Controlling a pixelated illumination device based on relative positions of additional light sources

Abstract

A system for controlling a pixelated lighting device (1) is configured to determine a position of a further light source (29) relative to the pixelated lighting device and to obtain original light settings (91-99) for the pixelated lighting device. The pixelated lighting device comprises a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments (11-19) and the original light settings are associated with respective ones of the individually addressable lighting segments. The system is further configured to: obtain further original light settings (89) for the further light source; adjust the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source; and control the individually addressable lighting segments to emit light in accordance with the adjusted original light settings.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for controlling a pixelated lighting device, the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method of controlling a pixelated lighting device, the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments.

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

[0004] With the introduction of LED technology, it became possible to produce light bars to illuminate houses and offices. Light bars have the advantage that they can illuminate large, wide spaces relatively uniformly. Initially, all LEDs of a light bar could only emit one color, e.g. white. Later, some light bars allowed the user to change the color emitted by the LEDs, but all LEDs within the light bar still emitted the same color at the same time. The next step in light bars was the pixelated light bar. A pixelated light bar comprises a plurality of individually controllable segments, each such segment often referred to as a "pixel", wherein, for example, the color and / or intensity of the emitted light can be controlled. Each segment comprises one or more LEDs of the same or different color.

[0005] With pixelated light bars, the user is able to create different ambiances without the need to provide a different new product for each desired color, but also to cleverly vary gradients along the device (e.g. to create a sunrise effect in a light bar attached to a ceiling, with the center being brighter and more yellow than the edges). Other pixelated lighting devices exist as well, e.g. luminaires with multiple light sources (e.g. Hue Beyond) where each light source can act independently from each other, or luminaires with upward and downward facing light sources.

[0006] Most effects designed for pixelated devices nowadays mainly focus on how to distribute the effect over the product. For example, how to apply a gradient along a light bar to avoid sharp transitions that can affect the perceived ambiance. While these make sense for the individual basis, the overall ambiance is also affected if there are other pixelated light sources in the vicinity. For example, if there is a light bar on a recess in the ceiling and there are top / bottom wall lights underneath, they can not necessarily be aligned due to construction reasons. In other words, when each device reaches the light effect, each device can be internally coherent, but the space they share can have inconsistencies. While the individual light effects are acceptable, in combination they can look incorrect.

[0007] When using multiple (pixelated) lighting devices such as disclosed in WO2018 / 224390A1 to render a single light effect, incoherent light experiences are typically not an issue. For example, in the system described in WO2018 / 224390A1, a blue light effect can be specified with a specific center position and a specific radius, and in this case, light positioned close to the center has a strong blue color, while light further away from the center has a smaller strong blue color. However, it is more common that each of the lighting devices requests to render a respective independent light effect (i.e. a light effect that does not form one larger intentionally coordinated light effect (e.g. a light effect from an independently generated light scene)).

[0008] WO2016124390A1 discloses a control unit for a lighting system. The control unit comprises a localization module that detects when a portable lighting device is within a predetermined vicinity of a stationary light source, and a controller that selects between different functions for the portable light source, including: (i) an independent function in which the light output of the stationary light source and the portable light source are controlled independently of each other, and one or both of: (ii) a slave function in which the light output of the portable light source is adjusted in dependence on the light output of the stationary light source, and / or (iii) a master function in which the light output of the stationary light source is adjusted in dependence on the light output of the portable light source. The controller is configured to switch to one of the slave function or the master function in response to detection of the predetermined vicinity. The function can be based on factors such as the position of the portable light source relative to one or more other light sources in the system, environmental conditions and / or a user-defined function. SUMMARY

[0009] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a system that can help provide coherent light experiences involving multiple devices that simultaneously render a light effect and that are requested to render a respective independent light effect.

[0010] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method that can help provide coherent light experiences involving multiple devices that simultaneously render a light effect and that are requested to render a respective independent light effect.

[0011] In a first aspect of the application, a system for controlling a pixelated lighting device (the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments) comprises at least one control interface and at least one processor configured to: determine a position of a further light source relative to the pixelated lighting device; obtain original light settings of the pixelated lighting device, the original light settings being associated with respective ones of the individually addressable lighting segments; obtain further original light settings for the further light source; adjust the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source; and control the individually addressable lighting segments via the at least one control interface to emit light according to the adjusted original light settings.

[0012] Thus, the system can determine whether there are further light sources (pixelated or not) in sufficient proximity to the pixelated lighting device (e.g. a lightbar) such that their effects can interact / influence each other, and if so, determine which areas / segments of the pixelated lighting device influence the atmosphere created by the further light sources, and vice versa. The system can determine which areas / segments of the pixelated lighting device are the closest to the further light sources, but there can be cases where the further light sources have an influence or have more influence on areas / segments of the pixelated lighting device that are not the closest. For example, if the lightbar has segments that shine at different angles (e.g. one segment outputs a narrow beam while another segment outputs a wider beam), this can result in the further away segments influencing the atmosphere more than the closest segments. The system can then adjust the original light settings to reduce the difference with the further original light settings.

