JP6541893B2 - Illumination scene selection based on the operation of one or more individual light sources - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is generally directed to lighting control. More particularly, the various inventive methods and devices disclosed herein provide illumination scenes from a plurality of illumination scenes for implementation with a plurality of light sources based on user input operating a particular light source. On what to choose.

  Digital lighting technology, ie illumination based on semiconductor light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), offers a viable alternative to conventional fluorescent, HID and incandescent lamps. The functional benefits and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, low operating costs and many others. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient, robust full spectrum lighting sources that enable various lighting effects in many applications. Some of the devices implementing these illumination sources produce different colors, for example red, green and blue, as described in detail in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626. And a processor for independently controlling the outputs of the LEDs to generate various color and color change lighting effects. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626 are incorporated herein by reference.

  As lighting technology advances and more lighting units and lighting fixtures become networked, implement preset "lighting scenes" across multiple light sources rather than controlling each light source individually It is becoming more common to achieve the desired overall effect. The networked lighting fixtures and / or lighting units may be controlled by mobile computing devices such as smart phones, tablet computers and / or wearable computing devices such as smart glasses, smart watches etc. However, when a user wishes to select and / or implement a lighting scene across multiple light sources, it will not necessarily have the mobile computing device of the user at hand. In fact, despite the fact that users often perform relatively complex lighting scenes across multiple light sources, they are relatively few, such as using wall switches or operating lighting fixtures We still want control that is feasible and simple at the place. Thus, there is a need in the art to implement simplified lighting control to take advantage of the communication capabilities of the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture.

  The present disclosure is directed to the method and apparatus of the present invention for selecting a lighting scene from a plurality of lighting scenes for implementation with a plurality of light sources based on user input operating a particular light source. For example, a user may operate a single light source (e.g., using a wall switch or by operating a control of the light fixture) to cause the light source to emit a desired lighting effect. At the same time, other light sources (e.g., in or near the same room) may also be triggered to emit light, each forming part of the entire desired lighting scene.

  In general, in one aspect, a method for controlling a plurality of light sources comprises: detecting a user input provided to control light emitted by a first light source of the plurality of light sources; Determining one or more attributes of the user input; and, based at least in part on the one or more attributes of the user input, a plurality of the plurality of light sources other than the first light source. Selecting a first illumination scene from a plurality of illumination scenes that can be implemented by the plurality of light sources, and at least partially selecting the selected illumination scene among the plurality of light sources other than the first light source Implementing at one or more light sources. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining the context in which the user input is detected. In some such embodiments, selecting the first lighting scene from the plurality of lighting scenes may further be based on the context in which the user input is detected. In some versions, the context may include the time at which the user input was provided.

  In some embodiments, the method may further include determining one or more attributes of the first light source, and selecting the first lighting scene from the plurality of lighting scenes further comprises: The first light source may be based on the one or more attributes. In some versions, the one or more attributes of the first light source comprise the application for which the first light source is intended. In some versions, the one or more attributes of the first light source may include an identifier associated with the first light source. In some embodiments, the identifier is a measure of the distinction of the first light source from among the plurality of light sources.

  In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources are arranged linearly in a linear LED array. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating the one or more attributes of the user input to the plurality of light sources through one or more networks. In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting the first illumination scene selected from the plurality of illumination scenes to the plurality of light sources through one or more networks.

  The term "LED" as used herein for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection / junction-based capable of generating radiation in response to an electrical signal. Should be understood to include the Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to electrical current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. The term LED produces radiation in one or more of, among other things, the infrared spectrum, the ultraviolet spectrum, and the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from about 400 nanometers to about 700 nanometers) It refers to all types of light emitting diodes (including semiconductor and organic light emitting diodes) that can be configured. Some examples of LEDs include various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs and white LEDs (described further below) It is not limited to these. LEDs have different bandwidths (e.g. full width at half maximum, i.e. FWHM) for a given spectrum (e.g. narrow bandwidth, wide bandwidth), and different dominant wavelengths within a given general color classification It should also be understood that it may be configured and / or controlled to generate radiation having

  For example, certain embodiments of LEDs configured to produce essentially white light (e.g., white LEDs) combine in combination to form essentially white light, and electroluminescence of different spectra may be combined. Can contain many chips that each emit In another example, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts electroluminescence having a first spectrum to electroluminescence having a different second spectrum. In one example of this implementation, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum "excites" the phosphor material, which in turn is said to have a somewhat wider spectrum. It emits radiation of longer wavelength than it has.

  It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the type of physical and / or electrical package of the LED. For example, as described above, the LEDs have multiple chips each configured to emit radiation of different spectra (which may or may not be individually controllable) It may refer to a single light emitting device. Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor considered as an integral part of said LED (e.g. some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED refers to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mounted LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, any type of encasement and / or optics It may refer to an LED or the like including (for example, a diffusion lens).

  The term "light source" refers to an LED-based light source (comprising one or more LEDs as defined above), an incandescent light source (e.g. a filament lamp, a halogen lamp), a fluorescent source, a phosphorous light source, a high intensity discharge source (Eg, sodium vapor, mercury vapor and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (eg, flames), candle-luminescent sources (eg, Gas mantle, carbon arc radiation source), photo-luminescent source (eg gas discharge source), cathodoluminescent source with electron saturation, galvano-luminescent source, crystalro Crystallo-luminescent source, caine luminescence A variety of sources including, but not limited to: kine-luminescent sources, thermoluminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers It should be understood to refer to any one or more of the radiation sources.

