A visible light sensor configured for detecting a glare condition

Abstract

An apparatus can be configured to detect glare conditions and may include a photoelectric sensing circuit and a visible light sensing circuit. The photoelectric sensing circuit can be configured to periodically generate an illuminance signal indicating an illuminance value. The visible light sensing circuit can be configured to periodically record an image of a space at exposure times. The apparatus can receive the illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit and determine the current illuminance based on the illuminance signal. The apparatus can adjust the frequency at which the visible light sensing circuit records images based on the current illuminance. The exposure time can be determined based on the current illuminance and the type of glare condition. Images recorded at corresponding exposure times may cause pixels above a certain illuminance value to appear whitened. The apparatus can detect glare conditions at the locations of whitened pixels.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,631, filed February 19, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] For example, various types of load control systems can be used to configure user environments, such as residential or office buildings. Lighting control systems can be used to control lighting loads that provide artificial light in a user environment. Electric window sill control systems can be used to control natural light provided to a user environment. HVAC systems can be used to control temperature in a user environment.

[0004] Each load control system may include various control devices, including input devices and load control devices. The load control device may receive digital messages for controlling the electrical load from one or more input devices, which may include load control commands. The load control device may be able to directly control the electrical load. The input devices may be able to indirectly control the electrical load via the load control device.

[0005] Examples of load control devices may include lighting control devices (e.g., dimmer switches, electronic switches, ballasts, or light-emitting diode (LED) drivers), motorized window fixtures, temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), AC plug-in load control devices, etc. Examples of input devices may include remote control devices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, glare sensors, color temperature sensors, temperature sensors, etc. Remote control devices may receive user input for performing load control. Occupancy sensors may include infrared (IR) sensors for detecting occupancy / vacancy of a space based on user movement. Daylight sensors may detect the level of daylight received within a space. Color temperature sensors may determine the color temperature within a user's environment based on the wavelength and / or frequency of light. Temperature sensors may detect the current temperature of a space. Window sensors (e.g., glare sensors) may be positioned facing outwards from the building (e.g., on a window or the exterior of the building) to measure the total amount of natural light detected outside the building and / or detect glare conditions.

[0006] Some load control systems control shading fabric on motorized window covers to prevent glare conditions inside buildings (e.g., glare caused by direct sunlight shining into the building). Load control systems may include a system controller that determines the position of the shading fabric used to control the motorized window covers to prevent glare conditions based on the predicted position of the sun (e.g., using the current time of day and year, the building's location and / or orientation, etc.). The load control system can automatically control the motorized window covers throughout the day based on the estimated position of the sun. The load control system may also include window sensors configured to detect low light conditions (e.g., on cloudy days) and / or high light conditions (e.g., on very bright days) to enable the system controller to override the automatic control of the motorized window covers on cloudy and sunny days. However, such load control systems require complex configuration procedures and advanced system controllers to operate properly. These systems also perform estimations of daylight glare based on known conditions (e.g., the current time of day and year, the building's location and / or orientation, etc.) and / or the total amount of sunlight sensed at a given sensor location. An example of such a load control system is described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,288,981, published October 16, 2012, entitled METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENTWHILE MINIMIZING OCCUPANT DISTRACTIONS, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0007] In some situations, sunlight glare may distract an occupant but may not be detected by the building's existing systems. For example, sunlight glare may be allowed into an occupant's space, but may go undetected due to its relatively small amount, or even if the intensity of the glare is high, it may be undetectable by existing systems. This type of glare condition may be considered "noise" and may cause the load control system to unnecessarily and / or incorrectly control appliances on motorized windows. For example, such sources of sunlight glare may be caused by reflections from small surfaces outside the window, ripples in water, or raindrops on the window. Therefore, the load control system can filter out this "noise" when detecting glare conditions and / or determining the location of appliances on motorized windows. Summary of the Invention

[0008] An apparatus can be configured to detect glare conditions. The apparatus may include a photosensing circuit and a visible light photosensing circuit. The photosensing circuit can be configured to periodically generate an illuminance signal indicating the illuminance within a space. The visible light photosensing circuit can be configured to periodically record images of the space. The apparatus can receive the illuminance signal from the photosensing circuit. The apparatus can determine the current illuminance based on the illuminance signal. The apparatus can adjust the frequency (e.g., image processing (IP) rate) of the visible light photosensing circuit recording and / or processing the images of the space based on the current illuminance to determine the frequency of the presence of glare conditions.

[0009] The device can track the current illuminance of a space and adjust the frequency at which the visible light sensing circuit records spatial images based on illuminance changes. For example, the device can receive an illuminance signal from a photoelectric sensing circuit and determine the current illuminance value based on that signal. The device can compare the current illuminance value with a previous illuminance value and determine illuminance changes in the space. The device can compare the illuminance changes with a threshold. When the illuminance changes are greater than or equal to the threshold, the device can adjust the frequency (e.g., IP rate) at which the visible light sensing circuit records and / or processes spatial images (e.g., to determine the presence of glare). Alternatively, the device can compare the illuminance changes in the space with a threshold and adjust the frequency at which the visible light sensing circuit records and / or processes spatial images (e.g., to determine the presence of glare) when the illuminance changes are less than the threshold.

[0010] The device can record an image of a space via a visible light sensing circuit during the exposure time. The exposure time can be determined based on the current illuminance and the type of glare condition. The type of glare condition can indicate the type of glare condition the device is detecting (e.g., small glare condition, large glare condition, absolute glare condition, relative glare condition, contrast glare condition, and / or any combination thereof). The device can receive an illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit and determine the current illuminance based on that signal. The device can determine a contrast-based exposure time based on the current illuminance and the type of glare condition. The device can compare the contrast-based exposure time with the absolute exposure time to determine the capture exposure time. When the contrast-based exposure time is greater than or equal to the absolute exposure time, the capture exposure time can include the contrast-based exposure time. When the contrast-based exposure time is less than the absolute exposure time, the capture exposure time can include the absolute exposure time. The device can record an image during the capture exposure time. The image recorded at the corresponding exposure time may cause pixels above a certain illuminance value to appear washed out. The device can detect the glare condition at the location of the washed-out pixel. Furthermore, the device can locate the lowest glare pixel in an image and remove glare at the location of the lowest glare pixel. For example, the device can transmit a blackout curtain control command including control instructions to move the blackout curtain of an electric window appliance to the location of the lowest glare pixel and / or remove glare. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an exemplary load control system with a visible light sensor.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a side view of an exemplary space with a visible light sensor.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an exemplary visible light sensor.

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary flowchart is shown of a procedure for dynamically determining the image processing rate, which can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor.

[0015] Figure 5 An exemplary flowchart of an image processing procedure that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 This is an example of a non-distorted image used for glare detection.

[0017] Figure 7 An exemplary flowchart of an image processing procedure that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 Another exemplary flowchart of an image processing procedure that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor is shown.

[0019] Figure 9A A sequence diagram of an exemplary glare detection procedure that can be performed by a visible light sensor and an electric window cover is shown.

[0020] Figure 9B A sequence diagram of an exemplary glare detection procedure that can be performed by a visible light sensor, a system controller, and power window covers is shown.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of an exemplary system controller.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of an exemplary control target device. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an exemplary load control system 100 for controlling the amount of power supplied from an alternating current (AC) power source (not shown) to one or more electrical loads. The load control system 100 may be installed in a room 102 of a building. The load control system 100 may include multiple control devices configured to communicate with each other via a wireless signal (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) signal 108). Alternatively or additionally, the load control system 100 may include a wired digital communication link coupled to one or more of the control devices to provide communication between the load control devices. The control devices of the load control system 100 may include multiple control source devices (e.g., input devices operable to transmit digital messages in response to user input, occupancy / vacancy status, measured changes in light intensity, etc.) and multiple control target devices (e.g., load control devices operable to receive digital messages and control corresponding electrical loads in response to the received digital messages). A single control device of the load control system 100 may operate as both a control source device and / or a control target device.

[0024] The control source device can be configured to directly transmit digital messages to the control target device. Additionally, the load control system 100 may include a system controller 110 (e.g., a central processing unit or load controller) operable to transmit digital messages from and to the control device (e.g., the control source device and / or the control target device). For example, the system controller 110 may be configured to receive digital messages from the control source device and, in response to the digital messages received from the control source device, transmit digital messages to the control target device. The control source device, the control target device, and / or the system controller 110 may be configured to use proprietary RF protocols (such as...) (agreement) or another agreement (such as) protocol, RF signals 108 can be transmitted and received using a different RF protocol (such as a standard protocol, for example, WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, ENOCEANRADIO protocol, or one of various proprietary protocols).

[0025] The load control system 100 may include one or more load control devices, such as a dimmer switch 120 for controlling a lighting load 122. The dimmer switch 120 may be adapted for wall mounting in a standard electrical enclosure. The dimmer switch 120 may include a desktop or plug-in load control device. The dimmer switch 120 may include a toggle actuator (e.g., a push button) and an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., a rocker switch). Actuation (e.g., continuous actuation) of the toggle actuator can toggle (e.g., turn off and on) the lighting load 122. Actuation of the upper or lower portion of the intensity adjustment actuator can increase or decrease the amount of power delivered to the lighting load 122, and thus increase or decrease the intensity of the accepting lighting load between a minimum intensity (e.g., about 1%) and a maximum intensity (e.g., about 100%). The dimmer switch 120 may include multiple visual indicators, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be arranged in a linear array and illuminated to provide feedback on the intensity of the lighting load 122. Examples of wall-mounted dimmer switches are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,248,919 entitled "LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE" published September 28, 1993, and U.S. Patent No. 9,676,696 entitled "WIRELESS LOAD CONTROLDEVICE" published June 13, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Dimmer switch 120 can be configured to wirelessly receive digital messages via RF signal 108 (e.g., from system controller 110) and control lighting load 122 in response to the received digital messages. An example of a dimmer switch operable to transmit and receive digital messages is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0206983, entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A RADIO-FREQUENCY LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, published August 20, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] The load control system 100 may include one or more remotely located load control devices, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) driver 130 for driving an LED light source 132 (e.g., an LED light engine). The LED driver 130 may be remotely located, for example, in or near the lighting fixture containing the LED light source 132. The LED driver 130 may be configured to receive digital messages via an RF signal 108 (e.g., from a system controller 110) and to control the LED light source 132 in response to the received digital messages. The LED driver 130 may be configured to adjust the color temperature of the LED light source 132 in response to the received digital messages. An example of an LED driver configured to control the color temperature of an LED light source is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,538,603, published January 3, 2017, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The load control system 100 may also include other types of remotely located load control devices, such as electronic dimming ballasts for driving fluorescent lamps.

[0028] The load control system 100 may include a plug-in load control device 140 for controlling plug-in electrical loads (e.g., plug-in lighting loads such as floor lamp 142 or table lamp) and / or appliances such as televisions or computer monitors). For example, floor lamp 142 may be plugged into the plug-in load control device 140. The plug-in load control device 140 may be plugged into a standard power outlet 144 and thus may be coupled in series between the AC power supply and the plug-in lighting load. The plug-in load control device 140 may be configured to receive digital messages via RF signal 108 (e.g., from system controller 110) and, in response to the received digital messages, to turn the floor lamp 142 on and off or adjust the intensity of the floor lamp 142.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the load control system 100 may include a controllable jack for controlling plugged-in electrical loads inserted into the jack. The load control system 100 may include one or more load control devices or apparatuses capable of directly receiving wireless signals 108 from a system controller 110 (such as a speaker 146 (e.g., part of an audio / visual or intercom system)) capable of generating audible sounds (such as alarms, music, intercom functions, etc.).

[0030] The load control system 100 may include one or more daylight control devices, such as motorized window covers 150, like motorized honeycomb blinds, for controlling the amount of daylight entering room 102. Each motorized window cover 150 may include a window cover fabric 152 suspended from a top rail 154 in front of the corresponding window 104. Each motorized window cover 150 may also include a motor drive unit (not shown) located inside the top rail 154 for raising and lowering the window cover fabric 152 to control the amount of daylight entering room 102. The motor drive unit of the motorized window cover 150 may be configured to receive digital messages via RF signal 108 (e.g., from system controller 110) and adjust the position of the corresponding window cover fabric 152 in response to the received digital messages. The load control system 100 may include other types of daylight control devices, such as honeycomb blinds, curtains, Roman blinds, Venetian blinds, peep blinds, pleated blinds, tensioned roller blind systems, electrochromic windows or smart windows and / or other suitable daylight control devices. Examples of battery-powered motorized window covers are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 8,950,461, entitled "MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT," published February 10, 2015, and U.S. Patent No. 9,488,000, entitled "INTEGRATED ACCESSIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT," published November 8, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, daylight control devices may include controllable dynamic glass (e.g., smart glass and / or electrochromic glass) and / or indoor or outdoor controllable blinds.

