Pixel-Controlled LED Light String with Self-Addressing Drive Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LED light string sequencing methods are complex and require pre-programmed address sequence data for each LED, making it difficult to achieve correct illumination effects if LEDs are not assembled in the correct order.

Innovation Solution

A pixel-controlled LED light string system comprising multiple LED modules and a controller, where each module has an LED drive apparatus that burns an ordinal number based on connection sequence, allowing the controller to transmit light mode data to identify and control LEDs without pre-programmed address data, enabling correct illumination control by counting the ordinal number.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-programmed address sequence data is burned for each LED, then correct illumination control can be achieved, but the sequencing process becomes complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination control accuracyVSAvoidsequencing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the address sequence data requirement from each individual LED and consolidates it into a single counter circuit. Instead of every LED needing its own pre-programmed address data, the system uses one counter that generates sequential address signals for all LEDs, eliminating the complexity of programming each LED while maintaining correct illumination control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The counter circuit automatically generates the address sequence data internally without external intervention. The counter self-increments with each clock cycle and automatically provides the correct address to the corresponding LED, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for manual address programming of each LED

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If LEDs are assembled without specific order, then assembly process is simplified, but correct illumination effects cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly process easeVSAvoidillumination effect accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring LEDs to be assembled in a specific predetermined order to match address data, the patent inverts the approach by having the address generation system adapt to whatever order LEDs are assembled in. The counter automatically assigns addresses based on physical position in the chain, so any assembly order works correctly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of address assignment from fixed-pre-programmed to dynamic-sequential. The counter dynamically generates addresses based on the current clock cycle, allowing the illumination effects to remain accurate regardless of which physical LED receives which address, as long as the daisy-chain connection is maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If all LED modules receive all light mode data, then complete control is achieved, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol completenessVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having each LED module process only the light mode data intended for it, rather than all modules receiving and processing all data. The counter enables each module to identify its own data by comparing the sequential counter value with its own address, so only relevant data is acted upon, reducing effective data transmission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11617241B2Pixel-controlled LED light string and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 SEMISILICON TECH

AI summary

A pixel-controlled LED light includes a plurality of LED modules and a controller. Each LED module includes at least one LED and a LED drive apparatus. The LED drive apparatus burns an ordinal number according to connection sequence thereof. The controller defines the ordinal number of the LED module as a target number, and sequentially transmits a plurality of light mode data whose number is greater than or equal to the target number to each of the LED modules. Each of the LED drive apparatuses sequentially receives each of the light mode data and counts sequence of the light mode data. If the sequence of the light mode data is equal to the ordinal number of the LED drive apparatus, the LED drive apparatuses identify the light mode data, and after identifying the light mode data, the LED drive apparatuses control the corresponding at least one LED.