[0013] Preferably, upon noticing that the user does not perceive a significantly different light effect than initially intended, the difference between the original light settings of the pixelated lighting device and the further light settings of the further light source can be reduced by reducing the distance between the light settings (hue, saturation, brightness or other color space coordinates) in the shared (i.e. light crosstalk) area. This helps to provide a coherent light experience using the pixelated lighting device and the further light source. Optionally, the color palette of the adjusted original light settings can remain the same as the color palette of the original light settings. A shared area is an area where light from the pixelated lighting device and light from the further light source are both visible, e.g. where the two beams overlap.

[0014] The at least one processor can be configured to obtain an image captured by a camera and determine the relative position from the image, for example. Alternatively, the at least one processor can be configured to obtain light sensor data from a light sensor embedded in or attached to the pixelated lighting device (and / or from a light sensor embedded in or attached to the further light source) and determine the relative position from the light sensor data, for example.

[0015] The at least one processor can be configured to adjust the original light settings in the adjusted original light settings by assigning at least one of the original light settings to a separately addressable lighting segment that is different from the separately addressable lighting segment with which it is associated in the original light settings. For example, the at least one processor can be configured to adjust a plurality of the original light settings in the adjusted original light settings by assigning the plurality of the original light settings to separately addressable lighting segments that are different from the separately addressable lighting segments with which they are associated in the original light settings.

[0016] This results in a change of the original light settings such that the light effect rendered by the pixels of the pixelated lighting device mixes better with the light effect rendered by the further light source. By not only merging the light effects in the shared area, but also by appropriately cascading those changes in the entire remainder of the segments, a light experience can be provided that is not only coherent in the shared area, but also in the area illuminated by all segments.

[0017] A similar coherent light experience can be achieved without changing the assignment of the original light settings to the lighting segments, but in this case the difference between each of the adjusted original light settings and the corresponding original light setting should preferably be limited to a predetermined maximum in order not to deviate too much from the originally intended light effect / ambience.

[0018] The at least one processor can be configured to adjust at least one of the original light settings based on the color, brightness and / or color saturation of at least one other of the original light settings. This can be used to obtain a coherent light experience that is similar to the coherent light experience obtained by changing the assignment of the original light settings to the lighting segments, but without changing the assignment of the original light settings to the lighting segments.

[0019] The at least one processor can be configured to ensure that a difference between an average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the adjusted original light settings and an average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the original light settings does not exceed a first threshold and that a difference between a color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the adjusted original light settings and a color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the original light settings does not exceed a second threshold. This helps not to deviate too much from the originally intended light effect / ambiance.

[0020] Two of the individually addressable lighting segments can be edge segments and the original light settings associated with the edge segments can not be adjusted. This is beneficial, for example, if the two edge segments are connected (e.g. if the pixelated lighting device is a lightbar along a circular path) and this can also help not to deviate too much from the originally intended light effect / ambiance.

[0021] The at least one processor can be configured to adjust the further original light settings based on the original light settings and the relative position of the further light source and to control the further light source via the at least one control interface to emit further light in accordance with the adjusted further original light settings. This allows for less adjustment of the original light settings, thereby reducing the difference from the originally intended light effect / ambiance.

[0022] The at least one processor can be configured to control the individually addressable lighting segments to start emitting the light and to stop emitting the light in synchronization with the further light source starting emitting further light and stopping emitting further light in accordance with the further original light settings. This can be used to prevent the adjustment of the original light settings from affecting the originally intended dynamicity of the light effect too much.

[0023] The at least one processor can be configured to select one or more of the plurality of individually addressable lighting segments based on the relative position of the further light source, the selected one or more individually addressable lighting segments being estimated to illuminate the same spatial area as the further light source, and to adjust the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the selection. For example, the original light settings of the selected segments can be adjusted to be more similar to the further original light settings of the further light source and the original light settings of other segments can be adjusted or kept the same such that the difference from the originally intended light effect / ambiance is limited.

[0024] In a second aspect of the application, a method of controlling a pixelated lighting device, the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments, comprises: determining a position of a further light source relative to the pixelated lighting device; obtaining original light settings of the pixelated lighting device, the original light settings being associated with respective ones of the individually addressable lighting segments; obtaining further original light settings of the further light source; adjusting the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source; and controlling the individually addressable lighting segments to emit light in accordance with the adjusted original light settings. The method can be performed by software running on a programmable device. The software can be provided as a computer program product.

[0025] Further, a computer program for performing the methods described herein is provided, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing the computer program. The computer program can for example be downloaded or uploaded to an existing device, or stored when manufacturing these systems.

[0026] A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores at least one software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform executable operations for controlling a pixelated lighting device, the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments.

