CN105207685B - Lantern apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A beacon light device and a control method thereof. The beacon light device comprises: an antenna, a low-power radio frequency device, a light sensor, a microprocessor, and a battery. The low-power radio frequency device generates a radio frequency signal, wherein the radio frequency signal is transmitted through the antenna. The light sensor detects the intensity of light nearby and generates a detection signal. The microprocessor controls the operation mode of the low-power radio frequency device according to the detection signal. The battery provides power to the low-power radio frequency device, the light sensor, and the microprocessor.

Description

Lighting device and control method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to a beacon device, in particular to a beacon device capable of reducing power consumption.

Background technique

With the development of mobile communication technology, mobile devices have become more and more common in recent years, such as portable computers, mobile phones, multimedia players and other portable electronic devices with mixed functions. In order to meet people's needs, mobile devices generally have a wireless communication function. Some cover long-distance wireless communication ranges, for example: mobile phones use 2G, 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems and their frequency bands of 700MHz, 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz for communication, while Some cover short-range wireless communication ranges, for example: Wi-Fi systems use 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz frequency bands for communication. However, during the communication process, the mobile device itself and the devices connected to it usually consume a lot of power. In view of this, how to design a new power-saving device to prolong the use time of the overall system has become a major challenge for designers today. challenge.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a lighting device, including: an antenna; a low-power radio frequency device, which generates a radio frequency signal, wherein the radio frequency signal is emitted through the antenna; a light sensor, which detects the intensity of nearby light and generates a detection signal ; a microprocessor, controlling the operation mode of the low-power radio-frequency device according to the detection signal; and a battery, providing power to the low-power radio-frequency device, the light sensor, and the microprocessor.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of a marking light device, which includes the following steps: using a light sensor to detect the intensity of light in the vicinity and generating a detection signal; using a microprocessor to control a light sensor according to the detection signal An operation mode of a low-power radio frequency device; a radio frequency signal is generated by the low power radio frequency device; and the radio frequency signal is emitted by an antenna; wherein the optical sensor, the microprocessor, and the low power radio frequency device All are powered by a battery.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram showing a radio frequency signal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the marking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between radio frequency power and light intensity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a graph showing the relationship between radio frequency power and light intensity according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a control method of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【Symbol Description】

100～lighting device;

110～antenna;

120 ~ low power radio frequency device;

130 ~ light sensor;

140～microprocessor;

150～battery;

S1～RF signal;

S2～detection signal;

T1～broadcast period;

T2, T3 ~ sleep cycle (signal generation interval).

