Dynamic User Interface for Multichannel Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In horticulture and other applications, operators of multichannel lighting systems face challenges in accurately controlling the spectral power distribution of light outputs due to interactions between different LED channels, leading to difficulties in creating desired light settings that balance color combinations and power limitations.
Innovation Solution
A user interface and method that provide a dynamic range of control values for each color, taking into account the interactions and power limitations between channels, allowing operators to define valid light settings by overlaying a dynamic scale onto a static scale, ensuring that adjustments in one channel's output do not exceed the system's capabilities, thereby optimizing light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If operators control each LED channel individually to maximum power output, then the light output intensity is improved, but the spectral power distribution becomes unbalanced due to interactions between channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of control value ranges based on current channel settings. When one channel's output is changed, the system recalculate and updates the valid range for other channels' control values in real-time, allowing operators to achieve balanced spectral power distribution while maintaining high light output intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to operators by displaying the dynamic range of valid control values for each channel. This feedback mechanism guides operators to select control values that produce the desired spectral power distribution without exceeding power limitations or creating unbalanced color combinations.
2Illumination intensity
If operators adjust control values beyond individual channel maximums, then the overall light output is improved, but the system exceeds power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically calculates and adjusts the maximum control values for each channel based on the current settings of other channels and the remaining power budget. This allows the system to utilize available power efficiently across multiple channels while ensuring total power consumption remains within limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control interface that manages multiple LED channels with different spectral characteristics through a single coordinated system. The dynamic range adjustment mechanism universally applies to all channels, allowing any channel to benefit from power allocated to others, thereby achieving high overall light output while compliance with power limitations.
3Ease of operation
If the user interface provides fixed control ranges for each channel, then the interface simplicity is improved, but the ability to achieve optimal color combinations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface displays dynamic control ranges that automatically adjust based on current channel settings. This maintains interface simplicity by presenting clear, actionable control options to operators while adapting to different operating conditions, enabling optimal color combinations without requiring complex manual calculations or adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic recalculation and adjustment of valid control ranges based on current settings and power availability. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operators to manually calculate compatible control values, maintaining interface simplicity while achieving optimal color combinations through automated adaptation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
The invention provides a user interface for controlling a multichannel lighting unit wherein each channel of the multichannel lighting unit comprises at least one light source for emitting light having a channel-specific spectral composition, the spectral composition associated with one channel being different from the spectral composition associated with another channel, and a light output from each channel being individually controllable, the user interface comprising at least two user interaction elements, each user interaction element associated with a color producible with the multichannel lighting, each user interaction element comprising: (a) a static scale representing a static range of control values for controlling a light output of the multichannel lighting unit in respect of the color associated with the user interaction element; (b) a dynamic scale representing a dynamic range of control values for controlling a light output of the multichannel lighting unit in respect of the color associated with the user interaction element, wherein the dynamic range of control values is a valid/executable range determined at least in part based on a present control value selected in respect of another user interaction element, and; (c) a selector adjustable by a user of the user interface for selecting a present control value for controlling the light output of the multichannel lighting unit in respect of the color associated with the user interaction element.