[0031] The load control system 100 may include one or more temperature control devices, such as a thermostat 160 for controlling the room temperature in room 102. The thermostat 160 may be coupled to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 162 via a control link (e.g., an analog control link or a wired digital communication link). The thermostat 160 may be configured to wirelessly transmit digital messages to the controller of the HVAC system 162. The thermostat 160 may include a temperature sensor for measuring the room temperature in room 102 and may control the HVAC system 162 to adjust the temperature in the room to a setpoint temperature. The load control system 100 may include one or more wireless temperature sensors (not shown) located in room 102 for measuring the room temperature. The HVAC system 162 may be configured to turn the compressor on and off to cool room 102 and to turn the heating source on and off to heat the room in response to control signals received from the thermostat 160. The HVAC system 162 may be configured to turn the fans of the HVAC system on and off in response to control signals received from the thermostat 160. Thermostat 160 and / or HVAC system 162 can be configured to control one or more controllable dampers to control airflow in room 102. Thermostat 160 can be configured to receive digital messages via RF signal 108 (e.g., from system controller 110) and adjust heating, ventilation, and cooling in response to the received digital messages.

[0032] The load control system 100 may include one or more other types of load control devices, such as screw-in lighting devices including dimmer circuitry and incandescent or halogen lamps; screw-in lighting devices including ballasts and compact fluorescent lamps; screw-in lighting devices including LED drivers and LED light sources; electronic switches, controllable circuit breakers, or other switching devices for turning appliances on and off; plug-in load control devices, controllable power sockets, or controllable power boards for controlling one or more plug-in loads; motor control units for controlling motor loads (such as ceiling fans or exhaust fans); drive units for controlling electric window covers or projection screens; electric... Internal and / or external louvers; thermostats for heating and / or cooling systems; temperature control devices for controlling setpoint temperatures in HVAC systems; air conditioners; compressors; circuit board heater controllers; controllable dampers; variable air volume controllers; fresh air intake controllers; ventilation controllers; hydraulic valves used in radiator and radiant heating systems; humidity control units; humidifiers; dehumidifiers; water heaters; boiler controllers; pool pumps; refrigerators; freezers; televisions and / or computer monitors; cameras; audio systems or amplifiers; elevators; power supplies; generators; chargers, such as electric vehicle chargers; and alternative energy controllers.

[0033] The load control system 100 may include one or more input devices, such as a remote control device 170, a first visible light sensor 180 (e.g., a room sensor), and / or a second visible light sensor 182 (e.g., a window sensor). The input devices may be fixed or movable. The system controller 110 may be configured to transmit one or more digital messages to load control devices (e.g., a dimmer switch 120, an LED driver 130, a plug-in load control device 140, an electric window regulator 150, and / or a thermostat 160) in response to digital messages received from the remote control device 170 and / or the visible light sensors 180, 182. The remote control device 170 and / or the visible light sensors 180, 182 may be configured to transmit digital messages directly to the dimmer switch 120, the LED driver 130, the plug-in load control device 140, the electric window regulator 150, and / or the temperature control device 160.

[0034] The remote control device 170 can be configured to transmit digital messages to the system controller 110 via RF signal 108 in response to actuation of one or more buttons on the remote control device (e.g., directly to the system controller). For example, the remote control device 170 can be battery powered. The load control system 100 may include other types of input devices, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radiometers, cloudy sensors, shading sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, air quality sensors, motion sensors, safety sensors, proximity sensors, snap-on sensors, zone sensors, keypads, multi-zone control units, slider control units, kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key cards, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, personal computers, laptop computers, clocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (e.g., power meters, electricity meters, utility meters, efficiency meters, etc.), central control transmitters, residential controllers, commercial controllers, industrial controllers, and / or any combination thereof.

[0035] System controller 110 may be coupled to a network, such as a wireless or wired local area network (LAN), for example, to access the Internet. System controller 110 may wirelessly connect to the network, for example, using Wi-Fi technology. System controller 110 may be coupled to the network via a network communication bus (e.g., an Ethernet communication link). System controller 110 may be configured to communicate with one or more network devices (e.g., mobile device 190, such as a personal computing device and / or a wearable wireless device) via the network. Mobile device 190 may be located on occupant 192, for example, it may be attached to the occupant's body or clothing, or it may be held by the occupant. Mobile device 190 may be characterized by a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number or address stored in memory) that uniquely identifies mobile device 190 and thus occupant 192. Examples of personal computing devices may include smartphones (e.g., Smart phone Smartphone, or Smartphones), laptops and / or tablets (e.g., Handheld computing devices). Examples of wearable wireless devices can include activity tracking devices (such as, Device, Device and / or Sony Devices), smartwatches, smart clothing (e.g., Smart wearables, etc.) and / or smart glasses (such as Google) (Eyeglasses). The system controller 110 can be configured to communicate with one or more other control systems (e.g., building management systems, security systems, etc.) via a network.

[0036] Mobile device 190 can be configured to transmit digital messages to system controller 110, for example, in one or more Internet Protocol (IP) packets. For example, mobile device 190 can be configured to transmit digital messages to system controller 110 via a LAN and / or via the Internet. Mobile device 190 can be configured to transmit digital messages to external services (e.g., if...) via the Internet. (Service), and then the digital message can be received by the system controller 110. The mobile device 190 can transmit and receive RF signals 109 via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a near field communication (NFC) link, a cellular communication link, a TV blank band (TVWS) communication link, another wireless communication link, or any combination thereof. The mobile device 190 can be configured to transmit RF signals according to a proprietary protocol. The load control system 100 may include other types of network devices coupled to the network, such as a desktop personal computer, a television capable of Wi-Fi or wireless communication, or any other suitable Internet Protocol-enabled device. Examples of load control systems operable to communicate with mobile devices and / or network devices on a network are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 10,271,407, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, published April 23, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] System controller 110 can be configured to determine the location of mobile device 190 and / or occupant 192. For example, the location of mobile device 190 and / or occupant 192 can be determined using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), beacon signals, etc. System controller 110 can be configured to control (e.g., automatically control) load control devices (e.g., dimmer switch 120, LED driver 130, plug-in load control device 140, power window cover 150, and / or temperature control device 160) in response to determining the location of mobile device 190 and / or occupant 192. One or more of the control devices in load control system 100 can transmit beacon signals, such as RF beacon signals transmitted using short-range and / or low-power RF technologies (such as Bluetooth). Load control system 100 may also include at least one beacon transmission device 194 for transmitting beacon signals. Mobile device 190 can be configured to receive beacon signals when it is near a control device currently transmitting beacon signals. The beacon signal may include a unique identifier that identifies the location of the load control device transmitting the beacon signal. Because short-range and / or low-power techniques can be used to transmit beacon signals, a unique identifier can indicate the approximate location of the mobile device 190. The mobile device 190 can be configured to transmit the unique identifier to a system controller 110, which can be configured to use the unique identifier (e.g., data stored in memory or retrieved via the Internet) to determine the location of the mobile device 190. An example of a load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads in response to the location of a mobile device and / or occupant within a building is described in more detail in co-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0056629, published February 25, 2016, entitled "LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMRESPONSIVE TO LOCATION OF AN OCCUPANT AND MOBILE DEVICES," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] Visible light sensors 180 and 182 may each include, for example, a camera and a fisheye lens. The camera of the first visible light sensor 180 can be directed into room 102 and can be configured to record images of room 102. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be mounted on the ceiling of room 102 (e.g., ...). Figure 1As shown), and / or can be mounted on the walls of a room. If the first visible light sensor 180 is mounted on the ceiling, the image recorded by the camera can be a top view of room 102. The camera of the second visible light sensor 182 can be directed to the outside of room 102 (e.g., outside window 104) and can be configured to record images from outside the building. For example, the second visible light sensor 182 can be mounted in one of the windows 104 (e.g., as shown). Figure 1 (as shown) and / or can be installed on the exterior of a building.

[0039] Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each be configured to process images recorded by a camera and transmit one or more messages (e.g., digital messages) to a load control device in response to the processed images. Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can be configured to sense one or more environmental characteristics of the image sensing space (e.g., room 102 and / or room 200). For example, a first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to operate in one or more sensor modes (e.g., occupancy and / or vacancy sensor mode, daylight sensor mode, color sensor mode, glare detection sensor mode, occupant counting mode, etc.). A second visible light sensor 182 can be configured to operate in one or more of the same or different sensor modes (e.g., color sensor mode, glare detection sensor mode, weather sensor mode, etc.). Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can execute different algorithms to process the image in each of the sensor modes to determine the data to be transmitted to the load control device. Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each transmit digital messages via RF signal 108 (e.g., using a proprietary protocol) in response to the image. Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each send digital messages directly to the load control device and / or the system controller 110, which can then transmit the messages to the load control device. Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 may include a first communication circuit for transmitting and receiving RF signals 108 using a proprietary protocol.

[0040] Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each be configured to execute multiple sensor events to sense various environmental characteristics inside and / or outside room 102. For example, to execute a sensor event, each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can be configured to operate in one of multiple sensor modes to execute one or more corresponding algorithms to sense environmental characteristics. Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can be configured to retrieve from memory certain pre-configured operational characteristics (e.g., sensitivity, baseline value, threshold, limit value, etc.) that can be used by algorithms to sense environmental characteristics during a sensor event.

[0041] Furthermore, each visible light sensor 180, 182 can be configured to focus on one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in the image recorded by the camera when processing the image to sense environmental characteristics during a sensor event. For example, certain regions of the image recorded by the camera of one of the visible light sensors 180, 182 can be masked (e.g., digitally masked) so that the corresponding visible light sensor can omit the portion of the image in the masked region. Each visible light sensor 180, 182 can be configured to apply a mask (e.g., a predetermined digital mask that can be stored in memory) to focus on a specific ROI and process the portion of the image in the ROI. Each visible light sensor 180, 182 can be configured to simultaneously focus on multiple ROIs in the image. A specific mask can be defined for each sensor event.

[0042] Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each be configured to dynamically vary between sensor modes based on current sensor events, apply digital masks to an image, and / or adjust operational characteristics. Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can be configured to perform multiple different sensor events to sense multiple environmental characteristics of a space. For example, each visible light sensor 180 and 182 can be configured to sequentially and / or periodically step through sensor events to sense multiple environmental characteristics of a space. Each sensor event can be characterized by a sensor mode (e.g., specifying an algorithm to be used), one or more operational characteristics, and / or one or more digital masks. Examples of visible light sensors with multiple sensor modes are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 10,264,651, entitled "LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A VISIBLE LIGHT SENSOR," published April 16, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to operate in an occupancy and / or vacancy sensor mode in response to the detection of movement within one or more regions of interest to determine the occupancy and / or vacancy status of room 102. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to use an occupancy and / or vacancy detection algorithm to determine that room 102 is occupied in response to the amount and / or speed of movement exceeding an occupancy threshold.

[0044] During sensor events used to detect occupancy and / or vacancy, a first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a predetermined mask to focus on one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in one or more images recorded by a camera, and to determine occupancy or vacancy based on whether motion is detected or not in the ROIs. The first visible light sensor 180 can respond to movement in the ROIs but not to movement in the masked region. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a mask to an image of a room to exclude the detection of movement in the doorway 108 and / or window 104 of room 102, and can focus on a ROI that includes the interior space of the room. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a first mask to focus on a first ROI, apply a second mask to focus on a second ROI, and determine occupancy or vacancy based on movement detected in either ROI. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to simultaneously focus on multiple ROIs in an image by applying different masks to the image.

[0045] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to adjust certain operational characteristics (e.g., sensitivity) to be used by the occupancy and / or vacancy algorithms based on current sensor events. The occupancy threshold can depend on the sensitivity. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to be more or less sensitive to movement in a first region of interest than to movement in a second region of interest. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to increase sensitivity and apply a mask to focus on the region of interest around a computer keyboard, thereby becoming more sensitive to movement around the keyboard. In other words, by using a mask that focuses on “smaller” and “larger” portions (e.g., the keyboard and the surface on which it may sit), the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to increase and / or decrease the sensitivity to detected or undetected movement. The sensitivity level can be adjusted based on a size threshold of the region of interest, with relatively higher sensitivity to movement in smaller regions of interest. By using a mask, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured not to simply detect movement in space, but to detect where the movement occurs.

[0046] The first visible light sensor 180 can transmit a digital message to the system controller 110 via an RF signal 108 (e.g., using a proprietary protocol) in response to detecting an occupied or idle condition. The system controller 110 can be configured to turn the lighting load (e.g., lighting load 122 and / or LED light source 132) on and off respectively in response to receiving an occupied command and an idle command. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can transmit the digital message directly to the lighting load. The first visible light sensor 180 can also function as an idle sensor, such that the lighting load is turned off only in response to detecting an idle condition (e.g., but not turned on in response to detecting an occupied condition). Examples of RF load control systems with occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in more detail in the following: U.S. Patent No. 8,009,042, jointly assigned and issued August 30, 2011, entitled "RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING"; U.S. Patent No. 8,199,010, issued June 12, 2012, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING AWIRELESS SENSOR"; and U.S. Patent No. 8,228,184, issued July 24, 2012, entitled "BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to operate in a daylight sensor mode to measure light intensity at a spatial location. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can apply a digital mask to focus on a specific location in space (e.g., on a mission surface, such as...). Figure 1 (On the table 106 shown), and a daylight illumination algorithm can be used to measure the light intensity at that location. For example, a first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a mask to focus on a region of interest including the table surface. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to integrate the light intensity values ​​of the pixels of the image across the region of interest to determine the light intensity measured at the table surface.

