Configurable Light Fixture Wireless Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems face challenges in configuring user interfaces with light fixtures, particularly in wireless systems, where all fixtures receive control signals, leading to unnecessary responses and the need for multiple switches to ensure correct pairing.

Innovation Solution

A configurable light fixture system that uses a transmitter ID and pairing signal to establish a specific relationship between user interfaces and light fixtures, allowing only intended fixtures to respond to control signals by storing the ID in a memory unit during a pairing time window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless control signals are transmitted to all light fixtures, then the control range and versatility are improved, but all fixtures receive and respond to signals causing unnecessary responses and configuration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol rangeVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless control system by introducing address identification signals that divide the network into individual addressable units. Each light fixture is assigned a unique address, allowing the control signal to be segmented and directed to specific fixtures rather than broadcasting to all fixtures equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enabling different light fixtures to have different response characteristics based on their assigned addresses. The control system can transmit signals with specific address identifiers, and only fixtures matching those identifiers will respond, creating localized control zones within the overall wireless network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple switches are provided on each light fixture for configuring transmitter-receiver pairing, then the reliability of correct pairing is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidnumber of switches
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pairing configuration function from the light fixture hardware switches and moves it to the wireless communication protocol level. The address identification and pairing information are transmitted and stored through wireless signals and memory units, eliminating the need for physical switches on each fixture for configuration purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service pairing through automatic address assignment and recognition. When a light fixture receives a control signal with an address identifier, it automatically stores this information in its memory unit and uses it for future pairing, eliminating the need for manual switch configuration by users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple switches are provided on each light fixture for configuring transmitter-receiver pairing, then the reliability of correct pairing is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pairing configuration function from the light fixture hardware switches and moves it to the wireless communication protocol level. The address identification and pairing information are transmitted and stored through wireless signals and memory units, eliminating the need for physical switches on each fixture for configuration purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service pairing through automatic address assignment and recognition. When a light fixture receives a control signal with an address identifier, it automatically stores this information in its memory unit and uses it for future pairing, eliminating the need for manual switch configuration by users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2329687B1Configurable light fixture, configurable lighting system and method for configuring a lighting system
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 ELDOLAB HLDG BV
  • EP2329687B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2329687B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2

AI summary

A configurable light fixture for a lighting system is described. The light fixture comprising a receiver, wherein the receiver of the light fixture is arranged to, upon receipt of a pairing signal from a transmitter, store a transmitter ID comprised in the pairing signal in a first memory unit when the pairing signal is received within a pairing time window, the pairing time window being opened when the receiver is switched on from an off state, the receiver being arranged to, upon receipt of a control signal, compare a transmitter ID comprised in the control signal with the stored transmitter ID and release the control signal when the stored transmitter ID corresponds with the transmitter ID comprised in the control signal.