Controlling lighting devices associated with light segments in an array

Abstract

A system is configured to display a representation (90) of an array of individually addressable light segments (11-13) on a display and receive a user input indicative of an association between a further lighting device (35-37) and at least one light segment of the array. The system is further configured to associate the further lighting device with the at least one segment based on the user input, store the association in a memory, and receive a command for controlling the array. The command comprises at least one light setting for the at least one segment. The system is further configured to determine a further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association and the at least one light setting, control the array based on the command, and control the further lighting device based on the further light setting.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a system for controlling a lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method of controlling a lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device.

[0003] The invention further relates to a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform such a method. BACKGROUND

[0004] With the introduction of LED technology, it has become possible to manufacture light strips to illuminate houses and offices. The advantage of light strips is that they can illuminate a large width of space relatively uniformly. Initially, all LEDs of a light strip could only emit one color, e.g. white. Later, some light strips allowed a user to change the color emitted by the LEDs, but all LEDs still emitted the same color. The next step in light strips was the pixelated light strip. A pixelated light strip comprises a plurality of individually controllable segments, each such segment, often referred to as a “pixel”, of which the color and / or intensity of e.g. the emitted light can be controlled. Each segment comprises one LED or a plurality of LEDs of the same or different colors.

[0005] Pixelated light strips enable new use cases for illumination and entertainment, such as gradual changes, dynamic scenes and / or animations. Typically, a plurality of devices of a lighting system are used to render an immersive light effect. If these plurality of devices comprises one or more pixelated lighting devices, the number of individually addressable light sources in the lighting system is relatively large and, as a consequence, the number of determined light settings is relatively large. Sometimes it can be possible to provide a higher level of light effect description without the need to specify individual light settings for the light segments or other light sources. One such example is disclosed in WO 2018 / 224390 Al. However, it is not always possible or desirable to provide such a higher level of light effect description.

[0006] WO 2019 / 002012 A1 discloses an apparatus comprising: an array of individually controllable LED light sources; a data line for interconnecting successive LED light sources to obtain a daisy-chain of successive LED light sources in the array, and for fluctuating control data through the daisy-chain to a particular LED light source in the array, wherein the particular LED light source in the array is arranged for removing one or more bits from the control data, and for providing resulting control data downstream in the daisy-chain; a feedback line for feedback of the resulting control data; a touchpad for connecting one of the data line and the feedback line when touched; a controller comprising (i) an output for sending control data through the data line to the particular LED light source, and (ii) an input for receiving resulting control data through the feedback line when the touchpad is touched; and the controller is arranged for (i) comparing the sent control data with the received resulting control data to associate the touchpad with a position in the array of individually controllable LED light sources of the particular LED light source when touched in use, and (ii) providing a control signal for controlling a load based on the position. SUMMARY

[0007] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a system that makes it easier to create immersive light effects without the need for higher level light descriptions.

[0008] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method that makes it easier to create immersive light effects without the need for higher level light descriptions.

[0009] In a first aspect of the invention, a system for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. The system comprises at least one input interface, at least one output interface, and at least one processor configured to: display, via the at least one output interface, a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device on a display; receive, via the at least one input interface, a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array; associate, based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array; and store the association in a memory.

[0010] The at least one processor is further configured to: receive, via the at least one input interface, a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, the command comprising at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment; determine, based on the association and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the further lighting device; control, based on the command, the array of individually addressable light segments via the at least one output interface; and control, based on the further light setting, the further lighting device via the at least one output interface.

[0011] In other words, using the displayed array representation, the user can (virtually) link / associate a further lighting device (representation) to at least one segment of the array of individually addressable light segments (also referred to as pixels), e.g. a pixelated light strip. This makes it easier for the user to create immersive effects without the need for a higher level of light description. The further lighting device can replicate the effect of the pixel(s) it is linked to (i.e. render the same color and (relative) intensity) or provide a related effect, e.g. dimming the effect it is currently rendering and adapting it to the effect of passing by on the array.

[0012] This makes it possible to leverage further lighting devices in the vicinity of the array to reinforce the effect rendered by the array or to extend them to further lighting devices in the vicinity of the array. For example, by (virtually) linking regularly connected lamps (e.g. Philips Hue bulbs) to the pixels at the edges of a light strip, the effect rendered on a pixelated light strip can be extended at the outer ends of the light strip. For example, the array can be a pixelated light strip or a pixelated floor lamp.

