Wireless Lighting Control System with Network Verification and Smooth Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems are cumbersome to manage, especially when multiple lights are distributed across large areas, as they require manual adjustment at each switch or dimmer, and lack a user-friendly interface for scheduling and device association, with LED lighting not dimming smoothly across the entire intensity range.
Innovation Solution
A wireless lighting control system that connects devices to a network, allowing for central or remote control, uses a drag-and-drop interface for scheduling, and automatically associates devices with schedules, while ensuring smooth dimming through non-constant power adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wall switches or dimmers are used to control each light individually, then lighting control is simple and reliable, but it becomes burdensome to manage multiple lights across large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wall switches and dimmers into a single centralized control interface that can manage all lighting fixtures across the facility. This consolidation allows users to control multiple lights simultaneously from one location, eliminating the need to physically visit each switch or dimmer individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized control system that acts as an intermediary between the user and the lighting fixtures. This system communicates with individual lights remotely, enabling control without direct physical interaction at each light location.
2Ease of manufacture
If LED power is reduced or increased at a constant rate through the total range, then power control is simple, but the lighting does not dim constantly as perceived by the human eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment that adapts to human visual perception. Instead of a constant linear rate, the system varies the dimming speed across different intensity ranges, slowing down at thresholds where human eyes are most sensitive to changes. This creates the perception of smooth, constant dimming while maintaining simple power control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lighting control devices connect to third party networks, then network coverage is extended, but the device remains connected to networks not having the corresponding lighting control application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the lighting control device actively verifies network identity by checking for the presence of the corresponding lighting control application. The device receives responses from networks and uses this feedback to determine whether to establish a connection, ensuring it only connects to appropriate networks while maintaining the ability to adapt to different network environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system and method is provided. A first electronic device for lighting control detects wirelessly one or more available network messages corresponding to one or more other electronic devices within wireless range of the first electronic device. The first electronic device connects wirelessly to a next electronic device of the one or more other electronic devices. The first electronic device sends a first device ID wirelessly to the next electronic device. The connection to the next electronic device is maintained if a registering handshake message is received via the next electronic device. The first electronic device disconnects from the next electronic device if the registering handshake message is not received within a predetermined timeout amount of time.