Addressable Lighting String Controller for Centralized Unit Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting string devices lack the ability to centrally control and identify the location of each lighting unit, leading to limited lighting variations and potential assembly issues due to independent operation of lamps and reliance on serial code-based control systems.
Innovation Solution
A lighting string device with a central controller that uses controlling chips with address codes in each unit, connected through a power line, to receive and compare control commands, enabling centralized control and location identification of lighting units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shifting circuit with serial codes is used to control each lighting unit, then individual control of lighting units is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and sensitive to ordering errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting string into independently addressable segments (lighting units), each with its own controlling chip containing an address code. This segmentation allows individual control of each unit while maintaining simple daisy-chain assembly, as each unit operates independently based on its address code rather than requiring strict serial ordering.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lighting unit is equipped with a unique address code stored in its controlling chip, creating local identification capability. This allows the central controller to selectively address and control specific units based on their location, enabling individual control without requiring complex global coordination or strict assembly ordering.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each lamp operates independently with programmed commands, then lighting variations are achieved, but centralized control and adjustment are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary that communicates with each lighting unit's controlling chip through the power line. The central controller generates control commands based on desired lighting effects and transmits them to specific units identified by their address codes, enabling centralized control while maintaining individual unit capability for lighting variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling chip serves multiple functions: it stores the address code for identification, receives control commands from the central controller, and executes lighting control for its associated lighting portion. This multi-functionality enables both centralized control and individual lighting variation capability within a single component.
3Device complexity
If all lighting units are controlled simultaneously through a control circuit, then simple control structure is maintained, but lighting variations and individual control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of address-based selection to the control system. Instead of controlling all units simultaneously through a single control line, the system uses the power line carrying both power and control signals, with each unit selectively responding based on its address code. This allows simple daisy-chain wiring to support individualized control through address matching.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a lighting string device, lighting string location identifying system, and lighting string location identifying method thereof. The aforementioned lighting string device includes a lighting string controller and a plurality of lighting units. Each one of the plurality of lighting units includes a lighting portion and a controlling chip. The driving end of the controlling chip is connected to the lighting portion, and the controlling end and power end of the controlling chip is connected to the lighting string controller through the power line. When the controlling chip acquired controlling command information transmitted by the lighting string controller through the power line, the controlling chip compares the controlling command information and the address code, and determines whether to drive the lighting portion or not according to the comparison result.