[0013] The at least one individually addressable light segment can comprise one individually addressable light segment and the at least one light setting can comprise a light setting for the one individually addressable light segment. In this case, for example, the further light setting can be the same as the light setting, e.g. to reinforce the light effect, or the at least one processor can be configured to determine the further light setting based on an extrapolation of the light setting, e.g. to extend the light effect.

[0014] The at least one individually addressable light segment can comprise a plurality of individually addressable light segments and the at least one light setting can comprise a plurality of light settings for the plurality of individually addressable light segments. In this case, for example, the at least one processor can be configured to determine the further light setting based on an interpolation of the plurality of light settings, e.g. to reinforce the light effect in an enhanced manner.

[0015] The at least one processor can be configured to allow the user to link the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment in the representation of the array, and wherein the association is based on the linking. By letting the user change the displayed representation, the user can be able to intuitively link the further lighting device with the light segment(s) in an intuitive way.

[0016] The at least one processor can be configured to allow the user to link the further lighting device with one or more light elements of the at least one individually addressable light segment in the representation of the array. If the user is not able to distinguish between segments that are different from each other, but is only able to distinguish between different light elements (e.g. when the array is switched off), it can be more intuitive to allow the user to link the further lighting device with at least one light element instead of directly with at least one segment. Since each light segment belongs to only one light segment, the light segment(s) that correspond to the linked light element(s) can then be automatically associated with the further lighting device.

[0017] The at least one processor can be configured to allow the user to link the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment in the representation of the array by allowing the user to position a virtual light segment on the representation of the array. For example, a pixelated light strip can be extended with additional (virtual) pixels, and these virtual pixels can be used, for example, to enhance the light effects of the array.

[0018] The at least one processor can be configured to: receive, via the at least one input interface, a current command for controlling the further lighting device, the current command comprising a current light setting; and determine the further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association, the at least one light setting and the current light setting. For example, the further lighting device can dim the effect it is currently rendering, and adapt it to the effect that "passes" over the pixelated light strip.

[0019] In a second aspect of the application, a method of controlling a lighting system (the lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device) comprises: displaying, on a display, a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device; receiving a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array; associating, based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array; and storing the association in a memory.

[0020] The method further comprises receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, the command comprising at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment; determining, based on the association and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the further lighting device; controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command; and controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting. The method can be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software can be provided as a computer program product.

[0021] Further, a computer program for implementing the methods described herein is provided, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing the computer program. The computer program can for example be downloaded or uploaded to an existing device, or stored when manufacturing these systems.

[0022] A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores at least one software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform executable operations for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device.

[0023] The executable operations comprise displaying a representation of the array of individually addressable light segments on a display; receiving a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the array; associating, based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array; and storing the association in a memory.

[0024] The executable operations further comprise receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, the command comprising at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment; determining, based on the association and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the further lighting device; controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command; and controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting.

[0025] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present application can be embodied as a device, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that can all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." The functionality described in the present disclosure can be implemented as an algorithm executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the present application can take the form of a computer program product on one or more computer readable media (media) having computer readable program code embodied in the medium.

[0026] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium can be utilized. The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium can include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, 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 application, a computer readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0027] A computer readable signal medium can include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal can take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium can be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0028] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium can be used using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present application can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java(TM), Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0029] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0030] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0031] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0032] The flow and block diagrams in the various drawings are meant to illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present application. In this regard, each block in the flow or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations thereof, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other aspects of the application are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0034] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system;

[0035] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a system;

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of a lighting device linked to a light segment in an array;

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of a lighting device linked to a light element in an array;

[0038] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method;

[0039] Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of the method;

[0040] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a third embodiment of the method;

[0041] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the method of the application.

[0042] Corresponding elements in the drawings are designated by like reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a system for controlling a lighting system: a bridge 21. The lighting system comprises an array of individually addressable light segments 11-19 and further lighting devices 35-37. In Figure 1In the example of Fig. 1, the array is a light strip 1.

[0044] Each individually addressable segment 11-19 of the light strip 1 comprises one or more light elements. The light strip 1 is connected to a controller 9 via a cable 3. The controller 9 comprises a receiver (e.g. a Zigbee receiver) and a power converter for converting power received from a power mains into a lower voltage and providing the converted power to the light strip 1.

