Load Control Preset Messaging to Eliminate Lighting Popcorning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems experience delays and undesirable 'popcorning' effects when adjusting multiple lighting loads due to the time-consuming process of transmitting digital messages to control-target devices during preset selection.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that includes a system controller capable of transmitting either a first command or a second command to load control devices in response to a preset selection, where the first command provides a general description of the preset and the second command provides a detailed definition of the preset, allowing the system controller to decide which command to transmit based on previous transmissions and commissioning procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control-source device transmits separate digital messages to each control-target device in a preset, then each device can be controlled individually, but the transmission time increases significantly causing noticeable delays and 'popcorning' effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate digital messages into a single aggregated message that contains control instructions for multiple control-target devices. Instead of transmitting individual messages to each device sequentially, the system combines all control instructions into one message and transmits it simultaneously to all relevant devices, eliminating the cumulative transmission delay while maintaining individual device control capability.
2Loss of time
If a single digital message is transmitted to all control-target devices, then transmission time is reduced, but the message must contain sufficient information for each device to determine its own control actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single aggregated digital message into distinct control instruction portions, each targeted at specific control-target devices. The message structure includes device identifiers or address fields that allow each receiving device to extract and execute only the instructions relevant to it. This segmentation approach maintains message efficiency while enabling precise individual device control without requiring complex centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary message format that acts as a mediator between the control-source device and multiple control-target devices. This aggregated message structure serves as an efficient intermediary载体 that carries all necessary control information in a compact form, reducing transmission time while maintaining the ability to address individual devices through structured fields within the message.
3Extent of automation
If detailed preset information is transmitted to each control-target device, then each device can autonomously execute the preset, but the message size and transmission time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential control parameters needed for each control-target device from the complete preset information and includes them in the aggregated message. Instead of transmitting full preset definitions to every device, the system extracts and transmits only the specific control instructions relevant to each device type, reducing message size and transmission time while maintaining autonomous execution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation in the control messages by using compact encoded formats for control instructions. Instead of transmitting verbose descriptive information, the system uses optimized parameter fields that convey the same control intent in a more compact form, reducing message transmission time while preserving the ability of devices to autonomously execute presets with the extracted control parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may comprise load control devices for controlling respective electrical loads, and a system controller operable to transmit digital messages including different commands to the load control devices in response to a selection of a preset. The different commands may include a preset command configured to identify preset data in a device database stored at the load control device and/or a multi-output command configured to define the preset data for being stored in the device database. The system controller may decide which of the commands to transmit to the load control devices in response to the selection of the preset.