Automatic Lighting Module Count Detection via Termination Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with variable length require manual or visible calibration methods for determining the number of lighting modules, which are unreliable and disrupt the desired lighting effect.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a termination module having a distinct electrical characteristic, connected in parallel or series with other modules, uses a controller to activate modules sequentially and measure current changes to detect the termination module, allowing for automatic and invisible determination of the lighting module count without human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual counting and input method is used to determine lighting module count, then the lighting device can be controlled to achieve desired lighting effect, but the maintenance complexity increases and reliability decreases due to human interaction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device performs self-detection of the lighting module count through automatic current measurement during initialization. The controller automatically detects the termination module by measuring current changes when each module is activated, eliminating the need for manual counting and input by users, thereby improving reliability and reducing maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physical counting and keyboard input) with an automated electrical measurement system. The controller uses current sensing circuits to automatically detect module boundaries through electrical characteristic changes, substituting human interaction with an automated electronic detection mechanism
2Extent of automation
If calibration process with visible light emission is used to determine lighting module count, then automatic detection is achieved, but the desired lighting effect is degraded because calibration can only be performed when device is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical characteristic changes (current measurements) instead of optical changes (visible light emission) to detect module boundaries. By measuring current variations when modules are activated during initialization, the system achieves automatic detection without emitting visible calibration light that would interfere with the lighting effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces current measurement as an intermediary detection method between the controller and lighting modules. Instead of directly observing light emission during calibration, the controller uses current sensing as an intermediate signal to infer module count, allowing detection to occur without visible light output
3Extent of automation
If termination module with distinct electrical characteristic is used, then automatic current-based detection is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The termination module has a distinct electrical characteristic (different current consumption) compared to regular lighting modules. This local differentiation at the termination point enables the controller to automatically detect where the module sequence ends by identifying the current change pattern, providing automatic detection capability through a simple structural modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (current consumption) of the termination module to be different from regular lighting modules. This parameter change enables automatic detection through current measurement during initialization, achieving automation with minimal structural complexity by simply modifying the electrical characteristic of one module
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and robust automatic detection of lighting module count, reducing errors and maintaining the desired lighting effect by integrating the detection process into the device's initialization or operation, thus being invisible to the user.
Implementation Method 1
the termination module is configured to have an electrical characteristic different from that of each lighting module, such that an amount of current drawn by the termination module in response to an applied drive voltage differs from that drawn by each lighting module
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device comprising a lighting unit comprising a plurality of lighting modules and a termination module, wherein the termination module is configured to have an electrical characteristic different from that of each lighting module, such that it draws a different amount of current in response to an applied drive voltage. The present invention suggests automatically determining a lighting module count of the lighting unit upon detection of the termination module, by measuring a change of a current passing through the lighting unit while sequentially activating the modules of the lighting unit.