[0045] In the example of Fig. 1, the array is a light strip 1. Figure 1 In the example of Fig. 1, each of the segments 11-19 comprises a single light element, e.g. a direct emitting LED or a phosphor converted LED. Alternatively, one or more of the segments can comprise multiple light elements. The light strip 1 comprises nine individually controllable segments. Nine light elements per light strip would in practice be a relatively small number of light elements per light strip, but this number has been chosen for illustrative purposes.

[0046] The bridge 21 controls the light strip 1 via the light strip controller 9, e.g. using Zigbee technology. The bridge 21 also controls the further lighting devices 35-37. For example, the bridge 21 can be a Philips Hue bridge. The bridge 21 is connected to a wireless LAN access point 31, e.g. via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The mobile device 33 is also connected to the wireless LAN access point 23, e.g. via Wi-Fi. For example, the mobile device 33 can be a mobile phone, a tablet or a smart watch. A user can be able to use an app running on the mobile device 33 to control the further lighting devices 35-37 via the wireless LAN access point 31 and the bridge 21, and to control the light strip 1 via the wireless LAN access point 31, the bridge 21 and the light strip controller 9.

[0047] The bridge 21 comprises a receiver 23, a transmitter 24, a processor 25 and a memory 27. The processor 25 is configured to display, via the transmitter 24, on a display of the mobile device 33, a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments (i.e. the light strip 1) and a second representation of the further lighting devices, and to receive, via the receiver 23 (from the mobile device 33), a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between one or more of the further lighting devices 35-37 and at least one of the individually addressable light segments 11-19 of the array. The user input can indicate one association or multiple associations.

[0048] Processor 25 is also configured to associate representations of one or more additional lighting devices with at least one individually addressable light segment of the array representation based on user input, and to store such associations in memory 27. If the user input indicates multiple associations, these multiple associations are stored in memory 27. Processor 25 is also configured to receive commands, such as commands from mobile device 33, via receiver 23 for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments (i.e., light stripe 1). The commands include at least one light setting for at least one individually addressable light segment. For example, each light setting may include a color component and / or an intensity component.

[0049] Processor 25 is also configured to determine additional light settings for one or more additional lighting devices based on the association and at least one light setting, control a separate addressable optical segment array (i.e., optical stripe 1) via transmitter 24 based on the command, and control one or more additional lighting devices (i.e., one or more of lighting devices 35-37) via transmitter 24 based on the additional light settings. Processor 25 is also configured to do so for associations with other storage.

[0050] For example, the additional light setting can be the same as the light setting of its associated light segment. In this case, the additional lighting device can replicate the behavior of the associated light segment continuously or only when the intensity component of the light setting exceeds a certain threshold. The additional light setting can also be based on the light settings of multiple segments, such as interpolation or extrapolation of these multiple light settings. If the additional lighting device is already associated with multiple segments, the additional light setting can be based on interpolation of multiple light settings.

[0051] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, mobile device 33, for example, creates higher-level light commands for light strip 1 based on the user's selection of a scene on mobile device 33. Mobile device 33 may access information, for example, obtained during network initialization of light strip 1, indicating that light strip 1 has nine individually controllable segments, and creates light settings for each of these nine segments or a subset thereof. When bridge 21 receives a higher-level light command from mobile device 33, it derives a lower-level light command from that higher-level light command for light strip 1, and it derives one or more lower-level light commands from that higher-level light command for one or more additional lighting devices associated with one or more segments of light strip 1. Bridge 21 then transmits these lower-level light commands to their destinations.

[0052] exist Figure 1In the embodiment of bridge 21 shown, bridge 21 includes a processor 25. In alternative embodiments, bridge 21 includes multiple processors. The processor 25 of bridge 21 may be a general-purpose processor (e.g., ARM-based) or a dedicated processor. For example, the processor 25 of bridge 21 may run a Unix-based operating system. Memory 27 may include one or more memory cells. For example, memory 27 may include one or more hard disks and / or solid-state storage.

[0053] For example, receiver 23 and transmitter 24 may use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (e.g., Zigbee) to communicate with the light strip controller 9 and additional lighting devices 35-37, and one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (e.g., Ethernet) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point 31. In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, receiver 23 and transmitter 24 are combined into a transceiver. Bridge 21 may include other components typically used in bridges, such as power connectors. The invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0054] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the system of the present invention is a bridge. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention is a different device, such as an HDMI module or a mobile device. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a single device. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention includes multiple devices.

