Network Lighting Control Interface for Remote Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems lack the ability to communicate effectively with and control various electrical loads, such as lighting, HVAC, and window treatments, from a network device, limiting user access and control across different environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a network device with a display screen, communications circuit, and processor, capable of receiving information from a controller to control lighting loads with LEDs, and displaying a graphical user interface for on-off, dimming, and color adjustment, allowing users to control and configure lighting systems remotely through messaging or HTTP-based interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a load control system is implemented without network device integration, then the system structure remains simple, but user access and control capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a communication hub for receiving information from the controller and a control interface for sending commands to the lighting load. The display device integrates monitoring and control capabilities in a single unit, allowing users to both view status information and adjust lighting parameters through the same interface, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary between the controller and the lighting load control device. It receives information from the controller via communications network and relays control commands to the lighting system, facilitating user access and control capability while maintaining a modular system architecture that doesn't overly complicate the overall structure
2Ease of operation
If comprehensive control features are added to the graphical user interface, then user convenience is enhanced, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is segmented into distinct functional actuators: an on-off actuator for power control, a dimming actuator for intensity adjustment, a warm-cool actuator for color temperature control, and a full-color actuator for hue selection. Each actuator handles a specific control function, organizing complexity into manageable, intuitive segments that enhance user convenience without overwhelming the user with a monolithic complex interface
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface dynamically adapts its displayed actuators based on the capabilities of the connected lighting load. The system can present different combinations of control options depending on whether the load supports full-color RGB control, dimming only, or on-off control, thereby providing comprehensive control features when needed while simplifying the interface when fewer features are available, maintaining ease of operation across different scenarios
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
Enables users to remotely monitor and control electrical loads across environments, enhancing user convenience and integration with third-party services, while allowing for centralized management of lighting, HVAC, and window treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting load may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) including a red diode, a green diode, and a blue diode and may be configured to produce any of a plurality of different colors through the plurality of LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating via a communications network with a load control system of a respective user environment, receiving information on the load control system via the communications network, displaying graphical user interfaces based on the received information, and controlling and configuring the load control system via graphical user interfaces by communicating via the communications network messages the load control system.