Master-Slave Controller Architecture for Smart Light Fixture Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environment control systems lack the flexibility and efficiency to individually configure and control a plurality of smart light fixtures for marketing purposes, requiring advanced controllers capable of managing unique identifiers and interacting with both fixtures and mobile computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A master environment controller and slave environment controllers communicate with a fixture management server to receive and transmit commands based on unique identifiers, enabling the configuration and control of smart light fixtures, using technologies like VLC and BLE for interaction with mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single environment controller manages multiple smart light fixtures, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to individually configure and control each fixture for marketing purposes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control function by introducing a master environment controller that coordinates multiple slave environment controllers. Each slave controller is responsible for specific smart light fixtures, enabling individual configuration and control while maintaining overall system management through the master controller. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple fixtures individually without requiring a single complex controller to handle all fixtures directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each smart light fixture is controlled individually, then marketing flexibility and targeted interactions are improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The master environment controller serves as an intermediary between the fixture management server and multiple slave environment controllers. It receives commands from the server, determines the appropriate slave controller based on fixture identifiers, and forwards commands to the relevant slave controller. This intermediary approach enables individual fixture control for marketing purposes while simplifying the overall communication architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic in the master controller.
3Productivity
If multiple slave environment controllers are deployed to manage different fixtures, then control efficiency and responsiveness are improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where slave environment controllers report status and receive commands from the master environment controller. The master controller maintains knowledge of which slave controllers are responsible for which fixtures and uses this information to route commands efficiently. This feedback-based coordination allows multiple slave controllers to operate independently and efficiently while maintaining system-wide consistency through the master controller's centralized management.
Data Source
AI summary
Environment controllers for the configuration and control of a plurality of smart light fixtures. A master environment controller exchange data with a fixture management server and a plurality of slave environment controllers. Each slave environment controller is in charge of controlling a plurality of light fixtures. The master environment controller receives a command targeting a particular light fixture from the fixture management server. The environment controller determines a target slave environment controller in charge of controlling the particular light fixture, among the plurality of slave environment controllers. The master environment controller forwards the received command to the target slave environment controller. The target slave environment controller further transmits the forwarded command to the particular light fixture. Alternatively, an independent environment controller is in charge of controlling a plurality of light fixtures under the direct supervision of a fixture management server, without using an intermediate master environment controller.