System and method for auto-commissioning based on smart sensors

• US 9,439,268 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Walma, Kenneth Dale Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US14/486,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20150076992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 315149-159, 315/291, 315307-326, 315/185.S, 315/224, 315/225, 315/209.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/199 Commissioning of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An imaging sensor determines an influence of artificial light from one or more artificial light sources and an influence of natural light in an area associated with a lighting system. On the basis of the influence of the natural light and the influence of the artificial light, the imaging sensor determines the location of the one or more artificial light sources with respect to the location of the imaging sensor. Further, the imaging sensor allocates a portion of the area as an area of influence of the imaging sensor based on a threshold change in luminescence of the area associated with switching on or switching off of the one or more artificial light sources. Responsively, the imaging sensor associates at least one artificial light source of the one or more light sources and occupancy sensors corresponding to the at least one artificial light source with the allocated area of influence.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, by an imaging sensor, an influence of natural light in an area;

determining, by the imaging sensor, an influence of artificial light from one or more artificial light sources in the area;

based on the influence of the artificial light and the influence of the natural light, determining, by the imaging sensor, a location of the artificial light source with respect to a location of the imaging sensor;

allocating, by the imaging sensor, a portion of the area as an area of influence of the imaging sensor; and

associating, by the imaging sensor, at least one artificial light source from the one or more artificial light sources to the area of influence of the imaging sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the area of influence is allocated based on a threshold change in luminescence of the area associated with one of a switching on or switching off of the one or more artificial light sources.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the area of influence is allocated manually by:

setting the imaging sensor to a programmable mode;

spanning a perimeter of the portion of the area that is to be allocated as the area of influence;

recording the spanned perimeter of the portion of the area; and

setting the portion of the area as the area of influence.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating, by the imaging sensor, at least one occupancy sensor from one or more occupancy sensors to the area of influence of the imaging sensor, wherein the at least one occupancy sensor is configured to detect the presence of an occupant in the area.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, by the imaging sensor, a presence of an occupant in the area of influence; and

upon detecting the occupant, controlling, by the image sensor, an illumination of the area of influence where the occupant is present.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining at least one of the influence of natural light and artificial light in the area further comprises:

capturing, by the imaging sensor, an image of the room;

processing, by the imaging sensor, the image of the room to extract an intensity of one or more pixels associated with the image; and

based on the intensity of the one or more pixels, determining a penetration of at least one of the natural light and artificial light in the area.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the area is allocated as an area of influence if an artificial light source within the area of influence can cause a threshold change in luminescence in the area.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein controlling the illumination of the area of influence comprises:

accessing, by the imaging sensor, a control mechanism associated with the at least one artificial light source to control an operation of the at least one artificial light source.

9. A system, comprising:

an imaging sensor that includes a processor that is configured to;

determine an influence of natural light in an area;

determine an influence of artificial light from one or more artificial light sources in the area;

determine a location of the artificial light source with respect to a location of the imaging sensor based on the influence of the artificial light and the influence of the natural light;

allocate a portion of the area as an area of influence of the imaging sensor;

associate at least one artificial light source from the one or more artificial light sources with the area of influence of the imaging sensor; and

associate at least one occupancy sensor with the at least one artificial light source that is associated with the area of influence of the imaging sensor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor associated with the imaging sensor is configured to control a ratio of the natural light to artificial light in the area.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor associated with the imaging sensor is configured to:

detect a presence of an occupant in the area of influence; and

upon detecting the occupant, control an illumination of the area of influence where the occupant is present.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the area of influence of the imaging sensor is dynamically reallocated based on at least one of a time of day, a number of occupants in the area, and an intensity of natural light in the area.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the area of influence is allocated based on a threshold change in luminescence of the area associated with one of a switching on or switching off of the one or more artificial light sources.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the portion of the area is allocated as an area of influence if an artificial light source within the area of influence can cause a threshold change in luminescence in the area.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein to determine at least one of the influence of natural light and artificial light in the area, the processor of the imaging sensor is configured to:

capture an image of the room;

process the image of the room to extract an intensity of one or more pixels associated with the image; and

determine a penetration of at least one of the natural light and artificial light in the area based on the intensity of the one or more pixels.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

an imaging sensor; and

a processor coupled to the imaging sensor and configured to;

determine an influence of natural light in an area;

determine an influence of artificial light from one or more artificial light sources in the area;

determine a location of the artificial light source with respect to a location of the imaging sensor based on the influence of the artificial light and the influence of the natural light;

allocate a portion of the area as an area of influence of the imaging sensor; and

associate at least one artificial light source from the one or more artificial light sources with the area of influence of the imaging sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to associate at least one occupancy sensor responsible for the at least one artificial light source with the area of influence of the imaging sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the area of influence is allocated based on a threshold change in luminescence of the area associated with one of a switching on or switching off of the one or more artificial light sources.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the portion of the area is allocated as an area of influence if an artificial light source within the area of influence can cause a threshold change in luminescence in the area.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the area of influence is manually allocated by:

setting the imaging sensor to a programmable mode;

spanning a perimeter of the portion of the area that is to be allocated as the area of influence;

recording the spanned perimeter of the portion of the area; and

setting the portion of the area as the area of influence.