Lighting Control Device Automates Network Selection via Room Name Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting control systems burden users with the need to manually select and connect to multiple wireless networks to control luminaires across different rooms, requiring remembering SSIDs and repetitive steps, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control device that stores association information linking network identifiers with room names, allowing users to select room names for connection, simplifying the process of controlling luminaires across multiple wireless networks by automatically connecting to the correct network based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user manually selects and connects to wireless networks using network identifiers (SSIDs), then the lighting control system can establish communication with controllers, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the lighting control device with automated network selection functionality) that mediates between the user and the wireless networks. Instead of directly selecting SSIDs, the user interacts with the lighting control device which automatically selects and connects to the appropriate wireless network using pre-stored association information, thus simplifying the operation while maintaining reliable communication
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing association information (mapping between location identifiers and network identifiers) before the user needs to control luminaires. This advance preparation eliminates the need for manual network selection during actual lighting control operations, reducing user burden while ensuring reliable connection
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user remembers and enters network identifiers for each room, then connection to wireless networks can be established, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by storing copies of network identifier information in an accessible storage unit. Instead of requiring users to remember network identifiers, the system maintains copies of the association information (location identifier to network identifier mapping) and automatically retrieves the appropriate copy when needed, enabling multi-room control without increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple wireless networks and multiple locations. By implementing automated network selection based on location identifiers, the single device can universally control luminaires across multiple rooms without requiring different procedures for each location, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility
3Reliability
If the system requires users to select from multiple wireless networks, then the correct network can be connected, but the time required for connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing the association information between location identifiers and network identifiers before actual lighting control is needed. When the user wants to control luminaires in a specific location, the system already has the corresponding network identifier ready, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual network selection while ensuring accurate connection to the correct network
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control device is provided that controls luminaires in respective rooms via respective controllers. The lighting control device includes: a storage unit that stores association information in which names (e.g., room names) are associated with SSIDs of the controllers; a communication unit that connects to and transmits and receives information to and from one of the controllers; a display unit that displays names included in the association information in a manner to be selectable; a receiving unit that receives an input from a user including a selection input of a name selected from the names displayed; and a processing unit that, when the receiving unit receives the selection input of the name, executes a predetermined process relating to wireless connection with one of the controllers using the SSID associated in the association information with the name specified by the selection input.