LED Illumination System Controlling Color Temperature Along Dimcurves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination systems with LED devices lack the ability to dynamically and automatically control color temperature and brightness to emulate natural sunlight changes throughout the day, requiring manual intervention or inaccurate sensor-based solutions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising LED illumination devices and a keypad that allows for automatic and periodic changes in color temperature and brightness, mapped along dimcurves to simulate natural sunlight conditions, with a remote controller providing a graphical user interface for programming and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control methods are used to adjust color temperature and brightness, then user customization is possible, but automation and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidextent of automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple dimcurves representing different natural sunlight patterns (morning, noon, evening, night) that are automatically applied based on time of day, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining user-friendly operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system automatically adjusts color temperature and brightness according to programmed dimcurves without requiring user intervention, making the system self-regulating while preserving ease of use through automatic operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If sensor-based control is used to automatically detect sunlight changes, then automation improves, but reliability and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextent of automationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces sensor-based detection with a time-of-day based control mechanism that uses programmed dimcurves to simulate natural sunlight patterns, achieving automation through temporal programming rather than environmental sensing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-programmes multiple dimcurves that define color temperature and brightness transitions throughout the day, automatically applying the appropriate curve based on time of day without relying on sensor input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic control of color temperature and brightness is implemented, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple discrete dimcurves, each representing a specific natural sunlight pattern (morning, noon, evening, night). This segmentation allows the system to handle dynamic control requirements through simple curve selection rather than complex continuous adjustment algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different dimcurves based on time of day, allowing color temperature and brightness to automatically adapt to simulate natural sunlight changes without requiring complex real-time calculation or sensor feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4080339A1Illumination system for controlling color temperature as a function of brightness
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
  • EP4080339A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4080339A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4080339A1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification.