Remote Lighting Control With Adaptive Command Rate Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting devices in a user environment controlled via RF communication often experience latency issues leading to desynchronization and non-uniform control, resulting in poor user experience due to undesirable visual effects.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device that detects continued user interaction and adjusts transmission frequency based on usage thresholds, reducing command messages to maintain synchronization and prevent visual anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the remote control device transmits command messages at a high transmission frequency in response to continued user interaction, then the lighting level can be adjusted quickly, but the lighting devices may become desynchronized and produce undesirable visual effects due to latency in the RF protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The processor dynamically modifies the transmission frequency based on the duration of user interaction detected by the usage timer. For brief interactions, high transmission frequency maintains fast response. For prolonged interactions exceeding the usage threshold, the transmission frequency is reduced to prevent desynchronization of lighting devices, thus adapting the system behavior to different operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the transmission frequency parameter in response to changes in interaction duration. The usage timer monitors how long the user interacts with the control device, and when this duration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system changes the transmission frequency parameter from high to low. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching the transmission frequency to the actual user intent and interaction pattern
2Ease of operation
If the remote control device transmits multiple command messages to control lighting devices wirelessly, then the lighting level can be adjusted, but latency due to the RF protocol negatively impacts dimming performance and causes devices to become out of sync
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting command messages at regular intervals determined by the adjusted transmission frequency. Rather than continuous transmission which would cause latency and synchronization issues, the system uses periodic transmissions spaced according to the usage-based frequency adjustment. This periodic approach maintains lighting control capability while reducing the cumulative latency effect of multiple sequential commands
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A remote control device for controlling lighting devices may be configured to detect an excessive user interaction (e.g., a continued user interaction) and reduce a number of command messages that are being transmitted to prevent the lighting devices from producing undesirable visual effects. The remote control device may comprise a user interface (e.g., that may include a rotation portion, such as a rotary knob) and a processor configured to receive an indication of a user interaction via the user interface. The processor may periodically transmit command messages at a transmission frequency in response to a continued user interaction, where each of the command messages comprise a respective command for adjusting to a respective lighting level. The processor may also start a usage timer in response to receiving the indication of the user interaction, and decrease the transmission frequency in response to the usage timer exceeding a usage threshold.