[0027] The executable operations comprise: determining a position of a further light source relative to the pixelated lighting device; obtaining original light settings of the pixelated lighting device, the original light settings being associated with respective ones of the individually addressable lighting segments; obtaining further original light settings for the further light source; adjusting the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source; and controlling the individually addressable lighting segments to emit light in accordance with the adjusted original light settings.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that aspects of the 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 an algorithm executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the present application can take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon, for example.

[0029] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium can be utilized. The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium can include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of the present application, a computer readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0030] A computer readable signal medium can include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal can take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium can be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0031] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium can be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present application can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java (TM), Smalltalk, C++, or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). These network connections are

[0032] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices 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.

[0035] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices 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

[0036] These and other aspects of the present application will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the principles of the application by way of example only.

[0037] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the system;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the system;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the system;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the method;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the method;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the method;

[0043] Figure 7 This illustrates a conventional method for allocating light settings to illuminated sections;

[0044] Figure 8 It shows according to Figure 6 An example of adjusting the original light settings using this method;

[0045] Figure 9 An example of the original light settings adjusted according to the fourth embodiment of this method is shown;

[0046] Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 The example shows the adjusted original lighting effects;

[0047] Figure 11 It shows according to Figure 6 The method used to adjust the original light settings in the second and third examples of rendering;

[0048] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment of the method; and

[0049] Figure 13 It shows that according to Figure 12 The example of adjusting the original light settings using this method is presented.

[0050] Figure 14 An example of the original light settings adjusted according to the seventh embodiment of this method is shown; and

[0051] Figure 15 This is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the methods of the present invention.

[0052] Corresponding elements in the accompanying drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1A first embodiment of a system for controlling a pixelated lighting device is shown. Figure 1 In the example, the pixelated lighting device is light strip 1. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the system is a controller 2 for the light strip 1. The light strip 1 includes nine individually addressable lighting sections 11-19. Figure 1 In one embodiment, each segment includes a single optical element, such as a direct-emitting LED or a phosphor-converted LED. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the segments include multiple optical elements. Setting nine optical elements per light strip would actually be a relatively low number of optical elements per light strip, but this number has been chosen for illustrative purposes.

[0054] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the light strip 1 can be controlled via bridge 21, for example, using Zigbee technology. Bridge 21 is connected to wireless LAN access point 23, for example, via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Mobile device 25 is also connected to wireless LAN access point 23, for example, via Wi-Fi. For example, mobile device 25 can be a mobile phone, tablet, or smartwatch. A user can control the light strip 1 via wireless LAN access point 23 and bridge 21 using an application running on mobile device 25. In an alternative embodiment, the light strip 1 is controlled without a bridge (e.g., directly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi).

[0055] The controller 2 of the light strip 1 includes a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5, and a control interface 6. The processor 5 is configured to determine the position of an additional light source 29 relative to the light strip 1 and obtain the original light settings of the light strip 1. This original light settings are associated with a corresponding individually addressable lighting segment in the individually addressable lighting segments 11-19.

[0056] The processor 5 is further configured to: obtain another original light setting of the other light source 29; adjust the original light setting based on the other original light setting and the relative position of the other light source 29; and control individually addressable lighting segments 11-19 via the control interface 6 to emit light according to the adjusted original light setting.

[0057] For example, controller 2 can receive the original light settings for light strip 1 and additional original light for another light source 29 from bridge 21. For example, bridge 21 can receive these light settings from mobile device 25. Alternatively, mobile device 25 can emit a light scene identifier to bridge 21, and bridge 21 can locate the light settings associated with this light scene identifier.

[0058] The light strip 1 can send information identifying how many segments it has, or information identifying its type, which allows the mobile device 25 or bridge 21 to determine the number of segments, for example, by means of an Internet database. After the mobile device 25 has learned the number of segments supported by the light strip 1, it is able to produce an optimized light effect for the light strip 1.

[0059] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the light strip 1 includes light sensors 8 and 9, and the processor 5 is configured to obtain light sensor data from the light sensors 8 and 9 and determine relative positions from the light sensor data. For example, the processor 5 may be configured to determine the light output (in lumens) of the additional light source 29 based on a brightness value / light output level specified in a separate original light setting and based on the type of the additional light source 29. The processor 5 may be configured to compare this light output with the light level (e.g., in lux) measured by the light sensors 8 and 9 to determine the distance between each of the light sensors 8 and 9 and the additional light source 29.

[0060] The position of the additional light source 29 relative to the light strip 1 can be calculated from these two distances. The processor 5 can be configured to determine the optical crosstalk region based on the type of the light strip 1, the type of the additional light source 29, and their relative positions. The processor 5 can be configured to: determine which of the illumination sections 11-19 cause and are subject to this optical crosstalk; and adjust the original light settings such that the light effect presented by the illumination sections causing and being subject to optical crosstalk is more similar to the light effect presented by the additional light source 29, which also causes and is subject to this optical crosstalk. In an alternative embodiment, the light sensors 8 and 9 are attached to the light strip 1, rather than embedded in it.

