LED Lighting Control Using Dimmer Signal Mapping
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dimmer switches can only control the intensity of incandescent lighting and not other properties like temperature, saturation, or hue, and LED-based lighting units lack aesthetically pleasing activation and deactivation effects.
Innovation Solution
An LED-based lighting system that uses a controller to adjust the intensity and distribution of light emitted by multiple LEDs based on the characteristics of an electrical signal, such as RMS voltage, and includes optical elements like collimators and diffusers to create various lighting effects, and employs predefined LED-energize sequences for smooth activation and deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dimmer switches are used to control incandescent lighting, then intensity control is achieved, but control of other lighting properties (temperature, saturation, hue) is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling conventional dimmer switches to control multiple lighting properties (intensity, temperature, saturation, hue) of LED-based lighting units, not just intensity. The controller interprets the dimmer signal to independently adjust multiple LED channels with different color characteristics, allowing a single dimmer switch to provide comprehensive lighting control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters by mapping the single-dimensional dimmer control signal to multiple lighting parameters (intensity, color temperature, saturation, hue). The controller dynamically adjusts the output characteristics of multiple LED channels based on the dimmer's output level, enabling rich lighting property control from a simple dimmer interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LED-based lighting units simply switch on and off, then device simplicity is maintained, but aesthetically pleasing effects are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing predefined LED-energize sequences that create aesthetically pleasing transition effects when the lighting unit is switched on or off. Instead of immediate full-power switching, the controller progressively energizes LED channels in a predetermined sequence, providing smooth visual transitions that enhance user experience without requiring complex real-time control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED channels are controlled independently to provide lighting effects, then lighting versatility is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the conventional dimmer switch and the multiple LED channels. The controller translates the simple dimmer signal into coordinated control of multiple LED channels, managing the complexity internally while maintaining ease of operation for the user through the familiar dimmer interface.
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 control over multiple lighting properties and provides aesthetically pleasing transitions when turning the lights on or off, enhancing the dynamic control of LED-based lighting units using existing dimmer switches.
Implementation Method 1
An LED-based lighting unit with a controller that uses a dimmer switch to energize specific distributions of LEDs
Implementation Method 2
The one or more optical elements may include a plurality of collimators that are configurable, based on the value of the detected electric signal characteristic, to define a beam width or angle of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to inventive methods and apparatus for lighting control and for providing effects upon activation/deactivation. For example, various methods and apparatus are described for controlling various selected properties of light emitted by an LED- based lighting unit (100) with multiple LEDs (102) using, for example, a dimmer switch (101) and/or a predefined sequence of energizing LEDs.