  A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, electromagnetic radiation outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Thus, the terms "light" and "radiation" are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, the light source may include one or more filters (eg, color filters), lenses, or other optical components as an integral component. It should also be understood that the light source may be configured for various applications including, but not limited to, indication, display, and / or illumination. An "illumination source" is, among other things, a light source configured to generate radiation having an intensity sufficient to effectively illuminate the interior or exterior space. In this context, "sufficient intensity" is ambient illumination (i.e. light which can be perceived indirectly, e.g. one of various intervening planes before being perceived as a whole or in part). Refers to sufficient radiative power in the visible spectrum generated in space or environment to provide light that can be reflected by more than one (represents the total light output in all directions from the light source in Units are often used)).

  The term "spectrum" should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation generated by one or more light sources. Thus, the term "spectrum" refers not only to frequencies (or wavelengths) in the visible range, but also to infrared light, ultraviolet light, and frequencies (or wavelengths) in other regions of the total electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (e.g., FWHM with essentially only few frequency or wavelength components), or a relatively wide bandwidth (various relative It may have several frequency or wavelength components with intensity. It should also be understood that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixture of two or more other spectra (e.g., a mixture of radiation emitted by each of a plurality of light sources).

  For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "color" is used interchangeably with the term "spectrum". However, the term "color" is generally used mainly to refer to the property of radiation that is perceptible by the observer (although this usage is intended to limit the scope of this term) Not). Thus, the term "various colors" implicitly refers to multiple spectra with different wavelength components and / or bandwidths. It should also be understood that the term "color" may be used in connection with both white light and non-white light.

  Although the term "color temperature" is generally used herein in connection with white light, this usage is not intended to limit the scope of the term. Color temperature essentially refers to a specific color content or tint of white light (e.g. reddish, bluish). The color temperature of a given radiation sample is usually characterized according to the temperature of the black body radiator in degrees Kelvin (K), which emits essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample. The color temperature of black body radiators is generally in the range from about 700 K to over 10000 K (generally considered first to be the color temperature visible to humans) and white light is generally Perceptible at color temperatures above 2000K.

  Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light with a more pronounced red component or “warmer impression”, while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light with a more pronounced blue component or “colder impression”. Show. As an example, fire has a color temperature of about 1800 K, a conventional incandescent light bulb has a color temperature of about 2848 K, early morning sunlight has a color temperature of about 3000 K, and the midday sky of a cloudy day is It has a color temperature of about 10000K. The color image seen under white light with a color temperature of about 3000 K has the relatively reddish tone, while the same color image seen under white light with a color temperature of about 10000 K Has a relatively bluish tone.

  The term "lighting fixture" is used herein to refer to the implementation or configuration of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or package. The term "lighting unit" is used herein to refer to a device that includes one or more light sources of the same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of various mounting configurations for the light source, housing / housing configuration and shape, and / or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Further, a given lighting unit may optionally be associated with (e.g., including, coupled to, and / or packaged together with various other components (e.g., control circuitry) related to the operation of the light source. To be "LED-based lighting unit" refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as described above, alone or in combination with other non-LED-based light sources. A “multi-channel” lighting unit refers to an LED-based or non-LED-based lighting unit that includes at least two light sources each configured to generate radiation of different spectra, wherein each different light source spectrum is Channel lighting unit may be referred to as a "channel".

  The term "controller" is used herein generally to refer to various devices associated with the operation of one or more light sources. A controller may be implemented to perform the various functions described herein in many ways (eg, using dedicated hardware). A "processor" is an example of a controller using one or more microprocessors that can be programmed with software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions described herein. The controller may be implemented using a processor, or may be implemented without a processor, and further, dedicated hardware for performing some functions and a processor for performing other functions. It may be implemented in combination with (eg, one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry). Examples of controller components that may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

  In various embodiments, the processor or controller (referred to generally herein as "memory", for example volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM, floppy (registered trademark) ) May be associated with one or more storage media, such as disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tapes, and the like. In some embodiments, the storage medium is one or more that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform at least some of the functions described herein. Can be coded in a program of Various storage media may be mounted in a processor or controller, or one or more programs stored in the storage media implement various aspects of the invention as described herein. May be portable so that they can be loaded into a processor or controller. The terms “program” or “computer program” are generally used herein to refer to any type of computer code (eg, software or microcode) that may be used to program one or more processors or controllers. It is used in a sense of meaning.

  The term "addressable" as used herein refers to a device (eg, a light source in general, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or more light sources or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) Used to refer to a device configured to receive information (eg, data) for a plurality of devices, including the device itself, and to selectively respond to specific information for the device . The term "addressable" often refers to a networked environment (or "network" (described further below) in which a plurality of devices are coupled together via one or more communication media) Used in connection with).

  In one network embodiment, one or more devices coupled to the network are controllers (for example, in a master / slave relationship) as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network. Can play a role. In another embodiment, the networked environment may include one or more dedicated controllers configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, although a plurality of devices coupled to the network may each have access to data present on one or more communication media, a given device may, for example, Selectively exchanging data with the network (ie, receiving data from the network, and / or to the network based on one or more specific identifiers (eg, addresses) assigned to a given device) It may be "addressable" in that it is configured to transmit data).