[0048] The first visible light sensor 180 can transmit digital messages (e.g., including measured light intensity) to the system controller 110 via RF signal 108 to control the intensity of the illumination load 122 and / or the LED light source 132 in response to the measured light intensity. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to focus on multiple regions of interest in an image recorded by a camera and measure the light intensity in each of the different regions of interest. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can transmit digital messages directly to the illumination load. The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to adjust certain operating characteristics (e.g., gain) based on the region of interest in which the light intensity is currently being measured. Examples of RF load control systems with daylight sensors are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,410,706, entitled "METHOD OF CALIBRATING A DAYLIGHT SENSOR," published April 2, 2013, and U.S. Patent No. 8,451,116, entitled "WIRELESSBATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR," published May 28, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] System controller 110 can be configured to determine a degradation in the light output of one or more lighting loads in the space (e.g., lighting load 122 and / or LED light source 132), and control the intensity of the lighting loads to compensate for this degradation (e.g., lumen maintenance). For example, system controller 110 can be configured to individually turn on each lighting load (e.g., when it is dark at night) and measure the magnitude of the light intensity at a location (e.g., on table 106 or table 220). For example, system controller 110 can be configured to turn on lighting load 122 at night and control a first visible light sensor 180 to record an image of the room, apply a mask to focus on the region of interest illuminated by lighting load 122 (e.g., the surface of table 106 or table 220), measure the light intensity in that region of interest, and transmit that value to system controller 110. System controller 110 can store this value as a baseline value. At a later time and / or date, system controller 110 can repeat the measurement and compare the measurement to the baseline value. If the system controller 110 determines that degradation exists, such as by detecting degradation greater than a threshold, the system controller can control the lighting load 122 to compensate for the degradation, perform alarm maintenance, etc.

[0050] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to operate in color sensor mode to sense the color of light emitted by one or more lighting loads in the space (e.g., measure color temperature) (e.g., to function as a color sensor and / or color temperature sensor). For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a mask to focus on a region of interest in room 102, and a color sensing algorithm can be used to determine the measured color and / or color temperature in the room. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can integrate the color values ​​of pixels in an image across the region of interest to determine the measured color and / or color temperature in the room. The first visible light sensor 180 can transmit digital messages (e.g., including the measured color temperature) to system controller 110 via RF signal 108 to control the color (e.g., color temperature) of lighting load 122 and / or LED light source 132 in response to measured light intensity (e.g., color modulation of light in the space). Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can transmit digital messages directly to the lighting load. An example of a load control system for controlling the color temperature of one or more lighting loads is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,538,603, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLINGCOLOR TEMPERATURE, published January 3, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to operate in a glare detection sensor mode. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to perform a glare detection algorithm to determine the depth of direct sunlight penetrating into a space based on images recorded by a camera. For example, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to apply a mask to focus on a region of interest on the floor of room 102 near window 104 to sense the depth of direct sunlight penetrating into the room. Based on the detection and / or measurement of the depth of direct sunlight penetrating into the room, the first visible light sensor 180 can transmit a digital message via RF signal 108 to system controller 110 to limit the depth of direct sunlight penetrating into the space, for example, to prevent direct sunlight from shining on surfaces (e.g., tables or ledges). System controller 110 can be configured to lower the window cover fabric 152 of each of the motorized window cover 150 to prevent the depth of direct sunlight penetration from exceeding the maximum sunlight penetration depth. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to directly control the window cover 150 to lower the window cover fabric 152. An example of a method for limiting the depth of sunlight penetration in space is described in more detail in previously referenced U.S. Patent No. 8,288,981.

[0052] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to focus only on daylight entering the space through, for example, one or both of windows 104 (e.g., as a window sensor). The system controller 110 can be configured to control the lighting load (e.g., lighting load 122 and / or LED light source 132) in response to the amount of daylight entering the space. The system controller 110 can be configured to enable automatic control of the motorized window dressing 150, for example, in response to determining whether it is a cloudy day or an extremely sunny day. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to directly control the window dressing 150 to lower the window dressing fabric 152. An example of a load control system with a window sensor is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,933,761, entitled METHOD OF CONTROLLING AMOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, published April 3, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] The first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to detect glare sources (e.g., sunlight reflected from a surface) outside or inside room 102 in response to an image recorded by a camera. The system controller 110 can be configured to lower the curtain fabric 152 of each of the motorized curtain upholstery 150 to eliminate glare. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to directly control the curtain upholstery 150 to lower the curtain fabric 152 to eliminate glare.

[0054] The first visible light sensor 180 can also be configured to operate in an occupancy counting mode and can execute an occupancy counting algorithm to count the number of occupants in a specific area of ​​interest and / or the number of occupants entering and / or leaving the area of ​​interest. For example, the system controller 110 can be configured to control the HVAC system 162 in response to the number of occupants in the space. The system controller 110 can be configured to control one or more load control devices of the load control system 100 in response to the number of occupants in the space exceeding an occupancy threshold. Alternatively, the first visible light sensor 180 can be configured to directly control the HVAC system 162 and other load control devices.

[0055] The second visible light sensor 182 can be configured to operate in a glare detection sensor mode. For example, the second visible light sensor 182 can be configured to execute a glare detection algorithm to determine whether a glare condition may exist in room 102 based on one or more images recorded by a camera. Glare conditions in room 102 may be generated by glare sources outside the room (such as sunlight, external lights (e.g., outdoor building lights or streetlights) and / or reflections of sunlight or other bright light sources). The second visible light sensor 182 can be configured to analyze one or more images recorded by a camera to determine whether an absolute glare condition and / or a relative glare condition exist outside room 102 when viewed from one of the windows 104. An absolute glare condition may occur when the light level (e.g., light intensity) of a potential glare source is too high (e.g., exceeding an absolute glare threshold). A relative glare condition (e.g., a contrast glare condition) may occur when the difference between the light level of a potential glare source and the background light level (e.g., the baseline) is too high (e.g., exceeding a relative glare threshold).

[0056] Based on the detection of glare conditions, the second visible light sensor 182 can transmit digital messages to the system controller 110 via RF signal 108 to open, close, or adjust the position of the curtain fabric 152 of each of the motorized window covers 150. For example, the system controller 110 can be configured to lower the curtain fabric 152 of each of the motorized window covers 150 to prevent direct sunlight from penetrating onto a task surface (e.g., a table or desk) in the room 102. If the second visible light sensor 182 does not detect glare conditions, the system controller 110 can be configured to open the motorized window covers 150 (e.g., to control the position of the curtain fabric 152 to a fully open position or a sunshade position). Alternatively, the second visible light sensor 182 can be configured to directly control the window covers 150.

[0057] The operation of the load control system 100 can be programmed and configured using, for example, a mobile device 190 or other network device (e.g., when the mobile device is a personal computing device). The mobile device 190 can execute graphical user interface (GUI) configuration software that allows the user to program how the load control system 100 will operate. For example, the configuration software can run as a PC application or a web interface. The configuration software and / or system controller 110 (e.g., via instructions from the configuration software) can generate a load control database that defines the operation of the load control system 100. For example, the load control database may include information about the operational settings of different load control devices of the load control system (e.g., dimmer switch 120, LED driver 130, plug-in load control device 140, power window seat 150, and / or thermostat 160). The load control database may include information about the association between load control devices and input devices (e.g., remote control device 170, visible light sensor 180, etc.). The load control database may include information about how the load control devices respond to inputs received from the input devices. Examples of configuration procedures for load control systems are described in more detail in the following: U.S. Patent No. 7,391,297, jointly assigned, entitled "HANDHELD PROGRAMMER FOR A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM," published June 24, 2008; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0092075, entitled "METHOD OF BUILDING A DATABASE OF A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM," published April 17, 2008; and U.S. Patent No. 10,027,127, entitled "COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS," published July 7, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] The operation of visible light sensors 180 and 182 can be programmed and configured using mobile device 190 or other network devices. Each visible light sensor 180 and 182 may include a second communication circuit for transmitting and receiving RF signals 109 (e.g., directly with network device 190 using standard protocols such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). During the configuration process of the load control system 100, visible light sensors 180 and 182 may each be configured to record an image of the space and transmit that image to network device 190 (e.g., directly to network device via RF signals 109 using standard protocols). Network device 190 may display the image on a visual display, and the user can configure the operation of each visible light sensor 180 and 182 to set one or more configuration parameters (e.g., configuration information) for the visible light sensors. For example, for different environmental characteristics (e.g., occupant movement, indoor light levels, outdoor daylight levels, etc.) to be sensed and controlled by visible light sensors 180, 182, a user can indicate different regions of interest in an image by tracking (e.g., with a finger or stylus) a masked area displayed on the visual display. Visible light sensors 180, 182 can each be configured to establish different masking and / or operational characteristics based on the environmental characteristics to be sensed (e.g., occupant movement, indoor light levels, outdoor daylight levels, color temperature, etc.).

[0059] After configuring the visible light sensors 180 and 182 at network device 190, the network device can transmit the configuration information to the visible light sensors (e.g., directly to the visible light sensors via RF signal 109 using a standard protocol). Visible light sensors 180 and 182 can each store their configuration information in memory, enabling them to operate appropriately during normal operation. For example, for each sensor event to be monitored by visible light sensors 180 and 182, network device 190 can transmit the sensor mode of the event, one or more masks defining the region of interest for the event, possible indications of algorithms for sensing environmental characteristics of the event, and one or more operational characteristics of the event to the corresponding visible light sensor.

[0060] Although the above has already been described with reference to two visible light sensors, 180 and 182, Figure 1The load control system 100 may be configured to include either of the visible light sensors 180 or 182. For example, the load control system 100 may not include the first visible light sensor 180, but may include a second visible light sensor 182, which may be mounted to the window 104 and operable to prevent solar glare on the task surface in the room 102. The load control system 100 may have more than two visible light sensors. Each window may have a corresponding visible light sensor, or the visible light sensors may receive images through the windows, which represent a group of windows with motorized window covers that are collectively controlled based on the images from a single visible light sensor.

[0061] Figure 2 It has a visible light sensor 210 (e.g., such as...) Figure 1 A simplified side view of an exemplary space 200 for the load control system 100 shown, including a second visible light sensor 182. The visible light sensor 210 can be mounted to a window 202, which may be located in the facade 204 of the building in which the space 200 is situated and allow light (e.g., sunlight) to enter the space. The visible light sensor 210 can be mounted to the inner surface of the window 202 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 2 (As shown) or the outer surface of window 202. Window 202 can be defined by the height h of the bottom of the window. 窗-底部 and the height h of the top of the window 窗-顶部 Characterization. Space 200 may also include a work surface, such as table 206, which may have a height h. 工作 And it can be located at a distance d from the window 202. 工作 Place.

[0062] Electric window fixtures (such as electric roller blinds 220) can be installed above window 202. Electric roller blinds 220 may include a roller tube 224, around which blackout fabric 222 can be wound. Blackout fabric 222 may have an hembar 226 at its lower edge, which may have a height h at the floor. 卷边条 The motorized roller blind 220 may include a motor drive unit (not shown) that can be configured to rotate the blind tube 224 to bring the blackout fabric 222 to the fully open position P. 打开 (For example, in this location, window 202 is uncovered and the rolled edge strip 226 can be at the top of the window) and fully closed position P 闭合 (For example, in this case, window 202 is completely covered and the hem strip 226 can move between the bottom of the window.) Furthermore, the motor drive unit can control the position of the blackout fabric 222 to one of a plurality of preset positions between the fully open and fully closed positions.

