Immersive outdoor lighting simulation

Abstract

A system is configured to determine light effects from a dynamic light scene (271, 272) that correspond to a first moment in time (275) in the dynamic light scene, and to control one or more lighting devices to render these light effects. The system is further configured to receive a user input signal, to determine a second moment in time (276) in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal, and to determine a transition from the first moment to the second moment. This transition is faster than a normal transition from the first moment to the second moment as specified in the dynamic light scene. The system is further configured to determine further light effects that correspond to the second moment in time in the dynamic light scene, and to control the one or more lighting devices to render these further light effects after the transition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

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

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

[0004] In outdoor environments, the interaction of natural daylight with its surroundings results in all kinds of light across the sky and vegetation, with dynamics, patterns, hues and intensities of light depending on geographical location, season, weather, and time of day. However, humans often do not consciously observe this interaction, simply because the constant cycle and variation of nature is an inseparable part of human natural evolution and habitat. Nevertheless, humans are closely connected to the emotional and biological benefits of natural light.

[0005] In indoor environments, such as in (deep) open offices and reception areas, human exposure to natural light can be limited. For example, because people are seated too far from a window, or because there is only a small window allowing little light to enter, or because the natural light is diffuse (solar tubes, milky glass, fog), or because there is no natural light entering at all. In all these cases, humans become more or less disconnected from the constant cycle and variation of nature.

[0006] In spaces where natural light is (partly) absent, the dynamics present in outdoor environments are missing. Conventional lighting in indoor environments, such as office buildings, is typically static. Control options can be limited to on / off control or dimming level control (e.g. allowing to dim up to increase light intensity or dim down to decrease light intensity).

[0007] Conventional lighting devices are arranged in a grid-like structure and are controlled individually or as a group in which they are controlled in exactly the same way (e.g. all on / off, all to a specific dimming level, or all to a relative dimming level compared to neighboring lighting devices). Generally, the same type of lighting devices is used in a single room or area. For example, an office space can comprise the same type of panel luminaire in each room, except for a corridor where downlights are used. To address different brightness needs, the number of lighting devices and / or their position can be adjusted.

[0008] Light-transmitting structures such as (real) skylights, (real) windows, etc. can be used to increase the amount of daylight entering an indoor environment. Although light-transmitting structures can increase the well-being of the occupants in an indoor environment, they are expensive and cannot be installed everywhere. Furthermore, they can cause other problems, such as privacy and security problems.

[0009] Artificial skylights and artificial windows have been proposed as a solution, as well as dynamic and static displays to show a view of passing clouds in the sky or other natural elements, such as a view of a forest or ocean. However, these can actually draw attention to the fact that one is in an indoor environment and have the opposite effect (i.e. decrease well-being).

[0010] US2010 / 084996A1 discloses a natural daylight simulation system and user interface, wherein a selection indicator has a plurality of indicators associated with light settings that change as a function of time to point to different indicators and change light properties according to the currently aligned indicator.

[0011] US2019 / 289703A1 discloses a lighting system for dynamic lighting control, wherein a control device has a plurality of one-dimensional user settings, a predetermined sequence of light parameters as a function of time, and an adjustment of the predetermined sequence as a function of a selected one-dimensional user setting.

[0012] WO2019 / 162193A1 discloses restoring dynamic light effects depending on effect type and / or user preferences. SUMMARY

[0013] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a system that is able to provide an enhanced simulation of (aspects of) an outdoor environment in an indoor environment.

[0014] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method that is able to provide an enhanced simulation of (aspects of) an outdoor environment in an indoor environment.

[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene, comprising at least one input interface, at least one output interface, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: determine, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of light effects to be rendered by one or more of the plurality of lighting devices, the plurality of light effects corresponding to a first time instant in the dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene specifying a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices; and control, via the at least one output interface, the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of light effects.

[0016] The at least one processor is further configured to: receive a user input signal via the at least one input interface; determine a second time instant in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal; determine a transition from the first time instant to the second time instant, the transition being faster than a normal transition from the first time instant to the second time instant as specified in the dynamic light scene; determine a plurality of further light effects from the dynamic light scene to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices, the plurality of further light effects corresponding to the second time instant in the dynamic light scene; and control the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of further light effects after the transition via the at least one output interface.

[0017] In many situations it is possible to render a dynamic light scene without user interaction. However, in certain situations, e.g. because the use case of a given space changes, because the rhythm of the organization changes (e.g. deviating from the normal 09:00-17:00 working hours), or simply because a different light scene is needed (e.g. to relax, to focus or to socialize), a manual override of the content that is played across multiple different lighting devices can be needed, desired and wished.

[0018] One direct method to implement a change in a given light scene is to simply play another light scene. Another option is to change one or more of the individual settings, but this often results in a stop of the dynamic light scene rendering. If the dynamic light scene is rendered by a dynamic lighting program, it is possible to allow a user to change many of the parameters that define the dynamic light scene. However, it is an impossible task for a human controller to access a multi-button (remote) control, to correctly and naturally (at the same time) match and map all interdependent rendering parameters. Not only in terms of understanding the system complexity, but also in terms of designing an intuitive user interface (UI).

[0019] It is effective, intuitive and useful to allow a human to control only one light scene parameter of the current scene, and it is very intuitive to allow a user to be able to change the time instant in a dynamic light scene (e.g. in a dynamic light scene that simulates light conditions in an external or fire light scene). For example, the time instant in a dynamic light scene can correspond to the time of day. So when one only wants to advance through the time of day, e.g. for a day that is otherwise calm and sunny, there is no need to change the rate of the mottling or the rate of the (pattern) transition or any other sub-scene, except for that / those that involve e.g. the color and hue of the sunroof and / or the key / ambient light(s).

[0020] For at least a first subset of the one or more lighting devices, the transition can be immediate. Alternatively or additionally, for at least a second subset of the one or more lighting devices, the transition can be gradual. In the latter case, the at least one processor can be configured to determine one or more intermediate light effects to be rendered by the second subset of lighting devices, each of the one or more intermediate light effects corresponding to a moment in time between the first moment in time and the second moment in time in the dynamic light scene, and control, via the at least one output interface, the second subset of lighting devices to render the one or more intermediate light effects during the transition. The processor can determine the first and second subsets of the plurality of lighting devices. The processor can determine for each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices whether it is part of the first subset or part of the second subset (or neither), and can determine this based on, for example, the type of lighting device, the position and / or orientation of the lighting device, an identifier or association of the lighting device, past usage of the lighting device, or based on settings provided by a user. This allows certain lighting devices to be part of the first subset, which will transition to the further light effect immediately; and allows other lighting devices to be part of the second subset, which will render intermediate light effects before transitioning to the further light effect.

[0021] Like in music, sudden changes in a given light scene can be very disruptive, especially for those who cannot control the light scene changes (and can not even expect the changes). Moreover, (too) fast changes of content can lead to disruptive modulation of the (multiple) (local) light levels of the entire space, thereby unnecessarily distracting office workers from their tasks. Therefore, changes of light scenes should preferably be gradual and smooth, and without noticeable flicker, undulation, juddering or jumps.

[0022] However, since different rhythms and cycles of nature (circadian rhythm, semantic patterns, and light effects like mottling) run simultaneously, but vary in speed and scale, it can be very disruptive, and even worrying, to simultaneously "equalize", "fast forward" or even "reverse" all rhythms. Therefore, different light effects can have different transition durations.

[0023] The at least one input interface can comprise a control device having a one-dimensional control element or an interface to the control device. The control element may, for example, be rotatable, e.g. continuously rotatable. If the control element is a continuously rotatable control element, the time difference between the second time instant and the first time instant can be determined based on a rotation of the continuously rotatable control element, wherein, for example, the time difference between the second time instant and the first time instant is relative to a time value at the first time instant. The control device can comprise a display, and the control device can be configured to display a representation of the first time instant and / or the second time instant in the dynamic light scene on the display. The instant feedback should preferably be provided to a human controller in real time.

[0024] The user input signal can be indicative of a time difference between the first time instant and the second time instant, and / or indicative of a desire to advance in time in the dynamic light scene, or indicative of a desire to go back in time in the dynamic light scene.

[0025] The at least one processor can be configured to determine, from the dynamic light scene, at least one sub-sequence of light effects to be rendered by at least one other lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, a first plurality of light effects of the at least one sub-sequence corresponding to a third time instant in the dynamic light scene and a second plurality of light effects of the at least one sub-sequence corresponding to a fourth time instant in the dynamic light scene, the time difference between the first time instant and the third time instant being different from the time difference between the second time instant and the fourth time instant, and to control the at least one other lighting device to render the at least one sub-sequence of light effects, the at least one other lighting device being controlled to render the first plurality of light effects while the one or more lighting devices are controlled to render the plurality of light effects, and the at least one other lighting device being controlled to render the second plurality of light effects while the one or more lighting devices are controlled to render the plurality of further light effects. Thus, a first group of lighting devices renders the same dynamic light scene as a second group of lighting devices, but with a delay. This delay can be adjusted.