  The term "network" as used herein refers to any two or more devices coupled to the network and / or between multiple devices (eg, control of devices, storage of data, etc. Refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including a controller or processor) that facilitates the transport of information, such as for the exchange of data. As will be readily appreciated, various embodiments of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any of various network topologies, and any of various communication protocols. Can be used. Furthermore, in various networks according to the present disclosure, any one connection between two devices may be a dedicated connection between two systems, or in another example a non-dedicated connection It is also good. Such non-dedicated connections, in addition to carrying information for the two devices, may carry information not necessarily for either of the two devices (eg, open network connections). Additionally, various networks of devices as described herein use one or more wireless, wire / cable, and / or fiber optic links to facilitate information transport across the network. Getting will be easily understood.

  The term "user interface" as used herein is an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices, allowing communication between the user and the device Points to the interface to be Examples of user interfaces that may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure include switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, mice, keyboards, keypads, various types of game controllers (eg, joysticks), trackballs, displays Includes, but is not limited to, screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones, and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulation and generate signals accordingly. .

  A "light control operation" may be an instruction or command to emit light having a specific lighting characteristic. For example, a lighting control operation changes the characteristics of the light it emits, such as hue, saturation, brightness / intensity, temperature, dynamic sequences, etc., to the lighting unit or a lighting fixture to which the lighting unit is attached It can be done. A lighting control operation may cause the lighting unit, or a lighting fixture to which the lighting unit is attached, to turn on or off, to start / end a dynamic lighting sequence, a predetermined lighting scene (for example, a romantic lighting scene) It can also emit light that forms part of each of the relaxing lighting scenes, nap lighting scenes, etc.

  All combinations of the above concepts and the further concepts described in more detail below (if such concepts do not conflict with each other) are part of the subject matter of the present invention disclosed herein. It should be understood that it is considered. In particular, all combinations of the subject matter recited in the claims at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein. The terms explicitly used herein, which may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference, have the most consistent meaning with the particular concepts disclosed herein. It should also be understood that it should be given.

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the various views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of how operation of a particular light source may be configured to trigger the start of a lighting scene that requires multiple light sources, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates components of an exemplary lighting fixture configured in selected aspects of the present disclosure, according to various embodiments. 8 illustrates an example of how a particular light source may result in the onset of multiple different lighting scenes, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface that may facilitate configuration of lighting scenes implemented by multiple light sources in response to user manipulation of individual light sources, according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method of configuring a lighting unit or luminaire to provide the start of one or more lighting scenes, according to various embodiments. 5 schematically illustrates another exemplary lighting system configured in selected aspects of the present disclosure, according to various embodiments.

  It has become more common for the user to perform a "lighting scene" across multiple light sources, preconfigured, instead of controlling each light source individually to achieve the desired overall effect ing. However, implementing such a lighting scene using a mobile computing device may not always be convenient, and the user has a tradition of using the user, such as wall switches and / or operable elements of the lighting fixtures. It may be desirable to implement an illumination scene across multiple light sources using the same control that is being used. Thus, there is a need in the art to implement simplified lighting control to take advantage of the communication capabilities of the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture. In view of the above, various embodiments and embodiments of the present invention provide for implementation with multiple light sources based on one or more attributes of the user input provided to operate the particular light source. A method, apparatus and system for selecting a lighting scene from a plurality of lighting scenes.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the lighting system 100 may include a plurality of lighting units 102 _{1 to} 102 _N and a lighting system controller 110. The lighting unit 102 can be in various forms and can include various types of light sources such as LEDs, incandescent lights, halogen lights, fluorescent lights, and the like. Lighting unit 102 ₁ is shown attached to the lighting fixture 106 in the form of a lamp having an outer surface 108 and a lamp shade 112. The other lighting units 102 _{2 to} 102 _N are schematically illustrated separately but likewise, lighting fixtures such as ceiling or wall lighting fixtures, other table lamps, stand-up lamps etc. (Not shown).

The lighting system controller 110 may be in network communication with one or more lighting fixtures and / or lighting units, such as the lighting units 102 _{1 to} 102 _N and / or the lighting fixtures 106. In various embodiments, the lighting system controller 110 includes various wireless and wired media, as well as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, ZigBee, coded light, radio frequency ("RF"), etc. A variety of non-limiting communication technologies may be used to communicate with the lighting fixtures and / or lighting units. In various embodiments, lighting fixtures and / or lighting units may be similarly configured to communicate with lighting system controller 110 and / or each other using similar media and techniques.

In various embodiments, the lighting fixture 106 (or any other lighting fixture or lighting unit 102 attached thereto) may be operated according to user input provided in various manners by the user. In the most typical example, the user may operate a user interface that is integrated with the light fixture 106. For example, the user may, for example from the main power supply, in order to supply power to the lighting unit 102 ₁ may switch on the luminaire 106, or may pull the string. In some embodiments, in addition or alternatively, the wall switch 114 may be communicatively coupled to the luminaire 106, be operable for controlling the light emitted by the illumination unit 102 ₁ Good. In some embodiments, wall switch 114 may be electrically coupled to luminaire 106 via one or more wires 116. In other embodiments, wall switch 114 may be a wireless switch that communicates with one or more lighting units 102, for example, directly or indirectly via lighting system controller 110. In yet another embodiment, the outer surface 108 and / or the lampshade 112 can be touched so that the user can operate the light fixture 106 to emit light having various selected characteristics. It may be sensitive.

  In various embodiments, a user may communicate with and / or manipulate lighting system controller 110, lighting fixture 106, and / or one or more lighting units 102 using a computing device such as mobile computing device 118. You may be able to Mobile computing device 118 may be in various forms such as a smart phone, tablet computer, wearable computer (eg, smart glasses, smart watches, etc.), laptop computer, etc. Mobile computing device 118 may include various types of input and / or output devices, such as touch screen 126.

