Immersive outdoor lighting simulation

Abstract

A system is configured to receive light sensor data from a light sensor and determine a visibility threshold (235, 245) based on the light sensor data. The light sensor data indicates an ambient light level. The system is further configured to determine a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device and determine whether light intensity levels (233) of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold. The system is further configured to: upon determining that at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increase at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold to bring the at least one light intensity level into harmony with the ambient light level; and control the lighting device to present the plurality of light effects with the adjusted light intensity levels (253).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for controlling lighting devices to provide immersive natural lighting conditions in an indoor environment, such as an office environment, as found in an outdoor environment.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method of controlling a lighting device to provide immersive natural lighting conditions in an indoor environment as found in an outdoor environment.

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

[0004] In outdoor environments, the interaction of natural daylight with its surroundings results in a diverse range of light across the sky and vegetation, with the dynamics, patterns, tones, and intensities of light varying depending on geographic location, season, weather, and time of day. However, humans often fail to consciously observe this interplay, simply because nature's constant cycles and changes are an integral part of our natural evolution and habitat. Yet, humans are deeply connected to the emotional and biological benefits of natural light.

[0005] In indoor environments, such as in (deep) open-plan offices and reception areas, human exposure to natural light can be limited. For example, because people sit too far from a window, or because only a small window allows little light in, or because natural light is diffuse (solar tubes, milky glass, fog), or because no natural light enters at all. In all these situations, humans become more or less disconnected from the ever-changing and ever-changing nature.

[0006] In spaces (partially) devoid of natural light, the dynamism found in outdoor environments disappears. Traditional lighting in indoor environments (e.g., office buildings) is often static. Control options can be limited to on / off control or dimming level control (e.g., allowing brightening to increase light intensity or dimming to reduce light intensity).

[0007] Traditional lighting fixtures are arranged in a grid-like structure and controlled individually or as a group, where they are controlled in exactly the same way (e.g., all on / off, all dimmed to a specific level, or all dimmed relative to adjacent fixtures). Typically, the same type of lighting fixture is used in a single room or area. For example, an office space may include the same type of panel lighting fixture in every room, except for hallways that use downlights. To address varying brightness requirements, the number of lighting fixtures and / or their placement can be adjusted.

[0008] Light-transmitting structures, such as (real) skylights and (real) windows, can be used to increase the amount of daylight entering indoor environments. While these structures can improve occupant well-being, they are expensive and cannot be installed everywhere. Furthermore, they can lead to other issues, such as privacy and security concerns.

[0009] Artificial skylights and windows have been proposed as solutions, as well as dynamic and static displays showing views of passing clouds in the sky or other natural elements (such as views of a forest or ocean). However, these may actually draw attention to the fact that people are in an indoor environment and have the opposite effect (i.e., reduce happiness). Summary of the Invention

[0010] A first object of the present invention is to provide a system that is capable of providing an enhanced simulation of (aspects of) an outdoor environment in an indoor environment.

[0011] A second object of the present invention is to provide a method that can provide an enhanced simulation of (aspects of) an outdoor environment in an indoor environment.

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for adjusting at least one of a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device based on an ambient light level includes at least one input interface, at least one output interface, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: receive light sensor data from a light sensor via the at least one input interface, the light sensor data indicating the ambient light level; determine a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data; and determine the plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device. The plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device are at least partially determined based on a predetermined lighting program mapped to a time period. For example, the lighting program can be mapped to a 24-hour (day) period, a 12-hour period (e.g., from 8:00 AM when the office opens to 8:00 PM when the office closes), or another time period. The lighting program can thus represent natural rhythms and / or cycles, such as sunrise to sunset, a forest scene, a fire, etc. Thus, the lighting program is dynamic because the light effects generated based on the lighting program change over time. While the plurality of light effects can be based entirely on a dynamic lighting program, the plurality of light effects can alternatively be based on the lighting program as well as, for example, user input, sensor input, and / or other input. The dynamic lighting program can then be modified based on such input(s).

[0013] The visibility threshold indicates the light level at which light effects are visible; that is, light effects presented at light levels below the visibility threshold are not visible, and light effects presented at light levels above the visibility threshold are visible. If the light level is greater than the ambient light level, the light effect is assumed to be visible; however, visibility can be defined to take into account a margin, for example, a light effect is considered visible only when the ambient light level exceeds a predetermined minimum or exceeds the ambient light level by a factor. Such a margin can be predetermined for the system, for example, when the system is manufactured, when the system is installed (for example, to take into account local conditions of the installed system or system user), or dynamically (for example, switching between a visibility threshold equal to the ambient light level and a visibility threshold that is a multiple of the ambient light level based on the ambient light level, the time of day, the number of light effects to be presented, etc.).

[0014] The at least one processor is further configured to: determine whether light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold, the light intensity levels including at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect; upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increase the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold so that the at least one light intensity level is coordinated with the ambient light level; and control the lighting device via the at least one output interface to present the plurality of light effects, the lighting device being controlled to present the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level. Increasing the at least one intensity level above the visibility threshold causes the at least one intensity level to be coordinated with the ambient light level. Coordinating the at least one light intensity level with the ambient light level may include increasing the light intensity level above the visibility threshold according to a predetermined rule. For example, the light level may be increased so that it exceeds a predetermined minimum value of the ambient light level, or exceeds the ambient light level by a factor. The light effect can thus be set to a light intensity level that is, for example, a light intensity level above the ambient light level (when measured in levels, such as low light level, medium light level, and high light level; or 0-100 lux, 101-500 lux, and 501 or more lux), or a specific number of lux above the ambient light level.

[0015] For spaces lacking natural light, such as basements, the changes in ambient light levels due to the dynamics of the outdoors are absent. Therefore, lighting in such spaces has traditionally been static and often limited to turning the lights on or off. For spaces with access to natural light, such as offices, the changes in ambient light levels and white balance can be substantial due to the dynamics of the outdoors.

[0016] For example, during sunny days, excessive natural light can completely overwhelm artificial light near windows, while at night, ambient light conditions are not much different from those in a basement. Therefore, traditional lighting systems in professional spaces and hospitality areas are set to maintain minimum light levels on work surfaces across a wide range of ambient light conditions.

[0017] Thus, for ambient light levels below a minimum threshold (called the visibility threshold), artificial lighting systems favor natural light, while for ambient light levels above the minimum threshold, traditional lighting systems resort to local (zoned) dimming to provide energy savings. Traditional lighting systems are also static in this regard. Furthermore, sensing of light levels at the work surface below the luminaire is performed vertically and locally, as downward-facing sensors at each luminaire feed their data directly to a local driver at the luminaire, without any spectral resolution.

[0018] For systems where different pixelated lighting devices work together as a system, direct dimming of the devices can be very disruptive to the overall experience, as large and undesirable changes appear in the provided light scene (the entire space). Furthermore, direct dimming will only reduce the visibility of the displayed content even more.

[0019] Even worse, some parts of the same space may become static and flat, while other parts are vivid, dynamic, and (more) colorful. In extreme cases, depending on the content being played, there's even a risk that the immersive light experience will become unpleasant, annoying, or even distracting. In other instances—where only a given portion of the content (color / intensity) drops below the visibility threshold—the system may appear broken.

[0020] Even worse, rather unnatural-looking portions of the played content may remain above the visibility threshold (for a portion of the room). Thus, although the system is functioning properly and all devices are technically operating in sync, their visible performance may appear out of sync and even flawed.

[0021] The above system allows for better integration of artificial and natural lighting with ambient lighting (i.e., better than control using local light sensors) by increasing one or more light intensity levels above a visibility threshold. The lighting device may be a pixelated lighting device. The lighting device and / or the sensor may be part of the system, however, the system may operate with lighting devices and / or sensors external to the system.

[0022] The at least one processor can be configured to increase at least one additional light intensity level of at least one additional light effect from the plurality of light effects to coordinate the at least one additional light intensity level with the ambient light level. This is beneficial because it allows the plurality of light effects to remain coordinated. In other words, as the at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect increases (to be above a visibility threshold), the at least one additional light intensity level of the at least one additional light effect is also increased. The at least one additional light level of the at least one additional light effect may be above a visibility threshold, and thus the at least one additional light level is increased not because the at least one additional light level is below the visibility threshold, but rather under the condition that the at least one additional light level is increased in response to the at least one light effect falling below the visibility threshold. The increase in the at least one light level applied to the at least one light effect can therefore be similarly applied to the at least one additional light intensity level of the at least one additional light effect. For example, an increase to another light level (when measured in levels, such as a low light level, a medium light level, and a high light level; or 0-100 lux, 101-500 lux, and 501 or more lux), or an increase of a specific number of lux above the ambient light level applied to the at least one light level, may also be applied to the at least one additional light level. However, the increase need not be the same; it can be an increase that is a factor. Thus, the at least one additional light level is increased by a factor of the increase of the at least one light level, such that the increase in the at least one additional light level is proportionally smaller, greater, or the same as the increase in the at least one light level.

