DALI Adapter with Integrated Server for Wireless Lighting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lighting control systems, particularly those using the DALI interface, are not convenient or cost-effective for remote control of individual lights, often requiring cumbersome learning procedures and specialized remote controls, which are undesirable and costly.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with a WPAN module for wireless communication, a computing unit programmed for DALI compatibility, and an integrated server for a user interface, allowing lights to be controlled via WPAN-enabled devices like smartphones, eliminating the need for special remote controls and enabling easy operation of multiple lights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional DALI control devices are used for lighting control, then lighting control functionality is achieved, but the system becomes complex and costly due to separate WiFi routers and multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of remote controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the WiFi interface, DALI control functionality, and server into a single integrated adapter that connects directly to the DALI bus. This eliminates the need for separate WiFi routers and multiple control components, reducing system complexity while maintaining wireless remote control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides WiFi wireless communication, DALI protocol handling, and hosts a server for user interface access. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized remote controls and learning procedures, simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If specialized remote controls with learning procedures are used, then lighting control is achieved, but operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of lighting controlVSAvoidtime for learning procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter hosts its own server that provides a user interface accessible via standard WPAN devices. This eliminates the need for learning procedures - users can immediately control lights using their smartphones or tablets through a web interface, making the system self-explanatory and requiring no training.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary between the DALI control system and standard WPAN devices. It translates user inputs from common devices into DALI protocol commands, eliminating the need for specialized remote controls and learning procedures while maintaining full lighting control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized remote controls are distributed to users, then individual control capability is achieved, but device quantity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of remote controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter's server provides a universal control interface that can be accessed by any WPAN-enabled device. This allows unlimited users to control the lighting system using their own smartphones or tablets without requiring additional specialized remote controls, eliminating the need for multiple devices while maintaining full user versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If conventional control devices with separate WiFi routers are used, then wireless control is achieved, but installation cost and device quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless control capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the WiFi interface, DALI controller, and server into a single adapter unit that connects directly to the DALI bus. This integration eliminates the need for separate WiFi routers and reduces the number of components to install, thereby reducing both installation cost and device quantity while maintaining full wireless control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3346805B1Luminaire, adapter and network for wireless lighting control

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 TRILUX GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a luminaire (11, 21) with an adapter (100, 200) or such an adapter for controlling the luminaire. The adapter incorporates a wireless network module, in particular a WLAN or WPAN module (110, 210), for wireless communication via an integrated or externally connected radio antenna (112, 212). Also embedded in the adapter (100, 200) is a processing unit (120, 220). This unit is programmed for controlling the luminaire according to an automation interface, in particular according to the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) specification. The adapter has an integrated server (130, 230) for providing a user interface compatible with common wireless network devices via the wireless network. The processing unit (120, 220) and the server (130, 230) are programmed such that the luminaire (11, 21) can be operated via the user interface.