[0063] The glare condition for the occupants of room 200 may be caused by glare sources (such as sunlight, external lights (e.g., outdoor building lights or streetlights), or reflections of sunlight or other bright light sources) that may be located outside window 202. For example, light from a glare source can penetrate window 202 into room 200 and can extend from window 202 and / or from facade 204 into the room (e.g., to the floor) up to a penetration distance d. 穿透 The light transmission distance d can be measured in a direction perpendicular to window 202 and / or starting from facade 204. 穿透 The penetration distance d of light from a glare source 穿透 The height h of the edge strip 226 of the electric roller blind 220 can be... 卷边条 and the profile angle θ of the glare source P The function of the profile angle θ. P The location of a glare source outside window 202 can be indicated. The location of the glare source can be defined by the elevation angle (e.g., vertical angle) and azimuth angle (e.g., horizontal angle) originating from the visual center of the visible light sensor 210 (e.g., a direction perpendicular to window 202 and / or facade 204). Profile angle θ P This can be defined as the angle at which the line from the glare source to the visible light sensor is projected onto a vertical plane perpendicular to window 202 and / or facade 204. The penetration distance d of the light from the glare source to the floor of space 200 (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to window 202 and / or facade 204) is also defined. 穿透 This can be achieved by considering the penetration distance d 穿透 The height h of the rolled edge strip 226 卷边条 And the triangle formed by the length l of the light illuminating space 200 in the direction perpendicular to window 202, as in Figure 2 As shown in the side view of window 202, for example,

[0064] tan(θ P ) = h 卷边条 / d 穿透 (Equation 1)

[0065] In response to the visible light sensor 210 detecting a glare source outside the window 202, the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller (e.g., system controller 110) can be configured to determine the position to be controlled for the blackout fabric 224 (e.g., the rolled edge strip 226 of the blackout fabric 224) of the motorized roller blind 220 to prevent glare in the space. For example, the position of the rolled edge strip 226 of the motorized roller blind 220 can be adjusted to prevent penetration distance d. 穿透 Exceeding the maximum penetration distance d 穿透-最大 For example, if sunlight shines into window 220, the visible light sensor 210 can be configured to process the image to determine the profile angle θ that defines the location of the glare source.S The visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller can be configured to calculate the amount of light to be controlled in the crimped strip 226 to prevent light from the glare source from exceeding the maximum penetration distance d. 穿透-最大 The expected height h above the floor 卷边条 ,For example,

[0066] h 卷边条 =tan(θ) P )·d 穿透-最大 (Equation 2)

[0067] The visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller can be configured with a top height h of window 220. 窗-顶部 and bottom height h 窗-底部 The value of h, for example, is used during the configuration of the visible light sensor and / or system controller. The visible light sensor 210 and / or system controller can be configured to use the top height h. 窗-顶部 and bottom height h 窗-底部 And the calculated height h of the rolled edge strip. 卷边条 To determine the fully open position P of the hem strip 226 in the electric roller blind 220. 打开 and fully closed position P 闭合 The expected position between them.

[0068] The position of the roller blind 220's edge strip 226 can be adjusted to prevent light from glare from the light source from shining onto the table 206. For example, the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller can be configured to calculate the desired height h above the floor to which the edge strip 226 should be controlled to prevent light from the light source from glare from shining onto the table 206. 卷边条 ,For example,

[0069] h 卷边条 =(tan(θ) P )·d 工作 )+h 工作 (Equation 3)

[0070] The position of the roller shutter 220's edge strip 226 can be adjusted to prevent light from glare from a light source from shining into the eyes of the occupant of the space 200. For example, the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller can be configured to calculate the desired height h above the floor to be achieved by controlling the edge strip 226 based on the estimated height of the occupant's eyes and / or the estimated distance of the occupant from the window. 卷边条 For example, if room 200 includes a visible light sensor located within the room (e.g., such as...) Figure 1 If the load control system 100 has a visible light sensor 180, then the visible light sensor can be configured to process an image of the room to determine the values ​​of the occupant's eye height and / or the occupant's distance from the window.

[0071] The visible light sensor 210 and / or system controller can store the maximum penetration distance d. 穿透-最大 The height h of the table is 206. 工作 The distance d between table 206 and window 202 工作 The values. For example, the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller may be configured with these values ​​during the configuration of the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller (e.g., using mobile device 190 or other network devices). Additionally or alternatively, the visible light sensor 206 and / or the system controller may be configured with a maximum penetration distance d. 穿透-最大 The height h of the table is 206. 工作 The distance d between table 206 and window 202 工作 The default value. For example, if room 200 includes a visible light sensor located within the room (e.g., such as...). Figure 1 If the load control system 100 has a visible light sensor 180, then the visible light sensor can be configured to process an image of the room to determine the maximum penetration distance d. 穿透-最大 The height h of the table is 206. 工作 And the distance d between table 206 and window 202 工作 The values ​​are recorded and those values ​​are transmitted to the visible light sensor 210 and / or the system controller on window 202.

[0072] Figure 3 This is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary visible light sensor 300, which can be deployed as follows: Figure 1 The visible light sensors 180, 182 and / or of the load control system 100 shown Figure 2 One or both of the visible light sensors 210. The visible light sensor 300 may include control circuitry 310, such as a microprocessor, programmable logic device (PLD), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device. The control circuitry 310 may be coupled to a memory 312 for storing sensor events, masks, operating characteristics, etc., of the visible light sensor 300. The memory 312 may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as internal circuitry of the control circuitry 310.

[0073] The visible light sensor 300 may include a visible light sensing circuit 320 having image recording circuitry (such as a camera 322) and image processing circuitry (such as an image processor 324). The image processor 324 may include a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device. The camera 322 may be oriented toward a space to sense one or more environmental characteristics in the space (e.g., in room 102). The camera 322 may be configured to capture or record images. For example, the image may be a low dynamic range (LDR) image. An LDR image may be characterized by a specific exposure time (e.g., shutter speed, i.e., the length of time the camera's shutter is open to record the image). Furthermore, the image may be a high dynamic range (HDR) image, which may be a composite of multiple LDR images (e.g., six LDR images) recorded by the camera 322 at different exposure times and combined by the image processor 324. The control circuit 310 may also receive multiple LDR images from the visible light sensing circuit 320 and combine these LDR images to form an HDR image. Recording and / or generating HDR images may require more processing resources and / or may result in increased power consumption compared to recording LDR images.

[0074] For example, camera 322 can be configured to capture images at a specific sampling rate, where a single image can be referred to as a frame acquisition. An exemplary frame acquisition rate is approximately ten frames per second. The frame acquisition rate can be limited to reduce the required processing power of the visible light sensor 300. Each image can consist of an array of pixels, where each pixel has one or more values ​​associated with it. A raw RGB image can have three values ​​for each pixel: one value for each of the red, green, and blue intensities. One implementation can use an existing RGB system for pixel colors, where each component of the intensity has a value from 0 to 255. For example, a red pixel would have an RGB value of (255, 0, 0), while a blue pixel would have an RGB value of (0, 0, 255). Any given pixel detected as a combination of red, green, and / or blue can be some combination of (0-255, 0-255, 0-255). Over-representation for the image can be used.

[0075] Camera 322 can provide captured images (e.g., raw images) to image processor 324. Image processor 324 can be configured to process the images and provide control circuitry 310 with one or more sensing signals representing sensed environmental characteristics (e.g., occurrence of movement, amount of movement, direction of movement, speed of movement, occupant count, light intensity, color of light, amount of direct sunlight penetration, etc.). For example, one or more sensing signals provided to control circuitry 310 can represent movement in space and / or light levels measured in space.

[0076] Image processor 324 can provide raw or processed (e.g., preprocessed) images to control circuitry 310, which can be configured to process the images to determine sensed environmental characteristics. In any case, control circuitry 310 can then use the sensed environmental characteristics to transmit control commands to a load device (e.g., directly or via system controller 110).

[0077] As is known in the art, an example of a processed image is the luminance of a pixel, which can be measured from the RGB values ​​of an image by summing weighted R, G, B intensity values ​​according to the following formula:

[0078] (Perceived) brightness = (0.299*R + 0.587*G + 0.114*B). (Equation 4)

[0079] The exemplary weighting coefficients can account for the inconsistent response of the human eye to different wavelengths of light. However, other coefficients can be used alternatively.

[0080] As previously mentioned, if the visible light sensor 300 has a fisheye lens, the image captured by the camera 322 may be distorted. The image processor 324 can be configured to preprocess the image to correct the distortion and generate a non-distorted image.

[0081] Another image processing technique may involve mapping the RGB sensor response to CIE tristimulus values ​​to obtain chromaticity coordinates, and thereby obtaining the correlated color temperature (CCT). Joe Smith describes an exemplary method in the following reference: Calculating Color Temperature and Illuminance using the TAOS TCS3414CSDigital Color Sensor, Intelligent Opto Sensor Designer's Notebook, February 27, 2009. Another example of a processed image may be an image to which a digital filter or digital mask has been applied. A digital mask can be used to eliminate regions within an image that may not have value for further analysis and processing. Alternatively, the complement of a digital mask may be a region of interest (e.g., a region within the image that has been identified for further processing or analysis). Processed images can also be created via a technique called background subtraction. For example, using background subtraction, a background image can be subtracted from the current image (e.g., the current state of a room), which may incorporate a history of changes in the image over time (e.g., a previous state of the room). This technique can identify differences in the image. Background subtraction can be useful for detecting motion, occupancy, and vacancy in images. Various algorithms can be used for background maintenance to determine how pixels are efficiently combined into the background image over time. Some exemplary background maintenance algorithms may include: adjusted frame difference, mean and threshold, mean and covariance, Gaussian mixture, and / or normalized block correlation. These and other similar details inherent in image processing will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0082] Control circuitry 310 and / or image processor 324 can be configured to apply one or more masks to focus on one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in an image (e.g., a raw image and / or a preprocessed image) to sense one or more environmental characteristics of the space. As used herein, the mask can be any definition used to define the ROI of the image. For example, assuming an image can be defined as an N×M array of pixels, where each pixel has defined coordinates / positions in the array, the mask is defined as a series of pixel coordinates that define the periphery of the ROI within the image. As another example, the mask can be defined as an N×M array of N×M pixels corresponding to the image. Each entry in the mask can be 1 or 0; for example, an entry with 1 can thus define the ROI. Such a representation allows the image array and the mask array to be ANDed, which can cancel out or zero out each uninterested pixel in the image. The mask can define the uninterested region, rather than defining the ROI of the image. These are merely examples, and other representations can be used.

[0083] The visible light sensor 300 may include a first communication circuit 330 configured to transmit and receive digital messages via a first communication link using a first protocol. For example, the first communication link may include a wireless communication link, and the first communication circuit 330 may include an RF transceiver coupled to an antenna. Alternatively, the first communication link may include a wired digital communication link, and the first communication circuit 330 may include a wired communication circuit. The first protocol may include a proprietary protocol, such as the ClearConnect protocol, or another protocol, such as... protocol, Protocol or another wireless protocol. Control circuitry 310 can be configured to transmit and receive digital messages via the first communication link during normal operation of the visible light sensor 300. Control circuitry 310 can be configured to transmit indications of sensed environmental characteristics via the first communication link during normal operation of the visible light sensor 300. For example, control circuitry 310 can be configured to transmit indications of detected states (e.g., occupied or vacant states) and / or measured environmental characteristics (e.g., measured light levels or illuminance) via the first communication link during normal operation of the visible light sensor 300.

[0084] The visible light sensor 300 may include a second communication circuit 332 configured to transmit and receive digital messages via a second communication link using a second protocol. For example, the second communication link may include a wireless communication link, and the second communication circuit 332 may include an RF transceiver coupled to an antenna. Alternatively, the second communication link may include a wired digital communication link, and the second communication circuit 332 may include a wired communication circuit. The second protocol may include standard protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The control circuit 310 may be configured to transmit and receive digital messages via the second communication link during the configuration of the visible light sensor 300. For example, the control circuit 310 may be configured to transmit images recorded by the camera 322 via the second communication link during the configuration of the visible light sensor 300.

[0085] The visible light sensor 300 may include a device for generating a DC supply voltage V. CC A power supply 340 is provided to power the control circuitry 310, memory 312, image processor 324, first communication circuitry 330 and second communication circuitry 332, and / or other low-voltage circuitry of the visible light sensor 300. The power supply 340 may include a power supply configured to receive an externally supplied voltage from an external power source (e.g., an AC mains voltage power supply and / or an external DC power supply). The power supply 340 may include a battery for powering the circuitry of the visible light sensor 300.

[0086] The visible light sensor 300 may also include low-power occupancy sensing circuitry, such as a passive infrared (PIR) detector circuit 350. The PIR detector circuit 350 can generate a PIR detection signal V in response to passive infrared energy detected in space. PIR (e.g., a low-power occupancy signal), indicating occupancy and / or vacancy in a space. The PIR detector circuit 350 may consume less power than the visible light sensing circuit 320 (e.g., to detect occupancy and / or vacancy in a space). However, the visible light sensing circuit 320 may be more accurate than the PIR detector circuit 350. For example, when the power source 340 is a battery, the control circuit 310 may be configured to disable the visible light sensing circuit 320 and use the PIR detector circuit 350 to detect occupancy. For example, when the space is vacant, the control circuit 310 may disable the visible light sensing circuit 320. The control circuit 310 may respond to the PIR detection signal V. PIR The system detects occupancy in the space, and the visible light sensing circuit 320 can then be activated to detect persistent occupancy and / or vacancy. The control circuit 310 can respond to the PIR detection signal V. PIRThe visible light sensing circuit 320 is activated immediately after detecting occupancy in the space. This activation occurs after detecting occupancy (in response to the PIR detection signal V). PIR Control circuit 310 can keep visible light sensing circuit 320 disabled. Control circuit 310 can keep visible light sensing circuit 320 disabled until the PIR detection signal V... PIR The control circuit 310 may not be able to determine that the space is empty until the visible light sensing circuit 320 subsequently indicates that the space is empty.

[0087] When the visible light sensor 300 is mounted on a window (e.g., as...), Figure 1 The second visible light sensor 182 of the load control system, and the control circuit 310 can be configured to record one or more images of the space outside the window via the camera 322, and process one or more images to determine whether glare is present. The visible light sensor 300 may include a fisheye lens (not shown) that can distort the images recorded by the camera 322. The control circuit 310 and / or the image processor 324 can be configured to correct the distortion of the images recorded by the camera 322 to produce undistorted images, which may be characterized by multiple rows of constant profile angles.

