Smart Lighting Control via Wireless Time Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart lighting systems require users to physically move to a fixed power switch location to control lighting devices, and recent advancements in wireless communication have led to a need for more efficient and user-friendly control methods.
Innovation Solution
A smart lighting system that uses a mobile device to establish a wireless connection with a lighting control device, performing time synchronization and providing scheduling information to control multiple lighting devices based on current time and predetermined operations, allowing for remote and automated control of lighting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power switch connected through wiring is used to control lighting devices, then the lighting device can be turned on or off, but the user must physically move to a fixed location to operate the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring-based power switch system with a wireless communication system. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with the lighting control device to transmit control signals, eliminating the need for physical movement to a fixed switch location. This substitution of mechanical connection with wireless communication directly resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while eliminating time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control device acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the lighting device. It receives control signals wirelessly from the mobile device and translates them into appropriate control actions for the lighting device. This intermediary enables remote control functionality, allowing users to operate lighting devices from any location within wireless range without needing to physically reach a fixed switch.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to control lighting devices remotely, then user convenience is improved, but time synchronization accuracy between devices may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs time synchronization as a preliminary action when the mobile device and lighting control device first establish wireless communication or when the mobile device enters the control range. The lighting control device acquires the current time from the mobile device and stores it for subsequent scheduling operations. This preliminary time synchronization ensures accurate time-based control is established before remote operation begins, resolving the contradiction by maintaining precision while enabling convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements time synchronization feedback mechanisms where the lighting control device continuously monitors and adjusts its internal time based on the mobile device's time. When scheduling information is transmitted, the system ensures time accuracy by comparing and synchronizing timestamps, providing feedback loops that maintain time synchronization precision throughout wireless operation.
3Extent of automation
If scheduling information is transmitted to control multiple lighting devices based on current time, then automated control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits scheduling information in advance from the mobile device to the lighting control device. The scheduling information includes predetermined time-based control instructions for multiple lighting devices. By performing this preliminary transmission of scheduling data, the system enables automated control without requiring complex real-time processing during operation, as the lighting control device simply executes the pre-received scheduling instructions based on its synchronized time.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control device is designed to autonomously execute scheduling information once received and stored. It automatically compares its synchronized time with the scheduling timestamps and independently controls the lighting devices according to the predetermined schedule, without requiring continuous mobile device intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity while maintaining high automation, as the system manages itself after initial setup.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a smart lighting system comprising a first mobile device, a lighting control device and first through nth (n being a positive integer) lighting devices, includes establishing, by the first mobile device, a first wireless connection with the lighting control device; performing, by the lighting control device, a first time synchronization with the first mobile device; providing, by the first mobile device, the lighting control device with a scheduling information representing operation of each of the first through nth lighting devices according to lapse of time; and controlling, by the lighting control device, operation of each of the first through nth lighting devices based on a current time and the scheduling information, wherein the current time is determined based on the time synchronization.