Lighting Control System Grouping Segments for Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current home lighting control systems struggle to synchronize and efficiently control multiple individually controllable lighting devices, leading to latency and less smooth transitions between light effects, especially when the number of devices increases.

Innovation Solution

A control system that groups individually controllable segments of lighting devices into lighting control groups, allowing for synchronized control through broadcast commands, reducing the number of control messages and optimizing network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control commands are transmitted to individually controllable lighting segments, then each segment can be controlled independently, but the system becomes unable to handle the volume of commands resulting in latency and lack of synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of lighting segmentsVSAvoidLatency in light effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individually controllable lighting segments into lighting control groups that are controlled simultaneously through broadcast commands. This consolidation allows the system to manage lighting effects as unified units rather than individual segments, eliminating the latency and synchronization issues that arise from transmitting separate control commands to each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces lighting control groups as a segmentation approach, where segments are organized into groups that share common control characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to maintain independent control capabilities at the group level while reducing the number of individual control commands needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple control commands are transmitted to lighting devices, then individual segments can be controlled precisely, but network resources are consumed inefficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePrecise control of lighting segmentsVSAvoidNetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple precise control commands into single broadcast commands that simultaneously control entire lighting control groups. This merging approach maintains the precision needed for individual segment control while significantly reducing the total number of network transactions, thereby optimizing network resource utilization and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The broadcast command serves multiple functions simultaneously - it controls all segments within a lighting control group with a single command. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control commands for each segment, reducing network traffic and energy consumption while preserving precise control capabilities through the group-based addressing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If lighting devices are controlled in synchronized manner, then light effects are smooth and timely, but the system complexity increases when handling multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSynchronization of light effectsVSAvoidSystem complexity for controlling multiple devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple lighting devices into lighting control groups that are managed through unified broadcast commands. This approach maintains synchronization across all devices by treating them as coordinated units rather than independent entities, thereby achieving stable and smooth light effects while reducing the operational complexity of controlling multiple devices individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting control group acts as an intermediary structure between the control system and individual lighting devices. This intermediary enables synchronized control by providing a standardized interface for broadcast commands, thereby simplifying the system architecture and reducing complexity while maintaining precise synchronization across all lighting devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240090104A1A control system for configuring a plurality of lighting devices of a lighting system and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A control system for configuring a plurality of lighting devices is disclosed. The control system comprises a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of lighting devices, a configuration module configured to: for each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, group different segments of the plurality of individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups, and communicate, via one or more communication units, grouping information to each respective lighting device to cause the respective lighting device to store the respective grouping information in its memory, the grouping information being indicative of the respective lighting control groups into which the different segments have been grouped, and a control module configured to: communicate, via the one or more communication units, a broadcast command to the plurality of lighting devices, the broadcast command defining respective light settings for the respective lighting control groups.