[0088] The control circuit 310 can be configured to process each pixel of the undistorted image to determine whether glare exists in each pixel. For example, the control circuit 310 can determine the luminance L of each pixel in the undistorted image. PI To determine whether glare exists for each pixel, control circuitry 310 can begin processing an image at a portion of the image, which may be located relative to a window or set of windows from which the image is acquired. For example, this portion of the image may represent the bottom of a window, and control circuitry can begin processing a non-distorted image at the bottom. The bottom may include a predetermined number of pixel rows starting from the bottom of the image (e.g., bottom row pixels in a non-distorted image). Control circuitry can also, or alternatively, begin processing the image from the top (e.g., top row pixels). The portion of the image processed first may depend on the direction in which the covering material on the motorized window moves to close the covering material and / or the current position of the covering material, to reduce processing resources used to identify glare in the image.

[0089] Control circuit 310 can be configured to begin processing the bottom row of pixels of the undistorted image (e.g., on the left or right). Control circuit 310 can step through each pixel in the bottom row and process each pixel to determine if a glare condition exists before moving to the next row. After control circuit 310 determines that a glare condition exists, control circuit 310 can stop processing the undistorted image and can be operated to control one or more motorized window lifts (e.g., such as...). Figure 1Electric window appliances 140 and / or Figure 2 The motorized blind 220 is used to remove glare conditions (e.g., as will be described in more detail below). This may prevent the processing of the rest of the image to detect glare conditions. And if the control circuit 310 determines that glare conditions are present, the control circuit 310 can transmit control commands to operate one or more motorized blinds to switch to a position to remove glare conditions. However, if the control circuit 310 processes the entire image without detecting glare conditions, the control circuit can conclude that no glare conditions exist and the motorized blinds can be controlled to open. Since the control circuit 310 processes the pixels of the undistorted image starting from the bottom row of the undistorted image, the control circuit 310 can find the lowest pixel indicating the glare source before detecting other higher glare sources. The lowest pixel indicating the glare source is an important parameter for determining the shading position reached by the motorized blinds to prevent glare on the task surface. This allows the control circuit 310 to minimize the amount of processing required to determine the shading control commands for preventing glare in the room.

[0090] When processing a non-distorted image to determine the presence of glare, control circuitry 310 can be configured to determine the presence of absolute glare and / or relative glare (e.g., contrasting glare). If the absolute light level of a pixel (e.g., absolute intensity or illuminance) exceeds an absolute glare threshold (e.g., approximately 10,000 cd / m²), then... 2 If the relative light level compared to the background light level (e.g., the difference between the absolute light level of a pixel and the background light level) exceeds a relative glare threshold (e.g., approximately 4,000 cd / m²), then the control circuit 310 can be configured to determine that an absolute glare condition exists. 2 If the control circuit 310 detects either an absolute glare condition or a relative glare condition, it can stop processing the undistorted image and move to control the power window shading device to remove the glare. For example, the power window shading device can remove the glare by determining a shading position based on the location of the glare condition. The threshold can be adjustable to adjust the sensitivity of the visible light sensor 300. For example, the threshold can be adjusted by the user during the configuration of the visible light sensor 300.

[0091] To determine whether a relative glare condition exists, control circuit 310 can determine the background light level from a non-distorted image (e.g., a baseline). The background light level can be a value representing the luminance of the background of the non-distorted image. For example, the background light level can be the percentile luminance of the non-distorted image (e.g., the 25th percentile luminance L). 25 ). 25th percentile luminance L 25It can be the brightness of 25% of the pixels in the non-distorted image that is darker than the 25th percentile brightness. The control circuit 310 can be based on the pixel brightness L. PI and the 25th percentile luminance L 25 To calculate the pixel contrast ratio C of the recorded image. PI (For example, C) PI =L PI / L 25 If the ratio C PI Greater than the contrast threshold C TH (For example, about 15), then the control circuit 310 can determine that there is a glare condition (e.g., a relative glare condition).

[0092] When control circuit 310 has determined that glare is present, it can process pixels to determine the profile angle of the glare source. For example, each pixel of the image can be characterized by a profile angle value. The profile angle value can be stored in memory 312. Control circuit 310 can retrieve an appropriate profile angle based on the processed pixels. Alternatively, the profile angle can be determined and / or calculated based on image data. Control circuit 310 can use the profile angle (e.g., as shown in Equations 2 and / or 3 above) to determine the position to which the appliance on the motorized window is positioned. Control circuit 310 can transmit the profile angle to another device (e.g., system controller 110), which can determine the position to which the appliance on the motorized window is positioned to avoid glare in the room.

[0093] The visible light sensor 300 may also include low-power photoelectric sensing circuitry, such as photoelectric sensor circuitry 360. Photoelectric sensor circuitry 360 may include a photodiode (not shown). The visible light sensor 300 may include a lens (not shown) for directing light (e.g., sunlight or daylight) from outside the visible light sensor 300 onto the photodiode. For example, photoelectric sensor circuitry 360 may be configured to determine the average illuminance (e.g., average light level) of the light incident on the lens of the visible light sensor 300. Compared to visible light sensing circuitry 320, photoelectric sensor circuitry 360 may consume less power (e.g., to measure the average illuminance of the light incident on the visible light sensor). Photoelectric sensor circuitry 360 may be configured to generate an illuminance signal V. E (For example, a low-power sunlight signal), this illuminance signal can indicate the average illuminance of light illuminating a photodiode. Control circuitry 310 can be configured to periodically measure the illuminance signal V at the rate of a photoelectric sensor (PS). E Sampling is performed. The PS rate can be the periodically occurring heart rate.

[0094] As described herein, the visible light sensor 300 may be powered by a limited power source (e.g., power source 304 may be a battery) and may have limited power storage. Furthermore, the visible light sensor 300 may have limited memory resources and / or processing resources. Image processing performed by the visible light sensing circuit 320 and / or control circuit 310 can cause the visible light sensor 310 to consume more power storage, memory resources, and / or processing resources than when performing other computer processing techniques. Reducing the amount of image processing performed by the visible light sensing circuit 320 and / or control circuit 310 can reduce the amount of power and / or resources used on the visible light sensor 300.

[0095] When the power source 340 is a battery, the control circuit 310 can be configured to disable the visible light sensing circuit 320 and use the photoelectric sensor circuit 360 to measure the average illuminance of light outside the room. For example, when the average illuminance measured by the photoelectric sensor circuit 360 is below the illuminance threshold E... TH And / or when the change in average illuminance is small (e.g., the change in illuminance ΔE is less than the illuminance change threshold ΔE). TH Control circuit 310 can disable visible light sensing circuit 320. For example, the illuminance change ΔE can be the current illuminance E measured by photoelectric sensor circuit 360. 当前 And previous illuminance E 先前 The difference between them. In response to detecting that the average illuminance measured by the photoelectric sensor circuit 360 is higher than the illuminance threshold E. TH And / or the change in illuminance ΔE (e.g., an increase in illuminance) is greater than the illuminance change threshold ΔE. TH The control circuit 310 can be configured to enable (e.g., wake up) the visible light sensing circuit 320, enabling the control circuit to determine the location (e.g., profile angle) of possible glare sources based on the image captured by the visible light sensing circuit and to use the profile angle to roughly control the electric window fixtures.

[0096] Control circuit 310 can be configured to periodically enable visible light sensing circuit 320 at an image processing (IP) rate. The IP rate can be a periodically occurring heartbeat rate. For example, control circuit 310 can be configured to respond to the current illuminance E. 当前 and / or illuminance change ΔE (e.g., as based on illuminance signal V) EThe control circuitry 310 adjusts the IP rate (in a specific way) to save power, processing resources, and / or memory resources. For example, when the sun's position makes glare unlikely, the control circuitry 310 can adjust (e.g., reduce) the IP rate. For instance, the control circuitry can reduce the IP rate when sunlight intensity levels are low (e.g., when the sun is behind clouds or at night when glare is unlikely to be detected), thus reducing the amount of image processing performed on the visible light sensor 300. The control circuitry 310 can increase the IP rate when sunlight intensity levels are high (e.g., on a sunny day when glare is more likely to be detected). If the IP rate is reduced when glare is unlikely to be detected (e.g., when the sun is behind clouds or at night), the visible light sensor 300 can reduce the amount of image processing performed during these times.

[0097] The control circuit 310 can be configured to respond to the current illuminance E 当前 The operation of the visible light sensing circuit 320 can be adjusted. For example, the control circuit 310 can be configured to adjust the exposure time of the camera 322 for recording images (e.g., LDR images). The control circuit 310 can be configured to use the current illuminance E. 当前 To determine the appropriate exposure time for recording a single image that can indicate the location (e.g., profile angle) of the glare source (e.g., so that the visible light sensing circuit 320 and / or control circuit 310 do not need to generate an HDR image). Control circuit 310 can record images at different exposure times to detect the location (e.g., profile angle) of the glare source due to different types of glare conditions (e.g., minor glare, major glare, absolute glare, and / or relative glare). For example, if the glare condition is an absolute glare condition, control circuit 310 can be configured to use an absolute exposure time T. 曝光-绝对 To detect the location of the glare source. Absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 It can be a fixed exposure time (e.g., minimum exposure time) during which the location of the glare source can be detected in the LDR image (e.g., a single LDR image) due to the absolute glare condition. If the glare condition is a relative glare condition (e.g., contrast glare condition), the control circuit 310 can be configured to use a contrast-based exposure time T. 曝光-对比度 To detect the location of glare sources. Exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 This can be a variable exposure time, during which the location of the glare source can be detected in an LDR image (e.g., a single LDR image) due to contrast glare conditions. The contrast-based exposure time T... 曝光-对比度 It can have a value that depends on the current illuminance E. 当前 (e.g., according to the illuminance signal V) E A definite value.

[0098] Figure 4 This is an example of a program 400 that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor (e.g., the control circuitry 310 of the visible light sensor 300 and / or the image processor 322) to detect glare conditions. For example, program 400 can be periodically triggered by an image processing (IP) function at an IP rate. The IP rate can be dynamically adjusted (e.g., as will be referred to below). Figure 5 (In more detail), this can reduce and / or increase the frequency at which program 400 is triggered by the IP function. Program 400 can also be controlled by the control circuitry of one or more other devices (such as a system controller) (e.g., Figure 1 The system controller 110 shown in the diagram performs this operation. For example, the visible light sensor and / or system controller may include visible light sensing circuitry (e.g., visible light sensing circuitry 320) and photoelectric sensor circuitry (e.g., photoelectric sensor circuitry 360), which may be able to measure the current illuminance E of the light illuminating the visible light sensor. 当前 .

[0099] like Figure 4 As shown, at 410, program 400 can be triggered by an IP function (e.g., at an IP rate). At 412, the control circuit can control the illuminance signal V that can be generated by the photoelectric sensor circuit. E Sampling is performed. At position 414, the control circuit can base its signal on the illuminance signal V. E The value of the current illuminance E is used to determine the current illuminance. 当前 At 416, the control circuitry can process the image. For example, the control circuitry can process the image to detect glare conditions (e.g., as will be referred to below). Figure 7 and / or Figure 8 (More detailed description). For example, if a glare condition is detected, the control circuitry can also remove the glare condition. For example, as described herein, the control circuitry can determine the shading position of an electric window cover (e.g., electric roller blind 220) to remove the glare condition. Furthermore, the control circuitry can transmit control commands to the electric window cover, which will change the shading fabric (e.g., shading fabric 224) of the electric window cover to the determined shading position to remove the detected glare condition.

[0100] Figure 5 This is an example of a program 500 that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor (e.g., control circuitry 310 of visible light sensor 300 and / or image processor 322) to dynamically adjust the IP rate of the IP function. As described herein, the IP function can be triggered... Figure 4The program 400 shown may include image processing for performing glare detection. For example, glare detection may be performed by waking up a visible light sensor circuit at an IP rate to perform image processing on one or more images. The program 500 may also be controlled by control circuitry of one or more other devices (such as a system controller). Figure 1 The system controller 110 shown in the diagram executes the program 500. For example, the program 500 may be executed at the visible light sensor, the system controller, or it may be distributed across multiple devices, such as the visible light sensor and the system controller. The visible light sensor may include visible light sensing circuitry (e.g., visible light sensing circuitry 320) and photoelectric sensor circuitry (e.g., photoelectric sensor circuitry 360), which may be able to measure the current illuminance E of the light illuminating the visible light sensor. 当前 .

[0101] like Figure 5 As shown, at 510, program 500 can be triggered by a photoelectric sensing (PS) function (e.g., at a PS rate). For example, and as described herein, the PS function can be periodically triggered (e.g., at a PS rate) to determine the likelihood of detecting a glare condition and / or accordingly (e.g., based on an illuminance signal) adjust the IP rate. The PS rate can be a higher rate than the IP rate (e.g., such that program 500 is higher than...). Figure 4 The program 400 shown is triggered more frequently. Furthermore, the intensity of a process triggered periodically at a PS rate may be lower (e.g., consuming less processing and / or power resources) compared to a process triggered periodically at an IP rate. At 512, the control circuit can control the illuminance signal V that can be generated by the photoelectric sensor circuit. E Sampling is performed. Illuminance signal V E It can be used to determine the likelihood of detecting glare.

