Mobile Device Wireless Lighting Control via Virtual Panel Copy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience and hygiene concerns with traditional fixed lighting control panels, as they require standing and walking to adjust lighting, and existing wireless solutions face issues with communication range and quality.

Innovation Solution

A method allowing mobile devices to wirelessly receive pre-programmed identifiers and functions of fixed lighting control devices, enabling direct control of luminaires with intuitive interface mimicry, using near-field communications and pre-programmed visual features, with minimal changes to existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixedly installed control panel is used, then lighting control functionality is provided, but users must stand and walk to the fixed location for each control action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of lighting controlVSAvoidtime to reach control panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the fixed control panel on a mobile device. The mobile device displays an image of the control panel and allows users to interact with it as if touching the physical panel, enabling control from any location without walking to the fixed installation point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the user and the lighting control system. It receives wireless communications from the control panel, processes user input, and transmits control commands back to the lighting system, eliminating the need for direct interaction with the fixed control panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a fixed control panel is used, then lighting control is available, but hygiene concerns arise from touching surfaces others have touched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of controlVSAvoidhygiene contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By creating a virtual replica of the control panel on a mobile device, the patent eliminates the need for physical contact with shared surfaces. Users interact with the touchscreen of their personal device, which is not shared with others, thereby addressing hygiene concerns while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless control via portable device is implemented, then control flexibility is improved, but communication range and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol location flexibilityVSAvoidwireless communication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device pre-acquires information about the control panel and luminaires through wireless communication before the user needs to control the lighting. This preliminary information gathering enables the device to function as a remote control without requiring continuous high-quality communication during the control moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4075923A1Method, arrangement, and computer program product for wireless control of lighting
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 HELVAR OY AB
  • EP4075923A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4075923A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4075923A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method for wireless control of lighting comprises wirelessly receiving a pre-programmed identifier pertinent to a fixed lighting control device into a mobile device. At least one luminaire to which said pre-programmed identifier is also pertinent is identified wirelessly. The mobile device receives one or more indications of respective pre-programmed functions of said at least one luminaire. These are defined as responses of the luminaire to respective control commands from the fixed lighting control device. In turn, the mobile device sends an instruction for said at least one luminaire to perform a selected one of said pre-programmed functions. The instruction is a luminaire-specific instruction to change the emitted light by an amount that the mobile device found out through said receiving of indications.