Digital Lighting Control for Consistent Color Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analog control systems for lighting fixtures with different color temperature ranges struggle to produce consistent light output, limiting precision in color temperature adjustments and leading to variations between fixtures.

Innovation Solution

A digital control system that includes a processing device communicatively coupled to lighting fixtures, capable of determining and transmitting specific correlated color temperature (CCT) values to each fixture, ensuring accurate light output across fixtures with different CCT ranges, using a central or distributed network of light managers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If analog control is used to control lighting fixtures with different color temperature ranges, then the control system is simple to operate, but the light output consistency between fixtures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operation simplicityVSAvoidlight output consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog mechanical control system with a digital control system. The controller receives analog dimming signals but converts them to digital commands, which are then processed to calculate specific CCT values for each fixture based on its capabilities and the desired scene appearance. This substitution enables precise digital control while maintaining ease of operation through the familiar analog interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the correlated color temperature (CCT) parameter for each lighting fixture based on the desired scene appearance and individual fixture capabilities. The controller calculates specific CCT values that ensure consistent light output across fixtures with different color temperature ranges, transforming the fixed analog control into adaptive digital parameter control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If analog control is used for lighting fixtures, then the control system has low complexity, but the precision of color temperature changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidcolor temperature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog control system with a digital control system that processes dimming signals and calculates precise CCT values. The digital controller can determine exact color temperature settings for each fixture, providing high precision control while managing complexity through standardized digital communication protocols and algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from analog voltage-based control to digital parameter-based control, where the controller calculates specific CCT values for each fixture. This enables precise control of color temperature changes while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If analog control is used across lighting fixtures with different CCT ranges, then the control system is easy to implement, but the uniformity of light characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation easeVSAvoidlight characteristic uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple analog control system with a digital control system that calculates individualized CCT commands for each fixture. The controller determines the appropriate CCT value for each fixture based on its specific range and the desired scene appearance, ensuring uniform light characteristics while maintaining ease of implementation through standardized digital control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic parameter adjustment where the controller calculates specific CCT values for each fixture based on its capabilities and the desired scene appearance. This ensures that fixtures with different CCT ranges produce uniform light characteristics while maintaining straightforward system implementation through centralized digital control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10111297B2Digital control for lighting fixtures

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A processing device can digitally control lighting fixtures by receiving a request to generate light at a correlated color temperature (“CCT”) level in an environment. The environment can include a first lighting fixture having a first range of generatable CCT values and a second lighting fixture having a second range of generatable CCT values. The processing device can determine a first CCT value based on the request and the first range. The processing device can further determine a second CCT value based on the first CCT value and the second range. The processing device can further transmit a first digital signal to the first lighting fixture to cause the first lighting fixture to generate light at the first CCT value. The processing device can further transmit a second digital signal to the second lighting fixture to cause the second lighting fixture to generate light at the second CCT value.