[0061] The additional light source 29 may include one or more pixels. For example, the additional light source 29 may be a light source that is both upward and downward. Both upward and downward light can produce the same lighting effect. In this case, one additional original light setting is sufficient. Alternatively, upward and downward light can produce different lighting effects. In this case, the processor 5 may be configured to receive two additional original light settings for the additional light source 29, but it may only be necessary to use one of the two additional original light settings.

[0062] Instead of a lighting device, the additional light source 29 can be a device that is not part of the lighting system (e.g., a display device showing a uniformly colored image), but it does affect the atmosphere. For example, if a PC screen is present near the end of the pixelated light strip 1, the controller 2 can choose to adjust the original light settings for the light strip 1 so that the end of the light strip 1 always displays a color most similar to that of the PC screensaver. This is beneficial if the screensaver displays an image of a large, uniformly colored (e.g., green) surface.

[0063] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of controller 2 shown, controller 2 includes a processor 5. In an alternative embodiment, controller 2 includes multiple processors. The processor 5 of controller 2 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. Receiver 3 and transmitter 4 may use one or more wireless communication technologies (e.g., Zigbee) to communicate with bridge 21. In an alternative embodiment, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter.

[0064] exist 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. Controller 2 may include other components typically used in light strip controllers, such as a power converter and a power connector for connecting the power converter to an AC power source. The invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the system is a controller for the light strip. In an alternative embodiment, the system is a different device, such as the light strip itself, a moving device, or a bridge that can control such a light strip. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the system includes a single device. In an alternative embodiment, the system includes multiple devices.

[0066] exist Figure 1 In the example, light strip 1 causes optical crosstalk to one device and is subjected to optical crosstalk from that one device. Alternatively, light strip 1 may cause optical crosstalk to multiple devices and be subjected to optical crosstalk from those multiple devices.

[0067] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a system for controlling a pixelated lighting device is shown, namely a bridge 41. The bridge 41 uses, for example, Zigbee technology to control a light strip 51. The light strip 51 includes a controller 52 and individually addressable lighting sections 11-19. Figure 2 In the example, each segment includes a single optical element, such as a direct-emitting LED or a phosphor-converted LED. Alternatively, one or more segments may include multiple optical elements.

[0068] For example, bridge 41 could be a Philips Hue Bridge. Bridge 41 is connected to wireless LAN access point 23, for example, via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. (See also: ...) Figure 1The mobile device 25 is also connected to the wireless local area network access point 23, e.g. via Wi-Fi, as described. The bridge 41 can comprise functionality of an HDMI module such as a HuePlay HDMI Sync Box. The HDMI module analyzes the audio and / or video of an incoming HDMI signal, determines a light effect based on the analysis, and controls one or more lighting devices to render the determined light effect, e.g. via Zigbee and / or Bluetooth.

[0069] The bridge 41 comprises a receiver 43, a transmitter 44, a processor 45 and a memory 47. The processor 45 is configured to determine a position of the further light source 29 relative to the lightbar 51 and to obtain an original light setting of the lightbar 51. The original light setting is associated with a respective individually addressable lighting segment of the individually addressable lighting segments 11-19. The processor 45 can be configured to obtain an image captured by a camera, e.g. embedded in the mobile device 25, and to determine the relative position from the image.

[0070] The processor 45 is further configured to obtain a further original light setting of the further light source 29, to adjust the original light setting based on the further original light setting and the relative position of the further light source 29, and to control the individually addressable lighting segments 11-19 via the transmitter 45 to emit light according to the adjusted original light setting.

[0071] For example, the processor 45 can receive an original light setting for the lightbar 1 and a further original light setting for the further light source 29 from the mobile device 25. Alternatively, the mobile device 25 can transmit a light scene identifier to the bridge 41, and the bridge 41 can look up the light settings associated with this light scene identifier, e.g. in the memory 47.

[0072] The user can be able to provide the positions of the lighting devices (or other light sources) via an application running on the mobile device 25, so that the bridge 41 can determine which pixels (segments) of the devices involved seem to be closest. For example, the user can be able to manually input the positions or let the APP analyze an image captured by the camera of the mobile device 25. Once this information is known, the bridge 41 can determine which is the key parameter to be optimized to create a coherent light experience.

[0073] If the original light settings of the lightbar 1 and the further light source 29 are similar but different, the bridge 41 can conclude that the settings need to be merged due to the similarity of the settings (e.g. both devices are set to warm / relaxing colors), but it is also important to align the distribution of such colors throughout the lightbar with the light area affected by the further light source 29 (which will also be referred to as the light crosstalk area and the shared area). To this end, the bridge 41 can select to change the color settings of the locations most similar to the color settings of the further light source 29 such that the gradient difference from both devices in the shared area is minimized.