[0026] The at least one processor can be configured to determine a further plurality of light effects to be rendered by at least one other lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, the further plurality of light effects corresponding to a third moment in the dynamic light scene, the third moment being different from the first moment, control, via the at least one output interface, the at least one other lighting device to render the further plurality of light effects, determine, based on the user input signal, a fourth moment in the dynamic light scene, the fourth moment being different from the second moment, and a time difference between the first moment and the third moment being equal to a time difference between the second moment and the fourth moment, determine a transition from the third moment to the fourth moment, the transition being faster than a normal transition from the third moment to the fourth moment as specified in the dynamic light scene, determine a further plurality of further light effects to be rendered by the at least one lighting device, the further plurality of further light effects corresponding to the fourth moment in the dynamic light scene, and control, via the at least one output interface, the at least one other lighting device to render the further plurality of further light effects after the transition. Hence, a first group of lighting devices renders the same dynamic light scene as a second group of lighting devices, but with a delay. This applies to both groups of lighting devices when a user moves forward or backward to another moment, and the delay remains the same.

[0027] For example, the dynamic light scene can represent a daylight scene, and the first moment and the second moment can correspond to different times of day. For example, the dynamic light scene can represent a fire light scene, and the first moment and the second moment can correspond to different scales of the fire. For example, the dynamic light scene can represent a forest scene, and the first moment and the second moment can correspond to different tree densities and / or leaf densities.

[0028] The at least one processor can be configured to determine, based on the user input signal, one or more values of one or more further parameters, adjust at least one of the plurality of further light effects to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices based on the one or more values, and control the one or more lighting devices to render the adjusted at least one further light effect after the transition.

[0029] The plurality of lighting devices can comprise peripheral lighting devices for providing dynamic and vertical lighting, artificial skylights, and functional general lighting devices for providing horizontal light.

[0030] In a second aspect of the application, a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting in accordance with a dynamic light scene, comprises: determining, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of light effects to be rendered by one or more of the plurality of lighting devices, the plurality of light effects corresponding to a first time instant in the dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene specifying a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices; controlling the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of light effects; receiving a user input signal; and determining, based on the user input signal, a second time instant in the dynamic light scene.

[0031] The method further comprises: determining a transition from the first time instant to the second time instant, the transition being faster than a normal transition from the first time instant to the second time instant as specified in the dynamic light scene; determining, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of further light effects to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices, the plurality of further light effects corresponding to the second time instant in the dynamic light scene; and controlling the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of further light effects after the transition. The method can be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software can be provided as a computer program product.

[0032] Further, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein is provided, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing the computer program. The computer program can be downloaded or uploaded, e.g., by existing devices, or stored when manufacturing these systems.

[0033] A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores at least a first software code portion, the first software code portion being configured, when executed or processed by a computer, to perform executable operations for controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting in accordance with a dynamic light scene.

[0034] The executable operations comprise: determining, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of light effects to be rendered by one or more of the plurality of lighting devices, the plurality of light effects corresponding to a first time instant in the dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene specifying a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices; controlling the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of light effects; receiving a user input signal; and determining, based on the user input signal, a second time instant in the dynamic light scene.

[0035] The executable operations further comprise determining a transition from the first time instant to the second time instant, the transition being faster than a normal transition from the first time instant to the second time instant as specified in the dynamic light scene, determining from the dynamic light scene a plurality of further light effects to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices, the plurality of further light effects corresponding to the second time instant in the dynamic light scene, and controlling the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of further light effects after the transition. The method can be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software can be provided as a computer program product.

[0036] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at least a fourth software code portion, which, when executed or processed by a computer, is configured to perform executable operations for controlling a lighting arrangement, wherein the lighting arrangement comprises an artificial skylight and a functional general lighting device for providing horizontal light, the functional general lighting device comprising a horizontal light emitting surface, the functional general lighting device being positioned parallel and adjacent to the artificial skylight, and a spacing between the functional general lighting device and the artificial skylight not exceeding a width of the artificial skylight.

[0037] The executable operations comprise controlling the artificial skylight and the functional general lighting device to render different light effects of a dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene specifying for each of a plurality of lighting devices a time sequence of light effects, the plurality of lighting devices comprising the artificial skylight and the functional general lighting device. The method can be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software can be provided as a computer program product.

[0038] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present application can be embodied as a device, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that can all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Functions described in this disclosure can be implemented as algorithms for execution by a computer's processor / microprocessor. Furthermore, aspects of the present application can take the form of a computer program product on one or more computer readable medium (media) having computer readable program code embodied or installed thereon.

[0039] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be used. A computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. In the context of this invention, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0040] Computer-readable signal media may include propagated data signals having computer-readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave). Such propagated signals 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 may convey, propagate, or transmit a program used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0041] Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium—including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, fiber optic, cable, RF, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer program code for carrying out the operations of various aspects of the invention can 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 can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone 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 can 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 can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet provided by an Internet service provider).

[0042] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0043] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0044] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0045] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] These and other aspects of the present application will be further elucidated with reference to the drawings below in which:

[0047] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system;

[0048] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a first lighting arrangement of the lighting arrangement of Figure 1

[0049] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a room in which the lighting arrangement of Figure 2

[0050] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a first alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement of Figure 2

[0051] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a second alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement of Figure 2

[0052] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a second lighting arrangement in the lighting arrangement of Figure 1

[0053] Figure 7 shows a perspective bottom view of the lighting arrangement of Figure 6

[0054] Figure 8 shows an example of a change in color temperature of different lighting devices participating in a dynamic light scene from a first time instant to a second time instant;

[0055] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of controlling a lighting arrangement comprising an artificial sky window and a functional general lighting device;

[0056] Figure 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of controlling an artificial sky window comprising a light emitting surface and a light emitting inner rim;

[0057] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0058] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0059] Figure 13 shows an example of light effects rendered by an overperforming lighting system and an underperforming lighting system;

[0060] Figure 14 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level;

[0061] Figures 15-17 ​​​​​​Examples of dynamic light scenes are shown that illuminate different areas of an office space with ambient lighting and artificial natural lighting;

[0062] Figure 18 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method of controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0063] Figure 19 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a method of controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0064] Figure 20 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a method of controlling one or more lighting devices based on a user input signal;

[0065] Figure 21 Examples of dynamic light scenes are shown that include color settings and lighting intensity settings;

[0066] Figures 22-23 Examples of dynamic light scenes are shown that include color settings and lighting intensity settings; Figure 21

[0067] Figure 24 is a block diagram of a third alternative embodiment of a lighting arrangement of Figure 2

[0068] Figure 25 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for carrying out the method of the present invention.

[0069] Corresponding elements in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1 An embodiment of the system is shown: a controller 1, for example a gateway or bridge of the NatureConnect lighting system 10. The controller 1 comprises a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5 and a memory 7. NatureConnect is a system that provides a compelling light experience by creating spaces that connect users with the constant cycles and changes of nature. NatureConnect changes the way light is produced in professional environments, as traditionally, light generation in these spaces is functional and static.

[0071] ​​With NatureConnect, the transition from functional lighting to natural light is to create an invigorating environment and to increase well-being, and the transition from static to dynamic and three-dimensional is to create an immersive light experience. In this immersive light experience, multiple lighting devices - often multiple kinds of lighting devices (including pixelated lighting devices) - work together in one lighting system to provide a large range of dynamic light scenes, with lighting arrangements 131 and 151 providing a realistic view on the sky, lighting arrangements 111 and 151 providing functional light, and peripheral lighting devices 101-103 providing a natural feeling pattern, dynamics and hues of vertical lighting. Lighting arrangement 131 is a man-made skylight. Lighting arrangement 151 comprises a man-made skylight and light elements for providing functional light. In Figure 1 In embodiments of the NatureConnect system, lighting arrangement 111 is a ceiling lighting device. The lighting devices are typically pixelated lighting devices.

[0072] The NatureConnect system is typically able to display dynamic and natural feeling content at (locally) different rates, scales and resolutions. This provides an opportunity to more easily use specific colors, dynamics and patterns to add semantic meaning to the played content. One example of natural feeling content is a dappled light effect, which represents the shadowing effect of the sun's rays falling through a (moving) canopy of leaves. Other examples of natural feeling content are a pattern and color gradient at the wall that mimics the natural sky gradient, and the color set of the sky and sun in the man-made skylight, albeit displayed at different levels of brightness, pixelation and resolution (e.g. when compared to the dapples).

[0073] In the NatureConnect system, multiple light effects (including different rhythms and cycles of nature) are presented simultaneously by each of the multiple lighting devices, wherein the multiple light effects are typically (at least partially) determined based on a predetermined dynamic lighting program that is mapped to a time period by means of a processor (e.g. processor 5) such that the dynamic lighting scene changes over time. As such, the lighting system operates in a natural feeling way and can operate without the need for user interaction. Alternatively or additionally, the NatureConnect system can be able to present pre-stored dynamic light scenes. In Figure 1 In embodiments of the NatureConnect system, the presentation of the light effects is centrally coordinated by controller 1.

[0074] Figure 2The lighting arrangement 151 is shown in more detail below. The lighting arrangement 151 includes three artificial skylights 161-163 and four functional general-purpose lighting fixtures 165-168 for providing horizontal light. Each functional general-purpose lighting fixture 165-168 includes a horizontal luminous surface. Functional general-purpose 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 skylights 161-163. The spacing between the functional general-purpose 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 the functional general-purpose lighting fixtures 166-168 have width and length in the horizontal direction and height or depth in the vertical direction. The width is less than the length.