[0055] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a system for controlling a lighting system is shown: a mobile device 51. This lighting system includes an array of individually addressable light segments 11-19 and additional lighting devices 35-37. Figure 2 In the example, the array is light stripe 1.

[0056] For example, mobile device 51 could be a mobile phone, tablet, or smartwatch. Users might be able to use an application running on mobile device 51 to control additional lighting devices 35-37 via wireless LAN access point 31 and bridge 39, and to control light strip 1 via wireless LAN access point 31, bridge 39, and light strip controller 9. Figure 2In embodiments, the light strip 1 and the further lighting devices 35-37 are controlled via the bridge 39. In alternative embodiments, the light strip 1 and / or one or more of the further lighting devices 35-37 are controlled without a bridge, e.g. a direct Bluetooth connection can be established between the mobile device 51 and the light strip controller 9.

[0057] The mobile device 51 comprises a receiver 53, a transmitter 54, a processor 55, a memory 57 and a touch screen display 59. The processor 55 is configured to display, via the display 59 and an interface to the display 59, on the display 59 a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments (i.e. the light strip 1) and a second representation of the further lighting devices, and to receive, via the (touch screen) display 59, a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between one or more of the representations of the further lighting devices 35-37 and at least one of the individually addressable light segments 11-19 of the representation of the array. The user input can indicate one association or multiple associations.

[0058] The processor 55 is further configured to associate, based on the user input, the one or more further lighting devices with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array, and to store the association in the memory 57. If the user input indicates multiple associations, the multiple associations are stored in the memory 57. The processor 55 is further configured to receive, via the (touch screen) display 59, a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments (i.e. the light strip 1). The command comprises at least one light setting for at least one individually addressable light segment. For example, a user of the mobile device 51 can use the (touch screen) display 59 to select a light scene, one or more light settings (including the at least one light setting) being associated with the light scene.

[0059] The processor 55 is further configured to determine, based on the association and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the one or more further lighting devices, to control, based on the command, the array of individually addressable light segments (i.e. the light strip 1) via the transmitter 54, and to control, based on the further light setting, the one or more further lighting devices (i.e. one or more of the lighting devices 35-37) via the transmitter 54. The processor 55 is configured to do so for other stored associations as well.

[0060] In Figure 2In embodiments of the lighting system 1, the mobile device 51 creates higher-level light commands for the light strip 1, e.g., based on a selection of a scene by a user of the mobile device 51. The mobile device 51 can have access to information obtained, e.g., upon commissioning of the light strip 1, indicating that the light strip 1 has nine individually controllable segments and light settings determined for each of these nine segments or a subset thereof. The mobile device 51 also stores associations between one or more of the further lighting devices 35-37 and one or more of the segments 11-19 of the light strip 1. The mobile device 51 therefore also creates one or more higher-level light commands for the further lighting device(s) associated with one or more segments of the light strip 1, based on the light setting(s) determined for the associated segment(s).

[0061] In Figure 2 In embodiments of the lighting system 1, the mobile device 51 creates higher-level light commands for the light strip 1, e.g., based on a selection of a scene by a user of the mobile device 51. The mobile device 51 can have access to information obtained, e.g., upon commissioning of the light strip 1, indicating that the light strip 1 has nine individually controllable segments and light settings determined for each of these nine segments or a subset thereof. The mobile device 51 also stores associations between one or more of the further lighting devices 35-37 and one or more of the segments 11-19 of the light strip 1. The mobile device 51 therefore also creates one or more higher-level light commands for the further lighting device(s) associated with one or more segments of the light strip 1, based on the light setting(s) determined for the associated segment(s).

[0062] In Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment of the mobile device 51, the mobile device 51 comprises one processor 55. In alternative embodiments, the mobile device 51 comprises multiple processors. The processor 55 of the mobile device 51 can be a general-purpose processor (e.g., from ARM or Qualcomm) or can be a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor 55 of the mobile device 51 can run an Android or iOS operating system. The display 59 can comprise, e.g., an LCD or OLED display panel. In Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment of the mobile device 51, the display 59 is a touch screen display. In alternative embodiments, e.g., user input can be provided with physical keys. The memory 57 can comprise one or more memory units. For example, the memory 57 can comprise solid-state memory.