[0023] The light sensor may be a multispectral light sensor, and the light sensor data may be spectral light sensor data. The at least one processor may be configured to determine wavelengths of the plurality of light effects, and based on the wavelengths, determine whether the light intensity levels of the plurality of dynamic light effects exceed the visibility threshold. The light sensor data may further indicate an ambient color, and the at least one processor may be configured to adjust a color value of the at least one light effect to coordinate the color value with the ambient color.

[0024] The at least one processor may be configured to, upon determining that the at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect does not exceed the visibility threshold, determine whether the at least one light intensity level can be increased above the visibility threshold; and upon determining that the at least one light intensity level can be increased above the visibility threshold, increase the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold in proportion to the ambient light level.

[0025] The at least one processor may be configured to determine a difference between a maximum light level that can be presented by the lighting device and the ambient light level, and to determine the plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device based on the difference.

[0026] The at least one processor can be configured to: receive additional light sensor data from an additional light sensor via the at least one input interface, the additional light sensor data indicating an additional light level; determine an additional visibility threshold based on the additional light sensor data; determine a plurality of additional light effects to be presented by the additional lighting device; determine whether additional light intensity levels of the plurality of additional light effects exceed the additional visibility threshold, the additional light intensity levels including at least one additional light intensity level of at least one additional light effect among the plurality of additional light effects; increase the at least one additional light intensity level above the additional visibility threshold so that the at least one additional light intensity level is coordinated with the additional light level; and upon determining that the at least one additional light intensity level does not exceed the additional visibility threshold, control the additional lighting device via the at least one output interface to present the plurality of additional light effects, the additional lighting device being controlled to present the at least one additional light effect with the increased at least one additional light intensity level.

[0027] The further light level may be dependent on the light intensity levels of the plurality of dynamic light effects presented by the lighting device.Alternatively or additionally, the at least one processor may be configured to adjust one or more of the plurality of further light effects so as to coordinate the plurality of further light effects with the plurality of light effects.

[0028] The plurality of light effects may be part of a dynamic light scene rendered by a plurality of lighting devices including the lighting device.

[0029] The lighting device may be a peripheral lighting device for providing dynamic and vertical lighting, and the plurality of lighting devices may further include an artificial skylight and a functional general lighting device for providing horizontal light. Peripheral lighting devices are also referred to as accent lighting devices in this specification and generally illuminate walls.

[0030] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for adjusting at least one of a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device based on an ambient light level comprises: receiving light sensor data from a light sensor, the light sensor data indicating the ambient light level; determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data; determining the plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device; and determining whether light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold, the light intensity levels including at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect.

[0031] The method further includes, upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increasing the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold so that the at least one light intensity level is coordinated with the ambient light level; and controlling the lighting device to present the plurality of light effects, the lighting device being controlled to present the at least one light effect having the increased at least one light intensity level. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software may be provided as a computer program product.

[0032] Furthermore, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are provided.The computer program can, for example, be downloaded from or uploaded to an existing device, or stored when these systems are manufactured.

[0033] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at least a first software code portion that, when executed or processed by a computer, is configured to perform executable operations for adjusting at least one light effect of a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device based on an ambient light level.

[0034] The executable operations include: receiving light sensor data from a light sensor, the light sensor data indicating the ambient light level; determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data; determining the plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device; and determining whether light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold, the light intensity levels including at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect.

[0035] The executable operations further include: upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increasing the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold so that the at least one light intensity level is coordinated with the ambient light level; and controlling the lighting device to present the plurality of light effects, the lighting device being controlled to present the at least one light effect having the increased at least one light intensity level. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software may be provided as a computer program product.

[0036] 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 entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects, which may all be generally 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. Furthermore, 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 (e.g., stored) thereon.

[0037] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. A computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may 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 computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more conductors, 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), optical fiber, a portable compact disk 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 may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0038] A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal having computer-readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic, optical (e.g., visible light communication signals), 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 connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0039] Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, cable, RF, or any suitable combination thereof. The computer program code for implementing the operations of aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​(such as Java™, Smalltalk, or C++) and traditional procedural programming languages ​​(such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages). The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0040] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, as well as combinations of blocks 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 central processing unit (CPU), to produce a machine such that instructions executed by the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing device, or other device create a device for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagram blocks.

[0041] 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 particular manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture that includes instructions for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagram blocks.

[0042] The computer program instructions may 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 executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide a process for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram blocks.

[0043] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the various figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may not appear in the order described in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It will also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] 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:

[0045] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system;

[0046] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a block diagram of a first lighting arrangement of the lighting arrangements;

[0047] Figure 3 Shows that it has been installed Figure 2 A perspective view of a room with lighting arrangements;

[0048] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A block diagram of a first alternative embodiment of a lighting arrangement;

[0049] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A block diagram of a second alternative embodiment of a lighting arrangement;

[0050] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 a block diagram of a second lighting arrangement in the lighting arrangement;

[0051] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 A perspective bottom view of the lighting arrangement;

[0052] Figure 8 An example of color temperature changes from a first moment to a second moment of different lighting devices participating in a dynamic light scene is shown;

[0053] Figure 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of controlling a lighting arrangement including an artificial skylight and functional general lighting fixtures;

[0054] Figure 10 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of controlling an artificial skylight including a light emitting surface and a light emitting inner edge;

[0055] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0056] Figure 12 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0057] Figure 13 shows examples of light effects presented by an overperforming lighting system and some underperforming lighting systems;

[0058] Figure 14 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0059] Figure 15-17 Examples of ambient and artificial natural lighting illuminating different areas of an office space are shown;

[0060] Figure 18 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method for controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0061] Figure 19 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a method for controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0062] Figure 20 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a method for controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0063] Figure 21 An example of a dynamic light scene including color settings and lighting intensity settings is shown;

[0064] Figure 22-23 Shown is a partially rendered Figure 21 An example of a dynamic light scene;

[0065] Figure 24 yes Figure 2 a block diagram of a third alternative embodiment of a lighting arrangement; and

[0066] Figure 25 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for executing the method of the present invention.

[0067] Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Figure 1 An embodiment of the system is shown: a controller 1, such as a gateway or bridge for the NatureConnect lighting system 10. Controller 1 includes a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5, and a memory 7. NatureConnect is a system that provides compelling light experiences by creating spaces that connect users to the constant cycle and transformation of nature. NatureConnect changes the way light is generated in professional environments, as traditionally, light generation in these spaces has been functional and static.

[0069] With NatureConnect, the shift from functional lighting to natural light is to create an uplifting environment and enhance well-being, and the shift from static to dynamic and three-dimensional is to create an immersive light experience. In this immersive light experience, multiple lighting fixtures - typically multiple types of lighting fixtures (including pixelated lighting fixtures) - work together in one lighting system to provide a wide range of dynamic light scenes, where lighting arrangements 131 and 151 provide a realistic view of the sky, lighting arrangements 111 and 151 provide functional light, and peripheral lighting fixtures 101-103 provide natural-feeling patterns, dynamics and tones of vertical lighting. Lighting arrangement 131 is an artificial skylight. Lighting arrangement 151 includes an artificial skylight and light elements for providing functional light. In Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG, the lighting arrangement 111 is a ceiling lighting device. The lighting device is typically a pixelated lighting device.

[0070] NatureConnect systems are typically capable of displaying dynamic and natural-feeling content at (native) different rates, scales, and resolutions. This provides an opportunity to more easily add semantic meaning to the content being played using specific colors, dynamics, and patterns. An example of natural-feeling content is a dappled light effect, which represents the shadow play of the sun's rays as they fall through a canopy of (moving) leaves. Other examples of natural-feeling content are patterns and color gradients on walls that mimic the gradient of a natural sky, and the color sets of the sky and sun in an artificial skylight, albeit displayed at different levels of brightness, pixelation, and resolution (e.g., when compared to zebra).

[0071] In the NatureConnect system, multiple light effects (including different rhythms and cycles of nature) are simultaneously presented by each of the multiple lighting devices, wherein the multiple light effects are typically determined (at least in part) based on a predetermined dynamic lighting program, which is mapped to a time period by means of a processor (e.g., processor 5) so that the dynamic lighting scene changes over time. In this way, the lighting system operates in a natural-feeling manner and can operate without the need for user interaction. Alternatively or additionally, the NatureConnect system may be capable of presenting pre-stored dynamic light scenes. Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the presentation of light effects is centrally coordinated by the controller 1 .

[0072] Figure 2 FIGURE 1 shows the lighting arrangement 151 in more detail. The lighting arrangement 151 includes three artificial skylights 161-163 and four functional general lighting fixtures 165-168 for providing horizontal light. Each functional general lighting fixture 165-168 includes a horizontal light-emitting surface. Functional general lighting fixtures 166 and 168 are positioned parallel to and adjacent to the artificial skylights 161-163, each on a different side of the artificial skylight 161-163. The spacing between functional general lighting fixtures 166 and 168 and the artificial skylights 161-163 does not exceed the width of the artificial skylights 161-163. The artificial skylights 161-163 and functional general lighting fixtures 166-168 have a width and length in the horizontal direction and a height or depth in the vertical direction. The width is less than the length.