[0102] At position 514, the control circuit can be based on the illuminance signal V. E The value of the current illuminance E is used to determine the current illuminance. 当前 Current illuminance E 当前 It can be used to indicate the likelihood of detecting glare. For example, above the illuminance threshold E. TH Current illuminance E 当前 The value indicates the sun's position, making glare more likely (e.g., during the day and the sun is not obscured by clouds, buildings, etc.). Below the illuminance threshold E... TH Current illuminance E 当前 The value indicates the sun's position, making glare unlikely (e.g., at night or when the sun is obscured by clouds, buildings, etc.). At 516, the control circuit can adjust the current illuminance E. 当前 With illuminance threshold E THCompare (e.g., to determine if it is nighttime and / or if glare is unlikely to be detected). If the current illuminance E 当前 Less than the illuminance threshold E TH At point 518, the control circuit can shut off the IP rate (e.g., adjust the IP rate to zero). As described herein, the IP rate can be shut off when glare conditions are unlikely. Figure 5 As shown and further described herein, the control circuitry can stop recording and / or processing images when the IP rate is turned off, which also reduces power consumption.

[0103] As described in this article, when glare conditions are unlikely, program 500 can dynamically adjust the IP rate. Therefore, if the current illuminance E at 516... 当前 Not less than the illuminance threshold E TH (For example, indicating the sun's position to make glare detection possible), then at 520, the control circuit can determine whether the IP rate is enabled (e.g., the IP rate is greater than zero). If the IP rate is disabled, the control circuit can enable the IP rate at 522. At 524, after determining whether the IP rate is enabled at 520 and / or enabling the IP rate at 522, the control circuit can determine (e.g., calculate) the illuminance change ΔE. For example, the illuminance change ΔE may include the current illuminance E. 当前 And previous illuminance E 先前 The difference between them. Previous illuminance may include illuminance determined at 514 and / or stored at 532 during a previous call to procedure 500.

[0104] The illuminance change ΔE calculated at point 524 can be used to predict the presence of glare or the likelihood of detecting glare. For example, an illuminance change ΔE above an illuminance threshold can indicate the sun's position, making glare more likely (e.g., because the sun may be moving behind a building or cloud). At point 526, the device can compare the illuminance change ΔE with a first illuminance change threshold ΔE. TH1 Comparisons are made. For example, the first illuminance change threshold ΔE. TH1 It can be a fixed value or a variable value, which can be determined as the current illuminance E. 当前 Functions, for example, ΔE TH1 =α·E 当前 Where α is a predetermined constant, such as 0.10 or 10%. If the illuminance change ΔE (e.g., an increase) is greater than or equal to a first illuminance change threshold ΔE TH1 (For example, indicating the sun's position makes it more likely that glare will be detected), then at 528, the control circuit can adjust (e.g., increase) the IP rate. The control circuit can be based on, for example, the current illuminance E. 当前The IP rate can be adjusted based on the probability of illuminance changes ΔE and / or the detection of glare. For example, the control circuit can adjust the IP rate based on the current illuminance E. 当前 And / or when the illuminance change ΔE is large, increase the IP rate, and at the current illuminance E 当前 And / or reduce the IP rate when the illuminance change ΔE is small. At 530, the control circuitry can process images, for example, to capture one or more images and / or detect glare conditions. For example, if a glare condition is detected, the control circuitry can also remove the glare condition. For example, as described herein, the control circuitry can determine the shading position of an electric window cover (e.g., electric roller blind 220) to remove the glare condition. Furthermore, the control circuitry can transmit control commands to the electric window cover, which will change the shading fabric (e.g., shading fabric 224) of the electric window cover to the determined shading position to remove the detected glare condition.

[0105] At position 532, the device can compare the illuminance change ΔE with the second illuminance change threshold -ΔE. TH2 The comparison is performed. If the illuminance change ΔE (e.g., a decrease) is less than or equal to the second illuminance change threshold -ΔE, then... TH2 (For example, indicating the sun's position makes it unlikely that glare will be detected), then at 534, the control circuit can adjust (e.g., reduce) the IP rate. For example, the second illuminance change threshold -ΔE TH2 It can be a fixed value or a variable value, which can be determined as the current illuminance E. 当前 Functions, for example, -ΔE TH2 =-β·E 当前 , where β is a predetermined constant, such as 0.10 or 10%.

[0106] At point 532, the illuminance change ΔE is compared with the second illuminance change threshold -ΔE. TH2 After comparison, image processing at 530, and / or IP rate adjustment at 534, the control circuit at 536 can adjust the previous illuminance E. 先前 Set to equal to the current illuminance E 当前 As described in this article, the previous illuminance E 先前 It can be used to predict the likelihood of detecting glare. For example, the previous illuminance E 先前 It can be used in a later call to program 500 to determine the change in illuminance ΔE (e.g., at 524).

[0107] Figure 6This is an example of a non-distorted image 600 that can be used to detect glare conditions. The non-distorted image 600 may include one or more pixels (e.g., pixel 610, pixel 608) indicating glare sources. For example, glare sources indicated by pixels 608 and 610 may be caused by reflections of sunlight on a small surface, ripples in water, and / or raindrops on a window. As described herein, pixels 608 and 610 may be referred to as washed-out pixels (e.g., overexposed pixels). Washed-out pixels can be used to indicate the location of glare conditions. A visible light sensor and / or a system controller may perform image processing on image 600 to detect glare conditions. For example, image processing may include searching for washed-out pixels to detect the location of glare conditions.

[0108] Figure 7 This is an exemplary program 700 that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor (e.g., the control circuitry 310 of the visible light sensor 300 and / or the image processor 322) to use image processing to detect glare conditions and / or determine the location of glare sources. Program 700 can be executed periodically (e.g., for use in...). Figure 4 The IP rate and / or used in the program 400 shown Figure 5 The program 500 shown is executed periodically at a PS rate. Program 700 can also be controlled by the control circuitry of one or more other devices (such as a system controller). Figure 1 The system controller 110 shown executes the program. For example, program 700 can be executed on a single device (such as a visible light sensor) or distributed across multiple devices (such as an image processor and a system controller). As described herein, the visible light sensor may include visible light sensing circuitry (e.g., visible light sensing circuitry 320) and photoelectric sensor circuitry (e.g., photoelectric sensor circuitry 360) capable of detecting the illuminance of light illuminating the visible light sensor. Program 700 can be combined with... Figure 4 The program 400 and / or shown Figure 5 The program 500 shown (e.g., at step 530 of program 500 and / or at step 416 of program 400) is executed.

[0109] like Figure 7 As shown, program 700 can begin at 710 (e.g., at...). Figure 4 At position 416 of the program 400 shown and / or at Figure 5(See step 530 of procedure 500 shown). Glare conditions can be detected by capturing an image at a specific exposure time (e.g., shutter speed). For example, capturing an image at a specific exposure time may cause pixels above a certain brightness value to appear white. After capturing an image at the corresponding exposure time, a visible light sensor can detect the glare condition and / or determine the location of the glare source (e.g., profile angle) based on the location of the whitened pixels. Images can be captured at different exposure times to determine the location of the glare source due to different types of glare conditions (e.g., large glare condition, small glare condition, absolute glare condition, and / or contrast glare condition). For example, an exposure time T based on contrast... 曝光-对比度 It can be used to detect the location of glare sources due to contrast glare conditions (e.g., relative glare conditions), and the absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 It can be used to detect the location of glare sources due to absolute glare conditions. Absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 The exposure time T can be fixed and based on the contrast. 曝光-对比度 It can be variable. Absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 Adjustments can be made, for example, using configuration software running on a programming device (e.g., mobile device 190). Determining the exposure rate of the captured image before capturing it allows the visible light sensor to detect glare conditions and / or to detect the location of glare sources by processing (e.g., processing only) a single image of the room. This allows for a reduction in the amount of image processing performed by the visible light sensor, thus reducing the amount of power and / or resources used on the visible light sensor. Furthermore, capturing the image at a determined exposure rate allows the control circuitry to process the image in the same manner, regardless of the type of glare condition present.

[0110] At position 712, the control circuit can use the current illuminance E. 当前 To calculate the exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 As described in this article, the current illuminance E 当前 It can be based on the illuminance signal V E To determine (for example, as in) Figure 5 The procedure 500 shown is defined at point 514 and / or at... Figure 4 The illuminance signal (determined at 414 of the procedure 400 shown) can be generated from the photoelectric sensor circuit. The contrast-based exposure time T is calculated at 712. 曝光-对比度 It can be used to capture images that can be used to detect contrast glare conditions and / or determine the location of a glare source due to contrast glare conditions (e.g., by whitening pixels at the location of the glare source). For example, at a contrast-based exposure time T 曝光-对比度The captured image can whiten pixels with brightness values ​​greater than or equal to a threshold. Furthermore, whitened pixels can indicate the location of contrast glare conditions. For example, control circuitry can use the current illuminance E as a reference. 当前 The function is used to calculate the exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 (For example, T) 曝光-对比度 =C*E 当前 +C0, where C and C0 are constants). Exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 Can be compared with the current illuminance E 当前 Proportional (e.g., exposure time T based on contrast) 曝光-对比度 It can be adjusted according to the current illuminance E 当前 (Increases with the increase of contrast). Furthermore, or alternatively, the exposure time T is based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 It can be inversely proportional to the brightness of the washed-out pixel (for example, the longer the exposure time, the lower the level of pixel washing-out).

[0111] At 714, the calculated contrast-based exposure time T 曝光-对比度 Can be compared with absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 Comparisons are made to determine the exposure time for recording the image (e.g., a single LDR image) to detect glare and / or determine the location of the glare source. If a contrast-based exposure time T is used... 曝光-对比度 To capture an image, the washed-out pixels can be used to identify the location of the glare source by contrasting the glare conditions. If the absolute exposure time T is used... 曝光-绝对 When an image is captured, the washed-out pixels can identify the location of the glare source due to the absolute glare conditions. This is achieved by determining an appropriate exposure time (e.g., absolute exposure time T) before recording the image. 曝光-绝对 Or exposure time T based on contrast 曝光-对比度 Visible light sensors can capture images (e.g., a single LDR image) in a single exposure time to detect the location of glare sources due to either absolute or relative glare conditions. If the exposure time T is based on contrast at 714... 曝光-对比度 Less than absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 If this is the case, then absolute glare may be occurring, and the control circuit at 716 can use the absolute exposure time T. 曝光-绝对 To record the image. If the exposure time T is based on contrast at 714... 曝光-对比度 Greater than or equal to the absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 If this is the case, then contrast glare may be occurring, and at 716 the control circuit can use the calculated contrast-based exposure time T. 曝光-对比度 To record images.

[0112] After capturing an image with an appropriate exposure time, the control circuitry can process the image to detect glare and / or determine the location of the glare source. The control circuitry can begin processing pixels at a position relative to the fully closed position of the power window cover. For example, if the power window cover is at the top of the window and the blackout fabric is lowered towards the bottom of the window (e.g., to the fully closed position), the control circuitry can begin processing the image from the bottom. At 720, the control circuitry can begin at the pixel at the bottom of the image. At 722, the control circuitry can process the i-th pixel of the image, which could be the first pixel in the bottom row of pixels in the image, to check for glare. At 724, the control circuitry can determine if the current pixel (e.g., the i-th pixel) is washed out. For example, the control circuitry can determine if the luminance value of the i-th pixel is equal to 100 and / or if the luminance values ​​of the red, green, and blue content (e.g., RGB values) are all at maximum luminance values ​​(e.g., the maximum luminance value of a pixel in the image, such as 255). If the control circuit determines at 724 that a pixel is not glaring, then at 726 the control circuit can determine whether the image includes more unprocessed pixels. If the image includes more unprocessed pixels, then at 728 the control circuit can move to the next pixel and then process the next pixel at 722. The control circuit can continue processing the remaining pixels in the image to determine the lowest glaring pixel in the image (e.g., the pixel with the highest brightness value in the image). If the image does not include more unprocessed pixels, then at step 730 the control circuit can determine that no glare condition is detected in the image and can transmit a command to open the electric window top at 732 before program 700 can exit.

[0113] If the control circuitry determines a pixel is washed out at 724, it can determine the presence of glare at 734. As described herein, the pixel determined to be washed out at 724 could be the lowest washed-out pixel in the image (e.g., the pixel with the highest luminance value in the image). Then, at 736, the control circuitry can calculate the profile angle of the i-th pixel. As described herein, the profile angle can indicate the location of the detected glare source outside the room. At 738, the control circuitry can determine, based on the profile angle, the shading position to be controlled for the motorized window cover. For example, determining the shading position based on the profile angle could allow the motorized window cover to block the glare source from the view of the room occupant, thus preventing glare inside the room. After determining the shading position at 738, the control circuitry can transmit a blackout curtain control command to the motorized window cover at 738. For example, blackout curtain control commands may include control instructions to move the appliance on the motorized window to block glare sources (e.g., as indicated by the i-th pixel position in the image) from the view of the room occupant. Alternatively, after determining the blackout position at 738, the control circuitry may transmit an open or close command.