Detailed ways

In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, specific embodiments of the present invention are listed below and described in detail with accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a beacon device (Beacon Device) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting device 100 may have a short-distance wireless communication function, and may be wirelessly connected to nearby mobile devices (such as smart phones, computers, or notebook computers). As shown in Figure 1, the lighting device 100 includes: an antenna (Antenna) 110, a low-power radio frequency device (Low-power Radio Frequency Device) 120, a light sensor (LightSensor) 130, a microprocessor (Microprocessor) 140 , and a battery (Battery) 150 . The battery 150 can provide power to the low power radio frequency device 120 , the light sensor 130 , the microprocessor 140 , and other components (not shown) of the beacon device 100 . In order to reduce the overall volume of the beacon device 100, the battery 150 can generally be a button battery or a dry battery. The light sensor 130 can be a photodiode or a photoresistor. The light sensor 130 can detect the intensity of nearby light and generate a detection signal S2. The microprocessor 140 can control the operation mode of the low power radio frequency device 120 according to the detection signal S2. The low-power radio frequency device 120 can have multiple operation modes and selectively generate a radio frequency signal S1 , wherein the radio frequency signal S1 can be transmitted through the antenna 110 . The antenna 110 can be of any kind, for example: a monopole antenna (Monopole Antenna), a dipole antenna (Dipole Antenna), a patch antenna (Patch Antenna), a planar inverted F-shaped antenna (Planar Inverted F Antenna, PIFA), a Loop Antenna (LoopAntenna), or a chip antenna (Chip Antenna). In some embodiments, the radio frequency signal S1 is a Bluetooth signal, and the low-power radio frequency device 120 can support the Bluetooth4.0 standard and have a unidirectional broadcast function. In other words, the low-power radio frequency device 120 can only broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 outside, but cannot receive radio frequency signals from other devices. Since the operation mode of the low-power radio frequency device 120 can be properly adjusted according to the intensity of nearby light, the present invention can optimize the output power of the lighting device 100 and effectively prolong the use time of the battery 150 . The detailed mode of operation of the invention will be illustrated in the following examples. It must be understood that these examples are examples only, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram showing a radio frequency signal S1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the low-power radio frequency device 120 can at least selectively operate in a work mode (Work Mode) or an idle mode (Idle Mode). In the working mode, the low power radio frequency device 120 intermittently broadcasts the radio frequency signal S1. In more detail, the working mode of the low power radio frequency device 120 includes alternating broadcast periods T1 and sleep periods T2. During each broadcast period T1, the low-power radio frequency device 120 transmits the radio frequency signal S1 with a radio frequency power, and during each sleep period T2, the low power radio frequency device 120 stops transmitting the radio frequency signal S1. The length of the sleep period T2 is usually much longer than the length of the broadcast period T1. On the other hand, in the idle mode, the low-power radio frequency device 120 does not broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 at all, so as to reduce the power consumption of the battery 150 . It must be understood that when the low-power radio frequency device 120 is operating in the idle mode, the waveform of its radio frequency signal S1 is very similar to that when it operates in the sleep period T2 of the working mode (the radio frequency signal S1 of both can be maintained at a low logic level. flat). In addition, the low power radio frequency device 120 can also operate in a special working mode and an intermediate working mode, and these modes will be discussed in the following embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In step S310, the light sensor 130 detects the intensity of nearby light and generates a detection signal S2. In step S320, the microprocessor 140 determines whether the light intensity reaches a critical value according to the detection signal S2. If yes, in step S330, the microprocessor 140 controls the low power radio frequency device 120 to operate in the working mode. If not, in step S340, the microprocessor 140 controls the low power radio frequency device 120 to operate in an idle mode. After selecting the operation mode of the low-power radio frequency device 120, the light sensor 130 continues to perform the detection process (step S310), and the microprocessor 140 may restart the determination process according to the updated detection signal S2 (step S320).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In step S410, the light sensor 130 detects the intensity of nearby light and generates a detection signal S2. In step S420, the microprocessor 140 determines the relative intensity of the light according to the detection signal S2. When the light intensity is relatively strong, in step S430, the microprocessor 140 controls the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in the working mode. When the light intensity is relatively weak, in step S440, the microprocessor 140 controls the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in an idle mode. After selecting the operation mode of the low-power radio frequency device 120, the light sensor 130 continues to perform the detection process (step S410), and the microprocessor 140 may restart the determination process according to the updated detection signal S2 (step S420). The embodiment of FIG. 4 can be applied to a large store, where the marking light device 100 can be arranged on a commodity shelf. When any customer approaches the product shelf, the low-power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 can broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 to the customer's mobile device to notify the customer of relevant product information. For example, the radio frequency signal S1 may include a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), and when the customer's mobile device receives the radio frequency signal S1, the mobile device may also download the mobile device from a network cloud system of a large store. Commodity information corresponding to the UUID so far enables customers to obtain nearby commodity information in real time. In the aforementioned application, during the business period of the large-scale store, the low-power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 operates in the working mode because the nearby light source is constantly on, and during the rest period of the large-scale store, the low-power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 The device 120 is operating in an idle mode due to constant dimming of a nearby light source. Under this design, the lighting device 100 can only broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 when there are customers in the large store, so the power consumption of the lighting device 100 can be obviously reduced, and the service life of the battery 150 can be increased.

In addition, when the light intensity is relatively moderate, in step S450 , the microprocessor 140 can also control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in a special working mode (refer to the waveform of the radio frequency signal S1 in FIG. 2 ). In the special working mode, the low-power radio frequency device 120 has a relatively long signal generation interval T3 and a relatively moderate radio frequency power (compared with the working mode). For example, the low-power radio frequency device 120 can operate in a special working mode when a large store is closed but still has limited lights. For another example, the low-power radio frequency device 120 can be installed near a merchandise window, and can send relevant shop window consumption information to customers passing by the roadside, wherein the broadcasted radio frequency signal S1 includes a universal unique identification code corresponding to the shop window merchandise information.