  Mobile computing device 118 also stores memory with one or more processors 120 and instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 120, cause the one or more processors 120 to perform selected aspects of the present disclosure. 122 (eg, RAM, ROM, flash, etc.). Mobile computing device 118 may be capable of communication using a variety of technologies including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Radio Frequency, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, Coded Light, Cellular, etc. The above wireless interface 124 may also be included. It will be appreciated that the lighting system controller 110 may also include components such as a processor, memory, wireless interface, etc. as a network computing device.

  In various embodiments, the user operates the mobile computing device 118 to vary in response to detection of user input provided to control one or more characteristics of the light emitted by the particular lighting unit 102. The lighting system controller 110, one or more lighting units 102, and / or the lighting fixtures 106 may be configured to perform various operations. Later, when similar user input is provided to control the same lighting unit 102, the operated lighting unit 102 may emit light (e.g., one or more LEDs may be energized). On the other hand, a lighting scene may be selected for implementation by one or more other lighting units 102 of the lighting system 100 based at least in part on one or more attributes of the user input.

1, the luminaire 106, and more specifically, the lighting unit 102 _1, in accordance with various embodiments, how the configuration to trigger enforcement by the illumination unit 102 ₂ to 102 _N of lighting scene selected An example of what can be done is illustrated. A user may provide input to operate the luminaire 106, such as by operating the wall switch 114, touching the outer surface 108 and / or the lampshade 112, or the like. Data indicating the user input event may be transmitted from the luminaire 106 and / or lighting units 102 ₁ to the lighting system controller 110. The lighting system controller 110 may transmit the data to the mobile computing device 118. Mobile computing device 118 may render user interface 128, for example on touch screen 126. In various embodiments, the user interface 128 operates on the mobile computing device 118 that allows a user to control one or more lighting fixtures 106 and / or lighting units 102 that form the lighting system 100. It may be associated with an application (i.e., an "app"). In various embodiments, the user interface 128, the received freshly specific predetermined that should be initiated in accordance with the future user input user input supplied to operate the lighting unit 102 ₁ corresponding to the data of the It may be operable by the user (eg, as a drop down list) to select a lighting scene. When the same user input in the lighting unit 102 ₁ is supplied later, the lighting system controller 110 may supply light scene data and / or one or more lighting control operation in the lighting unit 102 ₂ to 102 _N.

  FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary component that may be incorporated into a lighting fixture, such as lighting fixture 106, or lighting unit 102, to facilitate the implementation of selected aspects of the present disclosure. . A controller 230 operatively coupled to memory 232, input detector 234, wireless communication interface 236, and optionally camera 238 is illustrated. Memory 232 may take various forms, including, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, flash memory, and the like. Memory 232 may include instructions that, when executed by controller 230, cause controller 230 to perform selected operations of the present disclosure.

Input detector 234 detects a user input provided to operate the illumination unit 102 ₁ may supply one or more signals indicative of the user input. The input detector 234 may be in various forms. In some embodiments, the input detector 234, the luminaire 106 for operating the illumination unit 102 ₁ (or if some of the lighting unit 102 ₁₎ button that is integral, string, Or, it may be configured to detect the operation of a mechanical mechanism operated by another user. In some embodiments, the input detector 234 may include an accelerometer configured to detect movement or force of the luminaire 106 provided by the user providing the touch control input. In various embodiments, such input detector may be attached to the lighting fixture 106 or the illumination unit 102 _1. In some embodiments, the input detector 234 detects the operation of the wall switch 114 for controlling the light emitted by the illumination unit 102 ₁ may be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operation.

The wireless communication interface 236 may enable the controller 230 to exchange data with remote computing devices such as the lighting system controller 110 and / or the mobile computing device 118 of FIG. 1 through various wireless media. Wireless communication interface 236 may take various forms. In some embodiments, wireless communication interface 236 may use technology such as BlueTooth, ZigBee, Coded Light, Wi-Fi, RFID, Near Field Communication ("NFC"), etc. (eg, through a local wireless network) It may communicate with the remote computing device, either indirectly or directly. In some embodiments, the wireless communication interface 236 may include, but is not limited to, visible light communication (802.15.7) and / or body area network (802.15.6). That is, it may be configured to communicate with a remote computing device using the techniques described in "WPAN"). In some embodiments where coded light is used to exchange data, camera 228 may act as a virtual wireless communication interface 236. Although only a single wireless communication interface 236 is illustrated in FIG. 2, this is not intended to be limiting. In various embodiments, the lighting fixture 106 (or, in some cases, the lighting unit 102 ₁ attached) may include more than one wireless communication interface, and one (not shown in FIG. 2). The above wired communication interface may be included. For example, a single lighting fixture 106 may include a ZigBee interface, an NFC interface, and / or a coded light interface.

FIG. 3 illustrates how user manipulation of one lighting unit or luminaire can lead to selection and implementation of a lighting scene by one or more additional lighting units and / or luminaires according to various embodiments. An example of is illustrated. In FIG. 3, the lighting system 300 comprises a first lighting fixture 306 ₁ in the form of a table lamp comprising a first lighting unit 302 ₁ , a second lighting fixture in the form of a stand-up lamp on which a second lighting unit 302 ₂ is mounted. 306. _2, and the third illumination unit 302 lighting system controller 310 _{which 3} are communicatively coupled to the third lighting fixture 306 ₃ in the form of a ceiling-mounted luminaire is mounted.