[0074] If the original light settings of the lightbar 1 and the further light source 29 are too different from each other (e.g. the lightbar 1 is placed in a recess, the further light source 29 is a wall light, the lightbar 1 is set to a fixed white throughout, and the wall light is set to red throughout), the bridge 41 can conclude that the user most likely intentionally set these particular colors and, therefore, no adjustment of any light settings is needed.

[0075] In Figure 2 The bridge 41 shown in the embodiment comprises one processor 45. In alternative embodiments, the bridge 41 comprises multiple processors. The processor 45 of the bridge 41 can be a general purpose processor (e.g. an ARM-based processor) or a special purpose processor. For example, the processor 45 of the bridge 41 can run a Unix-based operating system. The memory 47 can comprise one or more memory units. For example, the memory 47 can comprise one or more hard disks and / or solid state memories.

[0076] By way of example, the receiver 43 and the transmitter 44 can use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies (e.g. Zigbee) to communicate with the lightbar 51 and the Ethernet to communicate with the wireless local area network access point 23. In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of using a single receiver and a single transmitter. In Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In alternative embodiments, the receiver 43 and the transmitter 44 are combined into a transceiver. The bridge 41 can comprise other components typical for a bridge, e.g. a power connector. The present invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0077] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a system for controlling a pixelated lighting device is shown: a mobile device 71. For example, the mobile device 71 can be a mobile phone or a tablet. A user can be able to use an application running on the mobile device 71 to control the lightbar 51 via the wireless local area network access point 23 and the bridge 21, already described with respect to the first embodiment. Figure 1 The bridge 21 is described. InFigure 3 In one embodiment, the light strip 51 is controlled via bridge 21. In an alternative embodiment, the light strip 51 is controlled, for example, directly via Bluetooth without a bridge.

[0078] The mobile device 71 includes a receiver 73, a transmitter 74, a processor 75, a memory 77, a camera 78, and a display 79. The processor 75 is configured to determine the position of an additional light source 29 relative to the light strip 51 and to obtain the original light settings of the light strip 51, which are associated with corresponding individually addressable lighting segments 11-19. The processor 75 can be configured to obtain images captured by the camera 78 and determine relative positions from the images.

[0079] The processor 75 is also configured to: obtain an additional original light setting of the additional light source 29; adjust the original light setting based on the relative position of the additional original light setting and the additional light source 29; and control individually addressable lighting segments 11-19 via the transmitter 74 to emit light according to the adjusted original light setting.

[0080] For example, processor 75 can obtain the original light settings for light strip 1 and additional original light for another light source 29 from a light scene or light script. The light script specifies the time-based rendering of the light settings. For example, one or more light scenes and / or one or more light scripts can be stored in memory 77 and / or can be stored on an Internet server.

[0081] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the mobile device 71 shown, the mobile device 71 includes a processor 75. In alternative embodiments, the mobile device 71 includes multiple processors. The processor 75 of the mobile device 71 may be a general-purpose processor (e.g., from ARM or Qualcomm) or a dedicated processor. For example, the processor 75 of the mobile device 71 may run the Android or iOS operating system. For example, the display 79 may include an LCD or OLED display panel. For example, the display 79 may be a touchscreen display. The memory 77 may include one or more memory cells. For example, the memory 77 may include solid-state memory.

[0082] For example, receiver 73 and transmitter 74 can communicate with wireless LAN access point 23 using one or more wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). In alternative embodiments, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In alternative embodiments, the receiver 73 and the transmitter 74 are combined into a transceiver. The camera 78 can comprise a CMOS or a CCD sensor, for example. The mobile device 71 can comprise other components typical for mobile devices, such as a battery and a power connector. The present invention can be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0083] In Figure 4 A first embodiment of a method of controlling a pixelated illumination device is illustrated in Fig. 1. The pixelated illumination device comprises a plurality of individually addressable illumination segments. Step 101 comprises determining a position of a further light source relative to the pixelated illumination device. Step 103 comprises obtaining original light settings of the pixelated illumination device. The original light settings are associated with respective ones of the individually addressable illumination segments.

[0084] Step 105 comprises obtaining further original light settings of the further light source. Step 107 comprises adjusting the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source. For example, step 107 can comprise determining which illumination segments, when turned on, will emit light that overlaps with light emitted by the further light source (when said further light source is turned on) and thus create light cross-talk. This can be achieved by using a known physical model of light propagation, for example. Step 107 can then further comprise adjusting the original light settings of those illumination segments to be more similar, while ensuring that the difference between each of the adjusted original light settings and the corresponding original light settings is limited to a predetermined maximum value.

[0085] Step 109 comprises controlling the individually addressable illumination segments to emit light in accordance with the adjusted original light settings. In Figure 1 In the embodiment of Fig. 1, step 101 is preceded by step 111, and step 101 is implemented by step 113. Step 111 comprises obtaining an image captured by a camera. Step 113 comprises determining the relative position from the image.