[0073] Optionally, the parallel arrangement of artificial skylights 161-163 and functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 is "covered" at least at one end by means of a second large luminous surface. Figure 2In an embodiment, the functional general lighting device 165 is a first edge functional general lighting device adjacent to the first end of the artificial skylight 161 in the length direction, and the functional general lighting device 167 is a second edge functional general lighting device adjacent to the second end of the artificial skylight 163 in the length direction.

[0074] exist Figure 2 In an embodiment, the width of the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 is at least half the width of the artificial skylights 161-163, and the spacing between the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 and the artificial skylights 161-163 does not exceed five centimeters.

[0075] Figure 3 Shows that it has been installed Figure 2 A perspective view of the room with the lighting arrangement 151. Figure 3 In the example, lighting arrangement 151 is suspended from the ceiling. In this way, the lighting arrangement appears as a "standalone" island. While installers can freely distribute different lighting fixtures from a system like NatureConnect along an existing ceiling grid, the experience of installing within a grid is not as powerful as that of a cluster of lighting fixtures appearing as "islands" (e.g., suspended from an open or closed ceiling). This is because the grid "places" an additional sense of gridding toward the installation.

[0076] Lighting arrangement 151 has an island-shaped finial peripheral edge, which is preferably black. By using a faux skylight height greater than the island-shaped finial peripheral edge height, the illusion of faux skylights and the sense of structure in the ceiling can be enhanced. Peripheral lighting fixtures 103 are suspended from lighting arrangement 151 and positioned adjacent to and illuminate at least one office wall. In an alternative embodiment, peripheral lighting fixtures 103 are attached to lighting arrangement 151. Functional general lighting fixtures 165-168 illuminate desk 51 in the room.

[0077] exist Figure 4 In the alternative embodiment shown, the lighting arrangement 153 is similar to Figure 2 The lighting arrangement 151 is shown, but without the peripheral functional general lighting devices 165 and 167. Figure 5 In the alternative embodiment shown, the lighting arrangement 155 is similar to Figure 2 lighting arrangement 151 , but without functional general lighting equipment 168 .

[0078] The controller 1 performs at least one of a plurality of functions. If the controller is capable of performing the first function, the processor 5 is configured to control the artificial skylights 161-163, the functional general lighting devices 165-168, and the peripheral lighting device 103 to present different light effects of a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices includes the artificial skylights 161-163, the functional general lighting devices 165-168, and the peripheral lighting device 103.

[0079] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the processor 5 is further configured to control the peripheral lighting devices 101-102, the artificial skylight 131 and the functional general lighting device 111, or to present different light effects of the same dynamic light scene, or to present different light effects of different dynamic light scenes.

[0080] exist Figure 1 In an embodiment of the invention, the processor 5 is configured to control the functional general lighting devices 165-168 at light levels coordinated with the light levels of the artificial skylights 161-163. Figure 1 In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 5 is configured to control the artificial skylights 161-163 to present blue light and / or cyan light, and to control the functional general lighting devices 165-168 to present light having a color temperature between 4000 Kelvin and 5500 Kelvin.

[0081] Figures 2 to 5 Each of the artificial skylights 161-163 includes a light emitting surface and may further include a light emitting inner edge surrounding the light emitting surface, the light emitting inner edge being perpendicular to the light emitting surface. An example of such a light emitting edge is Figure 6 In this case, the dynamic light sequence can specify the light effects of the illuminated surface and the illuminated inner edge of the artificial skylight separately. The processor 5 can be configured to control the illuminated inner edge of the artificial skylight to produce a shadow effect along at least a portion of the inner edge. Alternatively, the inner edge of the backlight can include a (static) hard shadow mask in front of the inner edge of the backlight to produce the shadow effect.

[0082] Figure 6 FIGURE 1 shows a lighting arrangement 131 in greater detail. Lighting arrangement 131 does not include any functional general lighting fixtures, but rather includes artificial skylights 133-135. Each of artificial skylights 133-135 includes a light-emitting surface and a light-emitting inner edge surrounding the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting inner edge is perpendicular to the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting inner edge can be used to simulate the portion of a real skylight edge that is illuminated by sunlight.

[0083] Artificial skylight 133 includes a light emitting surface 137 and a light emitting inner edge 143. Artificial skylight 134 includes a light emitting surface 138 and a light emitting inner edge 144. Artificial skylight 135 includes a light emitting surface 139 and a light emitting inner edge 145. Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 A perspective bottom view of the lighting arrangement 131 is shown.

[0084] If the controller 1 is capable of performing the second function, the processor 5 is configured to determine a dynamic light scene and control the luminous surfaces 137-139 (also known as the skylight panels), the luminous inner edges 143-145 (also known as the frame), the functional general lighting device 111 (also known as the canopy lighting device), and the peripheral lighting devices 102 via the transmitter 4 to present the dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices includes the luminous surfaces 137-139, the luminous inner edges 143-145, and the functional general lighting device 111. The functional general lighting device 111 includes a horizontal luminous surface.

[0085] The light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous surface 137-139 at the first moment in the dynamic light scene is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous surface 137-139 at the second moment in the dynamic light scene, the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous inner edge 143-145 at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous inner edge 143-145 at the second moment, and the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the second moment.

[0086] The color temperature of the light effect of the luminous surface 137-139 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous surface 137-139 at the second moment, the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous inner edge 143-145 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous inner edge 143-145 at the second moment, and the color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the second moment.

[0087] In one experiment, when the artificial skylight was open, despite providing virtually no functional light, the space felt more open and spacious when the color temperature and light intensity levels were set as described above. Furthermore, by matching the color temperature of the sunlit portion of the interior edge (frame) with that of the functional general lighting (canopy), the sense of spaciousness was further enhanced, providing a more natural feel. Furthermore, when the color of the artificial sky in the skylight was set to a deeper blue (>11,000 K), the color temperature of the functional light could be increased to well over 4,000 K without feeling uncomfortable.

[0088] For example, the first time can correspond to solar noon, and the second time can correspond to sunrise, the time between sunrise and up to one hour after sunrise, sunset, or the time between up to one hour before sunset and sunset. The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset are also called golden hours.

[0089] exist Figure 1 In an embodiment, the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that the difference between the color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 and the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous inner edges 143-145 remains below 1500 Kelvin at the first moment, at the second moment, and at any moment between the first moment and the second moment.

[0090] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that the color temperature of the light emitting surfaces 137 - 139 remains above 5000 Kelvin at the first moment, at the second moment, and at any moment between the first moment and the second moment.

[0091] exist Figure 1 In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that at the first moment the color temperature of the light effects of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 is higher than or equal to the color temperature of the light effects of the functional general lighting device 111, and that at the first moment the color temperature of the light effects of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 is higher than or equal to the color temperature of the light effects of the light emitting inner edges 143-145.

[0092] exist Figure 1 In an embodiment, the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting inner edges 143-145 at the first moment, and the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment.

[0093] Figure 8 An example of a change in color temperature of different lighting devices participating in a dynamic light scene from a first moment in time 298 (eg solar noon) to a second moment in time 299 (eg sunset) is shown. Figure 8 The dynamic light scene represented in corresponds to a normal sunny day. Figure 8 , color temperature 291 is presented by the luminous surface(s) of the artificial skylight(s), color temperature 292 is presented by the functional general lighting device(s), and color temperature 293 is presented by the luminous inner edge(s) of the artificial skylight(s).

[0094] exist Figure 8In the example, at the first moment 298 , the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous surface is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the (multiple) functional general lighting device at the first moment 298 , and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the (multiple) functional general lighting device at the first moment 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous inner edge at the first moment 298 .

[0095] exist Figure 8 In the example, a first difference 296 between the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device and the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the luminous inner edge exceeds 500 Kelvin, and a second difference 295 between the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the luminous surface and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device exceeds the first difference 296 multiplied by two.

[0096] exist Figure 8 In the example, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous surfaces at the second moment 299 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous inner edges at the second moment 299, and the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous inner edges at the second moment 299 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the (multiple) functional general lighting devices at the second moment 299.

[0097] exist Figure 8 In the example, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the luminous surface does not increase between the first moment 298 and the second moment 299 , and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device does not increase between the first moment 298 and the second moment 299 .

[0098] The corresponding light intensity level is not Figure 8 , but the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous surface(s) at the first moment 298 is preferably higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous inner edge(s) at the first moment 298, and the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous inner edge(s) at the first moment 298 is preferably higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment 298.

[0099] Preferably, the light intensity level of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous surfaces at the second moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous inner edges at the second moment, and the difference between the light intensity level of the light effect of the (multiple) luminous inner edges at the second moment and the light intensity level of the light effect of the (multiple) functional general lighting devices at the second moment is lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0100] In other words, if the luminous surface is represented by 1, the luminous inner edge is represented by 2, and the functional general lighting device is represented by 3, then at the first moment the following conditions are preferably met to increase the sense of space:

[0101] - CT1 > CT3 > CT2

[0102] - ΔCT23 = CT3–CT2 > 500K

[0103] - ΔCT13 = CT1–CT3 > 2 x ΔCT23.

