System, method, and computer program product for controlling a lighting system

Abstract

A system (1) for controlling a lighting system (11) is configured to receive user input indicating a request to activate a query mode and transmit a command to the lighting system. The command instructs the lighting system to temporarily disable control of a lighting device (31-35) by a light control device (21-23). The system is further configured to receive control information from the lighting system. The control information describes a user interaction with the light control device and / or describes a function corresponding to the user interaction. The system is further configured to present audio and / or visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user, for example on a display (9), and transmit a further command to the lighting system. The further command instructs the lighting system to enable control of the lighting device by the light control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for controlling a lighting system. The lighting system comprises a light control device and a lighting device. The light control device is used to control the lighting device.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a light control device and a lighting device, the light control device being configured to control the lighting device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform such a method. Background Art

[0004] As connected lighting becomes increasingly popular, more people will own multiple light control devices, and many of these devices will have multiple physical controls. Each light control device is typically programmable by its owner. In the Philips Hue system, each button is assigned to a room and can be programmed with multiple functions, such as scene cycling, switching lights on and off, and dimming. Users can have multiple of these buttons with different behaviors. WO 2018 / 007450A1 discloses an example of a programmable light control device.

[0005] WO 2018 / 007450 A1 discloses a method for programming rules for controlling lighting in each of one or more zones, each zone being occupied by a user. The rules specify how illumination emitted by an illumination source is to be controlled based on user interaction. After actuating an actuator in a zone, the user can select one or more illumination sources to be arranged to illuminate that zone, which are then programmed into memory as rules.

[0006] US 2015 / 373796 A1 discloses an LED driver that can be configured to match the voltage and / or current requirements of various LED loads, wherein a wireless remote controller can operate the LED driver.

[0007] On traditional remote controls, icons are often used to identify the functionality of each button, but this requires dedicated buttons or labels for each function, which is impractical for programmable buttons. Furthermore, it is possible to associate different functions with a single button and select one of the functions depending on how the button is pressed. For example, a button can be programmed to toggle a light source on / off with a single press, dim the light when held, and cycle through scenes with two presses.

[0008] The complexity of having multiple buttons with different functions can cause the user to be confused and use the wrong button or use the correct button in the wrong way (e.g., pressing the living room button twice to cycle through scenes because that functionality is programmed into the kitchen button and the living room button is programmed to dim the lights when pressed twice). Summary of the Invention

[0009] A first object of the present invention is to provide a system for assisting a user in using a light control device.

[0010] A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for assisting a user in using a light control device.

[0011] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for controlling a lighting system comprises a light control device and a lighting device, the light control device being used to control the lighting device, the system comprising at least one input interface, at least one output interface and at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to receive user input representing a request to activate a query mode via the at least one input interface, transmit a command to the lighting system via the at least one output interface, the command instructing the lighting system to temporarily disable the light control device's control of the lighting device, receive control information from the lighting system via the at least one input interface, the control information describing a user interaction with the light control device and / or describing a function corresponding to the user interaction, present audio and / or visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user via the at least one output interface, and transmit another command to the lighting system via the at least one output interface, the another command instructing the lighting system to enable the light control device's control of the lighting device.

[0012] The system helps a user understand the functionality of his light control device by allowing the user to activate a query mode in which he can use a physical control of the light control device to obtain information about the physical control without controlling the lighting device(s) associated with the physical control. The at least one processor can be configured to present the audio and / or visual information describing the functionality via a display and / or speaker of the mobile device, and / or a voice assistant. For example, the voice assistant can be accessed on the mobile device or on a smart speaker (such as Amazon Echo).

[0013] As a first example, a user may indicate to the system that he intends to inquire about the functionality of a button of a particular light control device. The system temporarily disables all physical controls of the particular light control device for controlling the associated lighting device, and presents information describing the functionality after the user interacts with the particular light control device (e.g., presses a button of the particular light control device).

[0014] As a second example, a user may not know which light control device they are looking at and may indicate that they want to query the functionality of an unknown button. The system temporarily disables all physical controls on all light control devices within a defined range (e.g., all devices in a room or home) that control the associated lighting devices, but other light control devices can still be used to control the associated lighting devices. After the system detects a user interaction with a light control device, it assumes that this is the light control device the user wants to query.