[0086] In Figure 5 A second embodiment of a method of controlling a pixelated illumination device is illustrated in Fig. 2. In Figure 5 In the embodiment of Fig. 2, Figure 4 Step 111 of Fig. 1 has been replaced by step 121, and Figure 4 Step 101 of Fig. 1 is implemented by step 123 instead of step 113. Step 121 comprises obtaining light sensor data from a light sensor embedded in or attached to the pixelated illumination device. Step 123 comprises determining the relative position from the light sensor data. The light sensor data can be obtained from a single light sensor or from a plurality of light sensors.

[0087] The light sensor data is preferably obtained from at least two light sensors and compared to the light output level (e.g. in lumens) of another light source in the vicinity, but it is also possible to determine the relative position without knowing the light output level of these other light sources. It is also possible to obtain the light sensor data from a single light sensor by comparing it to the light output level of at least one or more other light sources in the vicinity. A directional sensor then can need to be incorporated into the pixelated lighting device for determining how the pixelated lighting device is placed (e.g. which side is facing upwards and which side is facing downwards). This should generally be able to determine which lighting segments of the pixelated lighting device are further away from the other light source than the light sensor and which lighting segments are closer to the other light source.

[0088] In Figure 6 a third embodiment of a method of controlling a pixelated lighting device is shown. In Figure 6 the embodiment of Figure 4 steps 111 and 113 of Figure 4 step 107 of

[0089] Figure 7 A conventional method of assigning light settings to lighting segments is shown. Figure 7 A data structure 81 comprising an identifier 83 and nine light settings 91-99 and a data structure 85 comprising an identifier 87 and one light setting 89 are shown. For example, the data structures 81 and 85 can be light commands. In this case, the identifiers 83 and 87 can comprise device identifiers of the pixelated lighting device 1 and the other light source 29, respectively.

[0090] Alternatively, for example, the data structures 81 and 85 can be light scenes. In this case, the identifiers 83 and 87 can comprise scene identifiers. Alternatively, for example, the data structures 81 and 85 can be part of a light script. The light settings 91-99 are stored in the data structure 81 in order and assigned to the respective individually addressable lighting segments 11-19 of the pixelated lighting device 1. The light setting 89 is assigned to the other light source 29.

[0091] Figure 8 A data structure 81 comprising an identifier 83 and nine light settings 91-99 and a data structure 85 comprising an identifier 87 and one light setting 89 are shown. For example, the data structures 81 and 85 can be light commands. In this case, the identifiers 83 and 87 can comprise device identifiers of the pixelated lighting device 1 and the other light source 29, respectively. Figure 6of the original light settings. In this example, a number of the original light settings are assigned to a different lighting segment than originally intended. As intended, original light settings 91 and 99 are assigned to lighting segments 11 and 19. For the other lighting segments, a different light setting is assigned than originally intended, resulting in adjusted original light settings.

[0092] Original light setting 93 is assigned to lighting segment 12, original light settings 95-97 are assigned to lighting segments 13-16, respectively, original light setting 98 is assigned to lighting segments 16 and 17, and original light setting 99 is additionally assigned to lighting segment 19. Original light settings 92 and 94 are not assigned to any lighting segment. In this example, the original light settings are only assigned to different lighting segments, and the adjusted original light settings and the original light settings therefore use the same color palette.

[0093] The assignment is made in the manner described in the previous two paragraphs, because the light emitted by lighting segments 13 to 15 and the light emitted by the further light source 29 overlap, and the light settings 95-97 are the same as the light setting 90 of the further light source 29, i.e. render the same light effect. Therefore, the original light settings are adjusted by shifting them to the left. Figure 10 An example is shown Figure 8 of the light settings rendered by the example.

[0094] Instead of creating the regular light experience 100, an improved light experience 110 is created. Figure 8 The light settings 91 and 92 of the original light settings specify the same light effect 101, Figure 8 The light settings 93 and 94 of the original light settings specify the same light effect 102, Figure 8 The light settings 95-97 and 89 of the original light settings specify the same light effect 103, Figure 8 The light setting 98 of the original light settings specifies the light effect 104, and Figure 8 The light setting 99 of the original light settings specifies the light effect 105.

[0095] The same assignment can be performed for different components of the original light settings, e.g. for both color values and brightness values. Alternatively, different assignments can be performed for different components of the original light settings, e.g. all brightness values can be assigned to the originally intended lighting segments, and some or all of the color values can be assigned to a different lighting segment than originally intended.

[0096] Figure 8the adjusted original light settings have an average color, brightness and / or color saturation that differs from the average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the original light settings by no more than a first threshold value and a color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution that differs from the color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the original light settings by no more than a second threshold value.

