Networked Multi-Color Light Fixture Control via PoE
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems lack the ability to efficiently communicate status or provide advanced services to occupants through coordinated control of color capabilities in networked multi-color light fixtures, limiting their functionality in commercial and public spaces.
Innovation Solution
A network device connected to multi-color light fixtures with local processors and color emitters receives data inputs to generate messages encoding light control settings, enabling the creation of spatial or temporal color informational displays across multiple fixtures, using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or other communication mechanisms for control and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light fixtures are powered and controlled via a communication network to enable control over light emitted in space, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect environmental conditions (light levels, occupancy, temperature) and feed this information back to the lighting control system. This automatic feedback loop enables the lights to adjust themselves based on real-time conditions, improving ease of operation while the智能化 control algorithms handle the complexity of network coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light fixture is equipped with a microcontroller that autonomously processes control commands and adjusts lighting parameters without requiring constant manual intervention. The fixtures self-manage their operation based on received commands and sensor data, simplifying user interaction while distributing computational complexity across individual devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-color light emitters are used to create color informational displays, then adaptability and information communication capability are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The color display system is segmented into multiple independent color channels (Red, Green, Blue LEDs) that can be individually controlled. Each channel operates independently but can be combined to create various colors, allowing complex color informational displays while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular control of each color component.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-color light fixtures serve multiple functions: general illumination, color informational displays, emergency signaling, and decorative lighting. By integrating these diverse functions into a single universal platform with programmable color control, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If coordinated control of color capabilities across multiple fixtures is implemented, then information communication effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and control system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A central controller or gateway device acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the distributed light fixtures. This intermediary translates high-level commands into specific control signals for individual fixtures, coordinates color displays across multiple devices, and manages communication protocols, thereby improving information communication effectiveness while isolating the complexity of coordinated control within the intermediary layer.
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 effective communication and advanced services by creating dynamic and informative color displays that can guide users, convey emergency information, or provide decorative lighting, enhancing user experience and safety in spaces.
Implementation Method 1
multi-color light fixtures each comprising a local processor and a plurality of color light emitters
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques presented herein are directed to the coordinated network-based control of the color capabilities of multi-color fixtures. A network device is connected to multi-color light fixtures each comprising a local processor and a plurality of color light emitters. The network device receives data inputs from one or more data sources and uses the data inputs to identify a color informational display for presentation across a plurality of the multi-color light fixtures. The network device generates messages encoding light control settings for each of the plurality of multi-color light fixtures enabling each multi-color light fixture to present a spatial or temporal segment of the color informational display and sends the messages to the plurality of light fixtures. Execution of instructions embedded in the messages by the local processors results in the creation of the color informational display across the plurality of multi-color light fixtures.