[0063] For example, the receiver 53 and the transmitter 54 can use one or more wireless communication technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point 31. In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. In Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 53 and the transmitter 54 are combined into a transceiver. The mobile device 51 can also include a camera (not shown). For example, the camera can include a CMOS or CCD sensor. The mobile device 51 can include other components typical for a mobile device, such as a battery and a power connector. The present application can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0064] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Examples are provided of how a user can be allowed to link / associate an additional lighting device's representation to at least one light element in a representation of at least one individually addressable light segment or array of individually addressable light segments (also referred to as pixels). Figure 3 Examples are shown of lighting devices that are linked to light segments in an array. In Figure 3 In the example of Fig. 6, the user can position a virtual light segment on a representation of a pixelated light strip.

[0065] The pixelated light strip is visually presented as a sequence of controllable pixels, for example in a smartphone app. The virtual pixels 81-83 represent three additional lighting devices (of the Hue Go type, for example). The user can move each virtual pixel in the sequence of controllable pixels to a position where he / she wants to reinforce or extend the light strip.

[0066] In the representation 71, the light strip has nine real pixels 11-19, each real pixel 11-19 corresponding to a real segment of the light strip. Then, the user drags the virtual pixel 81 between the real pixels 13 and 14 of the light strip. As a result, the additional lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel 81 becomes the fourth pixel of a new representation 72 of the light strip. This new representation 72 has nine real pixels 11-19 and one virtual pixel 81.

[0067] Next, the user drags the virtual pixel 82 to one end of the light strip. As a result, the additional lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel 82 becomes the eleventh pixel of a new representation 73 of the light strip. This new representation 73 has nine real pixels 11-19 and two virtual pixels 81 and 82.

[0068] Next, the user drags the virtual pixel 83 to the other end of the light strip. As a result, the additional lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel 83 becomes the first pixel of a new representation 74 of the light strip. This new representation 74 has nine real pixels 11-19 and three virtual pixels 81 and 82. In the new representation 74, the virtual pixel 82 is the twelfth pixel.

[0069] When the command is communicated together with a light effect of the light strip, the virtual pixels 82 and 83 extend the light effect outside the light strip using the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixels 82 and 83. For example, the extension can be linear. For example, during the expansion, the linearly extended strip extends the light effect from the inside out and to the sides. Depending on the desired effect, the intensity of the pixels can be adjusted for brightness. For example, if the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixels 82 and 83 has a large lumen output, their brightness will typically need to be dimmed.

[0070] If the virtual pixel is in the middle of the light strip and a command to render a sunrise effect is communicated to the light strip, the intensity of the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel can be larger than the intensity of the real pixels / segments and can not need to be dimmed or not need to be dimmed as much, thereby simulating the effect that a real sunrise has.

[0071] In the example of Figure 4 In the representation of the pixelated light strip, the user can link the further lighting device with one or more light elements of at least one individually addressable light segment. In the representation 90, the light strip has three segments 11-13, each having three light elements. The light strip has nine light elements 91-99 in total. The light elements 91-93 can only be controlled as a group. This equally applies to the light elements 94-96 and the light elements 97-99, respectively.

[0072] In the example of Figure 4 The three further lighting devices 35-37 can be linked with the light elements 91-99 of the light strip. For example, the further lighting devices 35-37 can be standing on a table and the light strip can be placed along the edge of the table. The further lighting device 36 is close to the center of the pixelated light strip on the table and, therefore, the light element 95 is linked by the user to the further lighting device 36 to emphasize the central light element. Alternatively, the light elements 94-96 or any (non-empty) subset of these three light elements can be linked to the further lighting device 36, as the light elements 94-96 are part of the same segment 12 and, therefore, render the same light effect.

[0073] The further lighting devices 35 and 37 are located at each end of the pixelated light strip. The further lighting device 35 is linked by the user to the left edge of the light strip and, therefore, to the light element 91. Linking a further lighting device to an edge of the light strip automatically links the further lighting device to the corresponding edge light element. If the further lighting device 35 would only be linked to the light element 91, the further lighting device 35 would render the same color as the light element 91. Since the further lighting device 35 is already linked to the left edge of the light strip, the color of the further lighting device 35 is inferred based on the colors of the light elements 91 and 92.

[0074] The additional lighting device 37 is linked by the user to the right edge of the light strip, and thus to the light element 99. If the additional lighting device 37 is only linked to the light element 99, then the additional lighting device 37 will display the same color as the light element 99. Since the additional lighting device 37 is already linked to the right edge of the light strip, the color of the additional lighting device 37 is inferred based on the colors of the light elements 98 and 99.