[0097] Figure 9 An example of adjusted original light settings according to a fourth embodiment of the method is shown. In this fourth embodiment, at least one of the original light settings is adjusted based on the color, brightness and / or color saturation of at least another one of the original light settings. In this example, the original light settings are first assigned to the lighting segments they are intended for and then the assigned light settings for lighting segments 11-17 are adjusted based on at least another one of the original light settings. Figure 9

[0098] The light setting for lighting segment 11 is the average of original light settings 91 and 93. The light setting for lighting segment 12 is the average of original light settings 92 and 94. The light setting for lighting segment 13 is the average of original light settings 93 and 95. The light setting for lighting segment 14 is the average of original light settings 94i and 96. The light setting for lighting segment 15 is the average of original light settings 95 and 97. The light setting for lighting segment 16 is the average of original light settings 96 and 98. The light setting for lighting segment 17 is the average of original light settings 97 and 99.

[0099] Similar to the example of Figure 8 the assignment of Figure 9 the adjusted original light settings is made such that the average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the adjusted original light settings differs from the average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the original light settings by no more than a first threshold value and the color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the adjusted original light settings differs from the color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the original light settings by no more than a second threshold value.

[0100] ​With the increasing number of pixelated devices in space, some additional problems can arise. For example, the merging of colors of nearby pixels can result in a new color that is not part of any of the color palettes of the light scenes / light settings rendered by those devices, or that significantly affects the perceived atmosphere. For example, if three pixelated segments from three corresponding devices have red, green and blue values, respectively, the system can conclude that the best way to merge them is to make those pixels white, as it limits the overall distance in the color space of each to the resulting one. However, this can ruin the atmosphere, as it is not the desired color. The system can not only consider minimizing the differences between the nearby devices, but also ensure that these are part of the color palette of the light scene / light setting of at least one of the devices. Optionally, the assignment is made Figure 9 such that the adjusted original light settings and the original light settings use the same color palette.

[0101] In a fifth embodiment of the method, there is no change of the light settings, and the original light settings are adjusted based on the color, luminance and / or color saturation of at least another one of the original light settings. Instead, the original light settings of the illumination segments that cause light crosstalk (i.e. illumination segments 13-15) are adjusted based on the other original light settings only.

[0102] The other original light settings can be adjusted to ensure that the difference between the average color, luminance and / or color saturation of the adjusted original light settings and the average color, luminance and / or color saturation of the original light settings does not exceed a first threshold, and the difference between the color, luminance and / or color saturation distribution of the adjusted original light settings and the color, luminance and / or color saturation distribution of the original light settings does not exceed a second threshold.

[0103] In all these adjustments, the difference between each of the adjusted original light settings and the corresponding original light settings is limited to a predetermined maximum. Optionally, all adjusted original light settings use the same color palette as the original light settings.

[0104] Figure 11 presentations of the second and third examples of adjusted original light settings according to the method of Figure 6 When the light is to be emitted according to the original light settings (exactly as originally intended, i.e. in regular mode), the light experience 120 will result. While in the example of the original light settings of Figure 8 and Figure 10 the light settings specified for neighboring illumination segments specify the same light effect regularly, this is not the case in the example of the original light settings of Figure 11However, if the light effect rendered on the pixelated light device uses too many pixels / segments, shifting the location where a certain color appears can result in the color not being properly rendered, not being properly smoothed with respect to its neighbors, or even not fitting (if there are not enough pixels left) in the end of a stripe for example.

[0105] When changing the original light settings as depicted in Figure 11 Removing certain light settings means reducing the number of transitions between adjacent light effects. Figure 11 Two examples are provided in which the number of transitions between adjacent light effects has been reduced. In light experience 130, it is not important that the end of the pixelated lighting device renders the originally intended light setting. In light experience 130, light effect 125 is rendered on three lighting segments (instead of one lighting segment) to render a light effect similar to the light effect rendered on light source 29 in as many light crosstalk areas as possible. The light settings of the lighting segments to the left of the light crosstalk area are shifted to the left. In light experience 130, light effects 121 and 122 are omitted to ensure that the transitions between light effects remain similar to the original intent.

[0106] In light experience 140, it is important that the end / edge of the pixelated lighting device renders the originally intended light setting, for example because the pixelated lighting device is a light bar whose ends are connected and render the same or similar light effects. In light experience 140, light effect 125 is rendered on two lighting segments, which is more than in light experience 120, but less than in light experience 130. Light effect 125 is rendered on only two lighting segments to ensure that the end of the pixelated lighting device renders the originally intended light setting, while limiting the impact on the transitions between light effects. The original light settings associated with the edge segments are not adjusted.

[0107] Similar to in light experience 130, the light settings of the lighting segments to the left of the light crosstalk area are shifted to the left, but only light effect 122 is omitted at the cost of less similarity in the light crosstalk area. Thus, the system can choose to still minimize the difference in gradient in the light crosstalk area, but can not be able to completely reduce the difference in gradient in the light crosstalk area due to the additional light effect required somewhere in the stripe.

[0108] In Figure 12 A sixth embodiment of a method of controlling a pixelated lighting device is shown in Fig. 6. In this sixth embodiment, not only step 107 is performed after steps 101, 103 and 105, but also step 161. Step 161 comprises adjusting the further original light settings based on the original light settings and based on the relative position of the further light source (i.e. depending on whether the further light source causes light crosstalk or not). Next, step 163 comprises controlling the further light source to emit further light in accordance with the adjusted further original light settings.

