Power Cycle Control Lighting Device Network Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dimmers and lighting control systems require multiple electrical connections for both power and control signals, limiting their use in conventional lighting sockets and fixtures, and lack the ability to generate power cycles for dynamic lighting effects.
Innovation Solution
A power cycle control lighting device that uses a controllable dimmer or relay to generate interruptions in power, allowing for dynamic lighting effects and color changes in response to control signals formatted according to various communication protocols, enabling network controllability and retrofitting into conventional sockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dimmers are used to control lighting devices, then brightness control is achieved, but multiple electrical connections are required for power and control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and control signal transmission into a single electrical connection. The lighting device detects power cycle patterns (on/off transitions) through the power line itself, eliminating the need for separate control wiring. This merging of power and control functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining brightness control capability while reducing electrical connection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device uses its own power supply line to carry control information. By detecting the timing and pattern of power cycles, the device self-extracts control commands without requiring external control signals through separate connections. This self-service approach allows the device to derive control information from the power delivery mechanism itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dimmers are used, then power control is achieved, but the ability to generate power cycles for dynamic effects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic power cycling (repeated on/off transitions) to encode control information and generate dynamic lighting effects. By varying the frequency, duration, and pattern of power cycles, the system can create diverse lighting behaviors including color changes, fading effects, and synchronized multi-device sequences. This periodic action transforms simple power interruption into a versatile control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static power delivery to dynamic power cycling, where the timing and pattern of power transitions carry control information. The lighting device responds dynamically to different power cycle patterns, enabling real-time adjustment of lighting effects without complex control hardware. The power line itself becomes a dynamic control medium.
3Measurement precision
If network protocols like DMX or Ethernet are used for control, then precise lighting control is achieved, but compatibility with conventional sockets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The power line acts as an intermediary that translates between conventional power delivery and digital control protocols. Instead of requiring direct network connectivity, the system embeds control information within power cycle patterns that can be detected by the lighting device. This intermediary approach enables precise control while maintaining compatibility with conventional single-contact sockets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical control connections (mechanical/electrical wiring) with temporal patterns encoded in power delivery. Rather than using separate control wires for DMX or Ethernet signals, the system uses the timing and pattern of power cycles to convey control information. This substitution eliminates the need for additional wiring while preserving control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A controllable dimmer/relay used in combination with a power cycle control lighting device, wherein the controllable dimmer/relay serves as a network interface for the power cycle control lighting device. The controllable dimmer/relay is controlled by lighting commands formatted according to any of a variety of communications protocols, which instruct the controllable dimmer/relay to output one or more power cycles (interruptions in power) rather than gradual increases or decreases in power. In response to the power cycle(s) output by the controllable dimmer/relay, the power cycle control lighting device alters some aspect of the generated light (e.g., change one or more of color, color temperature, overall brightness, dynamic effect, etc.). In this manner, a power cycle control lighting device may be made responsive, via the controllable dimmer/relay, to lighting control commands formatted according to any of a variety of industry standard (e.g., DMX, Ethernet, DALI, X10) or proprietary protocols.