[0075] Optionally, the parallel arrangement of the artificial skylights 161-163 and the functional general-purpose lighting fixtures 166 and 168 is "covered" at least at one end by means of a second large luminous surface. Figure 2 In one 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.

[0076] exist Figure 2 In the embodiments, 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 distance between the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 and the artificial skylights 161-163 does not exceed five centimeters.

[0077] Figure 3 It shows that it has been installed. Figure 2 A perspective view of the lighting arrangement in room 151. Figure 3 In the example, lighting arrangement 151 is suspended from the ceiling. In this way, the lighting arrangement looks like a "freestanding" island. While installers can freely distribute different lighting fixtures from a system like NatureConnect along an existing ceiling grid, the experience of installations within the grid is not as powerful as the experience of a cluster of lighting fixtures appearing as an "island" (e.g., suspended from an open or enclosed ceiling). This is because the grid's orientation towards the installation adds an additional sense of grating.

[0078] The lighting arrangement 151 has an island-like finish peripheral rim, which is preferably black. By using a height of the artificial skylight that is greater than the height of the island-like finish peripheral rim, the degree of illusion of the artificial skylight and the structural feel of the ceiling can be increased. The peripheral lighting device 103 is suspended from the lighting arrangement 151 and arranged near at least one office wall and illuminates at least one office wall. In an alternative embodiment, the peripheral lighting device 103 is attached to the lighting arrangement 151. The functional general lighting devices 165-168 illuminate the desks 51 in the room.

[0079] In Figure 4 the illustrated alternative embodiment, the lighting arrangement 153 is similar to the lighting arrangement 151 of Figure 2 but without the edge functional general lighting devices 165 and 167. In Figure 5 the illustrated alternative embodiment, the lighting arrangement 155 is similar to the lighting arrangement 151 of Figure 2 but without the functional general lighting device 168.

[0080] The controller 1 performs at least one of a plurality of functions. If the controller is capable of performing a 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 render different light effects of a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a time sequence of light effects for each of a plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices comprises the artificial skylights 161-163, the functional general lighting devices 165-168, and the peripheral lighting device 103.

[0081] In Figure 1 the illustrated 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 either to render different light effects of the same dynamic light scene or to render different light effects of different dynamic light scenes.

[0082] In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the processor 5 is configured to control the functional general lighting devices 165-168 at light levels that are coordinated with light levels of the artificial skylights 161-163. In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the processor 5 is configured to control the artificial skylights 161-163 to render blue light and / or cyan light and to control the functional general lighting devices 165-168 to render light with a color temperature between 4000 Kelvin and 5500 Kelvin.

[0083] Figures 2 to 5 The artificial skylights 161-163 each comprise a light emitting surface and can further comprise a light emitting inner rim around the light emitting surface, which is perpendicular to the light emitting surface. One example of such a light emitting rim is illustrated in Figure 6In this case, the dynamic light sequence can specify the light effect of the light emitting surface and the light emitting inner rim of the artificial skylight separately. The processor 5 can be configured to control the light emitting inner rim of the artificial skylight to render a shadow effect along at least a part of the inner rim. Alternatively, the inner rim of the back lighting can comprise a (static) hard shadow mask in front of the inner rim of the back lighting to create the shadow effect.

[0084] Figure 6 The lighting arrangement 131 is shown in more detail. The lighting arrangement 131 does not comprise any functional general lighting devices, but only artificial skylights 133-135. Each of the artificial skylights 133-135 comprises a light emitting surface and a light emitting inner rim around the light emitting surface. The light emitting inner rim is perpendicular to the light emitting surface. The light emitting inner rim can be used to simulate the part of a real skylight rim that is illuminated by sunlight.

[0085] The artificial skylight 133 comprises a light emitting surface 137 and a light emitting inner rim 143. The artificial skylight 134 comprises a light emitting surface 138 and a light emitting inner rim 144. The artificial skylight 135 comprises a light emitting surface 139 and a light emitting inner rim 145. Figure 7 A perspective bottom view of the lighting arrangement 131 is shown Figure 6

[0086] If the controller 1 is capable of performing the second function, the processor 5 is configured to determine a dynamic light scene and to control, via the transmitter 4, the light emitting surfaces 137-139 (also referred to as skylight panels), the light emitting inner rims 143-145 (also referred to as frames), the functional general lighting device 111 (also referred to as ceiling lighting device), and the peripheral lighting device 102 to render the dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices comprises the light emitting surfaces 137-139, the light emitting inner rims 143-145, and the functional general lighting device 111. The functional general lighting device 111 comprises a horizontal light emitting surface.

[0087] The light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 in the dynamic light scene at a first time instant is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surfaces 137-139 in the dynamic light scene at a second time instant, the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting inner rims 143-145 at the first time instant is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting inner rims 143-145 at the second time instant, and the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first time instant is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the second time instant.

[0088] ​The color temperature of the light effect on the luminous surface 137-139 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect on the luminous surface 137-139 at the second moment. The color temperature of the light effect on the inner edge of the luminous surface 143-145 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect on the inner edge of the luminous surface 143-145 at the second moment. The color temperature of the light effect on the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment is higher than the color temperature of the light effect on the functional general lighting device 111 at the second moment.

[0089] In one experiment, when the artificial skylight was opened, although it provided almost no functional light, the space felt open and spacious when the color temperature and light intensity levels were set as described above. Furthermore, the sense of spaciousness was further enhanced and a more natural feel was provided by matching the color temperature of the sunlit portion of the inner edge (frame) with that of the functional general-purpose lighting fixtures (canopy). Additionally, when the artificial sky within the skylight was set to a deeper blue (>11000 K), the color temperature of the functional light could be increased well over 4000 K without causing discomfort.

[0090] For example, the first moment can correspond to noon, and the second moment can correspond to sunrise, the time between sunrise and at most one hour after sunrise, sunset, or the time between at most one hour before sunset and sunset. The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset are also known as the golden hour.

[0091] exist Figure 1 In one 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 inner edges 143-145 of the light emission remains below 1500 Kelvin at a first time, a second time, and at any time between the first time and the second time.

[0092] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, 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 a first moment, a second moment, and at any moment between the first moment and the second moment.

[0093] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that the color temperature of the light effect of the light-emitting surfaces 137-139 at the first moment is higher than or equal to the color temperature of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment, and that the color temperature of the light effect of the light-emitting surfaces 137-139 at the first moment is higher than or equal to the color temperature of the light effect of the light-emitting inner edges 143-145 at the first moment.

[0094] exist Figure 1In an embodiment of the lighting system, the processor 5 of the controller 1 is configured to ensure that the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surface 137-139 at the first moment in time is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge 143-145 at the first moment in time, and that the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surface 137-139 at the first moment in time is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device 111 at the first moment in time.

[0095] Figure 8 An example of the color temperature change of different lighting devices participating in a dynamic light scene from a first moment in time 298 (e.g. solar noon) to a second moment in time 299 (e.g. sunset) is shown. Figure 8 The dynamic light scene represented in Fig. 29 corresponds to a normal sunny day. In Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 is represented by the light emitting surface(s) of the artificial skylight, the color temperature 292 is represented by the functional general lighting device(s), and the color temperature 293 is represented by the light emitting inner edge(s) of the artificial skylight. Figure 8 In Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 is represented by the light emitting surface(s) of the artificial skylight, the color temperature 292 is represented by the functional general lighting device(s), and the color temperature 293 is represented by the light emitting inner edge(s) of the artificial skylight.

[0096] In Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 is represented by the light emitting surface(s) of the artificial skylight, the color temperature 292 is represented by the functional general lighting device(s), and the color temperature 293 is represented by the light emitting inner edge(s) of the artificial skylight. Figure 8 In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298.

[0097] In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298. Figure 8 In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298.

[0098] Figure 8 In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298.

[0099] In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298. Figure 8 In the example of Fig. 29, the color temperature 291 of the light effect of the light emitting surface(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298, and the color temperature 292 of the light effect of the functional general lighting device(s) at the first moment in time 298 is higher than the color temperature 293 of the light effect of the light emitting inner edge(s) at the first moment in time 298.

[0100] ​The corresponding light intensity levels are not shown in Figure 8 but the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surface at the first moment 298 is preferably higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the inner light emitting rim at the first moment 298, and the light intensity level of the light effect of the inner light emitting rim at the first moment 298 is preferably higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at the first moment 298.

[0101] Preferably, the light intensity level of the light effect of the light emitting surface at the second moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the inner light emitting rim at the second moment, and the difference between the light intensity level of the light effect of the inner light emitting rim at the second moment and the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general lighting device at the second moment is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

[0102] In other words, if the light emitting surface is denoted by 1, the inner light emitting rim by 2, and the functional general lighting device by 3, at the first moment the following conditions are preferably met to increase the sense of space:

[0103] - CT1 > CT3 > CT2

[0104] - ΔCT23 = CT3–CT2 > 500K

[0105] - ΔCT13 = CT1–CT3 > 2 x ΔCT23.

[0106] Preferably, at the second moment the following conditions are met 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.