[0075] Because the additional lighting device 35 is already connected to the light element 91, the additional lighting device 35 is associated with the light segment 11 to which the light element 91 belongs. Because the additional lighting device 36 is already connected to the light element 95, the additional lighting device 36 is associated with the light segment 12 to which the light element 95 belongs. Because the additional lighting device 37 is already connected to the light element 99, the additional lighting device 37 is associated with the light segment 13 to which the light element 99 belongs.

[0076] Figure 5 A first embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is illustrated. The lighting system includes an array of individually addressable light segments and additional lighting devices. Step 101 includes displaying a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the additional lighting devices on a display. Step 103 includes receiving user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the second representation of the additional lighting devices and the first representation of the array. Step 105 includes associating the additional lighting devices with at least one individually addressable light segment of the array based on the user input. Step 107 includes storing the association in memory.

[0077] Next, step 111 is performed. Step 111 includes receiving a command for controlling an individually addressable optical segment array. The command includes at least one optical setting for at least one individually addressable optical segment. Step 113 includes determining additional optical settings for additional lighting devices based on the association and the at least one optical setting. Step 115 includes controlling the individually addressable optical segment array based on the command. Step 117 includes controlling additional lighting devices based on the additional optical settings. After steps 115 and 117 have been performed, step 111 is repeated, and the method then proceeds as follows. Figure 5 As shown.

[0078] Figure 6 A second embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting system is illustrated. Step 101 includes displaying a first representation of an array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of additional lighting devices on a display. Step 103 includes receiving user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the second representation of the additional lighting devices and the first representation of the array.

[0079] Next, step 131 includes determining whether the user input indicates an association between the further lighting device and a single light segment or an association between the further lighting device and multiple light segments, and if the user input indicates an association with a single light segment, whether the user input further indicates an association between the further lighting device and an edge of the array. Step 105 is performed after step 131. Step 105 includes associating the further lighting device with at least one individually addressable light segment of the array based on the user input received in step 103. In Figure 6 In embodiments, one of steps 133, 135 and 137 is performed in each iteration of step 105.

[0080] If it is determined in step 131 that the user input indicates an association between the further lighting device and both an edge of the array and a single light segment, i.e. an edge light segment, step 133 is performed. Step 133 includes associating the further lighting device with the edge and the edge light segment. By associating the further lighting device with a single light segment, it can be determined later that no interpolation needs to be performed. This does not require that only the light settings of the single light segment are used later.

[0081] If it is determined in step 131 that the user input indicates an association between the further lighting device and only a single light segment, step 135 is performed. Step 135 includes associating the further lighting device with the single light segment. The single light segment can be an edge light segment, for example. In this case, the further lighting device is not associated with an edge of the array.

[0082] If it is determined in step 131 that the user input indicates an association between the further lighting device and multiple light segments, step 137 is performed. Step 137 includes associating the further lighting device with the multiple light segments. Step 107 includes storing the associations determined in step 105 in a memory. After step 107 has been performed for the current further lighting device, steps 103, 131, 105 and 107 can be repeated for one or more additional further lighting devices.

[0083] Later, step 111 is performed. Step 111 includes receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments. Steps 115 and 140 are performed after step 111. Step 115 includes controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command received in step 111.

[0084] Step 140 comprises determining, based on the associations stored in the memory, which one or more further lighting devices have been associated with at least one light segment of the array. For each further lighting device that has been associated with at least one light segment of the array, step 141 is performed. First, step 141 is performed for the first further lighting device. Step 141 comprises determining for the further lighting device with which light segment(s) of the array it has been associated, and if the further lighting device has been associated with a single light segment, whether the further lighting device has also been associated with an edge of the array.

[0085] Step 113 is performed after step 141. Step 113 comprises determining, based on the associations and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the further lighting device. In Figure 6 In embodiments, one of steps 143, 145 and 147 is performed in each iteration of step 113.

[0086] If it is determined in step 141 that the further lighting device has been associated with a single light segment and an edge of the array, step 143 is performed. In step 143, the light setting associated with the single light segment is obtained from the command received in step 111. If the further lighting device has been associated with the left edge of the array, then one or more light settings of one or more light segments right of the left edge light segment are obtained.

