Load Controller Integration for Preserving Device Associations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control systems face challenges in efficiently associating control devices using different association procedures, leading to loss of previously stored associations and requiring re-association, which complicates system configuration and operation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a system controller into the load control system maintains associations between control-source and control-target devices, allowing for association using various procedures, and enables preemption of digital messages to facilitate more efficient control of electrical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control devices are associated using different association procedures, then the system can accommodate various configuration methods, but previously stored associations are lost and re-association is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system controller serves as an intermediary that receives association information from control devices and stores it centrally. When a control device needs to be associated, it communicates with the system controller which maintains the association information, preventing loss of associations when different procedures are used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the association information storage function from individual control devices into a centralized system controller. This consolidation ensures that association data is preserved system-wide rather than being isolated to individual devices that may reset or lose data.
2Reliability
If control devices wait for complete series of digital messages before controlling electrical load, then message accuracy is ensured, but unnecessary delays occur in load control
Solution Approach 1:
The system controller pre-processes and validates digital messages before forwarding them to control devices. It prepares the message queue and validates control instructions in advance, so that when messages are transmitted, control devices can execute them immediately without waiting for complete series verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a mechanism where the system controller can interrupt or skip the waiting process for complete message series by pre-validating messages and pushing them through to control devices immediately, rushing through the verification step that would otherwise cause delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may include control-target devices, control-source devices, and a system controller. The control-target devices may enter an association mode to associate with control-source devices. The control-target device may receive an identifier from the control-source device and store the identifier in memory when the control-target device to associate the control-target device and the control-source device. The system controller may retrieve the association information from the control-target device after integration into the load control system. The system controller may receive association information that is defined using other association procedures, such as an association procedure performed on a network device and uploaded to the system controller. The system controller may maintain the association information defined using the different association procedures after the system controller is integrated into the load control system. The system controller may also maintain control configuration information configured prior to integration of the system controller.