Multifunction Light Controller for Customizable Lighting Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems lack user-programmability and flexibility in creating complex light patterns, limiting end users' ability to customize decorative lighting effects beyond pre-set options.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional lighting system with a controller that allows end users to create customized programs, modify pre-programmed instructions, and interactively customize light patterns in real time, using remote control signals to independently modulate power supplied to different lighting circuits, enabling separate or coordinated effects across multiple light arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-programmed controllers are used, then lighting patterns can be controlled, but user-programmability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into multiple independent light array control channels, each capable of being individually programmed and controlled. This segmentation allows users to create complex overall lighting effects by combining simpler individual array patterns, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities including pre-programmed patterns, user-programmable sequences, and real-time interactive control. A single controller unit can perform multiple functions across different light arrays, providing versatility while maintaining a unified control architecture that manages complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light arrays are controlled independently, then creative control and flexibility improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls multiple light arrays through separate control channels within a single controller, allowing independent programming and real-time adjustment of each array. This segmentation enables creative control over individual arrays while the unified controller architecture prevents system complexity from becoming unmanageable.
3Ease of operation
If real-time interactive control is enabled, then user customization improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller supports dynamic real-time adjustment of lighting parameters during operation. Users can modify patterns, colors, and timing of individual light arrays on-the-fly without reprogramming the entire system. This dynamic control capability enhances ease of operation while the modular architecture keeps the control system manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method allow end users to interactively create complex lighting patterns by remote control. Applications include decorative lighting, landscape lighting, signage, or advertising platforms. A lighting control system can be equipped with sensors that can receive remote control signals from a variety of different sources, and route the control signals to modulate receptacles coupled to different lighting circuits, thereby independently controlling multiple light arrays to achieve separate light patterns, or to coordinate different lighting effects. Interactive remote control can be provided via a mobile computing device such as a smart phone running a customized program. In one embodiment, the remote control device communicates selections to a Bluetooth®-equipped speaker to produce sound-controlled lighting effects.