[0087] If the further lighting device has been associated with the right edge of the array, then one or more light settings of one or more light segments left of the right edge light segment are obtained. The further light setting for the further lighting device is determined based on extrapolation of these obtained light settings, e.g. such that the difference between the further light setting and the light setting of the edge light segment is the same or similar to the difference between the light setting of the edge light segment and the light setting of the light segment next to it.

[0088] If it is determined in step 141 that the further lighting device has been associated with only a single light segment, step 145 is performed. In step 145, the light setting associated with the single light segment is obtained from the command received in step 111, and this light setting is used as the further light setting. Thus, the further light setting is the same as the obtained light setting.

[0089] If it is determined in step 141 that the further lighting device has been associated with two light segments, step 147 is performed. In step 147, the light settings associated with the two light segments are obtained from the command received in step 111. The further light setting is determined based on interpolation of these light settings. For example, the average of these light settings can be used as the further light setting.

[0090] Step 117 comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting determined in step 143, step 145 or step 147. If step 141 has not been performed for all further lighting devices identified in step 140, step 141, 113 and 117 are repeated for the next further lighting device after step 117 has been performed for the current further lighting device. After step 115 has been performed and step 117 has been performed for all further lighting devices identified in step 140, step 111 is repeated, after which the method proceeds as Figure 6 indicated.

[0091] Figure 7 A third embodiment of a method of controlling a lighting system is shown. Step 101 comprises displaying a first representation of an array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of a further lighting device on a display. Step 103 comprises receiving a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array. Step 105 comprises associating the further lighting device with at least one individually addressable light segment of the array based on the user input. Step 107 comprises storing the association in a memory.

[0092] Later, step 161 is performed. Step 161 comprises receiving a current command for controlling the further lighting device. The current command comprises a current light setting. Next, step 163 comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the current light setting.

[0093] Even later, step 111 is performed. Step 111 comprises receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments. The command comprises at least one light setting for at least one individually addressable light segment. Step 113 comprises determining a further light setting for the further lighting device. In Figure 7 an embodiment, step 113 is implemented by step 165. Step 165 comprises determining the further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association stored in step 107, the at least one light setting received in step 111, and the current light setting received in step 161.

[0094] Step 115 comprises controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command received in step 111. Step 117 comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting determined in step 165. After step 115 and 117 have been performed, step 111 is repeated, after which the method proceeds as Figure 7 indicated.

[0095] Figure 5 to Figure 7Embodiments of the application differ from each other in multiple aspects, i.e. multiple steps have been added or replaced. In variations of these embodiments, only a subset of these steps is added or replaced and / or one or more steps are omitted. For example, steps 133 and 143 and / or steps 137 and 147 can be omitted from embodiments of the application, and / or steps 161, 163 and 165 of the application can be added to embodiments of the application. Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 6

[0096] Figure 8 A block diagram illustrating an example data processing system that can perform the methods as described with reference to Figure 5 to Figure 7 is depicted.

[0097] As shown in Figure 8 , the data processing system 300 can include at least one processor 302 coupled to memory elements 304 through a system bus 306. As such, the data processing system can store program code within memory elements 304. Further, the processor 302 can execute the program code accessed from the memory elements 304 via a system bus 306. In one aspect, the data processing system can be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the data processing system 300 can be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and memory that is capable of

[0098] The memory elements 304 can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 308 and one or more bulk storage devices 310. The local memory can refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device can be implemented as a hard disk drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 300 can also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 310 during execution. The processing system 300 can also be capable of using the memory elements of another processing system, if it is a part of a cloud computing platform, for example.

[0099] Optionally, input / output (I / O) devices 312 and 314, depicted as input and output devices, can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices can include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (for example for voice and / or speech recognition), etc. Examples of output devices can include, but are not limited to, a monitor or display, speakers, etc. The input and / or output devices can be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening I / O controllers.​​​

[0100] In embodiments, the input and output devices can be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in Figure 8 by the dashed line surrounding the input device 312 and the output device 314). An example of such a combined device is a touch-sensitive display, sometimes also referred to as a “touchscreen display” or simply “touchscreen”. In such embodiments, input can be provided by movement of a physical object, such as for example a stylus or a user’s finger, on or near the touchscreen display.

[0101] The network adapter 316 can also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter can comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by said systems, devices and / or networks to the data processing system 300, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 300 to said systems, devices and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapters that can be used with the data processing system 300.