[0104] Preferably, at the second moment, the following conditions are satisfied to increase the sense of space: CT1 > CT2 > CT3. Preferably, at the first moment, L1 > L2 > L3, and at the second moment, L1 > L3 ~ L2.

[0105] Alternatively, on a normal sunny day, the following conditions may apply:

[0106] - First moment: CT1 > 7000 K

[0107] - First moment: CT3 < 5000 K

[0108] - Second moment: CT2 < 2500 K

[0109] -Second moment: CT3 > CT2 + 500 K.

[0110] Alternatively, on cloudy or foggy days, the following conditions may apply:

[0111] First moment: CT1 ~ CT2 ~ CT3, where L1 > L3 > L2 (supplemental lighting is usually required to produce the lowest brightness level at the user's desk).

[0112] Alternatively, on a very clear day, the following conditions may be met:

[0113] First moment: CT1 > 20000 K, CT3 < 5500 K, and CT2 > 5500 K.

[0114] If controller 1 is capable of performing the third function, processor 5 is configured to receive light sensor data from light sensor 31 via receiver 3 and determine a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data. The light sensor data indicates an ambient light level. Processor 5 is also configured to determine a plurality of light effects to be presented by peripheral lighting device 101 and determine whether light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold. The light intensity levels include at least one light intensity level for at least one light effect.

[0115] The processor 5 is configured to, upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increase the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold, coordinate the at least one light intensity level with the ambient light level, and control the peripheral lighting device 101 via the transmitter 4 to present a plurality of light effects. The peripheral lighting device 101 is controlled to present the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level.

[0116] The processor 5 is configured to do the same for the light sensor 32 and the peripheral lighting device 102 and for the light sensor 33 and the peripheral lighting device 103. Additionally, the light intensity level of other lighting devices besides the peripheral lighting device may be adjusted based on the light sensor data received from one of the light sensors 31-33. Figure 1 In an embodiment, multiple light effects are specified in a dynamic light scene.

[0117] One or more of the light sensors 31-33 may be multispectral light sensors. In this case, the light sensor data received from the light sensor is spectral light sensor data, and the processor 5 is configured to determine the wavelengths of the plurality of light effects and, based on the wavelengths, determine whether the light intensity levels of the plurality of dynamic light effects exceed a visibility threshold. In this case, the light sensor data further indicates an ambient color, and the processor 5 may then be configured to adjust the color value of at least one light effect to coordinate the color value with the ambient color.

[0118] If controller 1 is capable of performing the fourth function, processor 5 is configured to determine, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of light effects to be presented by one or more of the plurality of lighting devices; and control the one or more lighting devices via transmitter 4 to present the plurality of light effects. The plurality of light effects corresponds to a first moment in the dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices includes lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, and 151, or a subset thereof.

[0119] The processor 5 is further configured to receive a user input signal via the receiver 3, determine a second moment in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal, determine a transition from the first moment to the second moment, determine a plurality of additional light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices from the dynamic light scene, and control the one or more lighting devices to present the plurality of additional light effects after the transition via the transmitter 4. The plurality of additional light effects corresponds to the second moment in the dynamic light scene.

[0120] As specified in the dynamic light scene, the transition is faster than a normal transition from the first moment to the second moment. The transition can be immediate for at least a first subset of the one or more lighting devices and / or gradual for at least a second subset of the one or more lighting devices. The user input signal indicates a time difference between the first moment and the second moment and / or indicates a desire to advance in time in the dynamic light scene or to retreat in time in the dynamic light scene.

[0121] As a first example, the dynamic light scene represents a daylight scene, and the first moment and the second moment correspond to different times of the day. As a second example, the dynamic light scene represents a fire scene, and the first moment and the second moment correspond to different scales of the fire. As a third example, the dynamic light scene represents a forest scene, and the first moment and the second moment correspond to different tree densities and / or leaf densities.

[0122] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG1 , a user input signal is received from a mobile device 23. Both the controller 1 and the mobile device 23 are connected to a wireless LAN access point 21, for example, via Wi-Fi. For example, the mobile device 23 may be running an app for controlling the lighting devices of the lighting system 10, or a subset thereof. The wireless LAN access point 21 is also connected to the internet 25. An internet server 27 is also connected to the internet. For example, the internet server 27 may store dynamic light scenes.

[0123] In an alternative embodiment, the user input signal is received via a control device comprising a one-dimensional control element, such as a (continuously) rotatable control element. The control device may be included in the controller 1 or may be external to the controller 1. The control device may include a display and may be configured to display a representation of the first moment and / or the second moment in the dynamic light scene on the display.

[0124] It is beneficial to display dynamic visual feedforward and feedback on the control display or on another screen in the room (such as a smartphone, smart TV, or video projector), which can present the current scene, such as passing clouds, moving tree canopies, or reflections on water, with high fidelity, along with the current value of the dominant parameter controlled by the one-dimensional control element. When the one-dimensional control element is used to change the dominant parameter (such as the change in cloud cover as clouds continue to pass at a given time of day), this dynamic visualization of the currently playing content (such as slowly passing clouds) can be dynamically adjusted in real time, thereby giving further feedforward / feedback to the user in addition to changes in the lighting system.

[0125] Allowing a human to control only one light scene parameter for the current scene (preferably the dominant parameter that indicates the (to-be) selected light scene) is efficient, intuitive, and useful. For pre-stored dynamic light scenes, allowing the user to change individual settings of the dynamic light scene is less beneficial. However, even if the dynamic light scene is created in real time by a dynamic lighting program, and allowing the user to change the program's more advanced parameters may be possible, allowing the user to change the time of day in a dynamic light scene (e.g., in a dynamic light scene simulating external light conditions or in a fire scene) is highly intuitive. For example, the time of day in a dynamic light scene can correspond to a specific time of day, but this is not required.

[0126] If the dynamic light scene is created in real time by a dynamic lighting program, there may be other (more advanced) parameters that the user can change, such as weather conditions in daylight to simulate the light scene or light scene scape. Figure 1 In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 5 is configured to: determine one or more values ​​of one or more such additional parameters based on the user input signal; adjust at least one of a plurality of additional light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices based on the one or more values; and control the one or more lighting devices to present the adjusted at least one additional light effect after the transition.

[0127] If a dynamic lighting program presents a fire scene with simulated outdoor light conditions as a background, the user can change the time of day by changing the moment in the dynamic light scene, but may also be able to change one or more higher-level parameters related to the fire. These one or more higher-level parameters may be nested parameters, i.e., the value of a higher-level parameter may correspond to the values ​​of multiple different lower-level parameters. Changes to these further parameters may also be immediate or gradual.

[0128] For example, a user might be able to change the amount of wood on the fire, and the transition can be gradual. This is beneficial because when a calm campfire is fed by adding more wood to a real fire, it takes some time before the fire's color becomes richer, the level of motion increases, the flame height rises, and the flame density and frequency change. Thus, the single action of adding wood causes changes in lower-level parameters (the amount and rate of combustible components escaping at velocity v and burning at height x, color point y, and at ambient temperature T and wind speed w, etc.), and can affect the presentation on multiple lighting devices.

[0129] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment of the controller 1, the controller 1 includes a single processor 5. In alternative embodiments, the controller 1 includes multiple processors. The processor 5 of the controller 1 may be a general-purpose processor (e.g., an ARM-based processor) or a dedicated processor. The processor 5 of the controller 1 may run, for example, a Unix-based operating system. The memory 7 may include one or more memory units. For example, the memory 7 may include one or more hard disks and / or solid-state memory.

[0130] For example, the receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 may use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (e.g., Zigbee or Bluetooth) to communicate with the sensor devices 31-33 and the lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, and 151, and may use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point 21. 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, 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 lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, 151 each include a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs can be direct emitting LEDs or phosphor converted LEDs.

[0131] The controller 1 may include other components typical for a controller, such as a power connector. The present invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors. Figure 1 In an embodiment, the system of the present invention is a controller. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention is a different device, such as a lighting device. Figure 1 In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a plurality of devices.

[0132] Figure 9 An embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting arrangement is shown in FIG. The lighting arrangement includes an artificial skylight and a functional general lighting fixture for providing horizontal light. The functional general lighting fixture includes a horizontal light-emitting surface. The functional general lighting fixture is positioned parallel to and adjacent to the artificial skylight. The spacing between the functional general lighting fixture and the artificial skylight does not exceed the width of the artificial skylight.

[0133] Step 301 involves determining a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of a plurality of lighting fixtures, including an artificial skylight and functional general lighting fixtures. In step 301, the dynamic light scene may be partially or fully retrieved from a memory and / or may be partially or fully created, for example, by a dynamic lighting program. For example, parameters of the dynamic light scene may specify that the artificial skylight should render blue and / or cyan light, and that the functional general lighting fixtures should render light with a color temperature between 4000 Kelvin and 5500 Kelvin.

[0134] Step 303 includes determining a light effect corresponding to the current moment in the light effect sequence. A different light effect is determined for each of the plurality of lighting devices. Each light effect includes a light intensity level and a color. For example, if the lighting device only renders white light, the color can be expressed as a color temperature.