In this example, the user, for example, by touching the lampshade 312 ₁ and supplies the input to operate the first lighting apparatus 306 ₁ and / or the first illumination unit 302 _1. Luminaire 306 ₁ and / or the first illumination unit 302 _1, accordingly, it is possible to detect one or more attributes of the supplied user input, a plurality of lighting units, in this case, the lighting unit 302 ₁ or it is possible to select a predetermined lighting scene for implementation by _3023. Various attributes of the user input may be used to select a predetermined lighting scene. In the example as illustrated in FIG. 3 where a touch is used to control the light output, it is used to provide the number of touch or tap actions supplied, touch when selecting a lighting scene The number of fingers, how much the touch is forcedly provided, the duration of the touch, the location to be touched in the luminaire / lampshade / lighting unit etc. can be taken into account.

  The lighting unit and / or other types of user input provided to control the light output of the lighting fixture may have other attributes that may be used to select the lighting scene to be implemented. For example, in some embodiments, the simple fact that the user has operated the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture may constitute the attributes of the user input. Thus, the fact that the user has switched the wall switch or pulled the string of the lamp to turn the lamp on or off lights from multiple lighting scenes for implementation by other lighting units and / or fixtures It can be used to select a scene. In some embodiments, the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture may be more sophisticated, such as a so-called "smart" switch and / or a dimming switch, with more robust capabilities (for example enabled by the capacitive touch surface) It can be controlled using a wall switch. In such embodiments, when selecting a lighting scene, one or more attributes of how the dimming and / or smart switch is operated (e.g., how fast it is dimmed, how fast it is dimmed) Or, double taps, pinches, swipes, etc.) can be taken into account.

  In some embodiments, the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture can be controlled using gestures. In such an embodiment, when selecting a lighting scene, the duration of the gesture, the position of the gesture, the sequence of movement in the gesture, the shape created by the gesture, etc. may be taken into account. In some embodiments, the lighting unit and / or the lighting fixture can be controlled using an external computing device. In some such embodiments, when selecting a lighting scene, the type of device (eg, smart phone, tablet, smart watch, etc.), the type of input component to which the input was supplied (eg, touch screen, microphone) , Smart buttons etc), one or more attributes of the input (eg double tap, voice profile, dial rotation, spoken or typed words or letters, swipes, pinch etc), with lighting unit / lighting fixture The type of network communication (eg, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) etc. may be taken into account.

  The lighting scene to be implemented by the plurality of lighting units and / or lighting fixtures may additionally or alternatively be selected based on other signals or cues. For example, in some embodiments, the lighting scene may be selected based on one or more attributes of the lighting unit or lighting device being operated by the user, such as a lighting unit or "type" associated with the lighting fixture. It may be done. Assume that a particular luminaire is designated as a "reading" unit (e.g., at the factory when the lamp is sold as a lamp). When the unit is operated, it may be more likely (or at least recommended) that the lighting scene associated with the "reading" (e.g. softened softness) be selected. As another example, assume that a particular luminaire or lighting unit (eg, a unit based on black light or mirror balls) is designated as a "party" unit. When the unit is operated, the lighting scene associated with the “party” (eg, animated lighting, color lighting, dynamic lighting, etc.) may be more likely to be selected.

  Alternatively, as a simpler example, a single light source includes an illumination system that includes multiple light sources that may or may not be uniform (eg, illumination that includes multiple LEDs arranged in a linear fashion) Assume that it is part of a tape or rope). Each light source of the plurality of light sources may have a unique identifier at least among the plurality of light sources. Furthermore, each light source (or a set of light sources, such as n adjacent light sources) may be associated with one or more illumination scenes that can be performed by all of the plurality of light sources. A user manipulates a particular light source (eg, by touching a particular light source, pressing a particular light source, etc.) using the techniques described herein to At least some other light sources may implement portions of each of the illumination scenes associated with the particular light source. The user may operate different light sources to implement different lighting scenes. Thus, for example, the user may slide a finger along the lighting tape to switch the lighting scene implemented by the entire lighting tape across multiple lighting scenes, for example, from warm white light to cold white light.

  As another example, when selecting a lighting scene, one or more attributes of the "context" may be taken into account that the input for operating a particular lighting unit or luminaire is supplied and / or detected. The context in which the input is provided may have various attributes such as time of day, location, operator identity, lighting scene already implemented, etc. For example, if a given unit is operated in the morning, it may be more likely that a lighting scene associated with the morning lighting (e.g., "wake up", "breakfast", etc.) is selected. If the same unit is operated in the evening, it may be more likely that different lighting scenes related to the evening lights (e.g. "supper", "watch TV") are selected.

  In various embodiments, the fact that a particular illumination scene has already been implemented (in the same light source under consideration for the implementation of a new illumination scene, or by a group of related light sources) is selected which illumination scene It can affect you. For example, assume that a light source in a first room is already implementing a "holiday" lighting scene, and the user turns on a light source in an adjacent room. Under normal circumstances, the lighting scene selected for an adjacent room may be selected based on one or more attributes, such as how the user operated the light source. However, from the situation that the "holiday" lighting scene is being implemented in the first room, it is likely that a similar "holiday" lighting scene will be selected for the adjacent room. This selection may be enhanced, for example, by an on-line calendar or email associated with the user indicating that the user is opening a holiday party at the user's home.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the lighting apparatus 306 ₁ and / or lighting units 302 ₁ selects a lighting scene, data indicating the lighting scene may be transmitted to the lighting system controller 310. The lighting system controller 310 may perform the same data (or other similar data, such as lighting control commands), other lighting such as lighting fixture 306 ₂ , lighting unit 302 ₂ , lighting fixture 306 ₃ , and / or lighting unit 302 ₃ It may be supplied to the unit and / or the luminaire. This may cause other lighting units and / or lighting fixtures to implement the lighting scene. In this example, the first illumination unit 302 ₁ and / or the luminaire 306 ₁ selects the lighting scene. However, in other embodiments, ₁ first illumination unit 302 ₁ and / or the luminaire 306, simply, data indicating the supplied user input, the context input is received, and / or for their own Data may be sent to the lighting system controller 310. In that case, the lighting system controller 310 may select a lighting scene and may cause other lighting units and / or lighting fixtures to perform the lighting scene.