[0102] As depicted in Figure 8 the memory element 304 can store an application 318. In various embodiments, the application 318 can be stored in the local memory 308, the one or more mass storage devices 310, or separately from the local memory and mass storage devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system 300 can further execute an operating system (not shown in Figure 8 ) that can facilitate execution of the application 318. The application 318, being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by the data processing system 300 (e.g., by the processor 302). In response to executing the application, the data processing system 300 can be configured to perform one or more of the operations or method steps described herein.

[0103] Figure 8 The input device 312 and the output device 314 are shown separate from the network adapter 316. However, additionally or alternatively, input can be received via the network adapter 316, and output transmitted via the network adapter 316. For example, the data processing system 300 can be a cloud server. In such a 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.

[0104] Various embodiments of the application can be implemented as a program product utilizing a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define the function of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where the expression "non-transitory computer- readable storage media" as used herein includes all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal. In another embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer, such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips, or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks, or hard-disk drive within a computer, or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which information is stored that can be altered. The computer program can be run on the processor 302 described herein.

[0105] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. 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.

[0106] All structural, material, acts or equivalents of all apparatus and steps plus function elements in the claims that follow are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of embodiments of the present application has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the application. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the application and the practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the application for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A system (21, 51) for controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising an array (1) of individually addressable light segments (11-19) and a further lighting device (35-37), the system (21, 51) comprising: at least one input interface (23, 53, 59); at least one output interface (24, 54, 59); and at least one processor (25, 55) configured to: - display, via the at least one output interface (24, 54, 59), a first representation (71-74, 90) of the array (1) of individually addressable light segments (11-19) and a second representation of the further lighting device (35-37) on a display (59), - receive, via the at least one input interface (23, 53, 59), a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the second representation of the further lighting device (35-37) and at least one of the individually addressable light segments (11-19) of the first representation (71-74, 90) of the array (1), - associate, based on the user input, the further lighting device (35-37) with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array (1), - store the association in a memory (27, 57), - receive, via the at least one input interface (23, 53, 59), a command for controlling the array (1) of individually addressable light segments (11-19), the command comprising at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment, - determine, based on the association and the at least one light setting, a further light setting for the further lighting device (35-37), - control, based on the command, the array (1) of individually addressable light segments (11-19) via the at least one output interface (24, 54, 59), and - control, based on the further light setting, the further lighting device (35-37) via the at least one output interface (24, 54, 59).

2. The system (21, 51) of claim 1, wherein the at least one individually addressable light segment comprises one individually addressable light segment, and the at least one light setting comprises a light setting for the one individually addressable light segment.

3. The system (21, 51) of claim 2, wherein the further light setting is identical to the light setting.

4. The system (21, 51) of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to determine the further light setting based on an extrapolation of a plurality of light settings for a plurality of individually addressable light segments of the individually addressable light segment.

5. The system (21, 51) of claim 1, wherein the at least one individually addressable light segment comprises a plurality of individually addressable light segments, and the at least one light setting comprises a plurality of light settings for the plurality of individually addressable light segments. ​ 6. The system (21, 51) of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to determine the further light setting based on an interpolation of the plurality of light settings.

7. The system (21, 51) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to allow a user to link the further lighting device (35-37) with the at least one individually addressable light segment in the first representation (71-74, 90) of the array (1), and wherein the association is based on the linking.

8. The system (21, 51) of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to allow the user to link the further lighting device (35-37) with one or more light elements (91-99) of the at least one individually addressable light segment in the first representation (90) of the array (1).

9. The system (21, 51) of claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to allow the user to link the further lighting device (35-37) with the at least one individually addressable light segment in the first representation (71-74) of the array (1) by allowing the user to position a virtual light segment on the first representation (71-74) of the array (1).

10. The system (21, 51) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (25, 55) is configured to: - receive, via the at least one input interface, a current command for controlling the further lighting device (35-37), the current command comprising a current light setting, and - determine, based on the association, the at least one light setting, and the current light setting, the further light setting for the further lighting device (35-37).

11. A method of controlling a lighting system, the lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device, the method comprising: - displaying (101), on a display, a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device (35-37); - receiving (103) a user input, wherein the user input indicates an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation (71-74, 90) of the array; - associating (105), based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array; - storing (107) the association in a memory; - receiving (111) a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, the command comprising at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment; - determining (113) a further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association and the at least one light setting. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ - controlling (115) the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command; and - controlling (117) the further lighting device based on the further light setting.

12. A computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product comprising computer program code to perform the method of claim 11 when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the computing device.

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