Interactive Modular Lighting with Dynamic Electrical Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive modular lighting systems face challenges in preventing electrical failures and providing user-friendly configuration without risking operational failure, especially when users assemble lighting units with varying spatial and optical configurations, and in optimizing power supply placement for safe and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs computational inference of operational failure conditions based on electrical properties and spatial configurations, dynamically adjusting the lighting system's configuration to prevent failures and optimally placing power supplies through selective illumination guidance, using a controller with integrated processing units and network interfaces to manage electrical currents and optical outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to freely configure lighting systems with minimal spatial and optical constraints, then the versatility and adaptability of the system increases, but the risk of operational failure and electrical safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electrical properties (current, power, temperature) and provides real-time feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts operational parameters or alerts users when safety thresholds are approached, enabling the system to adapt to configuration changes while maintaining safety through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary computational inference to predict potential operational failures before they occur. By analyzing the planned configuration and electrical load distribution in advance, the system can prevent unsafe configurations from being implemented or alert users to potential hazards before assembly is completed.
2Illumination intensity
If the brightness of lighting units is increased to provide better illumination, then the lighting performance improves, but the risk of operational failure and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the brightness and power consumption of lighting units based on real-time monitoring of temperature, current, and overall system configuration. The controller can modulate LED drive currents or dim individual units to maintain optimal illumination while preventing thermal runaway or electrical overload conditions.
3Power
If multiple power supplies are used to support larger lighting systems, then the system capacity increases, but the complexity of optimal power supply placement and electrical load distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal power supply placement and electrical load distribution through computational inference algorithms. The controller analyzes the lighting configuration and electrical properties to identify optimal locations for power supplies and automatically balances the load across multiple power sources, eliminating the need for manual calculation or expert intervention.
4Power
If conductive metal traces are used to supply electrical current to components, then the electrical conductivity improves, but heat generation due to electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors electrical current and temperature along conductive traces and dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as current density or switching frequencies to minimize resistive heating. The controller can redistribute electrical load across alternative pathways or reduce power consumption in high-temperature zones while maintaining overall system performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows users to assemble and configure lighting systems safely and efficiently, preventing electrical failures and ensuring optimal power supply placement, enabling flexible and creative configurations while maintaining operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting units, and a plurality of linkers, wherein a linker in the plurality of linkers conducts electrical current of a second magnitude. At least one light-emitting unit of the plurality of light-emitting units can be adapted to consume electrical power of a third magnitude, and create light emission of a fourth magnitude
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of light-emitting units and the plurality of power supplies are coupled together by the plurality of linkers to establish an electrical network... Each conductive pathway cab be comprised of one linker or a plurality of linkers
Implementation Method 3
electrical current can be supplied to components through conductive metal traces, however, due to electrical resistance, heat is generated, which, if too great, would damage the lighting system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for an interactive modular lighting system are described. The lighting systems enable users to dynamically build a luminaire through a modular joining of individual light-emitting units, however such that risk of electrical failure is automatically prevented through a dynamic computation of electrical circuit properties and dynamic configuration of components. Additionally, lighting systems with granular and configurable touch sensing are described, wherein a user's interaction with the lighting system can be coupled to actuation of properties of the lighting system or of properties of other devices in communication with the lighting system. Illustrative embodiments of applications of said lighting systems in smart home and gaming are provided.