[0135] exist Figure 9 In an embodiment, step 305 is performed after step 303. Step 305 includes coordinating the light level of the functional general lighting device to the light level specified for the artificial skylight. Steps 307 and 309 include controlling the artificial skylight and the functional general lighting device, respectively, to present different light effects determined in step 305. After steps 307 and 309 have been performed, step 305 is repeated, after which the method is as follows Figure 9 Proceed as shown.

[0136] exist Figure 9 In a variation of the embodiment, the artificial skylight includes a light-emitting surface and a light-emitting inner edge surrounding the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting inner edge is perpendicular to the light-emitting surface. In this variation, step 307 includes controlling the artificial skylight to produce a shadow effect along at least a portion of the inner edge.

[0137] Alternatively, the illuminated inner edge can include a (static) hard mask for generating a static shadow, for example, on the front or back side of a backlight's light diffuser. In the latter case, the hard mask is positioned between the backlight and the light diffuser, preferably in close proximity to the back side of the light diffuser (generally, the closer the better), but not in optical contact. For example, the mask can be an integral part of the frame to which the light diffuser is attached (typically by clamping), a separate part attached to the frame, or a "spring-loaded" part that pushes against the back side of the light diffuser.

[0138] Alternatively, the shape of the light engine and / or mixing box may be reshaped from a rectangle to a shape with one slanted side to create a shadow effect.The light effects for the emitting surface and emitting edges may be specified separately in a dynamic light sequence.

[0139] Figure 10An embodiment of a method for controlling an artificial skylight to present a light effect is shown in FIG. The artificial skylight includes a light-emitting surface and a light-emitting inner edge surrounding the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting inner edge is perpendicular to the light-emitting surface.

[0140] Step 321 includes determining weather conditions, such as normal sunny, extremely sunny, cloudy, or foggy. Step 323 includes determining a dynamic light scene based on the weather conditions determined in step 321. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of a plurality of lighting fixtures. The plurality of lighting fixtures includes a light-emitting surface, a light-emitting inner edge, and a functional general lighting fixture for providing horizontal light. The functional general lighting fixture includes a horizontal light-emitting surface. In an alternative embodiment, step 321 is omitted, and the dynamic light scene is not determined based on weather conditions.

[0141] exist Figure 10 In an embodiment, step 323 includes sub-steps 341 and 343. Step 341 includes determining the light intensity level of the light effect, and step 343 includes determining the color temperature of the light effect. In a dynamic light scene, the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous surface at a first moment in the dynamic light scene is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the luminous surface at a second moment in the dynamic light scene. The intensity level of the light effect at the inner edge of the luminous surface at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect at the inner edge of the luminous surface at the second moment. The light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at the second moment.

[0142] Furthermore, in a dynamic light scene, the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous surface at a first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the luminous surface at a second moment. The color temperature of the light effect of the inner edge of the luminous surface at a first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the inner edge of the luminous surface at a second moment. The color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at a first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at a second moment.

[0143] Steps 325 and 329 are performed after step 323. Step 325 includes determining a light effect of the artificial skylight, which light effect corresponds to the current moment in the corresponding light effect sequence. Step 329 includes determining a light effect of the functional general lighting device, which light effect corresponds to the current moment in the corresponding light effect sequence.

[0144] Steps 327 and 331 comprise controlling the artificial skylight and the functional general lighting fixtures, respectively, to present the light effects determined from the dynamic light scene in steps 325 and 329, respectively. After steps 307 and 309 have been performed, steps 325 and 329 are repeated, after which the method proceeds as follows. Figure 10 Proceed as shown.

[0145] Figure 11A first embodiment of a method for adjusting at least one of a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device based on the ambient light level is shown in FIG. Step 361 includes receiving light sensor data from a light sensor. The light sensor data indicates the ambient light level. For example, sampling of the ambient light level can be performed (semi-)continuously or intermittently, as the artificial light is electronically switched (e.g., at startup, between PWM cycles, or differentially (because the system drive waveform and, therefore, the overall spectral modulation of the light are known)).

[0146] Step 363 includes determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data. Step 365 includes determining a plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device. Step 367 includes determining whether light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold. The light intensity levels include at least one light intensity level for at least one light effect.

[0147] Step 369 includes, upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold, increasing the at least one light intensity level above the visibility threshold to coordinate the at least one light intensity level with the ambient light level. Step 371 includes controlling the lighting device to present a plurality of light effects. The lighting device is controlled to present at least one light effect having at least one light intensity level increased.

[0148] This method is typically used to control multiple lighting fixtures in a lighting system. Preferably, the different pixelated lighting fixtures are controlled to work together as a system. The multiple lighting fixtures can include realistic, artificial skylights that provide a view of the sky, accent (peripheral) lights that provide bio- and emotional (patterned, colored, and rhythmic) light, and general lighting fixtures that provide functional light.

[0149] In this way, a natural lighting system can be provided having a system behavior that is an improvement over that of conventional and static lighting systems, in that the natural lighting system automatically coordinates its behavior to the ambient light conditions within the (office) space relative to its own system capabilities, with the aim of maintaining an immersive and natural-feeling light experience under a wide variety of ambient light conditions, where the feeling of nature is inspired by the constant cycles and changes of nature, while at the same time maintaining minimum light levels on at least work surfaces and vertical surfaces of the space (i.e. walls) (where applicable), which is consistent with the direct view of the natural-feeling artificial skylight, and vice versa.

[0150] Figure 12 A second embodiment of a method for adjusting at least one of a plurality of light effects to be presented by a lighting device based on an ambient light level is shown in FIG. Step 361 includes receiving light sensor data from a light sensor. The light sensor data indicates an ambient light level. Step 363 includes determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data.

[0151] Next, step 381 includes determining the difference between the maximum light level that can be presented by the lighting device and the ambient light level. Step 365 includes determining a plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device. Figure 12 In an embodiment, step 365 is implemented by step 383. Step 383 includes determining a plurality of light effects to be presented by the lighting device based on the difference determined in step 381. If the difference is large, a dynamic light sequence that is less similar to the external conditions (e.g., time of day, season, weather) may be selected. If the difference is not large, a dynamic light sequence that is more similar to the external conditions may be selected.

[0152] In some instances, it may be useful to select content / dynamic light scenes so that at least a portion of the content rises above a visibility threshold, or to play the content so that it feels like a natural extension of the outdoors or indoors. At another time of day (e.g., during prime time), the color of the ambient light (incident sunlight) may shift toward a redder color. This may be possible if the light sensor data further indicates the ambient color.

[0153] Step 367 includes determining whether the light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed a visibility threshold. The light intensity levels include at least one light intensity level for at least one light effect. In step 387, a light effect is selected whose light intensity level exceeds the visibility threshold. Step 389 is performed after step 387. Step 389 includes increasing the light intensity levels to harmonize with the ambient light level.

[0154] For light effects whose light intensity levels do not exceed the visibility threshold, step 385 is performed. Step 385 includes determining whether one or more of these light intensity levels can be increased above the visibility threshold. Light effects with these intensity levels are selected in step 391. The remaining light effects (if any) are selected in step 395 and omitted from the light effect presentation in step 397.

[0155] After step 391, step 369 is executed. Figure 12 In the embodiment of FIG, step 369 is implemented by step 393. Step 393 includes increasing the light intensity level selected in step 391 above the visibility threshold in proportion to the ambient light level. Step 371 includes controlling the lighting device to present the light effect selected in steps 387 and 391 at the light intensity level determined in steps 389 and 393.

[0156] Dynamic lighting systems such as the NatureConnect system preferably apply different strategies under different ambient light conditions, where the system strategy is automatically selected based on, for example, local light conditions (artificial light and / or daylight), season, weather, space utilization, content already playing, and the use of blinds. As a result, the same system in the same space may be able to perform well under ambient light conditions at one particular time of day; while the same system may perform poorly under different ambient light conditions at another part of the same day.

[0157] The goal of this system is to always provide an optimal, natural-feeling, and immersive light experience, but this is not typically achieved by (exactly) replicating the light levels and / or dynamics of the outdoors. Instead, dynamic lighting systems orchestrate the constant cycles and changes of nature across a space (e.g., an office space) in a naturally perceptive manner by increasing light intensity levels above the visibility threshold where desired.

[0158] Figure 13 Graph 231 shows an example of a sequence of light effects 233 rendered by a high-performing system, ie, all light effects exceed a visibility threshold 235 . Figure 13 Graph 241 shows an example of a sequence of light effects 233 rendered by a partially underperforming system, i.e., some of the light effects do not exceed a visibility threshold 245. To ensure that all light effects are visible, the light intensity levels of light effects with light intensity levels below the visibility threshold are increased above the visibility threshold, resulting in light effects 253, as shown. Figure 13 As shown in the curve graph 251.

[0159] exist Figure 13 In the example shown, the light intensity level of the light effect is not increased when the light intensity level is above the visibility threshold. However, it is sometimes beneficial to increase the light intensity level of the light effect when the light intensity level is above the visibility threshold. This can be beneficial in certain situations, such as allowing the system to adjust and coordinate the flash level of the zebra effect to a system upper limit to maintain the zebra effect.