It must be understood that the comparative terms referred to above as "relatively strong", "relatively moderate", and "relatively weak" can be defined in more detail. For example, if the light intensity is greater than a first critical value, the microprocessor 140 can determine that it is relatively strong, and if the light intensity is less than a second critical value, then the microprocessor 140 can determine that it is relatively weak, And if the light intensity is between the first critical value and the second critical value, the microprocessor 140 can determine that it is relatively moderate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In step S510, the light sensor 130 detects the intensity of nearby light and generates a detection signal S2. In step S520, the microprocessor 140 determines the relative intensity of the light according to the detection signal S2. When the light intensity is relatively strong, in step S530, the microprocessor 140 controls the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in an idle mode. When the light intensity is relatively weak, in step S540, the microprocessor 140 controls the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in the working mode. After selecting the operating mode of the low-power radio frequency device 120, the light sensor 130 continues to perform the detection process (step S510), and the microprocessor 140 may restart the determination process according to the updated detection signal S2 (step S520). The judgment condition in Fig. 5 is just opposite to that in Fig. 4 . The embodiment of FIG. 5 can be applied to an outdoor place, wherein the lighting device 100 can be set on a road warning device. The low power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 can broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 to mobile devices of nearby drivers to notify the drivers of relevant warning information. For example, the radio frequency signal S1 may include traffic condition information or vehicle speed limit information. In the aforementioned application, during the daytime, the low-power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 operates in the idle mode due to the strong light nearby, and during the night, the low-power radio frequency device 120 of the lighting device 100 operates in the idle mode due to the weak light nearby. while operating in work mode. Under this design, the lighting device 100 can only broadcast the radio frequency signal S1 when the surrounding visibility is not high, so the power consumption of the lighting device 100 can be obviously reduced, and the service life of the battery 150 can be increased.

In addition, when the light intensity is relatively moderate, in step S550 , the microprocessor 140 can also control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to operate in an intermediate working mode (refer to the waveform of the radio frequency signal S1 in FIG. 2 ). In the intermediate operating mode, the low power radio frequency device 120 has relatively moderate radio frequency power (compared to the operating mode). For example, during cloudy days or evenings, the broadcasting range of the low-power radio frequency device 120 may be compromised, such as between daytime and nighttime broadcasting ranges.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between radio frequency power and light intensity according to an embodiment of the invention. The relationship of FIG. 6 is applicable to the embodiment of FIG. 4 . When the low power radio frequency device 120 is not operating in the idle mode (for example, when operating in the working mode or the special working mode), the radio frequency power of the low power radio frequency device 120 can be adjusted according to the detected light intensity. For example, when the detected light intensity increases, the microprocessor 140 can control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to increase its radio frequency power, and when the detected light intensity decreases, the microprocessor 140 can control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to reduce its radio frequency power. RF power. In some embodiments, the RF power of the power RF device 120 is adjusted according to equation (1):

P=x*(b+n)…………………………………(1)

Wherein P represents the radio frequency power, x represents the minimum radio frequency power, b represents a base number, and n represents the level of light intensity. n can be a positive integer, which can be exactly proportional to the light intensity.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between radio frequency power and light intensity according to an embodiment of the invention. The relationship of FIG. 7 is applicable to the embodiment of FIG. 5 . When the low power radio frequency device 120 is not operating in the idle mode (for example, operating in the working mode or the intermediate working mode), the radio frequency power of the low power radio frequency device 120 can be adjusted according to the detected light intensity. For example, when the detected light intensity increases, the microprocessor 140 can control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to reduce its radio frequency power, and when the detected light intensity decreases, the microprocessor 140 can control the low-power radio frequency device 120 to increase its radio frequency power. RF power. In some embodiments, the RF power of the power RF device 120 is adjusted according to equation (2):

P=x*(b-n)……………………………………….(2)

Wherein P represents the radio frequency power, x represents the minimum radio frequency power, b represents a base number, and n represents the level of light intensity. n can be a positive integer, which can be exactly proportional to the light intensity.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a control method of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S810, a light sensor is used to detect nearby light intensity and generate a detection signal. In step S820, a microprocessor is used to control the operation mode of a low-power radio frequency device according to the detection signal. In step S830, a radio frequency signal is generated by a low power radio frequency device. In step S840, the radio frequency signal is transmitted through an antenna. The light sensor, microprocessor, and low power radio frequency device are all powered by a battery. The aforementioned control method helps to save the power of the battery of the beacon device. It should be noted that the above steps do not need to be performed in sequence, and any one or more features of the embodiments in FIGS. 1-7 can be applied to the control method in FIG. 8 .

The present invention provides a novel lighting device, which can judge the environmental conditions according to the intensity of nearby light, and then automatically adjust its signal transmission mode accordingly, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing battery power consumption. Therefore, the present invention is well suited to be applied to various devices limited by battery power, or to various places including a large number of wireless communication elements.