[0015] The command and the further command can be transmitted to the light control device, and the control information can be received from the light control device. This allows the system to work without an (optical) bridge. An alternative is to transmit the command and the further command to the bridge, and receive the control information from the bridge. This alternative allows the light control device to be simpler. For example, the light control device only needs to transmit control information describing a user interaction with the light control device to the bridge, without knowing what function is associated with this user interaction. In this case, for example, it is the bridge that converts the control information transmitted by the light control device into commands for one or more lighting devices, and the bridge can forward this control information to the system or transmit control information describing the function to the system.

[0016] The control information may include an identifier of the light-control device and a description of a user interaction with the light-control device, and the at least one processor may be configured to determine a description of the function based on the identifier and the description of the user interaction. This is beneficial if the control information does not include a description of the function.

[0017] The control information may describe a user interaction with a button or a rotary switch of the light control device and / or a function corresponding to the user interaction with the button or the rotary switch of the light control device.Buttons and rotary switches are often used on light control devices.

[0018] The lighting system may include a plurality of light control devices, and the at least one processor may be configured to determine a subset of the plurality of light control devices, the subset of light control devices including the light control device and configured to control a set of lighting devices including the lighting device, transmit one or more commands to the lighting system via the at least one output interface, the one or more commands instructing the lighting system to temporarily disable control of the set of lighting devices by the subset of light control devices, and transmit one or more further commands to the lighting system via the at least one output interface, the one or more further commands instructing the lighting system to enable control of the set of lighting devices by the subset of light control devices. By disabling control by only (strictly) a subset of light control devices, other light control devices may still be used in query mode, for example by other persons.

[0019] The at least one processor may be configured to determine the subset of the plurality of light control devices based on the user input.For example, a user may be able to select a subset from a list of network-initialized light control devices, for example in an application.

[0020] The at least one processor may be configured to determine the location of the user and, based on the location, determine the subset of the plurality of light control devices. This is beneficial if the user does not know which light control device he is looking at. Typically, the user will want information about the light control device(s) that are closest to him. If the location of the user is known, this may also be used to select on which device the audio and / or visual information describing the functionality corresponding to the user interaction is presented. For example, if a smart speaker (such as an Amazon Echo speaker) is in the same room as the user, the audio and / or visual information may be presented on the smart speaker. If not, the audio and / or visual information may be presented on the user's mobile phone, for example. Alternatively, for example, the closest device capable of presenting audio and / or visual information describing the functionality corresponding to the user interaction may be selected.

[0021] The at least one processor may be configured to start a timer upon receiving the user input and transmit the further command via the at least one output interface upon expiry of the timer.This allows the query mode to end automatically without requiring user interaction.

[0022] The at least one processor may be configured to receive, via the at least one input interface, a further user input representing a request to deactivate the query mode, and to transmit, via the at least one output interface, the further command upon receipt of the further user input. This allows a user to end the query mode earlier without having to wait for the query mode to end automatically, or this may be used instead of automatically ending the query mode.

[0023] The at least one processor can be configured to control another lighting device of the one or more lighting devices via the at least one output interface based on the received control information. This can be used to enhance the presentation of a functional description by demonstrating a light scene associated with an interactive / physical control on a subset of lighting devices associated with the light scene (e.g., one of the lighting devices) or on different lighting devices.

[0024] The at least one processor may be configured to display an animation demonstrating the function via the at least one output interface. For example, the at least one processor may be configured to display a virtual room via the at least one output interface, the virtual room including a virtual representation of the at least one lighting device and the animation superimposed on the virtual room. This enhances the presentation of the function description.

[0025] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a lighting system includes a light control device and a lighting device, the light control device being used to control the lighting device, the method comprising: receiving user input indicating a request to activate a query mode; transmitting a command to the lighting system, the command instructing the lighting system to temporarily disable control of at least one lighting device by the light control device; receiving control information from the lighting system, the control information describing a user interaction with the light control device and / or describing a function corresponding to the user interaction; presenting audio and / or visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user; and transmitting a further command to the lighting system, the further command instructing the lighting system to enable control of the lighting device by the light control device. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software may be provided as a computer program product.

[0026] Furthermore, a computer program for carrying out the method described herein and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are provided.For example, the computer program can be downloaded from or uploaded to an existing device, or stored when these systems are manufactured.

[0027] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at least one software code portion that, when executed or processed by a computer, is configured to perform executable operations for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system including a light control device and a lighting device, the light control device being used to control the lighting device.

