Bus Line Control Value Conversion for Uniform Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Larger lighting systems using different dimming curves from various manufacturers or light sources react differently to control values, leading to inconsistent lighting appearance when controlled uniformly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating control value conversion devices within the bus line system that modify control values to match the dimming curve of each luminaire, ensuring uniform behavior across all lights, and also allowing for color locus corrections and resolution adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different manufacturers use different dimming curves for their lights, then each light can be optimized for its specific light source characteristics, but the lights react differently to the same control values leading to inconsistent lighting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control value conversion device as an intermediary component in the DMX signal transmission path. This device receives control values from the control unit and converts them according to the specific dimming curve characteristics of each luminaire type, ensuring that all lights respond uniformly to the same control value while maintaining compatibility with different light source requirements
2Ease of operation
If a linear dimming curve is used, then the control values are simple and intuitive, but the human perception of brightness differences is non-linear making control ineffective at low brightness levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the control values through different dimming curve functions (linear, exponential, logarithmic, gamma). The conversion device modifies the control value parameters according to the selected dimming curve characteristics, allowing the same simple control value range (0-255) to produce perceptually uniform brightness changes across all brightness levels
3Device complexity
If control values are transmitted uniformly to all lights, then the control system is simple and centralized, but lights from different manufacturers or with different light sources react differently disrupting the overall lighting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system by introducing individual control value conversion devices for each luminaire or group of luminaires with the same dimming characteristics. This allows the centralized control unit to maintain simplicity while each segment receives customized control values adapted to its specific luminaire type, ensuring uniform appearance across the entire lighting system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The system (1) has lamps (10, 20) attached to a common bus line (5) and connected with a control unit (2) over the bus line. The control unit generates digital control information and transmits the information to the lamps over the bus line. The lamps are assigned to sources of light based on the control information. A position value conversion apparatus (30) is connected with the bus line such that input side arriving control information is modified based type of the lamps followed in the bus line and passed as modified control information over the bus line. An independent claim is also included for a method for actuating lamps.