[0160] The light intensity level of the non-flash light effects is preferably just above the visibility threshold.To increase the flash effect, in superior systems where the light intensity levels of the flash light effects cannot be increased due to system limits, they can be lowered to just above the visibility threshold.

[0161] If the ambient light level were to rise even further, the zebra effect as a whole could be overwhelmed, i.e., drowned out by natural (daylight), with the system thus becoming underperforming. In this case, abandoning the zebra effect as a whole, or turning off most of it, could be more efficient and useful, as only the shimmer component of the content could be dimmed or turned off.

[0162] Therefore, when natural light performs poorly, ambient light conditions provide artificial systems with the opportunity to more easily change and / or provide semantic meaning to the content being played, with options to match or deviate from natural (day) light (scenes); while for natural light (and open blinds) that performs well, going with the flow is more efficient and natural in matching and / or extending the outdoor feel indoors.

[0163] Light sensor data is used to adjust at least a portion of the first cadence to ambient light conditions, and if necessary, suppress it, by increasing a portion of the first cadence above a given system threshold when the system is capable of performing well, or abandoning or partially abandoning a portion of the natural content playback when the system is performing poorly. This can be done at different rates throughout the day, depending on the content being played and the sensed indoor ambient light conditions. This allows an immersive and natural-feeling light experience to be maintained at least to the system's first performance threshold.

[0164] For poorly performing systems, light effects for at least a first portion of the played content that are drowned in ambient light can be abandoned or turned off, and if the artificial content would be completely drowned out, the system can automatically decide to play alternative content for which at least a first portion of the content is coordinated with the sensed ambient light conditions (e.g., light level and / or light color).

[0165] Figure 14 A third embodiment of a method for adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level is shown in FIG. Step 361 comprises receiving light sensor data from one or more light sensors. Figure 14 In one embodiment, one or more light sensors are multispectral light sensors, and the light sensor data received from the one or more light sensors is spectral light sensor data. The light sensor data indicates the ambient light level and also indicates the ambient color. The light sensor can be associated with a specific space and / or a specific lighting device. The light sensor can distinguish between at least two wavelength regions and can be, for example, cyan or blue "centered."

[0166] Multispectral light sensors offer advantages over traditional light sensors that lack spectral selectivity. Spectral differences between sunny and cloudy days are primarily apparent in the wavelength range above 460 nm. In the blue range below 460 nm, weather changes are primarily reflected by light intensity, while during sunny days, intensity variations across the entire sunlight spectrum dominate. Therefore, sensors that include cyan are preferred because cyan represents a critical point in the dependence of spectral power on weather. That is, the spectral power of light with wavelengths longer than cyan is more dependent on weather than the spectral power of light with wavelengths shorter than cyan.

[0167] Multispectral light sensors are also deployed in mobile phones, digital cameras, and audio recorders. Spectrally selective data allows for mathematical extraction of the total light intensity, white balance, CCT, and (relative) spectral contribution of at least two or more spectrally distinct wavelengths (regions) to the overall light conditions of a given (office) space (e.g., by sampling red and blue, or red, green, and blue, or cyan and red, or blue, cyan, and red), while electronic modulation of artificial light on top of (nearly) static ambient (daylight) light can also be easily detected using differential sensing (using two identical sensors).

[0168] Pixelated lighting fixtures can benefit from spectral sensing, as spectrally selective sensing allows for a much more natural-feeling representation of the content being played, in addition to dimming or boosting. Furthermore, the spatial "white" balance can be tracked and corrected, or matched (between spaces), over the course of a day. To detect and balance (relative (spectral)) changes in (local) ambient light conditions within a space relative to the system capabilities of a natural lighting system, spectral data from at least one wavelength (area) selective (light) sensor is fed to the system controller.

[0169] Step 363 includes determining one or more visibility thresholds based on the light sensor data, for example, one visibility threshold for each light sensor. Next, in step 401, a first lighting device is selected from one or more lighting devices involved in a dynamic light scene. In step 403, a visibility threshold associated with the selected lighting device is selected from the one or more visibility thresholds determined in step 363.

[0170] Then, step 365 includes determining a plurality of light effects to be presented by the selected lighting device from the dynamic light scene. Step 405 includes determining wavelengths of the plurality of light effects determined in step 365 based on the light sensor data. The light sensor data includes data for at least a first and a second wavelength region, and preferably data for at least three different wavelength regions.

[0171] After step 405, step 367 is executed. Figure 14 In the embodiment of FIG405 , step 367 is implemented by step 407. Step 407 includes determining whether the light intensity level of any of the plurality of dynamic light effects exceeds a visibility threshold based on the wavelength determined in step 405. For example, a green light effect and a yellow light effect may have the same intensity level, but only the green light effect may be visible under the current ambient lighting conditions.

[0172] Next, in step 409, a determination is made as to whether the lighting device is located in the transition zone, for example based on the visibility threshold selected in step 403. If the visibility exceeds a first level and remains below a second level, the lighting device is deemed to be located in the transition zone, and step 413 is performed. Otherwise, step 411 is performed. Steps 411 and 413 implement step 369.

[0173] Steps 411 and 413 include increasing light intensity levels that do not exceed the visibility threshold above the visibility threshold to coordinate them with the ambient light level. Steps 411 and 413 also include adjusting the color value of at least one light effect determined in step 365 to coordinate the color value with the ambient color.

[0174] For example, one or more color components of a zebra effect can be offset to enhance the immersive light experience in a natural-feeling manner. Similarly, artificial skylights, feature lights, and peripheral / accent lights can also be adjusted, with some or all of the content offset to match the spectral distribution of the ambient light, so that a natural-feeling, immersive light experience is maintained throughout the space.

[0175] In step 413, these light effects are also coordinated with other light effects presented by other lighting devices, which are located, for example, in an area adjacent to the transition zone closer to the window. Light intensity levels that have exceeded the visibility threshold can also be adjusted to coordinate them with the ambient light level and / or to coordinate these light effects with the other light effects.

[0176] Step 371 comprises controlling the lighting devices to present the plurality of light effects determined in step 365 and adjusted in step 369. Next, step 409 comprises checking whether any further lighting devices are involved in the dynamic light scene, and if so, selecting the next lighting device and repeating steps 401, 403, 365, 405, 367, 409, 369 and 371 for the next lighting device.

[0177] The distributed controllers can render different dynamic light scenes and / or different parts of dynamic light scenes. For example, each of these distributed controllers can execute Figure 12 In this case, the light sensor can be used to determine not only the level of real natural light outside, but also the light intensity level of dynamic light effects presented by further lighting devices in adjacent areas.

[0178] Alternatively, the system can be controlled by using a central controller (e.g. Figure 14The method described in

[15] presents dynamic light scenes on lighting fixtures located in a larger space. Each lighting fixture can be assigned to a zone. Each zone typically includes one or more light sensors. For example, artificial transition zones can be created that naturally link the outdoors to one or more different indoor (light) scenes. Thus, artificial transition zones can act as natural-feeling "buffer zones" between different artificial indoor scenes and / or between different artificial indoor and real outdoor scenes. Further away from windows, "island" zones can be created whose "climate, weather, and scenery" differ from those outside / near windows.

[0179] Which zones are created and how large they are generally determined by ambient light conditions, which are determined by weather conditions. Figure 15-17 Three spatial coordination options for different ambient light conditions are depicted. Figure 15 Depicts sunny weather conditions. Figure 15 The area 201 closest to the window 211 is designated as the "forward" area, as the sun's beams are unobstructed (indicated by reference numeral 213). The forward area 201 includes Figure 1 The peripheral lighting device 101 and the light sensor 31 are shown.

[0180] Area 203 is the farthest from the window 211 and is therefore an "island" area. The island area provides a completely free view. The island area can be naturally connected with the artificial light scenes running in the interior building space and corridors. The island area 203 includes Figure 1 The lighting arrangement 151, the peripheral lighting device 103 and the light sensor 33. The area 202 between the forward area 201 and the island area 203 becomes the transition area. The transition area 202 includes Figure 1 The functional general lighting device 111, the lighting arrangement 131, the peripheral lighting device 102 and the light sensor 32.

[0181] Figure 16 Depicted are cloudy weather conditions represented by the sun 213 and clouds 215. Due to the low ambient light levels, only the transition region 202 and the island region 203 are formed. Figure 15 The forward zone 201 is now the transition zone 202, and Figure 15 The transition area 202 and the island area 203 are now the island area 203.

[0182] Figure 17 Depicted are overcast weather conditions represented by clouds 215. Due to the even lower ambient light levels, only island regions 203 are formed. Figure 15 The forward area 201, transition area 202 and island area 203 are now island area 203.

[0183] In addition to adapting to outdoor variations (in (spectral) ambient light conditions), adaptation of indoor cadence and content playback can also be triggered by other indoor conditions, such as, for example, furniture or wall(s) of a given color and / or reflectivity, or vice versa, or their absence. Furthermore, differences in space utilization and / or occupancy can influence local cadence, patterns, and colors (i.e., the content played). In other instances, content playback can be tuned to the presence of flickering or flashing devices or discontinuous light in the same space as natural lighting.