[0028] The executable operations include: receiving user input representing a request to activate a query mode; transmitting a command to the lighting system, the command instructing the lighting system to temporarily disable the light control device's control of at least one lighting device; receiving control information from the lighting system, the control information describing a user interaction with the light control device and / or describing a function corresponding to the user interaction; presenting audio and / or visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user; and transmitting another command to the lighting system, the another command instructing the lighting system to enable the light control device's control of the lighting device.

[0029] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as devices, methods or computer program products. Thus, aspects of the present invention may take the form of complete hardware embodiments, complete software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or embodiments of combined software and hardware aspects, all of which may be collectively referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems." The functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as algorithms executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer. Additionally, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon (e.g., stored thereon).

[0030] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be utilized.Computer-readable media can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium.Computer-readable storage media can be, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.More specific examples of computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.In the context of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program used by an instruction execution system, device or equipment or used in combination with an instruction execution system, device or equipment.

[0031] A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal in which (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave) computer-readable program code is embodied. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and that can convey, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0032] The program code embodied in the computer-readable medium can use any appropriate medium---including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, cable, RF etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing---to transmit.The computer program code for implementing the operation of various aspects of the present invention can be written with any combination of one or more programming languages, and the one or more programming languages comprise object-oriented programming languages (such as Java (TM), Smalltalk, C++ etc.) and conventional process programming languages (such as " C " programming languages or similar programming languages).The program code can be executed on the user's computer completely, partly on the user's computer, executed as an independent software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or executed completely on a remote computer or server.In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer by any type of network including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can be connected (for example, by using the Internet of an Internet service provider) with an external computer.

[0033] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each frame of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams and the combination of frames in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device, particularly a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), to produce a machine so that instructions executed via the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing devices or other equipment create a component for implementing the function / action specified in one or more frames of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0034] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0035] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other devices to cause a series of operating steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide a process for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0036] The flow chart and block diagram in each figure illustrate the possible architecture, functionality and operation of the device, method and computer program product according to various embodiments of the present invention.In this regard, each frame in the flow chart or block diagram can represent a module, code segment or code portion, which includes one or more executable instructions for realizing (one or more) specified logical functions.It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the function marked in the frame may not appear in the order marked in each figure.For example, the two frames shown in succession can actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or these frames can sometimes be performed in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.It will also be noted that the combination of each frame in the block diagram and / or the flow chart diagram and the frame in the block diagram and / or the flow chart diagram can be realized by a system based on special-purpose hardware or a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions that performs a specified function or action. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the system;

[0039] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the method;

[0040] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the method;

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the method;

[0042] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the method of the present invention; and

[0043] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system is depicted.

[0044] Corresponding elements in the drawings are marked with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1An embodiment of a system for controlling a lighting system is shown: mobile device 1. Lighting system 11 includes light control devices 21-23, lighting devices 31-35, and a (light) bridge 16. For example, the lighting devices may be Philips Hue lighting devices, and the light control devices may be Philips Hue control devices. For example, light control device 21 may be a Philips Hue dimmer switch. For example, light control device 22 may be a Philips Hue tap switch. For example, light control device 23 may be a Philips Hue smart button.

[0046] Lighting devices 31-35 and light control devices 21-23 communicate with bridge 16 using, for example, Zigbee technology. Bridge 16 may be, for example, a Philips Hue bridge. Light control devices 21-23 control lighting devices 31-35 via bridge 16. Mobile device 1 can also control lighting devices 31-35 via wireless LAN access point 17 and bridge 16. Wireless LAN access point 17 is connected to the internet 15. Internet server 13 is also connected to the internet 15.

[0047] The mobile device 1 comprises a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5, a memory 7 and a touch screen display 9. The processor 5 is configured to receive a user input representing a request to activate the query mode via the touch screen display 9 and transmit a command to the lighting system 11 via the transmitter 4. The command instructs the lighting system 11 to temporarily disable the control of the lighting devices 31-35 by the light control devices 21-23 (or a subset thereof). Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment, the command is transmitted to the network bridge 16. In an alternative embodiment, the command is transmitted to each of (a subset of) the light control devices 21-23.

[0048] The processor 5 is further configured to receive control information describing a user interaction with the light control device and / or describing a function corresponding to the user interaction from the lighting system 11 via the receiver 3, and present visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user via the touch screen display 9. Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , control information is received from the bridge 16 .

