Luminaire Controller Multiplexing Unassigned Leads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of manufacturing and deploying smart luminaires with additional functionalities, as each additional feature requires a new product skew, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light controller with a processor that can multiplex unassigned leads in a luminaire's receptacle to achieve multiple functions, allowing for various functionalities without the need for different product versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionalities are added to luminaires by creating new product skews, then the luminaire can support more features (such as IoT monitoring, camera control, data transmission), but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single luminaire product skew with a receptacle that can universally support multiple different controllers through lead multiplexing. The same physical luminaire can be configured to perform different functions (lighting control, IoT monitoring, camera control, etc.) by changing the controller configuration rather than manufacturing different product versions. This resolves the contradiction by achieving functional versatility without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics through the multiplexing capability of the receptacle leads, which can be dynamically configured to serve different functions based on the controller being installed. The lead assignments are not fixed but can be reconfigured through software or hardware switches, allowing the same physical infrastructure to adapt to different functional requirements without physical reconfiguration or remanufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionalities are added to luminaires by creating new product skews, then the luminaire can support more features, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by creating a universal luminaire platform that can accommodate multiple functionalities through a single product design. Instead of manufacturing separate product skews for each function, the same luminaire with a multiplexing-capable receptacle can support various controllers, thereby eliminating the need for costly product variations and reducing per-unit manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameters of the receptacle leads through software or hardware switches rather than changing the physical luminaire design. This parameter-based configuration approach allows different functionalities to be achieved without manufacturing different hardware versions, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functional versatility.
3Device complexity
If multiple functions are supported through a single luminaire platform, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the system requires sophisticated lead multiplexing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the receptacle as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of lead multiplexing. The receptacle contains the multiplexing logic and configuration mechanisms, isolating the control complexity from both the luminaire structure and the controllers. This intermediary approach simplifies manufacturing while containing the control sophistication within a dedicated component that can be independently designed and tested.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a controller for use with a luminaire. The controller that includes a processor connected to at least one lead of a receptacle included in the luminaire. The processor can be programmed to multiplex at least one lead of the receptacle to achieve at least one of a plurality functions.