[0114] although Figure 7 Described as using an electric window cover as a daylight control device, other daylight control devices, such as controllable dynamic glass, may also be used. The dynamic glass may include one or more horizontal bands (e.g., zones) that can be controlled between a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state, and the dynamic glass can be controlled to a low transmittance state to remove (e.g., block) glare. After calculating the profile angle at 736, the control circuitry can determine the bands associated with the determined profile angle and transmit control commands to control all bands above the determined bands to a low transmittance state to remove glare.

[0115] Figure 8 This is an exemplary program 800 that can be executed by the control circuitry of a visible light sensor (e.g., the control circuitry 310 of the visible light sensor 300 and / or the image processor 322) to use image processing to detect glare conditions and / or determine the location of glare sources. Program 800 can be executed periodically (e.g., for use in...). Figure 4 The IP rate and / or used in the program 400 shown Figure 5 The program 500 shown is executed periodically at the PS rate. Program 800 can also be controlled by the control circuitry of one or more other devices (such as a system controller). Figure 1The system controller 110 shown in the diagram executes the program. For example, program 800 can be executed on a single device (such as a visible light sensor) or distributed across multiple devices (such as an image processor and a system controller). As described herein, the visible light sensor may include visible light sensing circuitry (e.g., visible light sensing circuitry 320) and photoelectric sensor circuitry (e.g., photoelectric sensor circuitry 360) capable of detecting the illuminance of light illuminating the visible light sensor. Program 800 can be combined with... Figure 4 The program 400 and / or shown Figure 5 The procedure 500 shown is executed (e.g., at step 530 of procedure 500 and / or at step 416 of procedure 400).

[0116] like Figure 8 As shown, program 800 may begin at 810 (e.g., at...). Figure 4 At position 416 of the program 400 shown and / or at Figure 5 (See step 530 of procedure 500 shown). Glare conditions can be detected by capturing an image at a specific exposure time (e.g., shutter speed). For example, capturing an image at a specific exposure time may cause pixels above a certain brightness value to appear white. After capturing an image at the corresponding exposure time, a visible light sensor can detect the glare condition and / or determine the location of the glare source (e.g., profile angle) based on the location of the whitened pixels. Images can be captured at different exposure times to determine the location of the glare source due to different types of glare conditions (e.g., absolute glare conditions and / or contrast glare conditions). For example, an exposure time T based on contrast... 曝光-对比度 It can be used to detect the location of glare sources due to contrast glare conditions (e.g., relative glare conditions), and the absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 It can be used to detect the location of glare sources due to absolute glare conditions. Absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 It can be fixed and / or it can depend on the resolution of the image being processed. Exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 It can be variable. Determining the exposure rate of the captured image before capturing it allows the visible light sensor to detect glare conditions and / or the location of glare sources by processing (e.g., processing only) a single image and / or only a few images. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of image processing performed by the visible light sensor, thus reducing the amount of power and / or resources used on the visible light sensor.

[0117] At position 812, the control circuit can use the current illuminance E. 当前 To calculate the exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 As described in this article, the current illuminance E 当前 It can be based on (for example, as in) Figure 5The procedure 500 shown is defined at point 514 and / or at... Figure 4 The illuminance signal V is determined at point 414 of the procedure 400 shown. E It is confirmed that this illuminance signal can be generated from the photoelectric sensor circuit. The exposure time T based on contrast was calculated at 812. 曝光-对比度 It can be used to capture images that can be used to detect contrast glare conditions and / or determine the location of a glare source due to contrast glare conditions (e.g., by whitening the pixels at the location of the glare source). For example, at a contrast-based exposure time T 曝光-对比度 Capturing an image can cause pixels with brightness values ​​greater than or equal to a threshold to appear white. Furthermore, whitened pixels can indicate the location of contrast glare conditions. For example, control circuitry can use the current illuminance E as a reference point. 当前 The function calculates the exposure time T based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 (For example, T) 曝光-对比度 =C*E 当前 +C0, where C and C0 are constants). Alternatively, the control circuit can calculate the contrast-based exposure time T based on the image resolution and / or the type of glare condition the control circuit is attempting to detect (e.g., the constants C and C0 may depend on the image resolution and / or the type of glare condition detected). 曝光-对比度 As described in this article, the exposure time T is based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 Can be compared with the current illuminance E 当前 Proportional (e.g., exposure time T) 曝光-对比度 It can be adjusted according to the current illuminance E 当前 (Increases with the increase of contrast). Furthermore, or alternatively, the exposure time T is based on contrast. 曝光-对比度 It can be inversely proportional to the brightness of the washed-out pixel (for example, the longer the exposure time, the lower the level of pixel washing-out).

[0118] At 814, the calculated contrast-based exposure time T 曝光-对比度 Can be compared with absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 Comparisons are made to determine the exposure time for recording the image (e.g., a single LDR image) to detect glare conditions and / or to determine the location of glare sources at the image's current resolution. If a contrast-based exposure time T is used... 曝光-对比度 To capture an image, the washed-out pixels can be used to identify the location of the glare source by contrasting the glare conditions. If absolute contrast time T is used... 曝光-绝对 To capture an image, the washed-out pixels of the image can identify the location of the glare source due to the absolute glare conditions. As described in this article, a constant can be used to determine T. 曝光-对比度 .

[0119] If the exposure time T is based on contrast at 814... 曝光-对比度Less than absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 If this is the case, then absolute glare may be occurring, and the control circuit at 816 can use the absolute exposure time T. 曝光-绝对 To record the image. If the exposure time T is based on contrast... 曝光-对比度 Greater than or equal to T 曝光-绝对 If this is the case, then contrast glare may be occurring, and at 816 the control circuit can use the calculated contrast-based exposure time T. 曝光-对比度 The control circuit can record images at a desired resolution of 816 or 818. For example, the control circuit can use a low resolution to record images at 816 or 818 to detect large glare sources. Conversely, the control circuit can use a high resolution to record images at 816 or 818 to detect small glare sources.

[0120] After capturing an image with an appropriate exposure time, the control circuitry can process the image to detect glare and / or determine the location of the glare source. The control circuitry can begin processing a group of pixels at a position relative to the fully closed position of the power window cover. For example, if the power window cover is at the top of the window and the blackout fabric is lowered towards the bottom of the window (e.g., to the fully closed position), the control circuitry can begin processing the image from the bottom. At 820, the control circuitry can begin at the bottom pixel of the image. At 822, the control circuitry can process the i-th pixel of the image, which may be the first pixel in the bottom row of pixels, to check for glare. At 824, the control circuitry can determine if the current pixel (e.g., the i-th pixel) is washed out. For example, the control circuitry can determine if the luminance value of the i-th pixel is equal to 100 and / or if the luminance values ​​(e.g., RGB values) of the red, green, and blue content are all at their maximum values ​​(e.g., 255). If the control circuitry determines at 824 that the pixel is not washed out, then at 826 the control circuitry can determine if the image includes more unprocessed pixels. If there are more unprocessed pixels in the image, the control circuit can move to the next pixel at 828. If the image does not contain more unprocessed pixels, the control circuit can determine that no glare condition is detected in the image. If the control circuit determines that a pixel is whitened at 824, the control circuit can determine that a glare condition exists at 830, which may include storing (e.g., storing in memory) the location of the glare condition (e.g., the location of the i-th pixel).

[0121] like Figure 8As shown and further described herein, program 800 can capture and / or process images at multiple resolutions. For example, different resolutions can be used to detect different types of glare conditions (e.g., large glare conditions and / or small glare conditions). For instance, the control circuitry can use a low resolution (e.g., minimum resolution) to record images to detect large glare sources, a high resolution (e.g., maximum resolution) to record images to detect small glare sources, and / or a resolution between low and high resolution to record images to detect glare sources of other sizes. Absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 and contrast-based exposure time T 曝光-对比度 The value can be different and / or can be adjusted based on the resolution of the image to detect glare and / or determine the location of the glare source. For example, it can be used to calculate the contrast-based exposure time T. 曝光-对比度 The constants (e.g., constants C and C0) can depend on the resolution of the image being processed.

[0122] At 834, the control circuitry can determine whether procedure 800 has been completed. For example, at 834, the control circuitry can determine that procedure 800 has not been completed in order to detect glare conditions of different sizes. The control circuitry can then calculate the contrast-based exposure time T at 812 using appropriate values ​​of constants C and C0, based on the expected resolution of the image to be processed (e.g., processing at 822). 曝光-对比度 For example, based on the expected resolution of the image to be processed, at 812, the control circuit can retrieve appropriate values ​​of constants C and C0 from memory. At 814, the control circuit can then calculate the contrast-based exposure time T. 曝光-对比度 With absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 The comparison is made, where the absolute exposure time T 曝光-绝对 The value can be retrieved from memory and may depend on the resolution of the image to be processed. At 816 or 818, the control circuitry can record the image using an appropriate exposure time. For example, at 816 or 818, the control circuitry can record the image using the desired resolution (e.g., the control circuitry can record the image at high resolution the first time 816 or 818 is executed, and then record the image at low resolution the second time 816 or 818 is executed). Alternatively, the control circuitry can record the image at a fixed resolution (e.g., high resolution) at 816 or 818, and then reduce the resolution of the image to another resolution (e.g., low resolution) before processing the image at 822.

[0123] If the control circuitry determines at 834 that procedure 800 is complete, it can determine at 836 whether any glare condition has been detected (e.g., for any execution at 824, whether any whitening pixels exist at 824). For example, the control circuitry can determine whether any glare condition has been detected by querying memory (e.g., retrieving from memory the location of one or more pixels that may indicate a glare condition). At 838, the control circuitry can determine at 836 the lowest pixel among those retrieved from memory. At 840, the control circuitry can process the lowest pixel indicating the glare condition to remove it. For example, the control circuitry can process the pixel to remove the glare condition by performing one or more of the following: calculating the profile angle of the pixel with the glare condition, determining a shading position based on the profile angle, transmitting a blackout curtain control command including control instructions indicating the shading position to the power window fixture, transmitting an open command to the power window fixture, and / or transmitting a close command to the power window fixture. Furthermore, processing the pixel to remove the glare condition may include steps similar to steps 734, 736, and / or 738 of procedure 700. Alternatively, processing pixels to remove glare conditions may include controlling each of the bands of the controllable dynamic glass above the detected glare condition to a low transmittance state.

[0124] Figure 9A This is a sequence diagram 900 illustrating communication between control devices during an exemplary anti-glare procedure. (See diagram 900.) Figure 9A As seen in the diagram, the anti-glare procedure can be performed by a visible light sensor 902 (e.g., visible light sensors 182, 300) and an electric window cover 904 (e.g., an electric roller blind 220). At 910, the visible light sensor 902 can record an image of the exterior of the room and / or building. At 912, the visible light sensor can process the image to detect glare conditions. For example, the detection of glare conditions may include one or more steps from procedures 400, 500, 700, and / or 800.

[0125] If glare is detected, the visible light sensor 902 can determine the profile angle of the glare at 914. As described herein, the profile angle can be defined at the window (e.g., Figure 2 The visible light sensor 902 can include a lookup table to determine the profile angle, based on the location of the detected glare source outside the window 202. The profile angle can be determined based on the location of the detected glare source (e.g., a pixel in the image recorded at 910).

[0126] At 916, the visible light sensor 902 can determine the shading position for the motorized window cover 904. The shading position can prevent glare conditions from affecting the room (e.g., room 102 and / or space 200). For example, the shading fabric can be positioned such that it blocks light from a glare source represented by a pixel that detects glare. At 918, the shading position can be transmitted to the motorized window cover 904. After receiving the shading position, the motorized window cover can move the shading fabric to the indicated position at 920.

[0127] Figure 9B This is a sequence diagram 950 illustrating communication between control devices during an exemplary anti-glare procedure. (See diagram 950.) Figure 9B As seen in the diagram, the anti-glare procedure can be performed by a visible light sensor 952 (e.g., visible light sensors 182, 300), a system controller 954 (e.g., system controller 110), and an electric window cover 956 (e.g., electric roller blind 220). At 958, the visible light sensor 952 can record an image of the exterior of the room and / or building. At 960, the visible light sensor can process the image to detect glare conditions. For example, the detection of glare conditions may include one or more steps from procedures 400, 500, 600, and / or 700.

[0128] If glare is detected, the visible light sensor 952 can determine the profile angle of the glare at 962. As described herein, the profile angle can be defined at the window (e.g., Figure 2 The visible light sensor 952 can include a lookup table to determine the profile angle, based on the location of the detected glare source outside the window 202. The profile angle can be determined based on the location of the detected glare source (e.g., a pixel in the image recorded at 958).