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the control information is received directly from the light control device. If the control information does not include a description of the functionality corresponding to the user interaction, the control information may instead include an identifier of the light control device and a description of the user interaction with the light control device. Mobile device 1 may then, for example, transmit this information to server 13 and obtain a description of the functionality corresponding to the user interaction from server 13.

[0050] exist Figure 1In an embodiment, visual information is presented. In an alternative embodiment, the voice assistant receives user input from the user via voice, and the voice assistant presents audio information to the user describing the function corresponding to the user interaction. For example, the voice assistant can run on the mobile device 1 and use a speaker (not shown) of the mobile device 1 or other audio output of the mobile device 1 (not shown), or can run on a smart speaker (not shown).

[0051] The processor 5 is further configured to transmit a further command to the lighting system 11 via the transmitter 4. The further command instructs the lighting system 11 to enable the control of the lighting devices 31-35 by the light control devices 21-23. Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment, the command is transmitted to the network bridge 16. In an alternative embodiment, the command is transmitted to each of (a subset of) the light control devices 21-23.

[0052] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the mobile device 1 shown in FIG, the mobile device 1 includes a processor 5. In alternative embodiments, the mobile device 1 includes multiple processors. The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 can be a general-purpose processor (e.g., from ARM or Qualcomm), or can be a dedicated processor. The processor 5 of the mobile device 1 can run, for example, an Android or iOS operating system. The touch screen display 9 can include, for example, an LCD or OLED display panel. For example, the processor 5 can use the touch screen to provide a user interface. The memory 7 can include one or more memory units. For example, the memory 7 can include solid-state memory.

[0053] For example, the receiver 3 and transmitter 4 may use one or more wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), to communicate with the wireless LAN access point 17. In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in , a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 are combined into a transceiver. The mobile device 1 may include other components typical for mobile devices, such as a battery and a power connector. The present invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0054] exist Figure 1 In an embodiment, the system of the present invention is a mobile device. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention is a different device, such as a smart speaker. Figure 1 In an embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a single device. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a plurality of devices. Figure 1In an embodiment, the lighting system 11 comprises a bridge. In an alternative embodiment, the light control devices 21-23, the mobile device 1 and the lighting devices 31-35 communicate without a bridge, for example via Bluetooth.

[0055] Figure 2 A first embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is shown in FIG. The lighting system comprises a light control device and a lighting device. The light control device is for controlling the lighting device. Step 101 comprises receiving user input representing a request to activate a query mode. The user may be able to make the request explicitly, for example by giving a voice command to a voice assistant, “Alexa, what functionality is assigned to this tint control”. Alternatively, the same command may be given via a graphical user interface (e.g., in an application on a mobile device). In another embodiment, a dedicated physical control is used, for example, a button or one of the interactions (e.g., a press and hold for 5 seconds) may be assigned to trigger the query mode. The dedicated physical control may be a part of the light control device that the user wants to learn the functionality of a certain physical control. For example, the user may know which button of the light control device triggers the query mode, but may not know the functionality assigned to at least one of the other physical controls.

[0056] Step 103 includes transmitting a command to the lighting system, wherein the command instructs the lighting system to temporarily disable the control of the light control device over at least one lighting device.

[0057] Step 105 includes receiving control information from the lighting system. Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the control information includes an identifier of the light control device and a description of a user interaction with the light control device, such as a user interaction with a button or a rotary switch. Step 121 includes determining a description of a function corresponding to the user interaction based on the identifier of the light control device and the description of the user interaction.

[0058] For example, the description of the interaction may describe pressing a button (or more specifically, pressing once, twice, or holding) or rotating a knob by a certain amount. For example, the function may be turning a light source on / off, brightening and / or dimming, scene recall, or scene cycling. In alternative embodiments, the control information already describes the function corresponding to the user interaction.

[0059] Step 107 involves presenting audio and / or visual information to the user describing the function corresponding to the user interaction. After the light control device's controls are disabled, the user can try different functions assigned to the light control device, and instead of affecting the state of the lighting system, the user will be informed of what each interaction is doing. Depending on the modality, the information can be spoken, for example, after a single click—"A single click toggles the lights in the living room on and off," or displayed on the screen of the mobile device or any other screen that may be near the user and connected to the system.

