Wireless Load Control Pairing via Adjustable Discovery Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current load control systems require time-consuming and inconvenient association methods between control-source and control-target devices, which are difficult to reconfigure once established, necessitating manual button actuation and knowledge of all devices in the system.

Innovation Solution

A user device that discovers and associates control-source and control-target devices through broadcasting discovery messages and adjusting transmit power to establish a range, allowing for wireless communication and storage of association information, enabling control-target devices to recognize digital messages from control-source devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual button actuation method is used for associating control devices, then association can be established, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation process convenienceVSAvoidassociation setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-actuation system with an automated wireless discovery and association system. The control devices automatically discover each other through wireless communication protocols, exchange identification information, and establish associations without requiring manual mechanical interaction. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual process while maintaining reliable device pairing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control devices are equipped with automatic discovery and association capabilities that enable them to self-configure without external intervention. When devices are within communication range, they automatically initiate the association process by broadcasting their identifiers and establishing connections autonomously. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user involvement in the association process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional association methods are used, then devices can be paired, but reconfiguration becomes difficult once established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic association model where device pairings are not fixed but can be easily modified. The system maintains association information in a reversible format that allows devices to be unpaired and repaired through simple wireless commands. This dynamic approach enables flexible reconfiguration of control relationships without requiring complex manual procedures or system resets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making dissociation as difficult as association (the traditional approach), the patent inverts the ease of operation: association is automatic and simple, while dissociation is also made simple through wireless commands. This inversion of the traditional model allows users to easily reconfigure associations by simply issuing unpair commands, making the system highly adaptable to changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If manual button actuation is required for device association, then control can be established, but user knowledge of all devices is necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation process simplicityVSAvoiduser knowledge requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless communication protocols as an intermediary that facilitates automatic device discovery and identification. Instead of requiring users to manually input device information, the system uses wireless broadcasts to automatically exchange identification data between devices. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for users to have comprehensive knowledge of all devices in the system while maintaining accurate device pairing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12144081B2Commissioning load control systems

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A load control system may include load control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The load control devices may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device may control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. A user device may discover load control devices when the load control devices are within an established range associated with the user device. The user device and the load control devices may communicate via a wireless communications module. The established range may be adjusted based on the configurable transmit power of the user device or the wireless communications module associated with the user device. A discovered control-target device may be associated with a control-source device to enable the control-target device to control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device.