Ordinal numbers in this specification and claims, such as "first", "second", "third", etc., have no sequential relationship with each other, and are only used to mark and distinguish between two different elements of the name.

Although the present invention is disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention The scope of protection shall prevail as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. a kind of beacon light device, including：

Antenna；

Low-power radio frequency device, produces radiofrequency signal, and the wherein radiofrequency signal is launched via the antenna；

Optical sensor, detects neighbouring light intensity, and produces detection signal；

Microprocessor, according to the detection signal, controls the operator scheme of the low-power radio frequency device；And

Battery, there is provided electric power is to the low-power radio frequency device, the optical sensor, and the microprocessor；

Wherein low-power radio frequency device operation is in operating mode or idle mode, wherein when the low-power radio frequency device not operation In the idle mode, the radio-frequency power of the low-power radio frequency device is adjusted always according to the light intensity, and wherein this is penetrated Frequency power is adjusted according to following equation：

P=x* (b+n) or P=x* (b-n)

Wherein P represents the radio-frequency power, and x represents minimum radio-frequency power, and b represents radix, and n represents the grade of the light intensity；

Wherein when the light intensity rather moderate, which also operates in particular job pattern, and in the spy In different operating mode, which has the radio frequency work(that relatively long signal produces spacing and rather moderate Rate.

2. beacon light device as claimed in claim 1, the wherein radiofrequency signal are Bluetooth signal, and the low-power radio frequency device branch Hold 4.0 specifications of Bluetooth and there is One-to-All Broadcast.

3. beacon light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the operating mode, which intermittently broadcasts The radiofrequency signal, and in the idle mode, the low-power radio frequency device are gone off the air the radiofrequency signal completely, to reduce the electricity The electric power consumption in pond.

4. beacon light device as claimed in claim 1, the wherein microprocessor first judge whether the light intensity reaches critical value, Low-power radio frequency device operation is controlled according to this again in the operating mode or the idle mode.

5. beacon light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the light intensity is relatively strong, low-power radio frequency device behaviour Make in the operating mode, and when the light intensity is relatively weak, which operates in the idle mode.

6. beacon light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the light intensity is relatively strong, low-power radio frequency device behaviour Make in the idle mode, and when the light intensity is relatively weak, which operates in the operating mode.

7. a kind of control method of beacon light device, comprises the following steps：

By optical sensor, neighbouring light intensity is detected, and produce detection signal；

By microprocessor, the operator scheme of low-power radio frequency device is controlled according to the detection signal；

By the low-power radio frequency device, radiofrequency signal is produced；And

By antenna, which is gone out；

The wherein optical sensor, the microprocessor, and the low-power radio frequency device all supply electric power by battery；

Wherein low-power radio frequency device operation is in operating mode or idle mode, when the low-power radio frequency device not operation is at this During idle mode, by the microprocessor, the radio-frequency power of the low-power radio frequency device is adjusted according to the light intensity, wherein The radio-frequency power is adjusted according to following equation：

P=x* (b+n) or P=x* (b-n)

Wherein P represents the radio-frequency power, and x represents minimum radio-frequency power, and b represents radix, and n represents the grade of the light intensity；

Wherein when the light intensity rather moderate, which also operates in particular job pattern, and in the spy In different operating mode, which has the radio frequency work(that relatively long signal produces spacing and rather moderate Rate.

8. control method as claimed in claim 7, the wherein radiofrequency signal are a Bluetooth signal, and the low-power radio frequency device Support 4.0 specifications of Bluetooth and there is One-to-All Broadcast.

9. control method as claimed in claim 7, wherein in the operating mode, which intermittently broadcasts The radiofrequency signal, and in the idle mode, the low-power radio frequency device are gone off the air the radiofrequency signal completely, to reduce the electricity The electric power consumption in pond.

10. control method as claimed in claim 7, further includes：

By the microprocessor, judge whether the light intensity reaches critical value, and control the low-power radio frequency device to grasp according to this Make in the operating mode or the idle mode.

11. control method as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the light intensity is relatively strong, the low-power radio frequency device In the operating mode, and when the light intensity is relatively weak, which operates in the idle mode for operation.

12. control method as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the light intensity is relatively strong, the low-power radio frequency device In the idle mode, and when the light intensity is relatively weak, which operates in the operating mode for operation.