Of course, the example depicted in FIG. 3 only shows an example of only one way of what happens when the first luminaire 306 ₁ and / or lighting units 302 ₁ is operated. Lighting unit 302 _2, the luminaire 306 _2, when the other light sources of the illumination unit _3023, and / or system 300 of lighting fixtures 306 ₃ is operated, it is the same or in a different light source system 300 It can result in different lighting scenes being implemented. For example, the first illumination unit 302 ₁ of the operation, over the system 300 with respect to the may result in implementation of the lighting scene of the "relaxing feeling", an operation of the second illumination unit 302 _2, over the system 300 " may result in the implementation of lighting scene cooking ", the operation of the third illumination unit ₃₀₂₃ may result in the implementation of the lighting scene of the" reading "over system 300.

  FIG. 4 is an illustration that may be rendered on a computing device such as mobile computing device 118 in FIG. 1 to allow the user to configure the lighting scene to be implemented upon activation of the selected light source. Graphical user interface 400 is shown. In this example, there are nine possible light sources 1-9. As indicated by the arrows, the operation of the light source 7 is linked to the operation of the light sources 5 and 9 so that when the light source 7 is activated, the light sources 5 and 9 are also activated and form a virtual lighting scene. It is done. The remaining light sources (i.e. 1 to 4, 6, 8) are not activated in response to the activation of the light source 7, but if the user so chooses, the user may, for example, change the space corresponding to the desired light source. By selecting (for example, in the touch screen or with the mouse), any of these other light sources may be selected for activation.

  Additionally, the user may select one or more characteristics of the light emitted by each light source. In this example, when light source 7 is activated to emit white light, light sources 5 and 9 also emit white light, forming a relatively uniform illumination scene. In contrast, when the light source 4 is operated at a specific intensity (represented by a relatively dark gray shade), the light sources 2 to 5 are also operated at a similar intensity. When the light source 9 is operated at medium intensity (represented by an intermediate gray shade), the light sources 5 to 8 are also operated at similar intensity.

  In some embodiments, in addition to manually configuring the lighting scene associated with the operation of the individual light sources, the lighting scene may be "learned" based on the user's behavior. For example, when user input is provided to operate a particular light source, a timer may be started and further activity of the user may be monitored during some preset time intervals. Suppose that the user manipulates another nearby light source to create an improvised lighting scene. The system may detect these lighting settings as well as user input and any applicable context attributes at a particular light source, even automatically associating a particular light source operation with a user-created lighting scene. Good.

  FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary method 500 for controlling light emitted by one or more light sources of a lighting system using the disclosed technology in accordance with various embodiments. At block 502, user input provided to control light emitted by a particular light source of the plurality of light sources may be detected. As mentioned above, this input may be a light switch, a dimmer, a capacitive touch surface, a touch screen (for example of a cell phone or smart watch), an audio based input (for example a clapper or a voice command), And / or may be provided in various forms such as user manipulation of the lighting unit and / or the touch sensitive surface of the lighting fixture. In some embodiments, the user input may be, for example, a gesture detected by a camera or infrared sensor associated with the lighting unit or fixture. In some embodiments, the user input may be a gaze of a particular lighting unit or fixture by the user. In some embodiments, the user input may be passive, such as movement / proximity / presence captured by a motion sensor (eg, a passive infrared sensor), weight of the user taken at the pressure pad as the user passes by, etc. It may be

  At block 504, one or more attributes of the user input may be determined. As noted above, various components may make these decisions. For example, in some embodiments, a lighting unit or luminaire may include logic circuitry such as a controller that identifies various attributes of the user input. In other embodiments, the lighting unit or fixture may simply provide data indicative of the input to another component, such as a lighting system controller, which may be one or more of the user input You may decide the attribute of. The attributes of the user input can be provided by the component to which the input is supplied (eg, operation of the light sensitive switch vs. normal light switch vs. lamp touch sensored surface vs. light control using a mobile device), how the input is supplied How large (eg, swipe, double tap, pinch, etc.), input size (eg, how much the light control switch was moved, how much the user pinched the touch screen, how strongly the user tapped the touch-sensitive lamp And so forth) may include various data points, such as gestures made as input by the user.

  At block 506, one or more attributes of the context in which the user input was provided may be determined, for example, at the lighting unit or the lighting fixture itself, or at a central component such as a lighting system controller. Exemplary context attributes are described above and may include data points such as the time the light source was operated, whether the lighting scene has already been performed nearby, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, the context in which the user input was provided may include one or more attributes of the user who provided the input. Thus, as a simple example, one illumination scene may be implemented when the first user manipulates a given light source, and another illumination scene may occur when a second user manipulates the same given light source It may be implemented. Thus, in some embodiments, a lighting scene may be selected based at least in part on the identity of the user providing the input operating the particular light source.

