Wireless Sensor with Activity-Based Thresholds for Lighting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for environmental condition detection in commercial and residential settings are inflexible, costly to retrofit, and provide inaccurate readings due to wired communication limitations, remote mounting, and insensitivity to fine changes in lighting and occupancy levels, leading to inappropriate responses.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system that stores predetermined thresholds associated with time, day, and activity, allowing for accurate detection and transmission of area changes, including light and occupancy levels, to control electrical loads, using RGB sensors and passive infrared technology for precise illuminance measurement and occupancy detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors are mounted at elevated positions (ceiling, wall), then installation is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to remote positioning from target surfaces and measurement of reflected light from surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connection systems with wireless communication technology. The sensor node transmits detection data wirelessly to the central controller, eliminating the need for physical wiring between sensors mounted at elevated positions and control devices, thereby maintaining installation simplicity while enabling accurate localized measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring area into multiple zones with separate sensor nodes. Each sensor node independently measures environmental parameters in its specific zone and transmits data wirelessly. This segmentation allows sensors to be positioned optimally for each zone while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular wireless deployment.
2Reliability
If sensors are wired to electrical load devices, then reliable control is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate when electrical load devices are added, removed, or relocated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wired connections with wireless communication technology. Sensor nodes transmit control signals and data wirelessly to electrical load devices, eliminating the need for rewiring when devices are added, removed, or relocated. This maintains control reliability through stable wireless protocols while providing full adaptability for system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where sensor nodes and electrical load devices can be freely added, removed, or relocated without fixed physical connections. The wireless network dynamically adapts to changing system configurations, allowing flexible reconfiguration while maintaining reliable control through continuous wireless communication links.
3Productivity
If conventional sensors are used, then basic motion detection is achieved, but sensitivity to fine changes in lighting and occupancy levels deteriorates, resulting in inappropriate responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types within each sensor node, including light sensors for illuminance measurement and passive infrared sensors for occupancy detection. This merging of different sensing capabilities within a single wireless node enables simultaneous detection of multiple environmental parameters with high precision, allowing the system to respond appropriately to fine changes in lighting and occupancy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal sensor nodes that can detect multiple environmental parameters (light levels, occupancy, motion) and control multiple types of electrical load devices. Each sensor node is designed with multi-functional capabilities, allowing it to adapt to different detection requirements and provide precise measurements across various environmental conditions through wireless communication.
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
The system enables flexible, energy-efficient control of lighting by accurately measuring and responding to changes in light and occupancy, reducing power usage and improving response accuracy, while allowing for customizable settings and reduced installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor cell for detecting a change in a targeted area
Implementation Method 2
using RGB sensors and passive infrared technology for precise illuminance measurement and occupancy detection
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for wirelessly detecting area changes are provided. Predetermined thresholds may be stored in memory. Each predetermined threshold is associated with a time of day, calendar day, and/or activity. The sensor may detect a change in the in the targeted area. The detected change is evaluated to determine an applicable threshold. Then it may be determined whether the detected change meets a predetermined threshold. If so, information regarding the change is wirelessly transmitted to an associated controller that controls light in the targeted area. The operation of the light may be controlled based on the wirelessly transmitted information.