[0107] Alternatively, on a normal sunny day, the following conditions can be met:

[0108] - first moment: CT1 > 7000 K

[0109] - first moment: CT3 < 5000 K

[0110] - second moment: CT2 < 2500 K

[0111] - second moment: CT3 > CT2 + 500 K.

[0112] Alternatively, on a cloudy or foggy day, the following conditions can be met:

[0113] First moment: CT1 ~ CT2 ~ CT3, where L1 > L3 > L2 (supplemental lighting is typically required to produce the lowest level of luminance on the user's desk).

[0114] Alternatively, on very sunny days, the following conditions can be met:

[0115] First moment: CT1 > 20000 K, CT3 < 5500 K, and CT2 > 5500 K.

[0116] If the controller 1 is capable of performing the third function, the processor 5 is configured to receive light sensor data from the light sensor 31 via the receiver 3, and determine a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data. The light sensor data is indicative of an ambient light level. The processor 5 is further configured to determine a plurality of light effects to be rendered by the peripheral lighting device 101, and determine whether a light intensity level of the plurality of light effects exceeds the visibility threshold. The light intensity level comprises at least one light intensity level of at least one light effect.

[0117] 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 render the plurality of light effects. The peripheral lighting device 101 is controlled to render the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level.

[0118] The processor 5 is configured to perform the same operation for the light sensor 32 and the peripheral lighting device 102, and for the light sensor 33 and the peripheral lighting device 103. Additionally, light intensity levels of lighting devices other than the peripheral lighting devices can be adjusted based on the light sensor data received from one of the light sensors 31-33. In Figure 1 In embodiments, the plurality of light effects are specified in a dynamic light scene.

[0119] One or more of the light sensors 31-33 can be a multi-spectral light sensor. In this case, the light sensor data received from this light sensor is spectral light sensor data, and the processor 5 is configured to determine a wavelength of the plurality of light effects, and determine whether a light intensity level of the plurality of dynamic light effects exceeds the visibility threshold based on the wavelength. In this case, the light sensor data is further indicative of an ambient color, and the processor 5 can then be configured to adjust a color value of the at least one light effect to coordinate the color value with the ambient color.

[0120] If the controller 1 is capable of performing the fourth function, the processor 5 is configured to determine, from the dynamic light scene, a plurality of light effects to be rendered by one or more of the plurality of lighting devices; control the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of light effects via the transmitter 4. The plurality of light effects corresponds to a first moment in time in the dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices comprises the lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, and 151, or a subset thereof.

[0121] The processor 5 is further configured to receive a user input signal via the receiver 3, determine a second moment in time 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 further light effects to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices from the dynamic light scene, and control the one or more lighting devices to render the plurality of further light effects after the transition via the transmitter 4. The plurality of further light effects corresponds to the second moment in time in the dynamic light scene.

[0122] The transition is faster than a normal transition from the first moment to the second moment as specified in the dynamic light scene. For at least a first subset of the one or more lighting devices, the transition can be immediate; and / or for at least a second subset of the one or more lighting devices, the transition can be gradual. 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 indicates a desire to go back in time in the dynamic light scene.

[0123] 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 day. As a second example, the dynamic light scene represents a fire light 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.

[0124] In the example of Fig. 1, Figure 1 The user input signal is received from a mobile device 23. The controller 1 and the mobile device 23 are both connected to a wireless LAN access point 21, e.g. via Wi-Fi. The mobile device 23 can run an app for controlling the lighting devices of the lighting system 10 or a subset thereof, for example. The wireless LAN access point 21 is also connected to the Internet 25. An Internet server 27 is also connected to the Internet. The Internet server 27 can store the dynamic light scene, for example.

[0125] In an alternative embodiment, the user input signal is received via a control device comprising a one-dimensional control element, for example a (continuous) rotatable control element. The control device can be comprised in the controller 1 or can be external to the controller 1. The control device can comprise a display and can be configured to display a representation of the first moment and / or the second moment in the dynamic light scene on the display.

[0126] It is beneficial to display the dynamic visual feedforward and feedback on the control display or on another screen (e.g. a smartphone, a smart TV or a video projector) in the room, which can present the current scene, e.g. passing clouds, moving tree crowns or reflections on water, in high fidelity together 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 (e.g. the variation of the cloudiness when clouds continue to pass by at a given time of the day), this dynamic visualization of the content that is currently playing (e.g. the slowly passing clouds) can be dynamically adjusted in real-time, giving further feedforward / feedback to the user in addition to the changes in the lighting system.

[0127] It is effective, intuitive and useful to allow the human to control only one light scene parameter of the current scene, preferably the dominant parameter that is indicative of the (to be) selected light scene. It is less beneficial to allow the user to change the individual settings of a pre-stored dynamic light scene. However, even if the dynamic light scene is created in real-time by a dynamic lighting program, and it can be possible to allow the user to change the higher level parameters of the program, it is very intuitive to allow the user to be able to change the moment in the dynamic light scene (e.g. in a dynamic light scene that simulates external light conditions or in a fire light scene). For example, the moment in the dynamic light scene can correspond to a time of the day, but this is not essential.

[0128] If the dynamic light scene is created in real-time by a dynamic lighting program, there can be other (higher level) parameters that are allowed to be changed by the user, for example the weather conditions in the day light that mimics the light scene or light scene scape. In Figure 1 In an embodiment, the processor 5 is configured to: determine one or more values of one or more such further parameters based on the user input signal; adjust at least one of the plurality of further light effects to be rendered by the one or more lighting devices based on the one or more values; and control the one or more lighting devices to render the adjusted at least one further light effect after the transition.

[0129] If a dynamic lighting program presents a fire scene with simulated outdoor lighting conditions as a background, the user can change the time of day by altering the time within the dynamic lighting scene. Additionally, they can change one or more higher-level parameters related to the fire. These higher-level parameters can be nested, meaning the value of a higher-level parameter can correspond to the values ​​of multiple different lower-level parameters. Changes to these further parameters can be immediate or gradual.

[0130] 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 supplied by adding more wood to a realistic fire, some time also passes before the fire's color becomes richer, its level of motion increases, the flame height rises, and the flame density and frequency change. Therefore, the single action of adding wood causes changes in lower-level parameters (escape at velocity v and the amount and rate of combustible components burning at height x, color point y, and at ambient temperature T and wind speed w, etc.) and can potentially affect the presentation on multiple lighting fixtures.

[0131] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of controller 1 shown, controller 1 includes a processor 5. In alternative embodiments, controller 1 includes multiple processors. The processor 5 of controller 1 may be a general-purpose processor (e.g., ARM-based) or a dedicated processor. The processor 5 of controller 1 may run an operating system such as Unix. Memory 7 may include one or more memory cells. For example, memory 7 may include one or more hard disks and / or solid-state drives.

[0132] For example, receiver 3 and transmitter 4 can use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (such as Zigbee or Bluetooth) to communicate with sensor devices 31-33 and lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, and 151, and can use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to communicate with 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 illustrated embodiment, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, receiver 3 and transmitter 4 are combined into a transceiver. Lighting devices 101-103, 111, 131, and 151 each include multiple LEDs. The LEDs can be direct-emitting LEDs or phosphor-converting LEDs.

[0133] Controller 1 may include other components typically used in controllers, such as power connectors. This invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors. Figure 1In one 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 one embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a single device. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the present invention includes multiple devices.

[0134] Figure 9 An embodiment of a method for controlling a lighting arrangement is shown, the lighting arrangement including an artificial skylight and a functional general-purpose lighting device for providing horizontal light. The functional general-purpose lighting device includes a horizontal luminous surface. The functional general-purpose lighting device is positioned parallel to and adjacent to the artificial skylight. The distance between the functional general-purpose lighting device and the artificial skylight does not exceed the width of the artificial skylight.

[0135] Step 301 includes determining a dynamic lighting scene. A dynamic lighting scene is a time sequence of specified lighting effects for each of a plurality of lighting fixtures, including an artificial skylight and functional general-purpose lighting fixtures. In step 301, the dynamic lighting scene may be obtained partly or entirely from memory, and / or may be created partly or entirely by, for example, a dynamic lighting program. For example, parameters of the dynamic lighting scene may specify that the artificial skylight should emit blue and / or cyan light, and that the functional general-purpose lighting fixtures should emit light with a color temperature between 4000 Kelvin and 5500 Kelvin.

[0136] Step 303 involves determining the light effect corresponding to the current moment in the light effect sequence. A different light effect is determined for each of the multiple lighting fixtures. Each light effect includes a light intensity level and color. For example, if the lighting fixtures only emit white light, the color can be represented as color temperature.

[0137] exist Figure 9 In this embodiment, step 305 is performed after step 303. Step 305 includes coordinating the light level of the functional general lighting fixture to the light level specified for the artificial skylight. Steps 307 and 309 include controlling the artificial skylight and the functional general lighting fixture, respectively, to present the different lighting effects determined in step 305. After steps 307 and 309 have been performed, step 305 is repeated, and then the method proceeds as follows. Figure 9 As shown.

[0138] exist Figure 9 In a variation of the embodiment, the artificial skylight includes a luminescent surface and a luminescent inner edge surrounding the luminescent surface. The luminescent inner edge is perpendicular to the luminescent 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.