[0060] Step 109 involves transmitting another command to the lighting system. This additional command instructs the lighting system to enable control of the lighting device by the light control device. After the user has received the desired information, the control needs to be re-enabled. Enabling can be triggered in a similar manner to a request, i.e., the user can explicitly indicate to the system that the control needs to return to normal operation. Alternatively, a timeout can be used; for example, the light control device can be re-enabled after being disabled for five minutes, or after one minute after the user stops requesting information (i.e., after using the disabled light control device).

[0061] Figure 3 A second embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is shown in FIG. In this second embodiment, the lighting system includes a plurality of light control devices. Step 101 comprises receiving user input indicating a request to activate a query mode. The user can indicate specific attributes or identities of one or more light control devices in the request so that only a subset of the light control devices need be disabled. For example, saying to the system, "Alexa, what function is assigned to this red button" may provide the system with enough information to identify which button the user is talking about. In the case of a smartphone app, the user may, for example, be able to select a specific control in the app or indicate the type of light control device, such as a button versus a dimmer switch.

[0062] Step 131 includes starting a timer upon receiving user input. For example, if no motion is detected within 30 seconds, the system may time out, all controls will be enabled again, and the system will return to its normal operation. The timer may alternatively be started later. For example, in an alternative embodiment, step 131 is performed between step 137 and step 105. Step 133 includes determining a (strict) subset of the plurality of light control devices. The subset of light control devices consists of fewer light control devices than the plurality of light control devices. The subset of light control devices is used to control the set of lighting devices.

[0063] exist Figure 3 In an embodiment, the subset is identified based on the user input received in step 101. In an alternative embodiment, the subset is identified based on any contextual information that the system can collect at that moment, such as the user's location, the list of light-control device(s) assigned to that location, and / or the light-control device(s) location. Preferably, only one light-control device is disabled.

[0064] Step 137 includes transmitting one or more commands to the lighting system. The one or more commands instruct the lighting system to temporarily disable control of the set of lighting devices by the subset of light-control devices. For example, step 137 may include transmitting a single command if the command is transmitted to a bridge of the lighting system, and transmitting multiple commands if the command is transmitted to lighting devices of the lighting system. Figure 3 In the embodiment, Figure 2 Step 103 is part of step 137 because the subset of light-control devices may include a plurality of light-control devices.

[0065] After the light control devices are disabled, the first event from one of the disabled light control devices triggers the presentation of information. All other light control devices may be enabled at that moment. After step 137, steps 105, 139, or 141 are performed, whichever event occurs first.

[0066] Step 105 includes receiving control information from the lighting system. Figure 3 In an embodiment, the control information describes a function corresponding to a user interaction, such as a user interaction with a button or a rotary switch. Step 107 includes presenting audio and / or visual information describing the function corresponding to the user interaction to the user based on the control information received in step 105. Step 105 is repeated after step 107, or steps 139 or 141 are performed after step 107, whichever event occurs first.

[0067] Step 139 includes receiving additional user input indicating a request to deactivate the query mode. Step 141 includes expiring the timer started in step 131. Step 143 is performed after steps 139 and 141. Step 143 includes transmitting one or more additional commands to the lighting system. The one or more additional commands instruct the lighting system to enable control of the set of lighting devices by the subset of light-control devices. Figure 3 In the embodiment, Figure 2 Step 109 is part of step 143, because the subset of light control devices may include multiple light control devices. Step 101 is repeated after step 143, after which the method is as follows Figure 3 Continue as shown in .

[0068] Figure 4 A third embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is shown in FIG. Figure 2 Compared to the first embodiment, step 121 has been omitted and step 151 has been added. In this embodiment, the control information received in step 105 describes the function corresponding to the user interaction. In an alternative embodiment, both steps 121 and 151 are present. Step 151 includes controlling a further lighting device of the one or more lighting devices based on the received control information. Figure 4 In an alternative embodiment, step 151 is performed before or after step 107.

[0069] exist Figure 4 In the case of an embodiment, not only can the audio and / or video information be used to describe the function, but the function can also be demonstrated on a nearby "test" light, where the test light can be selected so that it has the least impact on the overall light level / environment. For example, if a room has five lights, the system can assign one light as the "test" light so that each interaction with the physical controls of the light control device will only affect that specific light.

[0070] Figure 5 A fourth embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is shown in FIG. Figure 2 Compared to the first embodiment, step 121 has been omitted, and step 107 includes sub-step 161. In this embodiment, the control information received in step 105 describes the function corresponding to the user interaction. In an alternative embodiment, both steps 121 and 161 are present. Step 161 includes displaying an animation demonstrating the function. More specifically, step 161 includes displaying a virtual room including a virtual representation of at least one lighting device and an animation superimposed on the virtual room.

