Directional Beam Pairing for Lighting Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems face challenges in efficiently pairing lighting devices with remote control devices, especially when devices are hard to reach or out of reach, leading to complex and error-prone installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a directional electromagnetic beam to select and pair lighting devices with a remote control device, allowing for quick and safe installation without the need for unique passphrases or direct access to the devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pairing methods are used where the remote control device must identify and read codes from each lighting device, then the lighting device can be paired with the remote control device, but the process becomes slow and time-consuming with high risk of user error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidpairing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the remote control device actively search for and read codes from lighting devices, the patent inverts the process by having lighting devices automatically transmit their codes to the remote control device using electromagnetic radiation signals. This reversal eliminates the need for manual code reading and significantly reduces pairing time and errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting devices perform the identification and code transmission functions automatically without requiring the installer to manually read codes. The devices self-identify through electromagnetic signals, making the pairing process autonomous and eliminating human error in code entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If installers need to physically access each lighting device to read unique codes, then accurate identification is possible, but it becomes impractical and hazardous when devices are located in hard-to-reach places such as ceilings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidinstallation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically accessing devices to read codes with an electromagnetic field-based system. Lighting devices transmit their identification codes through electromagnetic radiation signals that can be received remotely, eliminating the need for installers to physically reach ceiling-mounted or hard-to-access devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic radiation signals as an intermediary medium between the lighting devices and the remote control device. This intermediary allows information transfer without direct physical contact, enabling accurate identification of inaccessible devices from a safe distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If detailed plans and diagrams are prepared to track lighting device codes during installation, then code tracking is possible, but the plans are likely to be inaccurate, incomplete or unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode tracking completenessVSAvoidinstallation documentation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on manual documentation and diagrams that are prone to errors, the patent uses electromagnetic signals to directly transmit and automatically record device identification codes. The remote control device receives and stores codes digitally through the electromagnetic communication channel, creating an accurate and complete digital record without manual transcription errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and error-reduced pairing of lighting devices with remote control devices, even for inaccessible locations, improving installation efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting the joining code to the selected lighting device using an electromagnetic radiation signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3909403B1A method of joining a lighting device to a network and pairing the lighting device with a remote control device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 REMOTE CONTROLLED LIGHTING
  • EP3909403B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909403B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909403B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of joining a lighting device (3') to a network(2)and pairing the lighting device with a remote control device (7), the method comprising: transmitting a joining code to one or more lighting devices (3') using an electromagnetic radiation signal (31); selecting a lighting device (3') to be joined to a network (2) and paired with a remote control device (7) by directing a directional beam of electromagnetic radiation (30) onto a sensor (2) of a lighting device (3'); in response to receipt of the directional beam of electromagnetic radiation and of the joining code from the electromagnetic radiation signal, by the selected device, joining the selected device to the network if the received joining code is an access code for the network and pairing the joined device (3') with a remote control device (7) such that the joined device is controllable, on the network, by the remote control device (7).