Self-Calibrating Custom Dimming Curves for Variable LED Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimming technologies for lighting loads, particularly LEDs, suffer from inconsistencies in brightness output due to varying behaviors across different bulb manufacturers, models, and batches, leading to complex, time-consuming, and error-prone processes for generating custom dimming curves.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a custom dimming curve using a setup application on a user communication device or control device to determine lighting load behaviors through controlled power variation, analyzing light properties, and adjusting the dimming curve to ensure consistent brightness and color output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If preselected factory dimming curves are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistencies in brightness output across different LED manufacturers, models, and batches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the actual brightness output of the LED load across different dimming input levels and generating a custom dimming curve without requiring manual intervention. The control device autonomously identifies the relationship between input levels and light output, storing this customized curve for future operations, thereby eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while achieving precise brightness control tailored to each specific LED load
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the dimming curve parameters based on measured brightness output characteristics of the specific LED load. By varying the relationship between dimming input levels and power delivery based on actual performance data, the system optimizes brightness consistency for each unique LED manufacturer, model, and batch while maintaining simple operation for the end user
2Manufacturing precision
If manual dimming curve configuration is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved through custom calibration, but loss of time increases due to the complex and iterative nature of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously performs the entire dimming curve calibration process by automatically measuring brightness output at multiple dimming levels, analyzing the data to determine the optimal curve, and storing the results without requiring manual intervention. This self-calibrating capability reduces calibration time from potentially hours of manual iterative adjustment to a quick automated process while achieving the same precision benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment and observation methods with automated electronic measurement and computational analysis. The control device uses electronic sensors and processors to rapidly measure brightness output and calculate optimal dimming curves, substituting the time-consuming manual iterative process with fast automated computation while maintaining or improving calibration accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If manual dimming curve configuration is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to subjective errors and inconsistencies between loads
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously measures actual brightness output and generates dimming curves based on objective measured data rather than subjective manual adjustment. This eliminates human error and subjectivity in the calibration process, ensuring consistent and reliable results across different LED loads while maintaining the precision benefits of custom calibration
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control device measures actual brightness output at various dimming levels and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust and optimize the dimming curve. This closed-loop approach ensures high reliability by continuously verifying performance and making data-driven adjustments, eliminating subjective errors while achieving precise brightness control
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and modes for generating a custom dimming curve to more accurately controlling lighting loads, comprising at least one controller adapted: drive a lighting load by incrementally increasing light output levels from an initial minimum light output level to an initial maximum light output level; during each light output level increment, receive a light level reading from a light sensor; determine at which light output level increment the lighting load has turned on and set that determined light output level as a determined minimum light output level; determine at which light output level increment the lighting load has stopped increasing in intensity and set that determined light output level as a determined maximum light output level; and determine a custom dimming curve comprising the determined minimum light output level and determined maximum light output level in relation to a minimum dimming input level and a maximum dimming input level.