[0071] exist Figure 4 In some embodiments, a virtual representation of a light or group of lights can be used to display a description of a function. For example, when this mode is activated through Alexa on an Echo Show, in addition to explaining the function using speech generated in response to interactions with a light-control device, the Echo Show can also display a virtual room in which the light appears to be controlled by the light-control device. Similar methods can be used with devices equipped with augmented reality capabilities.

[0072] Figure 6 Depicted diagram can be executed as reference Figures 2 to 5 A block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for describing the method.

[0073] like Figure 6As shown in , data processing system 300 may include at least one processor 302 coupled to memory element 304 via system bus 306. Thus, the data processing system may store program code within memory element 304. In addition, processor 302 may execute program code accessed from memory element 304 via system bus 306. In one aspect, the data processing system may be implemented as a computer suitable for storing and / or executing program code. However, it should be appreciated that data processing system 300 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and memory capable of performing the functions described in this specification.

[0074] Memory element 304 may include one or more physical memory devices, such as, for example, local memory 308 and one or more mass storage devices 310. Local memory may refer to random access memory or (one or more) other non-permanent memory devices generally used during the actual execution of program code. Mass storage devices may be implemented as hard drives or other permanent data storage devices. Processing system 300 may also include one or more cache memories (not shown), which provide temporary storage of at least some program codes to reduce the number of times program codes must be retrieved from mass storage devices 310 during execution. For example, if processing system 300 is a part of a cloud computing platform, processing system 300 may also be able to use the memory element of another processing system.

[0075] Input / output (I / O) devices, depicted as input device 312 and output device 314, may optionally be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (e.g., for voice and / or speech recognition), etc. Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or display, speakers, etc. Input and / or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system directly or through an intervening I / O controller.

[0076] In one embodiment, the input and output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (in Figure 6 314). An example of such a combination device is a touch-sensitive display, sometimes also referred to as a "touch screen display" or simply a "touch screen." In such an embodiment, input to the device can be provided by moving a physical object (such as, for example, a stylus or finger of a user) across or near the touch screen display.

[0077] A network adapter 316 may also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to couple to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may include a data receiver for receiving data transmitted to the data processing system 300 by the system, device, and / or network, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 300 to the system, device, and / or network. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapters that may be used with data processing system 300.

[0078] like Figure 6 As depicted in FIG, memory element 304 may store application programs 318. In various embodiments, application programs 318 may be stored in local memory 308, one or more mass storage devices 310, or separate from local memory and mass storage devices. It should be appreciated that data processing system 300 may further execute an operating system ( Figure 6 318. The application 318, implemented in the form of executable program code, may be executed by data processing system 300, for example, by processor 302. In response to executing the application, data processing system 300 may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein.

[0079] Figure 6 Input device 312 and output device 314 are shown as separate from network adapter 316. However, additionally or alternatively, input can be received via network adapter 316, and output can be transmitted via network adapter 316. For example, data processing system 300 can be a cloud server. In this case, input can be received from a user device acting as a terminal, and output can be transmitted to a user device acting as a terminal.

[0080] Various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, wherein the program(s) of the program product define the functionality of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) may be contained on various non-transitory computer-readable storage media, wherein, as used herein, the expression "non-transitory computer-readable storage media" includes all computer-readable media with the sole exception of temporary propagation signals. In another embodiment, the program(s) may be contained on various temporary computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media on which information is permanently stored (e.g., a read-only memory device within a computer, such as a CD-ROM disk readable by a CD-ROM drive, a ROM chip, or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory); and (ii) writable storage media on which variable information is stored (e.g., flash memory, a floppy disk within a disk drive or a hard disk drive, or any type of solid-state random access semiconductor memory). The computer program may be executed on the processor 302 described herein.

[0081] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0082] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with the other claimed elements specifically claimed. The description of the embodiments of the present invention has been presented for illustrative purposes, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to implementation in the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. These embodiments are selected and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and some practical applications, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular use envisioned.

