and manages the association between lighting devices and zones, thereby reducing the complexity for end users while ensuring proper system configuration and energy code compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration by allowing users to directly interact with lighting devices through simple inputs (such as button presses or light shining) that are automatically processed by the coordinator. The coordinator autonomously manages device discovery, identification, and zone association based on inputs received via the mobile device, eliminating the need for specialized technicians while maintaining compliance.
2Manufacturing precision
If factory-trained technicians are used to configure lighting systems, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers non-technical users to perform configuration tasks independently through an intuitive mobile interface. Users can initiate device identification, provide inputs directly to lighting devices, and complete zone associations without requiring factory-trained technicians, thereby significantly reducing commissioning time while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated coordinator processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical dependency on trained technicians with an automated electronic system. The mobile device and coordinator work together to automate device discovery, identification, and association processes that previously required manual intervention by experts, thereby eliminating the time cost associated with specialized labor while preserving configuration accuracy.
3Reliability
If multiple setup steps are required for energy code compliance, then the system meets regulatory standards, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary that presents a simplified, user-friendly interface to end users while handling the complexity of multiple setup steps in the background. Users interact with simple prompts and provide basic inputs, and the coordinator automatically processes these inputs to fulfill energy code requirements, thereby maintaining compliance while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is segmented into simple, discrete user actions (such as pressing a button or shining a light) that are individually easy to perform. The coordinator breaks down the complex energy code compliance requirements into manageable steps that users can complete sequentially through the mobile interface, making the overall process easier to operate while ensuring all regulatory standards are met.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable lighting system includes a coordinator device and a first lighting device that wirelessly communicates with the coordinator device. The system further includes a user device having a display interface that displays representations of multiple lighting devices including a representation of the first lighting device. The user device is configured to indicate the representation of the first lighting device in the display interface in response to a first user input received at the first lighting device. In response to a second user input received at the user device, the second user input associating the representation of the first lighting device with a zone of a physical area, the coordinator device associates the first lighting device with a second lighting device associated with the zone of the physical area.