Light String Position Mapping Without Camera-Based Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the locations of light sources on a string wrapped around an object, such as a Christmas tree, often require a camera, which can be inconvenient or impractical in spaces with reflective surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determines the locations of light sources on a string without using a camera by obtaining user input specifying the number of turns, quantity, spacing, and basic shape of the object, allowing for accurate control of light settings based on these parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to determine the locations of light sources, then the locations can be determined automatically, but the system becomes more complex and may not work in spaces with reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the camera component from the light string location determination system and replaces it with a manual input interface. Users directly input the number of turns and other parameters, eliminating the need for camera-based automatic detection and simplifying the overall system while maintaining location determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a camera to automatically capture and analyze light source positions (automatic detection approach), the patent inverts the approach by having users manually input the wrapping parameters (number of turns, spacing, etc.), which then allows the system to calculate light source locations through mathematical modeling
2Measurement precision
If a camera is used to determine light source locations, then automatic detection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in use and reflective surface limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The camera component is removed from the system and replaced with a simple input interface that accepts user-friendly parameters such as number of turns, light source quantity, and spacing. This extraction eliminates the operational complexities and environmental limitations associated with camera-based detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the input parameters from complex visual data requiring camera capture to simple numerical inputs (number of turns, spacing distance, total light sources). This parameter transformation makes the system easier to operate while maintaining the ability to accurately determine light source locations through calculation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling a string of light sources wrapped around an object comprises obtaining (101) a user input signal specifying a number of turns with which the string has been wrapped around the object, obtaining (103) information indicative of a quantity of the light sources, a spacing between the light sources, and a basic shape of the object, determining (105) a location of each of the light sources based on the number of turns, the quantity of the light sources, the spacing between the light sources, and the basic shape of the object, determining (107) a light setting for each of the light sources based on the locations of the light sources, and controlling (109) the string of light sources according to the light settings.