Claims

1. A system (1) for controlling a lighting system (11), the lighting system (11) comprising light control devices (21-23) and lighting devices (31-35), the light control devices (21-23) being used to control the lighting devices (31-35), the system (1) comprising: at least one input interface (3); at least one output interface (4); and At least one processor (5) configured to: - receiving, via the at least one input interface (3), a user input representing a request to activate a query mode in which the user can use a light-control device to obtain information about the light-control device without controlling a lighting device associated with the light-control device, - transmitting a command to the lighting system (11) via the at least one output interface (4), the command instructing the lighting system (11) to temporarily disable the control of the lighting devices (31-35) by the light control devices (21-23), - receiving control information from the lighting system (11) via the at least one input interface (3), the control information describing a user interaction with the light control device (21-23); - receiving further control information from the lighting system (11) via the at least one input interface (3), the further control information describing a function corresponding to the user interaction, - presenting to the user via the at least one output interface (4) audio and / or visual information describing the functionality corresponding to the user interaction, and - transmitting a further command to the lighting system (11) via the at least one output interface (4), the further command instructing the lighting system (11) to enable control of the lighting devices (31-35) by the light control devices (21-23).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the command and the further command are transmitted to the light control device (21-23) and the control information and the further control information are received from the light control device (21-23).

3. A system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control information includes an identifier of the light control device (21-23) and a description of a user interaction with the light control device (21-23), and the at least one processor (5) is configured to determine a description of the function based on the identifier and the description of the user interaction.

4. A system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control information describes a user interaction with a button or a rotary switch of the light control device (21-23), and the further control information describes a function corresponding to the user interaction with the button or the rotary switch of the light control device (21-23).

5. The system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to present the audio and / or visual information describing the function via a display (9) and / or a speaker, and / or a voice assistant of the mobile device (1).

6. The system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting system (11) comprises a plurality of light control devices (21-23), and the at least one processor (5) is configured to: - determining a subset of the plurality of light control devices (21-23), the subset of light control devices (21-23) comprising the light control devices (21-23) and for controlling a set of lighting devices (31-35), the set of lighting devices (31-35) comprising the lighting devices (31-35), - transmitting one or more commands to the lighting system (11) via the at least one output interface (4), the one or more commands instructing the lighting system (11) to temporarily disable control of the set of lighting devices (31-35) by the subset of light control devices (21-23), and - transmitting one or more further commands to the lighting system (11) via the at least one output interface (4), the one or more further commands instructing the lighting system (11) to enable control of the set of lighting devices (31-35) by the subset of light control devices (21-23).

7. The system (1) of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to determine the subset of the plurality of light control devices (21-23) based on the user input.

8. The system (1) of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to determine a location of the user and to determine the subset of the plurality of light control devices (21-23) based on the location.

9. A system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to receive additional user input representing a request to deactivate the query mode via the at least one input interface (3), and to transmit the additional command via the at least one output interface (4) when the additional user input is received.

10. The system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to start a timer upon receiving the user input and to transmit the further command via the at least one output interface (4) upon expiry of the timer.

11. The system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to control a further lighting device (31-35) of the one or more lighting devices (31-35) via the at least one output interface (4) based on the received control information.

12. The system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to display an animation demonstrating the functionality via the at least one output interface (4).

13. The system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to display a virtual room via the at least one output interface (4), the virtual room comprising a virtual representation of the at least one lighting device (31-35) and the animation superimposed on the virtual room.

14. A method for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising a light control device and a lighting device, the light control device being configured to control the lighting device, the method comprising: - receiving (101) a user input representing a request to activate a query mode in which the user can use a light-control device to obtain information about the light-control device without controlling a lighting device associated with the light-control device; - transmitting (103) a command to the lighting system, the command instructing the lighting system to temporarily disable the control of the lighting device by the light control device; - receiving control information from the lighting system, the control information describing a user interaction with the light control device; - receiving (105) further control information from the lighting system, the further control information describing a function corresponding to the user interaction; - presenting (107) to the user audio and / or visual information describing the functionality corresponding to the user interaction; as well as - transmitting (109) a further command to the lighting system, the further command instructing the lighting system to enable control of the lighting device by the light control device.

15. A computer program product storing at least one software code portion, which, when run on a computer system, is configured to perform the method of claim 14, wherein the computer system includes at least one input interface, at least one output interface and at least one processor; and wherein user input representing a request to activate a query mode is received via the at least one input interface, the command to the lighting system is transmitted via the at least one output interface, the control information and the further control information are received from the lighting system via the at least one input interface, the audio and / or visual information is presented via the at least one output interface; and the further command is transmitted to the lighting system via the at least one output interface.

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