LED Control Device Modulates Light for Bidirectional Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unidirectional lighting systems lack bidirectional communication capabilities, making it difficult for lighting devices to provide feedback, and converting existing systems to bidirectional communication requires replacing all components.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that uses a control device to modulate light emitted by the lighting devices for bidirectional communication, allowing feedback without modifying the unidirectional bus system, by using amplitude, frequency, or pulse width modulation, and a receiver to process and transmit these signals back through the bus system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If unidirectional bus systems (e.g., DMX) are used in lighting systems, then system complexity is reduced and ease of installation is improved, but bidirectional communication capability is lost and feedback from lighting devices becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical modulation as an intermediary mechanism between the unidirectional bus system and the lighting device. The control device modulates light signals to carry feedback information, allowing communication without modifying the bus system structure. This intermediary approach enables bidirectional communication while preserving the simplicity of the unidirectional bus architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through the bus system with optical signal transmission for feedback communication. By substituting the mechanical/electrical communication path with an optical path, the system achieves bidirectional communication without altering the original unidirectional bus system, thus maintaining low complexity while gaining feedback capability.
2Loss of information
If bidirectional systems (e.g., Dali or RDM) are implemented, then feedback capability is achieved, but system compatibility with existing unidirectional systems deteriorates and component replacement becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication function into two independent parts: the unidirectional bus system for control signals and the optical modulation system for feedback. This segmentation allows the existing unidirectional bus system to remain unchanged while adding feedback capability through a separate optical communication path, thus maintaining compatibility with existing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a controller for the lighting device and as a receiver for optical feedback signals. This universal design allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing unidirectional bus systems while gaining bidirectional communication capabilities, eliminating the need for complete system replacement.
3Loss of information
If all system components are replaced to achieve bidirectional communication, then feedback capability is achieved, but installation time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback communication function from the main bus system architecture and implements it separately through optical modulation. This extraction allows existing lighting devices and bus systems to be retained while adding feedback capability through a separate, non-intrusive optical communication layer, thus minimizing installation time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is pre-configured with optical modulation and reception capabilities, allowing feedback communication to be enabled without modifying existing lighting devices or bus system components. This preliminary preparation of the control device enables seamless integration of feedback functionality, reducing installation time and avoiding the need for component replacement.
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 bidirectional communication between lighting devices and control devices without altering the existing unidirectional bus system, allowing for status and configuration feedback while maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The control device controls the emission of light by the lighting means in such a way that the emitted light is modulated. The controller transmits messages by modulating the light.
Implementation Method 2
The modulation of the emitted light is preferably an amplitude modulation or a frequency modulation or a pulse width modulation.
Implementation Method 3
The modulation of the emitted light is preferably an amplitude modulation or a frequency modulation or a pulse width modulation.
Implementation Method 4
The modulation of the emitted light is preferably an amplitude modulation or a frequency modulation or a pulse width modulation.
Implementation Method 5
The control device has a receiver, a processing device and a transmitter, with the receiver receiving the modulated light from the lighting device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (19) has a lamp (21), and a control device (20) that is connected with a unidirectional bus system (30) i.e. digital multiplex bus system. The control device is arranged for receiving and processing control signals over the bus system. The control device controls discharge of light (26) from the lamp. The control device controls the lamp such that discharged light is modulated. The control device transmits modulation of light through messages e.g. status messages. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a lighting system.