Binary Signaling via Power Switching for Pool Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool lighting systems face challenges in controlling color and brightness due to the attenuation of wireless communication signals in water and the inability of powerline communication schemes to cross transformers, leading to limited functionality and high installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that uses a switching device to generate binary signals to control the lighting device, eliminating the need for additional hardware and proprietary components by using a relay to create timed binary signals that can penetrate transformers and provide multiple color and mode options efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication signals are used to control pool lighting, then control capability is provided, but the signals are completely attenuated before reaching the controller due to water depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses power lines as an intermediary medium to transmit control signals from the controller to the lighting device. Instead of relying on wireless signals that are blocked by water, the system modulates power delivery through the existing electrical wiring, allowing reliable communication through the transformer and water barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the wireless electromagnetic communication system with a power-line communication system. By substituting radio frequency signals with modulated power signals transmitted through electrical wiring, the system overcomes the attenuation problem in water while maintaining control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If powerline communication schemes are implemented to cross transformers, then communication capability is provided, but additional hardware components and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the transformer from the signal path by using a solid-state relay that can directly switch the lighting load. This removes the barrier that prevented powerline communication from working across isolation boundaries, allowing simple two-wire communication without requiring additional modems or couplers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing power wiring serve a dual function: both power delivery and control signal transmission. The same two wires that provide electrical power to the lighting device are also used to transmit binary control signals, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware and reducing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If powerline communication schemes are implemented, then communication across transformers is enabled, but implementation costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the existing electrical wiring infrastructure to serve itself for both power and control functions. The system uses the same wiring that already exists in the pool lighting installation, requiring no new cables, conduits, or communication infrastructure, thereby minimizing installation costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power delivery function and control signal transmission function into a single communication protocol. By combining these functions into one system using the existing two-wire interface, the patent eliminates the need for separate communication hardware and reduces installation complexity.
4Ease of operation
If pulse counting methods are used to control lighting profiles, then lighting control is achieved, but the system is slow due to time requirements of on and off pulse cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic binary signaling through the power lines to transmit lighting profile selections. Instead of relying on slow pulse counting methods, the system sends encoded binary signals that rapidly communicate the desired lighting profile, significantly reducing the response time while maintaining control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a lighting system that includes a lighting device and a switching device. The switching device controls application of lighting power to the lighting device. Further, the lighting system includes an automation system that includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions are executable by a processing device to receive a lighting profile selection. Additionally, the instructions are executable to cycle the switching device to transmit a binary signal to the lighting device. The binary signal identifies the lighting profile selection and instructs the lighting device to emit a lighting profile identified by the binary signal.