  At block 508, one or more attributes of the light source being operated upon may be determined, for example, at the lighting unit or the lighting fixture itself, or at a central component such as a lighting system controller. These may include, for example, “types” of light sources (eg, “reading fixtures for reading”, “terrace lighting”, etc.), unique identifiers of light sources, etc.

  At block 510, based on the data obtained at one or more of blocks 504-508, the lighting scene is from a plurality of lighting scenes, eg, at the lighting unit or lighting fixture itself, or as a lighting system controller. Central component, can be selected. For example, the lighting system controller may receive or confirm one or more of the data points determined in blocks 504-508, and using these data points, the light system other than the light source operated directly by the user. A lighting scene may be selected to be at least partially implemented at the light source. At block 512, the illumination scene selected at block 510 may be implemented at a plurality of light sources that may or may not include light sources manipulated by the user.

Figure 6 illustrates another exemplary lighting system 600 that includes an embodiment the lighting unit 606 ₁ to 606 ₄ of the down-lighting unit under a cabinet that is fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet 650 ₁ to 650 _4. Lighting unit 606 ₁ to 606 _4, in this example, for example, by one or more capacitive touch surface can be touched. For example, there may be capacitive rings around each lighting unit. Each of the lighting units 606 ₁ to 606 ₄ may be associated with all or at least two or more one or more lighting scenes that may be implemented by an illumination unit 606 of. For example, if the user touches the lighting unit 606 _1, a given lighting scene (e.g., "cooking") can be performed by two or more lighting units 606 ₁ to 606 _4. For example, if the user touches the lighting unit 606 _2, another lighting scene (e.g., "drinking coffee") can be performed by two or more lighting units 606 ₁ to 606 _4. If the user touches the lighting unit 606 ₃ and 606 ₄ may be carried out more other lighting scene.

  As alluded to above, in various embodiments a single lighting unit or luminaire may be associated with multiple lighting scenes. Which of those lighting scenes is selected may depend, for example, on one or more attributes such as user input, context, etc. However, it may also be possible for the user to see all the lighting scenes associated with the lighting unit, for example by switching each lighting scene by operating the lighting unit in different ways. For example, the user may tap the touch-sensitive luminaire multiple times, each time a separate lighting scene associated with the luminaire is implemented by multiple lighting units and / or luminaires . When the desired lighting scene is performed, the user can stop tapping and, in some cases, a unique input (eg, it can be used as a “shortcut” to the lighting scene selected by the user) , Double tap, pinch, applause, swipe, etc.).

  With some types of input, it may not be immediately known which light source is being controlled, and thus it may be difficult to select a lighting scene. For example, assume that a user provides audio input to operate a particular lighting unit, but multiple audio controllable lighting units are nearby. A determination may need to be made as to which lighting unit is being operated. In some such embodiments, the audio input as received at each lighting unit (eg, represented as a waveform) is closest to the speaker (eg, which waveform is the closest to the speaker) As shown in the other lighting units, to determine which is the largest detected volume, and thus to determine which lighting units should be controlled by the supplied audio input. It can be compared with various voice inputs.

  Light sources, such as lighting units and lighting fixtures, are mainly described herein as being members of a larger group that can jointly perform lighting scenes. However, it should be understood that a single lighting unit or luminaire may be a member of multiple groups. Furthermore, manipulation of the lighting unit or fixture based on user input / context attributes may result in different lighting scene implementations in different groups of lighting units. For example, suppose there is a corridor between the kitchen and the dining room. The lighting in the hallway can, in one way, be manipulated to trigger the implementation of the cooking lighting scene in the lighting of the kitchen. The lights in the same corridor may be otherwise manipulated to trigger the implementation of a meal scene in the lighting of the dining room. Of course, the corridor lighting itself can emit each part of any lighting scene.

  As mentioned above, the context in which the lighting unit or luminaire is operated may include one or more attributes of the user operating it, one or more of the attributes of the user indicating the lighting scene It may be used to select. In embodiments that consider user attributes when selecting a lighting scene, the identity of the user may be determined in various manners. In some embodiments, the user may be carrying a computing device such as a smart phone or smartwatch that emits some sort of identifier signal detected by the lighting unit / light fixture and / or lighting system controller . In other such embodiments, one or more physical characteristics of the user, such as size, voice profile, height, finger size, identification gesture or pattern associated with a particular user, etc. It may be detected and used to determine the identity of the user.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, one of ordinary skill in the art may or may not perform the functions described herein and / or described herein. Various other means and / or structures may be readily devised to achieve one or more of the advantages and / or results described herein. Each such variation and / or modification is considered to be within the scope of the embodiments of the invention described herein. More generally speaking, those skilled in the art are intended to be illustrative of all the parameters, dimensions, materials and configurations described herein, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials It will be readily understood that and configurations will depend on one or more specific applications in which the teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate many embodiments that are equivalent to the particular invention embodiments described herein, or can be figured out using only routine experimentation. Therefore, the above embodiments are presented by way of example only, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail and the claims It should be understood that it may be practiced other than as described in the paragraph. Embodiments of the present disclosure of the present disclosure are directed to the individual features, systems, objects, materials, kits and / or methods described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, objects, materials, kits and / or methods may be used where such features, systems, objects, materials, kits and / or methods do not conflict with one another. And are included within the scope of the present invention of the present disclosure.

  All definitions as defined and used herein should be understood to control over lexical definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or the ordinary meaning of the defined terms. is there.

  Here, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless expressly stated to the contrary is there.

