Wireless Lighting Control Round-Robin Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless lighting control systems using RF communication, such as Bluetooth low energy (BLE), face challenges in simultaneously controlling multiple lighting fixtures due to fixed timing of frequency hops, which prevents simultaneous control of multiple fixtures at once.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a portable electronic device connects to multiple lighting fixtures one at a time using round-robin scheduling, executing instructions to search for broadcast signals, establish connections, send control signals, and terminate connections in short time slices to enable seamless and simultaneous control of multiple fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is used with fixed timing for wireless communication, then communication reliability is improved, but simultaneous control of multiple devices becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the frequency hopping timing adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the frequency hop timing based on the number of slave devices and communication requirements, allowing simultaneous control of multiple devices while maintaining communication reliability through controlled frequency hopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of frequency hopping from a fixed value to an adjustable parameter. By modifying the frequency hop timing parameter based on system conditions and device count, the system enables simultaneous control of multiple slave devices while preserving the reliability benefits of frequency hopping.
2Reliability
If fixed frequency hop timing is used, then frequency channel avoidance is improved, but control speed becomes too slow for simultaneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts frequency hop timing to balance channel avoidance and control speed. By making timing adaptable rather than fixed, the system can optimize for both reliable frequency channel avoidance and fast control response based on real-time communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic frequency hopping with adjustable periods. By controlling the timing of frequency hops in a periodic manner that can be adapted to the number of devices, the system maintains frequency channel avoidance capabilities while enabling faster control speeds for simultaneous device operation.
3Reliability
If sequential connection to multiple devices is used, then connection stability is improved, but control simultaneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The master device performs preliminary actions by pre-planning and pre-establishing connections with multiple slave devices before actual control operations. This preliminary connection setup allows subsequent control commands to be executed simultaneously across multiple devices without repeated connection establishment delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping multiple connections active simultaneously rather than sequentially opening and closing connections. This continuous multi-device connection state eliminates the time loss associated with repeated connection establishment while maintaining stable connections for reliable control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a plurality of peripheral devices includes a portable electronic device and a plurality of peripheral devices in wireless communication with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a processor configured to connect to each of the plurality of peripheral devices one at a time based on round-robin scheduling. The processor is configured to execute an instruction for searching for a broadcast signal transmitted from a selected one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The processor is configured to execute an instruction to wirelessly connect with the selected one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The processor is configured to execute an instruction to send a control signal to the selected one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The processor is configured to execute an instruction to terminate the connection between the portable electronic device and the selected one of the plurality of peripheral devices.