Lighting Control Device Grouping by Color Rendering Capability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in controlling groups of lighting devices with different capabilities, as some devices may not be able to render certain colors, leading to confusion when trying to change the light output, and it is challenging to remember which devices are assigned to which group.

Innovation Solution

A method that groups lighting devices into subgroups based on their ability to render specific colors, using virtual representations on a display to indicate which devices can and cannot produce the desired color, allowing for separate control of each subgroup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lighting devices with different capabilities are grouped together, then the user can control multiple devices simultaneously, but some devices may not be able to render certain colors causing confusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of controlling multiple lighting devicesVSAvoidreliability of color rendering across all devices in group
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the lighting device group into subgroups based on their color rendering capabilities. When a color is selected, devices are automatically divided into those that can render the color and those that cannot, allowing selective control and avoiding confusion about which devices will actually change color.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying icons indicating whether each lighting device can or cannot render the selected color. This feedback mechanism informs users about the actual capability of each device, preventing confusion and managing expectations about which devices will respond to color changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the user interface shows group control settings, then the user can see the intended color setting, but the user is not informed when devices cannot render the selected color creating a mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about device capabilitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of user interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses color-coded icons in the user interface to visually represent device capabilities. Green icons indicate devices that can render the selected color, while red icons indicate devices that cannot. This visual coding system efficiently communicates capability information without adding significant interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If all lighting devices in a group are controlled uniformly, then the control process is simple, but devices with different capabilities cannot be optimized individually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of light output controlVSAvoidcomplexity of grouping and control structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the group structure based on the selected color. Instead of fixed groups, devices are automatically reorganized into subgroups that can render the current color selection. This dynamic approach allows uniform control simplicity while optimizing for actual rendering capability, achieving both efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3791691B1A method and a lighting control device for controlling a plurality of lighting devices
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3791691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3791691B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3b
  • EP3791691B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5b

AI summary

A method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices (120, 122) is disclosed. The method comprises: grouping the plurality of lighting devices (120, 122) into a group of lighting devices (120, 122), rendering a virtual representation of the group of lighting devices (120, 122) at a first location in an image on a display (102), determining a first color associated with one or more pixels at the first location in the image, obtaining light rendering information from the plurality of lighting devices (120, 122), wherein the light rendering information relates to light rendering capabilities of the respective lighting devices (120, 122), receiving a user input indicative of a repositioning of the virtual representation from the first location to a second location in the image, determining, based on the light rendering information, if the lighting devices (120, 122) of the group are able to render a second color associated with one or more pixels at the second location in the image, dividing the group of lighting devices (120, 122) into a first subgroup comprising at least one lighting device that is unable to render the second color and a second subgroup comprising at least one lighting device that is able to render the second color, rendering a first virtual representation of the first subgroup, and a second virtual representation of the second subgroup in the image on the display (102), controlling the at least one lighting device of the first subgroup according to the first color, and controlling the at least one lighting device of the second subgroup according to the second color.