  Here, the expression "and / or" as used in the description and the claims refers to "any or both" of the elements so coordinated, ie in some cases It should be understood to mean elements that exist syntactically, and in other cases are disjunctively present. Elements listed using "and / or" should be interpreted in the same way, that is, they are interpreted as "one or more" of the elements so coordinated It should. Elements other than those specifically identified by the "and / or" section may optionally be present, whether or not they are related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with a non-restricting language such as "having," includes in certain embodiments (optionally including elements other than B A) Only A, in another embodiment only B (with optional elements other than A), and in yet another embodiment with A and B (optionally with other elements) It can point to both.

  Here, "or" as used in the specification and claims should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" is taken to include many elements or elements of the list, and optionally, additional unlisted items It should be interpreted as including at least one of them, but should also be construed as including more than one of them. Only those terms expressly directed to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of" or "consisting of," as used in the claims It would refer to including just one of many elements or elements of the list. Generally, the term "or" as used herein is "any", "one of", "only one of" or "just one of" And the like should not be construed as indicating an exclusive option (ie, "one or the other but not both") if the term exclusivity, such as, precedes. "Consisting essentially of" when used in the claims will have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

  Here, as used in the description and claims, the expression "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more elements is selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements Means at least one element, but does not necessarily include at least one of each one of the elements specifically listed in the list of elements, and any combination of elements in the list of elements It should be understood that also not excluded. This definition is also optional, regardless of whether or not elements other than those explicitly specified in the list of elements pointed to by the expression "at least one" are related to those specifically specified. Allow it to be present. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (in other words, “at least one of A or B”, in other words, at least one of “A and / or B One "), in certain embodiments, refers to at least one A, optionally including more than one A (optionally including elements other than B), in the absence of B; In at least one B, optionally containing more than one B (optionally including elements other than A), in the absence of A, and in yet another embodiment , (Optionally including other elements) can refer to at least one B, optionally comprising more than one A, at least one A, and optionally comprising more than one B, etc.

  In any method, including two or more steps or actions, as recited in the claims herein, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the order of the method steps or acts is necessarily the method steps or It should also be understood that the operations are not limited to the order listed.

  In the claims and the above specification, such as "having", "containing", "comprising", "having", "including", "including", "holding", "consisting of", etc. It is to be understood that all transition phrases are meant to be open, meaning including but not limited to. Only the transition phrases "consisting of and" consisting essentially of, respectively, as described in section 2111.03 of the United States Patent Office Examination Procedure Manual, with an exclusive or semi-exclusive transition phrase, respectively Suppose that there is. It is to be understood that the specific expressions and reference signs used in the claims in accordance with Rule 6.2 (b) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty ("PCT") do not limit its scope.

Claims (13)

A method for controlling multiple light sources, comprising
Detecting a user input provided to control light emitted by a first light source of the plurality of light sources;
Determining one or more attributes of the user input;
Determining the context in which the user input is detected, the context including the time, location, identity of the operator, or an already implemented lighting scene at which the user input was provided;
A first illumination scene from a plurality of illumination scenes that can be implemented by a plurality of light sources other than the first light source among the plurality of light sources based at least in part on the one or more attributes of the user input Selecting, wherein the selecting is based at least on the context in which the user input is detected;
And D. performing the selected illumination scene, at least in part, at two or more light sources other than the first light source of the plurality of light sources. Further comprising the step of determining one or more attributes of the first light source,
The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the first lighting scene from the plurality of lighting scenes is further based on the one or more attributes of the first light source.   3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more attributes of the first light source comprises an application targeted by the first light source.   The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more attributes of the first light source comprises an identifier associated with the first light source.   5. The method of claim 4, wherein the identifier is a measure of the distinction of the first light source from among the plurality of light sources.   The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged linearly in a linear LED array.   The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the one or more attributes of the user input to the plurality of light sources through one or more networks.   The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the first lighting scene selected from a plurality of lighting scenes to the plurality of light sources through one or more networks. With multiple light sources,
A lighting system comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources, the controller comprising:
Receiving one of the plurality of light sources indicative of a user input provided to control light emitted by the first light source;
Determine one or more attributes of the first light source;
Determine the context associated with the user input, including the time at which the user input was provided, the location, the identity of the operator, or the lighting scene already implemented,
A first of a plurality of illumination scenes based on the one or more attributes of the first light source that can be implemented, at least in part, by a plurality of light sources other than the first light source of the plurality of light sources Making a selection based on at least the context associated with the user input;
An illumination system configured to instruct two or more light sources of the plurality of light sources to implement each portion of the selected illumination scene.   The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources through one or more buses.   The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of light sources through one or more networks.   The controller is further configured to determine the context in which the user input is detected, and the selection of the first lighting scene from the plurality of lighting scenes is further based on the context in which the user input is provided. The system according to claim 9. With one or more light sources,
Wireless communication interface,
A lighting unit comprising a controller operatively coupled to the wireless communication interface, the controller comprising:
Detecting user input provided to control light emitted by the light source;
Determine one or more attributes of the user input;
Determine the context in which the user input is detected, including the time at which the user input was provided, the location, the identity of the operator, or the lighting scene already implemented.
Wherein based on the attributes of one or more user inputs, at least in part a selection of the first lighting scene from a plurality of lighting scene can be performed by the light source, at least, the user input is detected Make a selection based on the context,
Operating the light source to perform at least a portion of the selected lighting scene;
Data indicative of the selected lighting scene or the one or more attributes of the user input is transmitted to the one or more remote lighting units via the wireless communication interface, the one or more remote lighting units A lighting unit configured to perform each portion of the lighting scene.

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