Multi-Light Luminaire Control Using Weighted Brightness Setpoints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex lighting systems with multiple individually controllable units face limitations in the DALI standard due to the limited number of available DALI addresses, leading to reduced control efficiency and increased data transmission requirements.

Innovation Solution

A control unit determines internal brightness setpoints for each controllable unit by weighting externally supplied brightness setpoints using a weighting matrix, allowing for efficient control of multiple units with fewer DALI addresses and reducing data transmission needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple DALI addresses are assigned to each luminaire to control individual light units, then individual control capability is improved, but the number of available DALI addresses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of available DALI addresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light units (direct light, indirect light, and multiple directional components) into a single DALI addressable luminaire. Instead of assigning separate DALI addresses to each light unit, the control unit receives a single brightness command and internally distributes it to all light units using a weighting matrix, thereby merging multiple control functions into one address.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The luminaire is designed with multi-functionality by enabling a single DALI address to control multiple types of light units simultaneously. The control unit can interpret brightness commands to adjust direct light, indirect light, and various directional components through configurable weighting factors, making one address universal for controlling diverse lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple DALI addresses are assigned to each luminaire, then individual control capability is improved, but control efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control operations into a single DALI command transmission. Instead of sending separate brightness commands to each light unit individually, the system transmits one command to the luminaire's control unit, which then internally distributes the control signal to all light units, significantly improving control efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the DALI system and the multiple light units. It receives a single brightness command from the DALI interface and internally processes the distribution to various light units using weighting matrices, thereby mediating between the limited DALI communication capacity and the multiple control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple DALI addresses are assigned to each luminaire, then individual control capability is improved, but data transmission requirements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data transmission streams into a single DALI command. Instead of transmitting separate brightness values to each light unit, the system transmits one consolidated command that the control unit internally expands into multiple control signals, thereby reducing data transmission requirements on the DALI bus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary processing of the brightness command internally. Upon receiving a single DALI command, the control unit pre-calculates the distribution to all light units using stored weighting matrices before actual light unit activation, reducing the need for repeated data transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3120669B1Method and device for operating a lamp having multiple light means or a group of light means
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3120669B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3120669B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3120669B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a light fixture (100) with several individually controllable units for emitting light (110), in which the light fixtures (100) transmit several external target brightness values and for each controllable unit for emitting light (110), respectively based on all external target brightness, an internal target brightness is determined taking into account associated weight factors.