[0139] Alternatively, the inner edge of the light source may include a (static) hard mask for generating static shadows, such as on the front or rear side of a backlit light diffuser. In the latter case, the hard mask is located between the backlight and the light diffuser, preferably arranged close to the rear side of the light diffuser (generally the closer the better), but not in optical contact. For example, the mask may be an integral part of a frame to which the light diffuser is attached (typically by clamping), a separate part attached to the frame, or a "spring" load portion pushed against the rear side of the light diffuser.

[0140] Alternatively, the shape of the light engine and / or blending box can be reshaped from a rectangle to a shape with a slanted side to produce a shadow effect. The lighting effects of the luminous surface and luminous edges can be specified separately in the dynamic light sequence.

[0141] Figure 10 An embodiment of a method for controlling an artificial skylight to produce a lighting effect is shown. The artificial skylight includes a luminescent surface and a luminescent inner edge surrounding the luminescent surface. The luminescent inner edge is perpendicular to the luminescent surface.

[0142] Step 321 includes determining weather conditions, such as normal sunny, extremely sunny, cloudy, or foggy. Step 323 includes determining a dynamic lighting scene based on the weather conditions determined in step 321. The dynamic lighting scene is a time series of specified lighting effects for each of a plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices includes luminescent surfaces, luminescent inner edges, and functional general-purpose lighting devices for providing horizontal light. The functional general-purpose lighting devices include horizontal luminescent surfaces. In an alternative embodiment, step 321 is omitted, and the dynamic lighting scene is not determined based on weather conditions.

[0143] exist Figure 10 In this 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 lighting scene, the light intensity level of the light effect of the emitting surface at a first moment in the dynamic lighting scene is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the emitting surface at a second moment in the dynamic lighting scene. The intensity level of the light effect at the inner edge of the emitting surface at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect at the inner edge of the emitting surface at the second moment. The light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general-purpose lighting device at the first moment is higher than the light intensity level of the light effect of the functional general-purpose lighting device at the second moment.

[0144] Furthermore, in dynamic lighting scenarios, the color temperature of the light effect on the emitting surface at the first moment is higher than that at the second moment. The color temperature of the light effect at the inner edge of the emitting surface at the first moment is higher than that at the second moment. The color temperature of the light effect of the functional general-purpose lighting equipment at the first moment is higher than that at the second moment.

[0145] Steps 325 and 329 are performed after step 323. Step 325 comprises determining a light effect for the artificial sky light, which light effect corresponds to the current instant in the corresponding light effect sequence. Step 329 comprises determining a light effect for the functional general lighting device, which light effect corresponds to the current instant in the corresponding light effect sequence.

[0146] Steps 327 and 331 comprise controlling the artificial sky light and the functional general lighting device, respectively, to render the light effect determined in steps 325 and 329, respectively, from the dynamic light scene. After steps 307 and 309 have been performed, steps 325 and 329 are repeated, after which the method proceeds as shown. Figure 10

[0147] Figure 11 A first embodiment of a method for adjusting at least one light effect of a plurality of light effects to be rendered by a lighting device based on an ambient light level is shown in Fig. 3. Step 361 comprises receiving light sensor data from a light sensor. The light sensor data is indicative of an ambient light level. For example, sampling of the ambient light level can be done (semi-)continuously or intermittently with electronic switching of artificial light (e.g. at start-up / between PWM cycles, or differential (as the system drive waveform is known, thus, the overall light spectrum modulation is known).

[0148] Step 363 comprises determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data. Step 365 comprises determining a plurality of light effects to be rendered by the lighting device. Step 367 comprises determining whether a light intensity level of the plurality of light effects exceeds the visibility threshold. The light intensity level comprises at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect.

[0149] Step 369 comprises 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 upon determining that the at least one light intensity level does not exceed the visibility threshold. Step 371 comprises controlling the lighting device to render the plurality of light effects. The lighting device is controlled to render the at least one light effect with the increased at least one light intensity level.

[0150] The method is generally used for controlling a plurality of lighting devices in a lighting system. Preferably, different pixelated lighting devices are controlled to work together as one system. The plurality of lighting devices can comprise a realistic sky light providing a view on the sky, an artificial sky light providing a view on the sky, a key (peripheral) light providing biological and emotional (pattern, color and rhythm) light, and a general lighting device providing functional light.

[0151] ​In this way, it is possible to provide a natural lighting system with an improved system behavior over traditional and static lighting systems, as 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 to maintain an immersive and natural feeling light experience under a wide variety of ambient light conditions, where the natural feeling is inspired by the constant cycling and variation of nature, while at the same time maintaining a minimum light level at the work surface and vertical surfaces of the space (i.e. walls) where applicable, which is in line with the direct view of natural skylights, and vice versa.

[0152] Figure 12 A second embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect of a plurality of light effects to be rendered by a lighting device based on an ambient light level is shown in Fig. 3. Step 361 comprises receiving light sensor data from a light sensor. The light sensor data is indicative of an ambient light level. Step 363 comprises determining a visibility threshold based on the light sensor data.

[0153] Next, step 381 comprises determining a difference between a maximum light level that can be rendered by the lighting device and the ambient light level. Step 365 comprises determining a plurality of light effects to be rendered by the lighting device. In Figure 12 In the embodiment of Fig. 3, step 365 is implemented by step 383. Step 383 comprises determining the plurality of light effects to be rendered by the lighting device based on the difference determined in step 381. If the difference is large, a dynamic light sequence can be selected that is less like the outside conditions (e.g. time of day conditions, seasonal conditions, weather conditions). If the difference is not large, a dynamic light sequence can be selected that is more like the outside conditions.

[0154] In certain instances, it can be useful to select content / dynamic light scenes such that at least part of the content rises above the visibility threshold, or to play content such that it feels like being outdoors, a natural extension of indoors. At yet another time of day (e.g. during golden hour), the color of the ambient light (incident daylight) can shift towards more red colors. This can be possible if the light sensor data further indicates the ambient color.

[0155] Step 367 comprises determining whether the light intensity levels of the plurality of light effects exceed the visibility threshold. The light intensity levels comprise at least one light intensity level of the at least one light effect. In step 387, the light effects are selected for which the light intensity levels exceed the visibility threshold. Step 389 is performed after step 387. Step 389 comprises increasing the light intensity levels such that they are coordinated with the ambient light level.

[0156] For light effects with light intensity levels not exceeding the visibility threshold, step 385 is performed. Step 385 comprises determining whether one or more of these light intensity levels can be increased above the visibility threshold. The 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.

[0157] Step 369 is performed after step 391. In Figure 12 In an embodiment of the system, step 369 is implemented by step 393. Step 393 comprises increasing the light intensity levels selected in step 391 above the visibility threshold in proportion to the ambient light level. Step 371 comprises controlling the lighting device to present the light effects selected in steps 387 and 391 at the light intensity levels determined in steps 389 and 393.

[0158] Dynamic lighting systems such as the NatureConnect system preferably apply different strategies under different ambient light conditions, wherein the system strategy is automatically selected depending on, for example, the local light conditions (artificial light and / or daylight), season, weather, space utilization, already played content, and use of blinds. As a result, the same system in the same space can be able to perform well under ambient light conditions at a specific time of day; while the same system can perform poorly under different ambient light conditions at another part of the day.

[0159] The goal of the system is to always provide the best, natural feeling and immersive light experience, but this is typically not achieved by (precisely) replicating outdoor (light levels and / or dynamics). Instead, the dynamic lighting system coordinates the natural constant cycling and variation across the space (e.g., office space) in a natural feeling way by increasing the light intensity levels above the visibility threshold where desirable.

[0160] Figure 13 The graph 231 of Fig. 2 shows an example of a sequence of light effects 233 presented by a system that performs well, i.e., all light effects exceed the visibility threshold 235. Figure 13 The graph 241 of Fig. 2 shows an example of a sequence of light effects 233 presented by a system that performs poorly, i.e., some light effects do not exceed the visibility threshold 245. To ensure that all light effects are visible, the light intensity levels of the light effects with light intensity levels below the visibility threshold are increased above the visibility threshold, resulting in light effects 253, as shown in the graph 251 of Fig. 2. Figure 13

[0161] In Figure 13 ​In the example of the light intensity level of the light effect being above the visibility threshold, the light intensity level of the light effect is not increased. However, it is sometimes beneficial to increase the light intensity level of the light effect in case the light intensity level is above the visibility threshold. This is beneficial in certain situations, for example allowing the system to adjust and coordinate the flash level of the speckle effect to the system upper limit to maintain the speckle effect.

[0162] The light intensity level of the non-flashing light effect is preferably just above the visibility threshold. To increase the flashing effect, in a system that is performing well in terms of not being able to increase the light intensity level of the flashing light effect due to the system upper limit, they can be lowered to just above the visibility threshold.

[0163] If the ambient light level would even further rise, the speckle effect can be drowned as a whole, i.e. by the natural (day) light, with the system thus becoming under-performing. In this case, it can be more effective and useful to abandon the speckle effect as a whole or to turn off most of the speckle effect, as only the flashing component of the content can be dimmed or turned off.

[0164] Thus, when the natural light is under-performing, the ambient light conditions offer the artificial system the opportunity to change more easily and / or to provide the semantic meaning of the played content, with the option to match or deviate from the natural (day) light (scene); while for a well-performing natural light (and open blinds), it is more effective and natural to go with the flow in matching and / or extending the outdoor feeling indoors.

