Centralized Lighting Controller for Sequential Fixture Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting control systems require occupants to manually walk to different rooms to turn lights on or off, which is time-consuming and lacks convenience, especially for controlling multiple light fixtures.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that allows sequential activation and deactivation of multiple light fixtures using a single input device, such as a smartphone, through a processor-based algorithm that organizes electrical loads into zones or rooms, enabling remote operation and personalized profiles for efficient lighting control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If simple switches are used to control light fixtures, then the system is simple and reliable, but occupants must manually walk to different rooms to operate lights, resulting in loss of time and reduced convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of lighting controlVSAvoidtime to control multiple lights

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that receives inputs from a single location and sequentially activates multiple light fixtures throughout the building. This mediator eliminates the need for occupants to physically travel to each room, allowing centralized control of distributed lighting systems through a single interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the building into multiple zones or groups of light fixtures that can be independently controlled. The controller segments the lighting system into controllable units, allowing selective activation of specific zones based on occupancy or time of day, thereby reducing the time and effort required to control individual fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If custom lighting solutions with dedicated input devices are implemented in each room, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to custom wiring and programming requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal control capabilityVSAvoidwiring and programming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal controller that can manage multiple light fixtures throughout the entire building from a single location. This multi-functional device replaces the need for separate dedicated control devices in each room, maintaining ease of operation while significantly reducing system complexity, wiring requirements, and overall cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple control functions into a single centralized controller. Instead of having separate control mechanisms for each room or fixture, the system merges all lighting control capabilities into one device, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10952306B2Methods, systems, and products for control of electrical loads

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A single input to a lighting system may control several different light fixtures. Multiple light fixtures may be connected to a switch or controller of the lighting system. A user makes an input to the lighting system, and individual light fixtures are activated as the user continues making the input.