Lighting Control Gateway Module Merging Sub-Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lighting control systems for multiple rooms are costly to install due to the need for extensive configuration of gateways for wireless communication in large office settings, where each room's sub-system must be individually connected to a local wireless network.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system with a first sub-system containing a control unit and a gateway module that communicates with both local area networks and other sub-systems via dual personal area networks, eliminating the need for separate gateway modules in each sub-system by using a single gateway module to connect multiple sub-systems to a local area network, utilizing ZigBee protocol for low-power and secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each sub-system is connected to a local wireless network through a separate gateway, then communication between sub-systems is reliable, but installation cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-systems share a common gateway module instead of each having its own gateway. The gateway module serves as a shared communication interface between multiple control units and the local area network, reducing the total number of gateways needed and simplifying installation while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway module is designed to serve multiple sub-systems simultaneously, performing universal communication functions for all connected control units. This multi-functional gateway can handle communications from different sub-systems through standardized protocols, eliminating the need for dedicated gateways.
2Area of stationary object
If each sub-system has its own gateway module for wireless communication, then network coverage is comprehensive, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-systems share a common gateway module instead of each having its own gateway. The gateway module serves as a shared communication interface between multiple control units and the local area network, reducing the total number of gateways needed and simplifying installation while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway module acts as an intermediary between multiple control units and the local area network. It mediates communication between different sub-systems and the network infrastructure, allowing comprehensive network coverage without requiring proportional numbers of gateway modules.
3Stability of the object's composition
If configuration work for each gateway is extensive, then network stability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway module is pre-configured with standardized communication protocols and settings before deployment. This preliminary configuration allows multiple control units to connect using standard procedures without requiring extensive individual configuration work, reducing installation time while maintaining network stability through proven configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized communication parameters and protocols that can be applied uniformly across multiple sub-systems. By changing from custom configurations to standardized parameters, the installation process becomes faster while network stability is maintained through established communication standards.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting control system (1) comprising a first sub-system (10) having a first control unit (12), a gateway module (14) in communication (24) with the first control unit, and at least one first lighting unit (16) associated with the first control unit, and a second sub-system (40) having a second control unit (42) and at least one second lighting unit (46) associated with the second control unit. The first control unit comprises a first communication module (121) for wireless communication (26) in a first personal area network with the at least one associated first lighting unit (16), and a second communication module (122) for wireless communication (30) in a second personal area network with the second control unit (42).