[0165] The light sensor data is used to coordinate at least a part of the first rhythm towards the ambient light conditions, and to suppress if necessary, by increasing a part of the first rhythm above a given system threshold when the system is able to perform well, or abandoning or partially abandoning a part of the natural content play when under-performing. This can be done throughout the day in different proportions, depending on the played content and the sensed indoor ambient light conditions. This allows the immersive and natural feeling light experience to be maintained at least to the first performance threshold of the system.

[0166] For under-performing systems, the light effect of at least a first part of the played content that is drowned in the ambient light can be abandoned or turned off, and if the artificial content would be completely drowned, the system can automatically decide to play alternative content for which at least a first part of the content is coordinated with the sensed ambient light conditions (e.g. light level and / or light color).

[0167] Figure 14 A third embodiment of a method of adjusting at least one light effect based on an ambient light level is shown in Fig. 36. Step 361 comprises receiving light sensor data from one or more light sensors. In step 362, the light sensor data is analyzed to determine whether the ambient light level is above a first threshold. If the ambient light level is above the first threshold, the method proceeds to step 363, in which the light intensity level of the light effect is increased. If the ambient light level is not above the first threshold, the method proceeds to step 364, in which the light intensity level of the light effect is decreased. Figure 14In embodiments, the one or more light sensors are multi-spectral light sensors, and the light sensor data received from the one or more light sensors is spectral light sensor data. The light sensor data is indicative of the ambient light level, and is further indicative of the ambient color. The light sensor can be associated with a particular space and / or a particular lighting device. The light sensor is able to distinguish between at least two wavelength regions, and can be, for example, cyan or blue "centered".

[0168] Multi-spectral light sensors are superior to conventional light sensors without spectral selectivity. The spectral difference between a sunny and a cloudy day is mainly manifest in the wavelength range above 460 nm. In the blue below 460 nm, the change of weather is mainly reflected by the light intensity, while during the course of a sunny day, the intensity variations across the entire daylight spectrum dominate. Therefore, a sensor that includes cyan is preferred because cyan is the critical point of spectral power dependence on weather, i.e. the spectral power of light with longer wavelengths than cyan is more dependent on weather than the spectral power of light with shorter wavelengths than cyan.

[0169] Multi-spectral light sensors are also deployed in cellphones, digital cameras and recorders. Spectral selective data allows mathematical extraction of the total light intensity, white balance, CCT, and the (relative) spectral contribution of the entire system to the overall light conditions of a given (office) space of at least two or more spectrally different wavelengths (regions) (e.g. by sampling red and blue, or red, green and blue, or cyan and red, or blue, cyan and red), while with differential sensing (using two identical sensors), electronic modulation of artificial light on top of (near) static ambient (day)light can also be easily detected.

[0170] Pixelated lighting devices can benefit from spectral sensing, as spectral selective sensing will allow a much more natural representation of the played content in addition to dimming or augmentation. Furthermore, the "white" balance of a space can be tracked and corrected during the course of a day, or (between spaces) be matched. With respect to the system capabilities of a natural lighting system, spectral data of at least one wavelength (region) selective (light) sensor is fed to the system controller in order to detect and weigh (relative (spectral)) changes of the (local) ambient light conditions within a space.

[0171] Step 363 comprises determining one or more visibility thresholds, e.g. one visibility threshold per light sensor, based on the light sensor data. Next, in step 401, a first lighting device is selected from the one or more lighting devices involved in a certain dynamic light scene. In step 403, a visibility threshold is selected from the one or more visibility thresholds determined in step 363 that is relevant to the selected lighting device.

[0172] Then, step 365 comprises determining a plurality of light effects from the dynamic light scene to be rendered by the selected lighting device. Step 405 comprises determining the wavelengths of the plurality of light effects determined in step 365 based on the light sensor data. The light sensor data comprises data of at least the first and second wavelength regions, and preferably data of at least three different wavelength regions.

[0173] Step 367 is performed after step 405. In Figure 14 In embodiments, step 367 is implemented by step 407. Step 407 comprises determining whether any light intensity levels of the plurality of dynamic light effects exceed the visibility threshold based on the wavelengths determined in step 405. For example, a green light effect and a yellow light effect can have the same intensity level, but only the green light effect can be visible under the current ambient lighting conditions.

[0174] Next, in step 409, it is determined whether the lighting device is located in a 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 considered to be located in a transition zone, and next step 413 is performed. Otherwise, step 411 is performed. Steps 411 and 413 implement step 369.

[0175] Steps 411 and 413 comprise 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 comprise adjusting color values of at least one light effect determined in step 365 to coordinate the color values with the ambient color.

[0176] For example, one or more color components of a marbling effect can be shifted to enhance the immersive light experience in a natural-feeling way. Similarly, artificial skylights, functional lights, and peripheral / focal lights can also be adjusted, with part or all of the content shifted to match the spectral distribution of the ambient light, so that a natural-feeling, immersive light experience is maintained throughout the space.

[0177] In step 413, these light effects are also coordinated with further light effects rendered by further lighting devices, for example located in a region adjacent to the transition zone closer to the window. Light intensity levels that have already 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 further light effects.

[0178] Step 371 includes controlling the lighting equipment to present multiple lighting effects determined in step 365 and adjusted in step 369. Next, step 409 includes checking whether any additional lighting equipment is involved in the dynamic lighting scene, and if so, selecting the next lighting equipment and repeating steps 401, 403, 365, 405, 367, 409, 369 and 371 for that next lighting equipment.

[0179] Distributed controllers can present different dynamic lighting scenes and / or different parts of a dynamic lighting scene. For example, each of these distributed controllers can execute... Figure 12 This method allows the light sensor to determine not only the level of real natural light from outside, but also the light intensity level of dynamic lighting effects presented by other lighting devices in adjacent areas.

[0180] Alternatively, this can be achieved by using a central controller (e.g., using...) Figure 14 The method described herein presents dynamic light scenes on lighting fixtures located in a large 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 a natural-feeling "buffer" between different artificial indoor scenes and / or different artificial indoor and real outdoor scenes. Further away from the windows, an "island" zone can be created whose "climate, weather, and view" differ from the outdoors / near the windows.

[0181] Which areas to create and how large those areas are typically determined by ambient light conditions, which in turn depend on weather conditions. Figures 15-17 Three spatial coordination options for different ambient light conditions are described. Figure 15 It describes clear weather conditions. Figure 15 In the diagram, the area 201 closest to window 211 is designated as the "forward" zone because the sunlight beams are unobstructed (indicated by reference numeral 213). The forward zone 201 includes... Figure 1 The peripheral lighting device 101 and the light sensor 31.

[0182] Zone 203 is furthest from window 211 and is therefore considered an "island." The island offers a completely unrestricted view. It connects naturally with the artificial light scenes that run throughout the interior architectural spaces and corridors. Island 203 includes... Figure 1 The lighting arrangement 151, peripheral lighting equipment 103, and light sensor 33 are included. The area 202 between the forward area 201 and the island area 203 becomes a transition area. The transition area 202 includes... Figure 1the functional general lighting device 111, the lighting arrangement 131, the peripheral lighting device 102 and the light sensor 32.

[0183] Figure 16 A cloudy weather condition is depicted, represented by the sun 213 and the clouds 215. Due to the lower ambient light level, only the transition zone 202 and the island zone 203 are formed. Figure 15 The advance zone 201 of the functional general lighting device 111 is now the transition zone 202, and Figure 15 The transition zone 202 and the island zone 203 of the functional general lighting device 111 are now the island zone 203.

[0184] Figure 17 A cloudy weather condition is depicted, represented by the sun 213 and the clouds 215. Due to the lower ambient light level, only the transition zone 202 and the island zone 203 are formed. Figure 15 The advance zone 201, the transition zone 202 and the island zone 203 of the functional general lighting device 111 are now the island zone 203.

[0185] Besides the adaptation to outdoor changes (in (spectral) ambient light conditions), the adaptation of the indoor rhythm and content play-out can also be triggered by other indoor conditions, such as e.g. furniture or walls of a given color and / or reflectivity or vice versa; or by their absence. Furthermore, differences in space utilization and / or occupancy can influence the local rhythm, pattern and color (i.e. the played-out content). In other instances, e.g. in case of a flicker or flash of other device(s) or in case of discontinuous light also present in the same space as the natural lighting system, the content play-out can coordinate to these lights.

[0186] In case the outdoor light brightens up and the blinds are (still) open, although there is superfluous ambient light, devices such as artificial skylights should preferably not dim down. Instead, the overall brightness of the sky and sun (illusion) should preferably also increase, but in proper relation to the functional light provided by the system. Furthermore, to maintain the natural and immersive light experience throughout the space, the functional light levels even further away from the window (far above the minimum threshold) can be increased as well, to improve the overall experience. Furthermore, depending on the location of the spot effect(s) in the space, the "glint" level of the spot effect can also be adapted automatically. Also, to not distract the office workers, such changes and adaptations should preferably be smooth and gradual.

[0187] The natural lighting system can adapt to other (non-)functional lighting devices within the same space that are not part of the natural lighting system, while coordinating the content play-out to include the light(s) of the other (non-)functional lights, so that the entire lighting installation appears to act as one system.

