IPv6 Lighting Control Bridge for Protocol Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting control systems face limitations in efficiently integrating diverse light sources and adapting to advanced communication protocols like IPv6, particularly in terms of controlling brightness and color across different lighting devices without requiring interface modifications at the device level.

Innovation Solution

A control unit connected to an IPv6 bus system that receives IPv6 bus commands and sends corresponding brightness or color commands to operating devices via an analog or digital light control bus, allowing for seamless integration and control of lighting systems without modifying individual device interfaces, enabling extended information transmission such as color, status, and error signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing operating devices are integrated into an IPv6 bus system, then compatibility and flexibility of the lighting system are improved, but the interface complexity and adaptation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device that acts as a bridge between the IPv6 bus system and traditional lighting control devices. This intermediary translates IPv6 packets into control commands for operating devices, allowing existing devices to be integrated into the IPv6 network without modifying their interfaces. The intermediary handles protocol conversion and command translation, resolving the contradiction between improved compatibility and increased interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If control commands are transmitted via IPv6 bus system, then communication flexibility and information capacity are improved, but the transmission complexity and protocol conversion requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation capacityVSAvoidprotocol conversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into distinct functional layers: the IPv6 network layer, the translation layer (intermediary), and the device control layer. Control commands are segmented into IPv6 packets for network transmission, then reassembled and translated by the intermediary into device-specific protocols. This segmentation allows rich information transmission via IPv6 while managing protocol conversion complexity through structured layering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediary device serves as a mediator that handles protocol conversion between IPv6 and traditional lighting control protocols. It receives IPv6 packets, extracts control information, translates commands into appropriate device protocols, and forwards them to operating devices. This mediation approach enables high information capacity transmission while containing protocol conversion complexity within a single translation layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual device interfaces are modified to support IPv6, then direct IPv6 compatibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIPv6 compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal intermediary device that can interface with multiple types of operating devices through a single IPv6 connection. Rather than modifying each device individually, the intermediary provides multi-functional translation capabilities, supporting various device protocols while maintaining a unified IPv6 interface. This approach achieves IPv6 compatibility without increasing manufacturing complexity at the device level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3213606B1Method and apparatus for controlling an operating device for lighting means
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3213606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213606B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an illumination system (A) having at least one operating device (1) for operating lighting means, having a control device (10) which is connected by means of an analogue or digital light control bus to the operating device and is designed for transmission of analogue or digital control commands via the light control bus, wherein the control device (1) is designed to control the operating devices (1) in terms of brightness and/or colour by means of control control commands, wherein furthermore the control device is connected to a IPv6 bus system, the control device (10) is designed to receive IPv6 bus commands via the IPv6 bus system and is designed to transmit a colour command or a brightness command as control command, according to the received IPv6 bus commands, to at least one operating device, and the operating device is designed to adapt the control of the lighting means according to the received colour command or brightness command.