[0129] At 964, the visible light sensor 952 can transmit the profile angle to the system controller 954. At 966, the system controller 954 can determine the shading position of the motorized window cover 956. For example, the shading fabric can be positioned such that it blocks light from a glare source represented by a pixel that detects glare. At 968, the system controller 954 can transmit the shading position to the motorized window cover 956. After receiving the shading position, the motorized window cover can move the shading fabric to the indicated position at 970. Although the visible light sensor 952 is shown processing an image, the system controller 954 can also, or alternatively, perform image processing after the visible light sensor 952 generates an image.

[0130] Figure 10This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system controller 1000 (such as system controller 110 described herein). System controller 1000 may include control circuitry 1002 for controlling the functions of system controller 1000. Control circuitry 1002 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. Control circuitry 1002 may perform signal encoding, data processing, image processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function that enables system controller 1000 to perform as described herein. Control circuitry 1002 may store information in and / or retrieve information from memory 1004. Memory 1004 may include non-removable memory and / or removable memory. Non-removable memory may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage device. Removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory stick, memory card, or any other type of removable memory.

[0131] System controller 1000 may include communication circuitry 1006 for transmitting and / or receiving information. Communication circuitry 1006 can perform wireless and / or wired communication. System controller 1000 may also, or alternatively, include communication circuitry 1008 for transmitting and / or receiving information. Communication circuitry 1006 can perform wireless and / or wired communication. Communication circuitry 1006 and 1008 can communicate with control circuitry 1002. Communication circuitry 1006 and 1008 may include RF transceivers or other communication modules capable of performing wireless communication via an antenna. Communication circuitry 1006 and communication circuitry 1008 may be able to communicate via the same communication channel or different communication channels. For example, communication circuitry 1006 may be able to communicate via a wireless communication channel (e.g., Near Field Communication (NFC) The communication circuit 1008 may communicate via another wireless communication channel (e.g., cellular devices, via a network, etc.) and the communication circuit 1008 may also communicate via another wireless communication channel (e.g., Or proprietary communication channels, such as Clear ) to communicate (e.g., with control devices and / or other devices in the load control system).

[0132] Control circuitry 1002 can communicate with LED indicator 1012 to provide indications to the user. Control circuitry 1002 can also communicate with actuator 1014 (e.g., one or more buttons) that can be actuated by the user to transmit user selections to control circuitry 1002. For example, actuator 1014 can be actuated to put control circuitry 1002 into an associated mode and / or transmit associated messages from system controller 1000.

[0133] Each module within the system controller 1000 can be powered by the power supply 1010. The power supply 1010 may include, for example, an AC power supply or a DC power supply. The power supply 1010 can generate a supply voltage V for powering the modules within the system controller 1000. CC .

[0134] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control target device (e.g., load control device 1100, as described herein). Load control device 1100 may be a dimmer switch, electronic switch, electronic ballast for a lamp, LED driver for an LED light source, AC plug-in load control device, temperature control device (e.g., thermostat), motor drive unit for power window covers, or other load control device. Load control device 1100 may include communication circuitry 1102. Communication circuitry 1102 may include a receiver, RF transceiver, or other communication module capable of performing wired and / or wireless communication via communication link 1110. Communication circuitry 1102 may communicate with control circuitry 1104. Control circuitry 1104 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. Control circuitry 1104 may perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functions that enable load control device 1100 to perform as described herein.

[0135] Control circuit 1104 may store information in and / or retrieve information from memory 1106. For example, memory 1106 may maintain a registry of associated control devices and / or control instructions. Memory 1106 may include non-removable memory and / or removable memory. Load control circuit 1108 may receive instructions from control circuit 1104 and may control electrical load 1116 based on the received instructions. For example, electrical load 1116 may control power window appliances (e.g., power window appliance 150). Load control circuit 1108 may send status feedback regarding the status of electrical load 1116 to control circuit 1104. Load control circuit 1108 may receive power via thermal connection 1112 and neutral connection 1114 and may supply a certain amount of power to electrical load 1116. Electrical load 1116 may include any type of electrical load.

[0136] Control circuit 1104 may communicate with actuator 1118 (e.g., one or more buttons), which may be actuated by a user to transmit user selection to control circuit 1104. For example, actuator 1118 may be actuated to put control circuit 1104 into associated mode and / or transmit associated messages from load control device 1100.

[0137] Although features and elements are described herein in specific combinations, each feature or element may also be used alone or in any combination with other features and elements. For example, the functions described herein may be described as being performed by a control device (such as a remote control device or a lighting device), but may similarly be performed by a hub device or a network device. The methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted via a wired or wireless connection) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), removable magnetic disks, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile discs (DVDs).

[0138] While the methods described herein are based on controls for motorized window coverings (e.g., motorized window covering 150 and / or motorized roller blind 220) used to prevent glare, these methods can be used to control other types of daylight control devices to prevent and / or mitigate glare. For example, the methods described herein can be used to control the transmittance of controllable dynamic glass (e.g., smart glass and / or electrochromic glass) and / or adjust the position of indoor or outdoor controllable blinds to prevent and / or mitigate glare. For instance, dynamic glass may include one or more horizontal bands (e.g., zones) that can be controlled individually or across each horizontal band between a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. Dynamic glass can be controlled to a low transmittance state to remove (e.g., block) glare. Dynamic glass can be controlled in each band, similar to blackout curtains controlling motorized window coverings as described herein. The bands of dynamic glass controlled to a low transmittance state can be determined based on a determined profile angle of the glare source. For example, each band above the band determined by the defined profile angle based on the glare source can be controlled to a low transmittance state.

Claims

1. A device for detecting glare conditions, the device comprising: A photoelectric sensing circuit configured to generate an illuminance signal indicating the current illuminance value of light illuminating the photoelectric sensing circuit; A visible light sensing circuit, configured to record an image at a certain image processing rate to detect glare. as well as Control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: Receive the illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit. The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal. The image processing rate is adjusted for glare detection based on the current illuminance value, which indicates a higher or lower probability of detecting glare in the image, determined according to the illuminance signal. Glare conditions are detected at the adjusted image processing rate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to: The change in illuminance value is determined based on the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value; and The change in illuminance value is compared with an illuminance change threshold, wherein when the change in illuminance value is greater than or equal to the illuminance change threshold, the image processing rate is adjusted based on the change in illuminance value.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to compare the current illuminance value with an illuminance threshold, wherein when the current illuminance value is less than the illuminance threshold, the control circuit adjusts the image processing rate to zero so that the visible light sensing circuit stops recording an image.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: A communication circuit configured to transmit signals; The control circuit is further configured to transmit control commands via the communication circuit based on the image recorded by the visible light sensing circuit.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control command is configured to control the daylight control device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the daylight control device is an electric window cover, and wherein the control command is configured to control the shading position of the electric window cover.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sunlight control device is a controllable dynamic glass.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the current illuminance value based on the illuminance signal at the photoelectric sensing rate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to process one or more images recorded by the visible light sensing circuitry at an adjusted image processing rate to determine whether the glare condition is detected in the images, wherein the image processing rate is configured to decrease in response to the possibility that the current illuminance value indicates a glare condition lower than a previous illuminance value, and the image processing rate is configured to increase in response to the possibility that the current illuminance value indicates a glare condition higher than the previous illuminance value.

10. An apparatus for detecting glare conditions, the apparatus comprising: A photoelectric sensing circuit configured to generate an illuminance signal indicating the current illuminance value of light illuminating the photoelectric sensing circuit; Visible light sensing circuit, the visible light sensing circuit being configured to record images; as well as Control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: The illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit is sampled. The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal. The contrast-based exposure time for detecting the glare condition is determined based on the current illuminance value. Images are recorded using the contrast-based exposure time via the visible light sensing circuit, and The image is processed to detect the glare condition in the image.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the contrast-based exposure time is greater than or equal to the absolute exposure time.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to record the image using the contrast-based exposure time when the contrast-based exposure time is greater than the absolute exposure time, and to record the image using the absolute exposure time when the contrast-based exposure time is less than the absolute exposure time.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the contrast-based exposure time for detecting the glare condition, such that washed-out pixels of the image indicate the glare condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the position of a glare source in the image by determining the position of the lowest whitish pixel in the image, wherein the lowest whitish pixel in the image has maximum luminance.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate control commands based on the position of the lowest pixel in the image having the maximum luminance.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry is configured to process each pixel in the image from the bottom to the top of the image until a pixel is identified as having a brightness greater than or equal to the maximum brightness.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a communication circuit, wherein the control circuit is further configured to transmit control commands via the communication circuit based on the image recorded by the visible light sensing circuit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control command is configured to control the daylight control device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the daylight control device is an electric window cover, wherein the control command indicates the light-blocking position of the electric window cover.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sunlight control device is a controllable dynamic glass.

21. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically sample the illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit at a photoelectric sensing rate.

22. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the visible light sensing circuit is configured to periodically record images at a certain image processing rate.

23. An apparatus for detecting glare conditions, the apparatus comprising: A photoelectric sensing circuit configured to generate an illuminance signal indicating the current illuminance value of light illuminating the photoelectric sensing circuit; Visible light sensing circuit, the visible light sensing circuit being configured to record images; as well as Control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: Receive the illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit. The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal, and When the illuminance change exceeds a threshold, the visible light sensing circuit records one or more images; The image processing rate is adjusted for glare detection based on the current illuminance value, which indicates a higher or lower probability of detecting glare in the image, as determined by the illuminance signal. as well as The one or more images recorded by the visible light sensing circuit are processed at the adjusted image processing rate to determine whether the glare condition is detected.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the control circuitry is configured to calculate the difference between the current illuminance and the previous illuminance to determine the illuminance change.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed by at least one control circuit, direct said at least one control circuit: Images are processed at a certain image processing rate to detect glare. Receive an illuminance signal, wherein the illuminance signal indicates the current illuminance value; The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal; as well as The image processing rate is adjusted for detecting glare based on the current illuminance value, which indicates a higher or lower probability of detecting glare in the image, determined according to the illuminance signal.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions stored thereon further direct the at least one control circuit when executed: The change in illuminance value is determined based on the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value; and The change in illuminance value is compared with an illuminance change threshold, wherein when the change in illuminance value is greater than or equal to the illuminance change threshold, the image processing rate is adjusted based on the change in illuminance value.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions stored thereon, when executed, further instruct the at least one control circuit to compare the current illuminance value with an illuminance threshold, wherein when the current illuminance value is less than the illuminance threshold, the control circuit adjusts the image processing rate to zero so that the visible light sensing circuit stops recording an image.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed by at least one control circuit, direct said at least one control circuit: The illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit is sampled; The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal; The contrast-based exposure time for detecting glare is determined based on the current illuminance value. The image is recorded using the contrast-based exposure time; as well as The image is processed to determine whether the glare condition is detected in the image.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions stored thereon, when executed, further direct the at least one control circuitry to determine the contrast-based exposure time for detecting the glare condition, such that washed-out pixels of the image indicate the glare condition.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed by at least one control circuit, direct the at least one control circuit: Receive illuminance signals from the photoelectric sensing circuit; The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal; Determine that the change in illuminance exceeds the threshold; In response to determining that the illuminance change exceeds the threshold, the visible light sensing circuit records at least one image; as well as The at least one image recorded by the visible light sensing circuit is processed to determine whether a glare condition is detected.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the instructions stored thereon, when executed, further instruct the at least one control circuitry to calculate the difference between the current illuminance and the previous illuminance to determine the illuminance change.

32. A method for detecting glare conditions, the method comprising: Images are processed at a certain image processing rate to detect glare. Receive an illuminance signal, wherein the illuminance signal indicates the current illuminance value; Determine the current illuminance value based on the illuminance signal; as well as The image processing rate is adjusted for detecting glare based on the current illuminance value, which indicates a higher or lower probability of detecting glare in the image, determined according to the illuminance signal.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: The change in illuminance value is determined based on the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value; as well as The change in illuminance value is compared with an illuminance change threshold, wherein when the change in illuminance value is greater than or equal to the illuminance change threshold, the image processing rate is adjusted based on the change in illuminance value.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising comparing the current illuminance value with an illuminance threshold, wherein when the current illuminance value is less than the illuminance threshold, the method further comprises adjusting the image processing rate to zero to cause the visible light sensing circuit to stop recording an image.

35. A method for detecting glare conditions, the method comprising: The illuminance signal from the photoelectric sensing circuit is sampled; The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal; The contrast-based exposure time for detecting the glare condition is determined based on the current illuminance value. The image is recorded using the contrast-based exposure time; as well as The image is processed to detect the glare condition in the image.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising determining the contrast-based exposure time for detecting the glare condition, such that washed-out pixels of the image indicate the glare condition.

37. A method for detecting glare conditions, the method comprising: Receive illuminance signals from the photoelectric sensing circuit; The current illuminance value is determined based on the illuminance signal; Determine that the change in illuminance exceeds the threshold; In response to determining that the illuminance change exceeds the threshold, the visible light sensing circuit records one or more images; The image processing rate is adjusted for glare detection based on the current illuminance value, which indicates a higher or lower probability of detecting glare in the image, as determined by the illuminance signal. as well as The image processing rate is used to process the one or more images recorded by the visible light sensing circuit to determine whether the glare condition is detected.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising calculating the difference between the current illuminance and the previous illuminance to determine the illuminance change.

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