[0188] Figure 18A first 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. 4. Step 420 comprises determining a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a time sequence of light effects for each of the plurality of lighting devices. Step 421 comprises determining a moment in the sequence at which presentation should start, e.g. the start of the sequence, to be used in step 423.

[0189] Step 423 comprises determining a plurality of light effects from the dynamic light scene to be presented by one or more of the lighting devices. In the first iteration of step 423, the plurality of light effects determined in step 423 corresponds to the moment determined in step 421, e.g. to the start of the dynamic light scene. Step 425 comprises controlling the one or more lighting devices to present the plurality of light effects determined in step 423.

[0190] Step 429 comprises checking in step 427 whether a user input signal has been received. In Figure 18 In an embodiment, step 429 is triggered by a received user input signal or a specific time having passed, i.e. the arrival of the next moment. This next moment is after the moment to which the light effects determined in step 423 correspond. For example, the next moment can be the first moment in the sequence at which the next 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 comprises determining the next moment to be used in the next iteration of step 423.

[0191] Step 431 comprises determining a second moment in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal. This second moment is different from the moment to which the light effects determined in step 423 correspond, referred to as the "first moment", and different from the next moment. The user input signal can indicate a time difference between the first moment and the second moment. For example, the amount of rotation of a rotary button can indicate this time difference. If the user can only advance in time, the second moment can be determined based on the time difference only.

[0192] If the user input signal also indicates that it is desired to advance in time in the dynamic light scene, e.g. when a rotary button is rotated to the right, or indicates that it is desired to go back in time in the dynamic light scene, e.g. when a rotary button is rotated to the left, the second moment can be determined based on the time difference in combination with the forward / backward indication. Step 433 comprises determining a transition from the first moment to the second moment. This transition is faster than the normal transition from the first moment to the second moment as specified in the dynamic light scene.

[0193] This transition can be immediate or gradual. The transition can 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 the next iteration of step 423, multiple additional lighting effects to be presented by one or more lighting devices are determined. These multiple additional lighting effects correspond to a second moment in the dynamic lighting scene. In the next iteration of step 425, one or more lighting devices are controlled to present these multiple additional lighting effects. Then, the method proceeds as follows... Figure 18 As shown.

[0194] If the transition is gradual for at least one of the one or more lighting devices, then step 435 is performed after step 433. Step 435 includes determining one or more intermediate lighting effects to be presented by a second subset of the lighting devices. Each of the one or more intermediate lighting effects corresponds to a time between a first moment and a second moment in the dynamic lighting scene. Step 437 includes controlling the second subset of lighting devices to present one or more intermediate lighting effects during the transition. After step 437, step 423 is repeated in the same manner as it was performed directly after step 433.

[0195] Figure 19 A second embodiment of a method for controlling multiple lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene is shown. Figure 19 yes Figure 18 An extension of the embodiments. In Figure 19 In one embodiment, step 451 is additionally performed after step 420. Step 451 includes determining, in step 453, the moment when the presentation should begin in the sequence.

[0196] Step 453 includes determining, from the dynamic lighting scene, a first plurality of lighting effects to be presented by at least one other lighting device among a plurality of lighting devices. In the first iteration of step 453, the first plurality of lighting effects determined in step 453 correspond to the moment determined in step 451. Step 455 includes controlling at least one other lighting device to present the first plurality of lighting effects determined in step 453.

[0197] The time determined in step 451 is different from the time determined in step 421. If the time determined in step 421 is the start of the sequence, then the time determined in step 451 is the start of the sequence plus a time difference. This ensures that the light effect presented in step 425 is delayed compared to the light effect presented in step 455.

[0198] Step 459 comprises determining a next time instant that should be used in the next iteration of step 453. This next time instant is after the time instant corresponding to the light effect determined in step 453. For example, the next time instant can be the first time instant in the sequence(s) in which the next light effect is different (after the current time instant).

[0199] In the next iteration of step 453, a second plurality of light effects is determined that will be rendered by the at least one lighting device. This second plurality of light effects corresponds to a next time instant in the dynamic light scene. In the next iteration of step 455, the at least one lighting device is controlled to render the second plurality of light effects. Then, the method proceeds as Figure 19 indicated.

[0200] Since the time instant used in step 453 does not depend on the user input signal received in step 427, the user input signal influences the time difference between the time instants used in the simultaneous iterations of steps 423 and 453, i.e. influences the delay of the light effects rendered in step 425 compared to the light effects rendered in step 455. For example, the user can be able to increase and decrease the dynamics of the speckle effect trajectory after the initial speckle effect in this way.

[0201] Figure 20 A third embodiment of a method of controlling a plurality of lighting devices to provide ambient lighting in accordance with a dynamic light scene is shown in Figure 20 is an extension of the embodiment of Figure 18 . In the embodiment of Figure 20 , steps 451, 453 and 455 are additionally performed after step 420, similar to the embodiment of Figure 19 . In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 19 , the time instant used in the next iteration of step 453 depends on the user input signal received in step 427.

[0202] If it is determined in step 429 that a user input signal has been received, then steps 431 and 471 are executed next. If not, then the previously described steps 439 and 459 are executed next. Step 471 comprises determining a fourth time instant in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal. This fourth time instant is different from the time instant corresponding to the light effect determined in step 453, which is referred to as the "third time instant", and different from the next time instant that would have been determined in case step 459 would be executed. The fourth time instant is also different from the second time instant, but the time difference between the first time instant and the third time instant is equal to the time difference between the second time instant and the fourth time instant.

[0203] 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, that is, it does not affect the delay of the light effect presented in step 425 compared to the light effect presented in step 455.

[0204] Step 473 involves determining the transition from the first moment to the second moment. As specified in the dynamic lighting scene, this transition is faster than the 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 lighting effects to be presented by at least one other lighting device are determined. This second plurality of additional lighting effects corresponds to the fourth moment in the dynamic lighting scene. In the next iteration of step 455, at least one other lighting device is controlled to present this second plurality of additional lighting effects. Then, the method proceeds as follows: Figure 20 As shown.

[0205] If the transition is gradual for one or more of the at least one lighting fixture, then step 475 is performed after step 473. Step 475 includes determining one or more intermediate lighting effects to be presented by these lighting fixtures. Each of the one or more intermediate lighting effects corresponds to a time between the third and fourth moments in the dynamic lighting scene. Step 477 includes controlling the one or more lighting fixtures to present one or more intermediate lighting effects during the transition. After step 477, step 453 is repeated in the same manner as it was performed directly after step 473.

[0206] Figure 21 An example of a dynamic light scene is shown, including color (c) setting 271 and illumination intensity (li) setting 272. At a first moment 275, a user input signal is received. The user input signal indicates a desire to advance to a second moment 276 in time.

[0207] Figures 22-23 The partially presented portion is shown. Figure 21 An example of a dynamic lighting scene. Figure 22 This demonstrates an immediate transition. Figure 21 In a dynamic lighting scene, the lighting settings specified for the second moment 276 are rendered directly after the lighting settings specified for the first moment 275 have been rendered. Figure 23A gradual transition is shown. This gradual transition is faster than the normal transition from the first moment 275 to the second moment 276, as specified in the dynamic light scene. For example, the gradual transition can take a few seconds to a few minutes. The transition can be linear, or can have a shape similar to a function containing the light settings between the first moment 275 and the second moment 276, as specified in the dynamic light scene. The latter is shown in Figure 23 .

[0208] Figures 9 to 12 , Figure 14 , and Figures 18 to 20 The embodiments of Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , and Figure 18 can be combined.

[0209] Figure 24 A third alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement 151 of Figure 2 is shown in

[0210] The spacing between the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168 and the artificial skylights 161-163 is not more than the width of the artificial skylights 161-163. The lighting arrangement 199 further comprises artificial edge functional general lighting devices 165 and 167 for providing horizontal light. The edge functional general lighting devices 165 and 167 each comprise a horizontal light emitting surface.

[0211] The controller 192 comprises a processor 195, a transceiver 193, and a memory 197. The controller 192 is configured to control the artificial skylights 161-163, the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168, and the edge general lighting devices 165 and 167 to render different light effects of a dynamic light scene. The dynamic light scene specifies a time sequence of light effects for each of a plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices comprises the artificial skylights 161-163, the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168, and the edge general lighting devices 165 and 167.

[0212] In Figure 24In the embodiment of the lighting device 191 shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 191 includes one processor 195. In alternative embodiments, the lighting device 191 includes multiple processors. For example, the processor 195 of the lighting device 191 can be a special purpose processor. The transceiver 193 can use one or more wireless communication technologies (e.g., Zigbee) for communication with external controllers. In alternative embodiments, a separate receiver and / or a separate transmitter are used instead of a single transceiver.

[0213] In Figure 24 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the receiver and the transmitter are combined into one transceiver, the transceiver 193. In alternative embodiments, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. The artificial sky light 161, the functional general lighting devices 166 and 168, and the edge general lighting devices 165 and 167 each include a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs can be direct emitting LEDs or phosphor converted LEDs. The lighting device 191 can include other components typical for connected lighting devices, such as a power connector. In alternative embodiments, the lighting device 191 is not a connected lighting device. The present invention can be implemented using computer programs running on one or more processors.