[0184] In a scenario where the outdoor light brightens and the blinds are (still) open, devices such as artificial skylights should preferably not dim despite the excess ambient light. Instead, the overall brightness of the sky and (the illusion of) the sun should preferably also increase, but in an appropriate relationship to the functional light provided by the system. Furthermore, in order to maintain a natural and immersive light experience throughout the space, the functional light level further away from the windows can even be raised (well above the minimum threshold) to improve the overall experience. Furthermore, depending on the location of the (multiple) zebra effects in the space, the "shimmer" level of the zebra effect can also be automatically adapted. Moreover, in order not to distract office workers, this change and adaptation should preferably be smooth and gradual.

[0185] The natural lighting system can adapt to other (non)functional lighting fixtures within the same space that are not part of the natural lighting system, while coordinating the content playback to include light(s) of other (non)functional lights so that the entire lighting fixture appears to act as one system.

[0186] Figure 18 A first embodiment of a method for controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene is shown in FIG. Step 420 includes determining a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. Step 421 includes determining a time at which presentation of the sequence, to be used in step 423, should begin (e.g., the start of the sequence).

[0187] Step 423 includes determining a plurality of light effects to be presented by one or more lighting devices from the dynamic light scene. In a first iteration of step 423, the plurality of light effects determined in step 423 corresponds to the time instant determined in step 421, for example, corresponding to the start of the dynamic light scene. Step 425 includes controlling the one or more lighting devices to present the plurality of light effects determined in step 423.

[0188] Step 429 includes checking whether a user input signal has been received in step 427. Figure 18In this embodiment, step 429 is triggered by the receipt of a user input signal or the expiration of a specified time (i.e., reaching a next moment). This next moment is after the moment corresponding to the light effect determined in step 423. For example, this next moment may be the first moment in the sequence (or sequences) at which the light effect is different. If a user input signal has been received, step 431 is executed next. If not, step 439 is executed next. Step 439 involves determining the next moment to be used in the next iteration of step 423.

[0189] Step 431 involves determining a second moment in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal. This second moment is different from the moment corresponding to the light effect determined in step 423, referred to as the "first moment," and is also different from the next moment. The user input signal may indicate a time difference between the first moment and the second moment. For example, the amount of rotation of a dial button may indicate this time difference. If the user can only move forward in time, the second moment may be determined based solely on this time difference.

[0190] If the user input also indicates a desire to advance in time within the dynamic light scene (e.g., when the dial is turned right), or indicates a desire to retreat in time within the dynamic light scene (e.g., when the dial is turned right), a second moment in time can be determined based on the time difference in conjunction with the forward / backward indication. Step 433 includes determining a transition from the first moment in time to the second moment in time. This transition is faster than a normal transition from the first moment in time to the second moment in time, as specified in the dynamic light scene.

[0191] This transition may be immediate or gradual. The transition may be immediate for each lighting device, gradual for each lighting device; or immediate for a first subset of one or more lighting devices and gradual for a second subset of one or more lighting devices. If the transition is immediate for each lighting device, step 423 is repeated after step 433. In a next iteration of step 423, a plurality of further light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices are determined. The plurality of further light effects correspond to a second moment in the dynamic light scene. In a next iteration of step 425, the one or more lighting devices are controlled to present the plurality of further light effects. The method then proceeds as described in Figure 18 Proceed as shown.

[0192] If the transition is gradual for at least one of the one or more lighting devices, step 435 is performed after step 433. Step 435 includes determining one or more intermediate light effects to be presented by the second subset of lighting devices. Each of the one or more intermediate light effects corresponds to a moment in time between the first moment and the second moment in time in the dynamic light scene. Step 437 includes controlling the second subset of lighting devices to present the one or more intermediate light effects during the transition. After step 437, step 423 is repeated in the same manner as performed directly after step 433.

[0193] Figure 19 A second embodiment of a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene is shown in FIG. Figure 19 yes Figure 18 An extension of the embodiment of Figure 19 In an embodiment, step 451 is additionally performed after step 420. Step 451 comprises determining in step 453 the moment in the sequence at which use of the presentation should begin.

[0194] Step 453 includes determining, from the dynamic light scene, a first plurality of light effects to be presented by at least one other lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices. In a first iteration of step 453, the first plurality of light effects determined in step 453 corresponds to the time instant determined in step 451. Step 455 includes controlling the at least one other lighting device to present the first plurality of light effects determined in step 453.

[0195] The moment determined in step 451 is different from the moment determined in step 421. If the moment determined in step 421 is the start of the sequence, the moment determined in step 451 is the start of the sequence plus the time difference. This ensures that the light effect presented in step 425 is delayed compared to the light effect presented in step 455.

[0196] Step 459 includes determining a next moment in time that should be used in the next iteration of step 453. This next moment in time is after the moment in time corresponding to the light effect determined in step 453. For example, this next moment in time may be the first moment in time (after the current moment) in which the next light effect in the sequence(s) is different.

[0197] In the next iteration of step 453, a second plurality of light effects to be presented by the at least one lighting device is determined. The second plurality of light effects corresponds to the next moment in the dynamic light scene. In the next iteration of step 455, the at least one lighting device is controlled to present the second plurality of light effects. The method then proceeds as follows Figure 19 Proceed as shown.

[0198] Since the instant used in step 453 does not depend on the user input signal received in step 427, the user input signal affects the time difference between the instants used in simultaneous iterations of steps 423 and 453, i.e., affects the delay of the light effect presented in step 425 compared to the light effect presented in step 455. For example, a user may be able to increase and decrease the dynamics of a zebra effect track after an initial zebra effect in this way.

[0199] Figure 20 A third embodiment of a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene is shown in FIG. Figure 20 yes Figure 18 An extension of the embodiment of Figure 20 In the embodiment, similar to Figure 19 In the embodiment of the present invention, steps 451, 453 and 455 are additionally performed after step 420. Figure 19 In contrast to the embodiment of FIG4 , the time instant used in the next iteration of step 453 depends on the user input signal received in step 427 .

[0200] If it is determined in step 429 that a user input signal has been received, steps 431 and 471 are then executed. If not, steps 439 and 459, previously described, are then executed. Step 471 involves determining a fourth moment in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal. This fourth moment is different from the moment corresponding to the light effect determined in step 453, referred to as the "third moment," and is different from the next moment that would have been determined if step 459 were to be executed. The fourth moment is also different from the second moment, but the time difference between the first and third moments is equal to the time difference between the second and fourth moments.

[0201] Therefore, although the second and fourth moments are determined based on the user input signal, the user input signal does not affect the time difference between the moments used in the simultaneous iterations of steps 423 and 453, i.e., does not affect the delay of the light effect presented in step 425 compared to the light effect presented in step 455.

[0202] Step 473 includes determining a transition from the first moment to the second moment. As specified in the dynamic light scene, the transition is faster than a normal transition from the first moment to the second moment. If the transition is immediate for each lighting device, then step 453 is repeated. In the next iteration of step 453, a second plurality of additional light effects to be presented by at least one other lighting device is determined. The second plurality of additional light effects corresponds to a fourth moment in the dynamic light scene. In the next iteration of step 455, at least one other lighting device is controlled to present the second plurality of additional light effects. The method then continues as described in Figure 20 Proceed as shown.

[0203] If the transition is gradual for one or more of the at least one lighting devices, step 475 is performed after step 473. Step 475 includes determining one or more intermediate light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices. Each of the one or more intermediate light effects corresponds to a moment in time between the third moment and the fourth moment in time in the dynamic light scene. Step 477 includes controlling the one or more lighting devices to present the one or more intermediate light effects during the transition. After step 477, step 453 is repeated in the same manner as performed directly after step 473.

[0204] Figure 21 An example of a dynamic light scene is shown comprising a color (c) setting 271 and a lighting intensity (li) setting 272. At a first moment in time 275, a user input signal is received. The user input signal indicates a desire to advance in time to a second moment in time 276.

[0205] Figure 22-23 Shown is a partially rendered Figure 21 Example of a dynamic light scene. Figure 22 shows an immediate transition. Figure 21 The light settings specified for the second moment in time 276 in the dynamic light scene are rendered directly after the light settings specified for the first moment in time 275 have been rendered. Figure 23 A gradual transition is shown. The duration of this gradual transition is faster than a normal transition from a first moment 275 to a second moment 276, as specified in a dynamic light scene. For example, a gradual transition may take from a few seconds to a few minutes. The transition may be linear or may have a shape similar to a function containing the light settings between the first moment 275 and the second moment 276 (as specified in a dynamic light scene). The latter is Figure 23 Shown in.

[0206] Figures 9 to 12 、 Figure 14 ,and Figures 18 to 20 The embodiments of the present invention differ from each other in various respects, i.e., various steps have been added, omitted, and / or replaced. In variations of these embodiments, only a subset of the steps are added, omitted, and / or replaced. For example, Figure 9 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 11 and Figure 18 The embodiments can be combined.

[0207] Figure 24 Shown in Figure 2A third alternative embodiment of a lighting arrangement 151 is shown. Lighting device 191 includes a lighting arrangement 199 and a controller 192. Lighting arrangement 199 includes artificial skylights 161-163 and functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 for providing horizontal light. Functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 each include a horizontal light-emitting surface. Functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 are positioned parallel to and adjacent to artificial skylights 161-163.

