Dual-Module Lighting Unit for Synchronized Command Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connected home and office lighting systems face challenges in communicating multiple lighting control commands due to limited bandwidth in certain communication technologies, leading to delayed or missed commands, especially when rendering dynamic light effects.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with dual communication modules, allowing for higher bandwidth communication via technologies like BLE or Wi-Fi for initial command reception and storage, and lower bandwidth technologies like Zigbee for timed execution, enabling synchronized control of multiple lighting units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple lighting control commands are communicated via limited bandwidth communication technology (e.g., Zigbee), then the lighting unit can receive commands, but the commands do not reach the lighting unit in time or not at all
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two independent communication modules: a first communication module for receiving lighting control commands and a second communication module for triggering command execution. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently with optimized protocols, resolving the bandwidth limitation issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives commands via the first communication module, stores them in memory, and triggers execution via the second communication module. This intermediary approach decouples the command reception and execution triggering functions, allowing each to use optimal communication technologies.
2Productivity
If multiple lighting control commands are communicated via limited bandwidth communication technology, then the lighting unit can receive commands, but the commands are delayed or missed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the communication function into two separate modules with different specialized protocols, the system ensures reliable command delivery. The first module handles command reception with appropriate error handling, while the second module ensures timely execution triggers.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor stores received lighting control commands in memory before execution is triggered. This preliminary storage action ensures that commands are preserved even if transmission interruptions occur, and execution can be reliably initiated when needed through the second communication module.
3Productivity
If a single communication module is used, then the device complexity is low, but the bandwidth is limited and cannot handle multiple commands efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both a first communication module for command reception and a second communication module for execution triggering. This universal design allows the single lighting unit to handle multiple communication protocols and functions simultaneously, improving command processing capability without requiring multiple separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting unit (102) is disclosed. The lighting unit comprises: one or more light sources (110), a memory (108), a communication unit (104) comprising a first communication module (104a) configured to communicate via a first wireless communication technology, and a second communication module (104b) configured to communicate via a second wireless communication technology, and a processor (106) configured to receive, via the first communication module (104a), a first lighting control command (122), store the first lighting control command (122) in the memory (108), receive, via the second communication module (104b), a second lighting control command (124), and control the one or more light sources (110) according to the first lighting control command (122) upon receiving the second lighting control command.