[0214] Figure 25 A block diagram that illustrates an example data processing system which can perform a process as described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 , Figure 14 , and Figures 18 to 20 is depicted.

[0215] As shown in Figure 25 , the data processing system 500 can include at least one processor 502 coupled to memory elements 504 via a system bus 506. As such, the data processing system can store program code within memory elements 504. Further, the processor 502 can execute the program code accessed from the memory elements 504 via a system bus 506. In one aspect, the data processing system can be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the data processing system 500 can be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and memory that is capable of

[0216] The memory elements 504 can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 508 and one or more bulk storage devices 510. Local memory can refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device can be implemented as a hard disk drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 500 can also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 510 during execution. The processing system 500 can also be capable of using memory elements of another processing system, if it is a part of a cloud computing platform, for example.

[0217] Optionally, input / output (I / O) devices 512, 514 can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices can include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or a microphone (for example, for voice and / or speech recognition) among others. Examples of output devices can include, but are not limited to, a monitor or display, or speakers among others. Input and / or output devices can be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening I / O controllers.

[0218] In embodiments, the input and output devices can be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in Figure 25 with a dashed line surrounding the input device 512 and the output device 514). An example of such a combined device is a touch-sensitive display, sometimes also referred to as a “touchscreen display” or simply “touchscreen”. In such embodiments, input to the device can be provided through movement of a physical object, such as a user’s finger or a stylus, on or near the touchscreen display.

[0219] A network adapter 516 can also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter can comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by said systems, devices and / or networks to the data processing system 500, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 500 to said systems, devices and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapters that can be used with the data processing system 500.

[0220] As Figure 25The memory elements 504 can store an application 518, among other possible items. In various embodiments, the application 518 can be stored in the local memory 508, the one or more bulk storage devices 510, or separate from the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system 500 can further execute an operating system (not shown in FIG. 5) that can facilitate execution of the application 518, where the operating system is resident in the memory elements 504 or the bulk storage devices 510. The application 518 embodied as executable program code can be executed by the data processing system 500 (e.g., by the processor 502). In response to executing the application, the data processing system 500 can be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein. Figure 25

[0221] Figure 25 The input devices 512 and output devices 514 are shown separately from the network adapter 516. However, additionally or alternatively, input can be received via the network adapter 516 and output transmitted via the network adapter 516. For example, the data processing system 500 can be a cloud server. In this case, input can be received from a user device acting as a terminal and output can be transmitted to a user device acting as a terminal.

[0222] Various embodiments of the application can be implemented as a program product utilizing a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define the function(s) of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression "non-transitory computer- readable storage media" includes all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. In another embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer, such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips, or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory), on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks, or hard-disk drive within a computer, or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory), on which information is stored that can be altered. The computer programs can be run on the processor 502 described herein.

[0223] ​The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" (and / or "comprising"), when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0224] All means or step plus function elements in the claims that follow the expression "means for" or "step for" are intended to cover any structure for performing the function and materials for The description of embodiments of the application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the application. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the application and the practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the application for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A system (1) for controlling multiple lighting devices (101-103, 111, 131, 151) to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene, the system (1) comprising: At least one input interface (3); At least one output interface (4); and At least one processor (5) is configured as follows: - Determine the dynamic lighting scene. - Determine multiple lighting effects to be presented by one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) among the plurality of lighting devices (101-103, 111, 131, 151) from the dynamic lighting scene, the multiple lighting effects corresponding to a first moment (275) in the dynamic lighting scene, the dynamic lighting scene being a time sequence of each specified lighting effect among the plurality of lighting devices (101-103, 111, 131, 151). - To present the multiple light effects by controlling the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) via the at least one output interface (4). - Receive user input signals via the at least one input interface (3), - Determine the second moment (276) in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal. - Determine a transition from the first time point (275) to the second time point (276), the transition being faster than the normal transition from the first time point (275) to the second time point (276) specified in the dynamic lighting scene, wherein the transition is immediate for at least a first subset of the plurality of lighting devices, and wherein the transition is progressive for at least a second subset of the plurality of lighting devices. - Determine one or more intermediate lighting effects to be presented by a second subset of the lighting devices, each of the one or more intermediate lighting effects corresponding to a time between the first time (275) and the second time (276) in the dynamic lighting scene. - Determine multiple additional lighting effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) from the dynamic light scene, the multiple additional lighting effects corresponding to the second moment (276) in the dynamic light scene. -Control a second subset of the lighting devices via the at least one output interface (4) to present the one or more intermediate light effects during the transition, and - Control the plurality of the plurality of lighting devices via the at least one output interface (4) to present the plurality of additional light effects after the transition.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the user input signal indicates the time difference between the first time (275) and the second time (276).

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the user input signal indicates a desire to advance in time in the dynamic light scene, or indicates a desire to retreat in time in the dynamic light scene.

4. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to: - Determine from the dynamic light scene at least one subsequence of light effects to be presented by at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) among the plurality of lighting devices (101-103, 111, 131, 151), wherein a first plurality of light effects of the at least one subsequence corresponds to a third moment in the dynamic light scene, and a second plurality of light effects of the at least one subsequence corresponds to a fourth moment in the dynamic light scene, wherein the time difference between the first moment (275) and the third moment is different from the time difference between the second moment (276) and the fourth moment, and - Control the at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) to present the at least one light effect subsequence in the light effects, the at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) being controlled to present the first plurality of light effects, while the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) are controlled to present the plurality of light effects, and the at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) being controlled to present the second plurality of light effects, while the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) are controlled to present the plurality of additional light effects.

5. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to: - Determine additional lighting effects to be presented by at least one of the plurality of lighting devices (101, 103, 151), the additional lighting effects corresponding to a third moment in the dynamic light scene, the third moment being different from the first moment (275). - To present the additional lighting effects by controlling the at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) via the at least one output interface (4). - Based on the user input signal, a fourth moment in the dynamic light scene is determined, the fourth moment being different from the second moment (276), and the time difference between the first moment (275) and the third moment is equal to the time difference between the second moment (276) and the fourth moment. - Determine the transition from the third time point to the fourth time point, which is faster than the normal transition from the third time point to the fourth time point specified in the dynamic lighting scene. - Determine a plurality of additional lighting effects to be presented by the at least one lighting device (101, 103, 151), the plurality of additional lighting effects corresponding to the fourth moment in the dynamic light scene, and - Control the at least one other lighting device (101, 103, 151) via the at least one output interface (4) to present the additional multiple additional light effects after the transition.

6. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input interface (3) comprises a control device having a one-dimensional control element or an interface to the control device.

7. The system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the control element is rotatable.

8. The system (1) of claim 6, wherein the control device includes a display, and the control device is configured to display on the display a representation of the first moment (275) and / or the second moment (276) in the dynamic light scene.

9. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic light scene represents a daylight scene, and the first moment (275) and the second moment (276) correspond to different times of day; or the dynamic light scene represents a fire scene, and the first moment (275) and the second moment (276) correspond to different scales of fire; or the dynamic light scene represents a forest scene, and the first moment (275) and the second moment (276) correspond to different tree densities and / or leaf densities.

10. The system (1) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to determine one or more values ​​of one or more parameters based on the user input signal, adjust at least one of the plurality of additional lighting effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) based on the one or more values, and control the one or more lighting devices (102, 111, 131) to present the adjusted at least one additional lighting effect after the transition.

11. The system (1) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting devices (101-103, 111, 131, 151) includes peripheral lighting devices (101-103) for providing dynamic and vertical lighting, an artificial skylight, and a functional general-purpose lighting device for providing horizontal light, wherein a first subset of the plurality of lighting devices includes the functional general-purpose lighting device, and a second subset of the plurality of lighting devices includes the peripheral lighting device and / or the artificial skylight.

12. A computer-implemented method for controlling multiple lighting devices to provide ambient lighting according to a dynamic light scene, the method comprising: - Determine the dynamic lighting scene. - Determine (423) multiple light effects to be presented by multiple of the plurality of lighting devices from the dynamic light scene, the multiple light effects corresponding to a first moment in the dynamic light scene, the dynamic light scene being a time sequence of each specified light effect in the plurality of lighting devices; - Control (425) the one or more lighting devices to present the multiple light effects; - Receive (427) user input signal; - Determine the second moment in the dynamic light scene based on the user input signal (431); - Determine (433) the transition from the first time to the second time, the transition being faster than the normal transition from the first time to the second time specified in the dynamic light scene, wherein the transition is immediate for at least a first subset of the plurality of lighting devices, and wherein the transition is progressive for at least a second subset of the plurality of lighting devices; - Determine one or more intermediate lighting effects to be presented by a second subset of the lighting devices, each of the one or more intermediate lighting effects corresponding to a time between the first time (275) and the second time (276) in the dynamic light scene; - Determine (423) a plurality of additional lighting effects to be presented by the one or more lighting devices from the dynamic light scene, the plurality of additional lighting effects corresponding to the second moment in the dynamic light scene; - Control a second subset of the lighting equipment to present the one or more intermediate light effects during the transition; as well as - Control (425) the plurality of the plurality of lighting devices to present the plurality of additional light effects after the transition.

13. A computer program product storing at least one software code portion that, when run on a computer system, causes the computer to perform the method of claim 12.

Images