Control Circuit Dynamic Group Identifier Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems face challenges in efficiently managing group identifiers for control devices, leading to incomplete or excessive device connections, as pre-defined group identifiers are either too limited or too rigid, preventing flexible user-defined configurations.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit with a communication interface and RF-ID module for dynamically assigning and storing group identifiers, allowing devices to respond only to intended control commands, enabling flexible grouping and operation as both master and slave within the same system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed set of control devices is packaged with pre-defined group identifiers, then manufacturing and initial setup is simplified, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate user-defined area requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial setup simplicityVSAvoiduser-defined configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static pre-defined group identifiers to dynamic user-configurable group identifiers. The control circuit allows users to assign custom group identifiers to control devices during installation or operation, enabling the system to adapt to different spatial configurations and user requirements while maintaining the simplicity of packaged sets through optional pre-configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the number of packaged control devices is too small, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but not every lighting device in a user-defined area can be connected to the master control device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging complexityVSAvoidarea coverage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables flexible scaling by allowing users to configure additional control devices beyond the packaged set. Through user-defined group identifiers and wireless pairing capabilities, the system can accommodate varying numbers of control devices based on the specific area coverage requirements, transforming the fixed packaging quantity into a flexible system capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of packaged control devices is too large, then area coverage capability is improved, but a number of control devices cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea coverage capabilityVSAvoidunused device management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control devices are designed with universal functionality through user-configurable group identifiers. Each control device can be assigned to different groups and master-slave relationships based on actual needs, allowing the packaged set to serve multiple different configurations and area requirements. This multi-functionality ensures that all devices in the package can be utilized effectively regardless of the specific application scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If group identifiers are provided during manufacturing, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot respond flexibly to user-defined area requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoiduser-defined configuration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides preliminary configuration options where group identifiers can be pre-assigned during manufacturing for simplicity, while simultaneously maintaining the capability for users to reconfigure and assign custom group identifiers later. This preliminary setup with override capability allows the system to start simple while remaining easily adaptable to user-defined area requirements through subsequent configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2132961B1Control circuit, system for operating a device and device for programming such a control circuit
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2132961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2132961B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A control circuit for controlling operation of a device is provided. The control circuit is configured to be comprised in a group of control circuits. The group is identified by a group identifier which is stored in the control circuit. An identifier communication interface is configured to receive a group identifier. A control communication interface circuit is provided for communicating with at least one other control circuit comprised in said group. Thus, the control circuit may easily be programmed to be comprised in a group. Further, a system for controlling operation of a device is provided. The system comprises a master control circuit for transmitting a control command; and a slave control circuit for receiving the control command. The slave control circuit is coupled to the device for controlling the device in accordance with the control command. At least one of the master control circuit and the slave control circuit comprises an identifier communication interface circuit for receiving a group identifier, the identifier communication interface circuit being coupled to a storage means for storing the group identifier and wherein the group identifier corresponds to a group of control circuits.