Networked Gesture Light Switches With Shared Status Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless or gesture sensing light switches have not gained widespread adoption due to limited applications and high cost compared to conventional mechanical switches.

Innovation Solution

A network of light switch units with gesture interfaces that sense user gestures and exchange status signals, allowing for mode changes or maintaining states based on received signals, enabling communication through wired or wireless data paths and featuring LED displays for visual feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If contactless or gesture sensing light switches are used, then hands-free operation and enhanced user interaction are achieved, but cost increases and applications remain limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switch systems with gesture-based sensing systems that use optical sensors and signal processing to detect hand movements and trigger switching actions, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient sensor utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the switch automatically detects gestures and executes switching actions without requiring manual intervention, providing hands-free control while managing resources efficiently to maintain cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switch units communicate in a network, then coordination and shared control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination capabilityVSAvoidnetwork communication structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each switch unit in the network is designed with universal communication capabilities that allow it to function both as a standalone unit and as part of a coordinated network, enabling multiple functions without requiring fundamentally different hardware architectures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The networked switch units exchange status signals and coordinate their operations through feedback mechanisms, allowing them to share control states and synchronize actions while managing communication complexity through structured signal protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10749525B2Touch-less switching

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 XYZ INTERACTIVE TECH INC

AI summary

A light switch network comprises a plurality of light switch units, each comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one or more gesture status signals with at least one other switch unit in the network in relation to the received gesture signal; each switch being enabled, on receiving the gesture signal: in a first mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or in a second mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state according to one or more conditions associated with the status signals received from the other switch unit.