Multi-Color LED Lamp Pulse Encoding Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiple color LED lamps require a large number of wires and controller channels, leading to increased complexity and potential failure points due to the need for separate channels and wires for each color, making them costly and unreliable, especially in applications like police lightbars with many lamps.

Innovation Solution

A method where a microcontroller in each LED lamp detects power pulse sequences to determine the desired color, allowing for illumination with only a single power lead and a ground wire, reducing the number of external wires and controller channels needed, and enabling any number of colors to be selected through predetermined patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color LED lamps use separate wires and controller channels for each color, then color selection control is achieved, but device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor selection controlVSAvoidnumber of wires and controller channels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions into a single wire by encoding color selection information in the temporal pattern of power pulses. Instead of requiring separate wires for each color, the system merges color control into the power delivery mechanism itself, where different pulse patterns (e.g., single pulse for red, double pulse for blue) represent different color selections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single power wire serves multiple functions: it delivers power to the LED lamp and simultaneously carries color selection control information through pulse pattern encoding. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated control wires for each color, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full color selection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color LED lamps use separate wires and controller channels for each color, then color selection control is achieved, but reliability decreases due to increased failure points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor selection controlVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging color control into the power wire, the patent reduces the total number of connection points in the system. Fewer wires and connectors mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the ability to control multiple colors through pulse pattern encoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color LED lamps use separate wires for each color, then color selection is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-color capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple control wires and complex connector assemblies. The single-wire approach with pulse pattern encoding simplifies the bill of materials and assembly processes, making multi-color LED lamps more cost-effective to manufacture while retaining full color selection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional LED lamps require many wires and connectors, then color control is achieved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor controlVSAvoidinstallation and operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies installation and operation by requiring only two wires per lamp (power and ground) regardless of the number of colors supported. The control system handles color selection through pulse pattern timing, making the lamp easier to install and operate while maintaining full multi-color control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11006494B1Methods of color selection in multiple color LED lamps

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 TOMAR ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method of selecting a color in a multiple color LED lamp with only two external wires leading to the LED lamp. The LED lamp receives power and control signals through a power lead of the lamp. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a first pattern, a microcontroller within the lamp controls the lamp to illuminate a first color. By detecting a power pulse sequence on the power lead in a second pattern, the microcontroller controls the lamp to illuminate a second color. The pattern detected indicates the desired color for the lamp to the microcontroller. Other patterns indicate other control instructions for the lamp.