Light Bulb Power Interruption Control for Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light control systems for electrical devices like ceiling fans and light fixtures are limited by the need for specialized fixtures, remote controls, and multiple control points, which can be complex and inconvenient, especially for large installations, and often require additional installations or technical expertise.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses continuous wave modulation to enable control of electrical devices through existing switches, allowing for dimming, color temperature adjustment, and multiple location control without the need for additional wiring or specialized fixtures, using a micro-controller and power line messages to synchronize device functions across all switch locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic dimmers or remote controls are used to control light brightness and color temperature, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light bulb performs self-dimming and self-color-temperature-adjustment by detecting power interruptions from existing wall switches. The microcontroller monitors power cycles and automatically changes operational states without requiring external dimmers, remotes, or additional control devices, thereby eliminating installation complexity while maintaining full control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses existing wall switches as intermediaries to control the light bulb. By detecting power interruptions caused by standard wall switches, the bulb translates these simple on/off actions into complex dimming and color temperature adjustments, allowing existing switches to serve dual purposes without requiring new control infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If multiple control points are added for remote control capability, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Existing wall switches are made universal by enabling them to control both power delivery and operational state changes. A single wall switch can control multiple light bulbs throughout a building, and each bulb can be controlled from multiple different wall switch locations, eliminating the need for separate remote controls or specialized control systems at each location
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized fixtures and additional wiring are installed for enhanced control, then control precision improves, but ease of manufacture and installation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having control systems dictate how switches should operate, the invention inverts the approach by having the light bulb interpret and respond to standard switch operations. The bulb reads the power interruption patterns from conventional switches and translates them into precise dimming levels and color temperature settings, achieving control precision without requiring specialized fixtures or wiring modifications
4Ease of operation
If existing switches are used to control multiple devices, then ease of operation improves, but control precision and synchronization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Each light bulb independently monitors power interruptions from wall switches and uses this feedback to synchronize its own operational state changes. The microcontroller in each bulb detects the timing and pattern of power cycles, then coordinates dimming and color temperature adjustments across multiple bulbs to ensure they all respond uniformly to the same switch actions, maintaining precise synchronization without requiring centralized control
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device with a power switch has at least two different electrical operational states and a circuit which detects a sequence of momentary fluctuations of power defining a First user message, corresponding to a change in state. The circuit implements that change in state in response to detection of the First message. Another circuit detects a sequence of momentary fluctuations of power, different from the sequence of the First user message, defining a Second user message and defining a fixed Reset electrical operational state. The device also implements a change from the current electrical operational state, to the fixed Reset electrical operational state. A memory circuit stores the current electrical operational state, a number corresponding to one of the countable numbers of electrical operational state, and provides retentions of its memory, including the stored current electrical operational state, during periods of power off.