Wireless Light Controller Using Power Line Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light control systems face challenges with hard-wired connections that are difficult to reconfigure and wireless connections that suffer from communication collisions and latency, limiting flexibility and increasing installation time in large installations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless light controller system that uses power line communication to convert wireless instructions into power line communications, enabling efficient control of individually addressable lights and reducing installation costs and time by bridging different communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless connections are used between light fixtures and controllers, then installation flexibility is improved, but communication collisions and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the large installation into smaller communication zones by introducing intermediate controllers that manage groups of light fixtures. Each intermediate controller handles a subset of fixtures, reducing the number of simultaneous wireless communications and minimizing collisions while maintaining installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate controllers as mediators between the central controller and individual light fixtures. These intermediaries receive commands wirelessly and relay them to connected fixtures via power line communication, reducing wireless traffic and improving communication reliability.
2Reliability
If hard-wired connections are used between light fixtures and controllers, then communication reliability is improved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses intermediate controllers that connect to the central controller via reliable power line communication and to light fixtures via wireless or low-complexity connections. This intermediary architecture provides reliable communication without requiring complex hard-wired connections throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of connecting each light fixture directly to the central controller (which would require extensive wiring), the system inverts the approach by having fixtures connect to intermediate controllers, which then connect to the central controller. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual light fixtures are controlled wirelessly, then reconfigurability is improved, but response time and latency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions by assigning intermediate controllers to manage specific groups of light fixtures. This segmentation allows for faster local response times within each group while maintaining overall system reconfigurability through the central controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate controllers are pre-configured with control parameters and can execute commands locally without waiting for continuous communication with the central controller. This preliminary configuration enables faster response times while the system remains reconfigurable through updates from the central controller.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some examples, wireless light controller technology includes methods and apparatuses. In other examples, the technology includes one or more lights on a power line. Each light of the one or more lights is individually controllable via power line communication over the power line. The technology further includes a wireless device configured to transmit wireless communication. The wireless communication includes instructions to control the one or more lights. The technology further includes a wireless light controller configured to receive the wireless communication and transmit the instructions to control the one or more lights over the power line communication to the one or more lights.