Wireless Lighting Mesh Groupcast Control for Scene Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network-based lighting control systems for LED lamps are inefficient in assigning and synchronizing lighting scenes across groups of interconnected lamps, often requiring environmental sensing and resulting in delays and 'popcorn effects' due to unicast control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A wireless lighting control system using a mesh network with a groupcast messaging system and aggregated acknowledgment mechanism, allowing users to define and assign scenes to groups of lamps without environmental sensing, enabling simultaneous activation of lighting effects across all lamps in a group through unique group addresses and a single path communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unicast control mechanisms are used to assign lighting scenes to individual lamps, then each lamp can be controlled individually, but delays and popcorn effects occur due to sequential activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unicast control messages into a single groupcast message that targets multiple lamps simultaneously. The controller sends one groupcast message containing scene assignment instructions to all lamps in a group, which then activate the scene at the same time, eliminating the sequential delays of individual unicast transmissions while maintaining individual lamp control capability through group membership management
2Adaptability or versatility
If environmental sensing is implemented to adjust lighting based on sensor readings, then lighting can be automatically adapted to surroundings, but system complexity increases and control delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the environmental sensing function from the lighting control system, allowing sensors to operate independently and provide input data without being integrated into the core scene assignment mechanism. This separation enables optional environmental adaptation while keeping the main control system simple and fast, with sensors serving as optional inputs rather than mandatory components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-assigns lighting scenes to groups of lamps in advance, storing these scene definitions ready for immediate activation. When environmental conditions change or user input is received, the pre-defined scenes can be activated instantly without real-time computation or sensing delays, as the scene parameters are already prepared and stored in the system
3Measurement precision
If scenes are assigned to individual lamps rather than groups, then each lamp has precise control, but it is burdensome for users and cannot handle infinite lighting scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting control system into hierarchical levels: individual lamps maintain their unique identifiers and capabilities, while lamps are organized into logical groups that can be assigned scenes collectively. This segmentation allows users to work with manageable groups rather than individual lamps, reducing configuration burden, while the underlying system maintains precise individual lamp control through the group-lamp mapping structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal scene assignment mechanism that works at multiple levels simultaneously. A single scene assignment to a group automatically applies to all member lamps, providing universal control. The system also maintains the ability to assign scenes to individual lamps when needed, making the control system multi-functional and adaptable to different user needs without requiring separate control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein.