Lamp Controller Phase Cut Angle Data Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamp calibration methods require partial disassembly and are time-consuming, making them unsuitable for commercial volume manufacturing, and some lamps have inaccessible power control circuits, preventing calibration.
Innovation Solution
A controller that receives customization data encoded in phase cut angles of the supply voltage, allowing for the customization of lamp properties such as brightness and color without physical access to the power control circuit, using phase cut angles to encode and decode data for configuring and calibrating lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lamp calibration methods are used, then calibration can be performed, but the process requires partial disassembly and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly operations with electrical signal-based calibration. Customization data is transmitted via phase cut angles of the supply voltage, allowing the controller to be configured without physical access to internal circuits. This eliminates the need for partial disassembly and significantly reduces calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase cut angle encoding as an intermediary communication mechanism. Instead of direct physical access to the power control circuit, calibration data is transmitted through the supply voltage's phase characteristics. This intermediary method enables non-invasive configuration and calibration of the controller.
2Reliability
If conventional calibration methods are used, then power control circuits can be calibrated, but lamps with inaccessible power control circuits cannot be calibrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the supply voltage serve multiple functions: both power delivery and data transmission. By encoding customization data in the phase cut angles of the supply voltage, the system can calibrate any lamp regardless of whether the power control circuit is accessible or not. This universal approach eliminates the limitation of inaccessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically receives and processes customization data through the supply voltage without requiring external physical access to calibration circuits. The system performs self-configuration and self-calibration by interpreting phase cut angle patterns in the incoming power supply, enabling calibration of previously inaccessible devices.
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 efficient and non-invasive calibration and configuration of lamps, reducing manufacturing time and costs, while ensuring consistency in brightness and color across multiple lamps.
Implementation Method 1
The phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is configured to generate one or more power control signals for a lamp to supply power to the lamp from a supply voltage. The controller is further configured to receive customization data encoded in the supply voltage. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the controller receives the customization data via one or more power terminals of the lamp. Phase cut angles in the supply voltage provided to the controller encode the customization data, and each phase cut angle encodes N symbols of data. N is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). In at least one embodiment, the customization data alters the controller from one state to another state in accordance with data represented by phase cuts in the supply voltage that encode the customization data. Examples of customization data include calibration data and configuration data.