Remote Lighting Group Control With Sync Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems face challenges in maintaining synchronization among lighting devices, leading to confusion for users regarding the status of electrical loads, especially when some devices are out of sync with the rest of the group.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device that transmits messages to control load control devices and provides visual feedback dependent on the status of associated load control devices, using a status indicator to illuminate different segments or colors to indicate the status of lighting devices, audio devices, thermostats, or motorized window treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common lighting control device controls a group of lighting devices, then the lighting devices can be collectively controlled, but some lighting devices may become out of sync with the rest of the group, causing user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a status indicator that provides visual feedback about the operational state of lighting devices. The indicator shows whether devices are in sync or out of sync, allowing users to understand the system state and take appropriate action to maintain reliability while enjoying collective control benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The status indicator is divided into multiple segments that can independently display different information about different lighting devices or different aspects of system status. This segmentation allows the single indicator to convey complex synchronization information clearly, resolving the contradiction between collective control and synchronization reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of electrical loads are controlled by a single control device, then the control device becomes versatile, but the status indicator may cause confusion as it cannot clearly indicate the status of different load types
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the status indicator are assigned different visual characteristics (colors, patterns, positions) that correspond to different types of electrical loads. This local differentiation allows a single indicator to clearly convey the status of multiple load types simultaneously, maintaining both versatility and information clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The status indicator uses different colors to represent different types of electrical loads or different operational states. This color-coding system allows users to quickly distinguish between various load statuses without requiring multiple separate indicators, preserving versatility while preventing information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and controller devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages for controlling the lighting load via the load control device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting devices via a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected. The remote control device, or other master device, may synchronize and/or toggle an on/off state of lighting devices in the load control system.