[0208] The spacing between the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 and the artificial skylights 161-163 does not exceed the width of the artificial skylights 161-163. The lighting arrangement 199 also includes artificial edge functional general lighting devices 165 and 167 for providing horizontal light. The edge functional general lighting devices 165 and 167 each include a horizontal light emitting surface.

[0209] Controller 192 includes a processor 195, a transceiver 193, and a memory 197. Controller 192 is configured to control artificial skylights 161-163, functional general lighting fixtures 166 and 168, and edge general lighting fixtures 165 and 167 to present different light effects of a dynamic light scene. A dynamic light scene specifies a temporal sequence of light effects for each of a plurality of lighting fixtures. The plurality of lighting fixtures includes artificial skylights 161-163, functional general lighting fixtures 166 and 168, and edge general lighting fixtures 165 and 167.

[0210] exist Figure 24 In the embodiment of lighting device 191 shown in FIG, lighting device 191 includes a single processor 195. In alternative embodiments, lighting device 191 includes multiple processors. For example, processor 195 of lighting device 191 may be a dedicated processor. Transceiver 193 may use one or more wireless communication technologies (e.g., Zigbee) to communicate with an external controller. In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters may be used instead of a single transceiver.

[0211] exist Figure 24 In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver and transmitter are combined into one transceiver, transceiver 193. In an alternative embodiment, separate receivers and separate transmitters are used. Artificial skylight 161, functional general lighting devices 166 and 168, and edge general lighting devices 165 and 167 each include a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs can be direct-emitting LEDs or phosphor-converted LEDs. Lighting device 191 can include other components typical of connected lighting devices, such as a power connector. In an alternative embodiment, lighting device 191 is not a connected lighting device. The present invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0212] Figure 25 Describes how the instructions can be executed as referenced Figures 9 to 12 、 Figure 14 ,as well as Figures 18 to 20 A block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for the described methods.

[0213] like Figure 25 , data processing system 500 may include at least one processor 502 coupled to a memory element 504 via a system bus 506. In this manner, the data processing system may store program code within the memory element 504. Further, the processor 502 may execute program code accessed from the memory element 504 via the system bus 506. 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 the data processing system 500 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory capable of performing the functions described in this specification.

[0214] Memory element 504 may include one or more physical memory devices, such as, for example, local memory 508 and one or more mass storage devices 510. Local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent storage device(s) typically used during the actual execution of program code. Mass storage devices may be implemented as hard drives or other persistent data storage devices. Processing system 500 may 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 mass storage device 510 during execution. For example, if processing system 500 is part of a cloud computing platform, processing system 500 may also be able to use memory elements of another processing system.

[0215] Optionally, input / output (I / O) devices, depicted as input device 512 and output device 514, may 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, or a microphone (e.g., for voice and / or speech recognition). Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or display, or speakers. Input and / or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system directly or through intervening I / O controllers.

[0216] In an embodiment, the input and output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (in Figure 25512 and output device 514). An example of such a combined 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 movement of a physical object (such as, for example, a user's finger or a stylus) on or near the touch screen display.

[0217] Network adapter 516 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 500 by the system, device, and / or network, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 500 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 500.

[0218] like Figure 25 As depicted, memory element 504 may store application programs 518. In various embodiments, application programs 518 may be stored in local memory 508, one or more mass storage devices 510, or separate from local memory and mass storage devices. It should be appreciated that data processing system 500 may further execute an operating system (OS) that may facilitate the execution of application programs 518. Figure 25 ). Application 518, implemented in the form of executable program code, may be executed by data processing system 500 (eg, by processor 502). In response to executing the application, data processing system 500 may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein.

[0219] Figure 25 Input device 512 and output device 514 are shown as being separate from network adapter 516. However, additionally or alternatively, input may be received via network adapter 516, and output may be transmitted via network adapter 516. For example, data processing system 500 may be a cloud server. In this case, input may be received from a user device acting as a terminal, and output may be transmitted to a user device acting as a terminal.

[0220] Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, wherein the program(s) of the program product define functionality of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) may be embodied on various non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the term "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" includes all computer-readable media with the sole exception of transitory propagated signals. In another embodiment, the program(s) may be embodied on various transitory 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., 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); and (ii) writable storage media on which information is stored that can be altered (e.g., flash memory, a floppy disk within a floppy disk drive or hard drive, or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory). The computer program(s) may be executed on the processor 502 described herein.

[0221] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a" or "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" 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.

[0222] The corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or action for performing a function in combination with other claimed elements as 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 the embodiments 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. The 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 adjusting at least one light effect of a plurality of light effects to be simultaneously presented by one or more lighting devices (101) based on an ambient light level, 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 light sensor data from a light sensor (31) via the at least one input interface (3), the light sensor data being indicative of the ambient light level; - based on the light sensor data, determining a visibility threshold (235, 245), the visibility threshold indicating a light intensity level at which a light effect is visible at the ambient light level; - determining the plurality of light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices (101) based on a predetermined dynamic lighting program mapped to a time period, such that the plurality of light effects vary over time; - determining that the at least one light effect does not exceed the visibility threshold (235, 245); - increasing at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect above the visibility threshold (235, 245), wherein the increase of the at least one light intensity level is proportional to the ambient light level so as to harmonize the at least one light intensity level with the ambient light level; - in response to the at least one light effect being below the visibility threshold, increasing at least one further light intensity level of at least one further light effect of the plurality of light effects, such that the increase of the at least one further light level of the at least one further light effect is proportional to the increase of the at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect; as well as - controlling the one or more lighting devices (101) via the at least one output interface (4) to present the plurality of light effects, the one or more lighting devices (101) being controlled to present the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light sensor (31) is a multispectral light sensor and the light sensor data is spectral data.

3. The system (1) of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to determine wavelengths of the plurality of light effects and to determine whether the at least one light intensity level of the at least one plurality of light effects exceeds the visibility threshold (235, 245) based on the determined wavelengths.

4. The system (1) of claim 2, wherein the light sensor data further indicates an ambient color, and the at least one processor (5) is configured to adjust a color value of the at least one light effect so that the color value is coordinated with the ambient color.

5. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to determining whether the at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect can be increased above the visibility threshold (235, 245), and The at least one light intensity level is increased above the visibility threshold (235, 245) in proportion to the ambient light level.

6. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to: - determining the difference between the maximum light level that can be presented by the lighting device (101) and the ambient light level, and - determining the plurality of light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices (101) based on the differences.

7. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to: - receiving further light sensor data from a second light sensor (32, 33) via the at least one input interface (3), the further light sensor data being indicative of a second light level, - determining a second visibility threshold (235, 245) based on the further light sensor data, - determining a plurality of second light effects to be presented by the second lighting device (102, 103), - determining whether second light intensity levels of the plurality of second light effects exceed the second visibility threshold (235, 245), the second light intensity levels comprising at least one second light intensity level of at least one second light effect of the plurality of second light effects, upon determining that the at least one second light intensity level does not exceed the second visibility threshold (235, 245), increasing the at least one second light intensity level above the second visibility threshold (235, 245) to harmonize the at least one second light intensity level with the second light level, - controlling the second lighting device (102, 103) via the at least one output interface (4) to present the plurality of second light effects, the second lighting device (102, 103) being controlled to present the at least one second light effect with the increased at least one second light intensity level.

8. The system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to adjust one or more of the plurality of further light effects so as to coordinate the plurality of further light effects with the plurality of light effects.

9. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices (101) are pixelated lighting devices.

10. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light effects are part of a dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene being rendered by a plurality of lighting devices, the plurality of lighting devices including the one or more lighting devices (101).

11. The system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the one or more lighting devices (101) are peripheral lighting devices for providing dynamic and vertical lighting, and the plurality of lighting devices further comprises artificial skylights and functional general lighting devices for providing horizontal light.

12. A method of adjusting at least one light effect of a plurality of light effects to be simultaneously presented by one or more lighting devices based on an ambient light level, the method comprising: - receiving (361) light sensor data from a light sensor, said light sensor data being indicative of said ambient light level; - determining (363) a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data, the visibility threshold indicating a light intensity level at which a light effect is visible at the ambient light level; - determining ( 365 ) the plurality of light effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices based on a predetermined dynamic lighting program mapped to a time period, such that the plurality of light effects varies over time; - determining (367) that the at least one light effect does not exceed the visibility threshold; - increasing (369) at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect above the visibility threshold, wherein the increase of the at least one light intensity level is proportional to the ambient light level so as to harmonize the at least one light intensity level with the ambient light level; - in response to the at least one light effect being below the visibility threshold, increasing at least one further light intensity level of at least one further light effect of the plurality of light effects, such that the increase of the at least one further light level of the at least one further light effect is proportional to the increase of the at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect; as well as - controlling (371) the one or more lighting devices to present the plurality of light effects, the one or more lighting devices being controlled to present the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level.

13. A computer program product comprising at least one software code portion configured for performing the method according to claim 12 when run on a system according to claim 1.

Images