Centralized Controller Interface for Lighting System Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting control systems face high costs and complexity due to the use of infrared (IR) remotes for configuring devices, which require expensive multi-line liquid crystal display (LCD) user interfaces and sophisticated integrated circuits, leading to increased costs for both the remote and the devices.
Innovation Solution
A centralized controller interface is provided to configure devices within a lighting control system using a communication network, eliminating the need for IR remotes by using less expensive wired and wireless communication modules, allowing device configuration through a single physical input and enabling remote access for programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infrared (IR) remote is used for configuring lighting control devices, then device configuration capability is provided, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration capability from the IR remote and concentrates it in the centralized controller. The controller now handles all configuration processing, while devices only need to receive commands via the existing communication network. This removes the need for complex IR transmitters at each device and eliminates the multi-line LCD interface requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the system control center and the configuration programming interface. By making the controller universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate IR remotes and complex device-specific interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining configuration capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrared (IR) remote with multi-line LCD interface is used, then comprehensive device settings can be configured, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing communication network as a copy of the IR communication channel. Instead of requiring physical IR transmitters and multi-line LCD interfaces at each device, the configuration data is transmitted through the already-deployed communication infrastructure. This copies the configuration functionality to a cheaper, existing platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex IR remotes with simple communication protocol messages transmitted over the existing network. The configuration capability is implemented through software-based communication rather than hardware-based IR transmission, significantly reducing component costs while maintaining full configuration versatility.
3Ease of operation
If IR hardware is installed at each device, then wireless configuration is enabled, but component cost increases by approximately $1.50 per device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration communication function with the existing operational communication network. Instead of adding separate IR hardware for configuration, the system uses the same communication infrastructure that already connects devices to the controller for operational control. This consolidation eliminates duplicate hardware while maintaining wireless configuration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network is designed to serve multiple purposes: both operational control and configuration programming. By making the communication infrastructure universal, the patent eliminates the need for device-specific IR receivers and transmitters, reducing per-device component costs while maintaining full configuration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for configuring a device of a lighting control system. The method begins by providing a configuration interface by a centralized controller of the lighting control system. Device configuration information is received via the configuration interface. A communication network of the lighting control system is then placed into a programming mode. A programming request received at the device is detected, and configuration data representing at least a portion of the received device configuration information is transmitted from the centralized controller to the device.