[0109] exist Figure 12 In one embodiment, step 109 includes controlling a separately addressable illumination segment to begin emitting light, and step 163 includes controlling an additional light source to begin emitting additional light. Steps 165 and 167 are then performed. Step 165 includes controlling a separately addressable illumination segment to stop emitting light, and step 167 includes controlling an additional light source to stop emitting additional light.

[0110] In an alternative embodiment, steps 163 and 167 are omitted, and instead, steps are performed to detect that the additional light source is starting, about to start, or has already started emitting additional light, and to detect that the additional light source is stopping, about to stop, or has already stopped emitting additional light. Steps 109 and 165 are performed when these start and stop events are detected, respectively.

[0111] When dynamic lighting effects (i.e., light settings that change over time) are applied to lighting fixtures, this can create additional reasons for the atmosphere to be disrupted because these changes may be spatially and temporally asynchronous. For example, if brightness varies across multiple lights with time and pixelation, it can happen that when another light source is at its lowest brightness, a section of the light strip overlapping it may be at its highest brightness, and vice versa, meaning the resulting brightness appears uniform across the entire area. This can be counterproductive if the goal of the room's effect is to show a moving point of brightness (e.g., mimicking clouds moving across the sky). By synchronizing the lighting effects (e.g., the start and stop of transitions), the desired lighting effect can be synchronously displayed in areas of light crosstalk. In this case, how the lighting effects cascade toward other sections of the pixelated fixture can be de-prioritized.

[0112] Figure 13 It shows that according to Figure 12 This is an example of how the original lighting setup is adjusted using this method. When light is emitted according to the original lighting setup (exactly as it was originally intended, i.e., in the conventional way), a light experience 150 is produced. Figure 13 In the example, the original light settings of the pixelated lighting device are compared with... Figure 10 The same as in the example. However, Figure 13 The other original light setting of the other light source 29 in the example is different. Figure 10 Examples are shown in the text. Figure 13 In the example, the other light source 29 presents light effect 151 instead of light effect 103.

[0113] Since light effect 103 is most similar to light effect 151, some settings in the light configuration have been shifted to the left, causing light effect 103 to appear in the light crosstalk area, as shown in the following... Figure 8 and Figure 10As described. Furthermore, due to optical crosstalk caused by other light sources, additional original light settings are adjusted based on the original light settings. Figure 13 In the example, the original light settings are adjusted to render light effect 152, which is more similar to light effect 103 than light effect 151.

[0114] For example, downlighting might require a more orange hue, allowing uplighting to be changed to a form that could also be used with light strips without significantly altering the overall atmosphere. In this case, the system chooses to minimize the differences in hue and saturation within the shared space by modifying the color displayed in that area rather than simply converting it to another set of pixels. This creates a light experience 160.

[0115] Figure 14 An example of the original light settings adjusted according to the seventh embodiment of this method is shown. Figure 14 In the example, only the brightness value of the original light setting is adjusted, or the brightness value of the original light setting is adjusted in a way that is different from the color value of the original light setting. When light is emitted according to the original light setting (which is exactly the same as it was originally expected, i.e., in the normal way), light experience 170 will be created.

[0116] exist Figure 14 In the example, all the light effects presented by the illuminated section and the other light source have the same brightness 171. This makes the brightness in the light crosstalk area higher than in the area without light crosstalk (i.e., towards the edge), even though the displayed colors are the same. To compensate for this and to obtain a more uniform distribution across the illuminated section, the original light settings of the three illuminated sections of the pixelated lighting device are adjusted.

[0117] exist Figure 14 In the example, the brightness of the illuminated section subjected to optical crosstalk is reduced. Alternatively, the brightness of the illuminated section not subjected to optical crosstalk can be increased. Both result in the light emitted by the illuminated sections appearing more uniform in brightness. Figure 14 In the example, the illumination segment experiencing most optical crosstalk is reduced to a brightness of 173 at most, and the illumination segment experiencing less optical crosstalk is reduced to a brightness of 172 slightly.

[0118] Figures 4 to 7 and Figure 12 The embodiments differ from each other in several ways, namely, multiple steps have been added or substituted. In variations of these embodiments, only a subset of these steps are added or substituted and / or one or more steps are omitted. For example, in Figure 4 Instances and / or Figure 5 In this embodiment, step 107 can be performed by Figure 6 Step 141 is implemented, and / or Figure 12 Steps 161 and 163 can be addedFigures 4 to 6 one or more of the embodiments.

[0119] Figure 15 The depicted block diagram illustrates an exemplary data processing system that can perform the methods as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 and Figure 12

[0120] As shown in Figure 15 , the data processing system 300 can include at least one processor 302 coupled to memory elements 304 through a system bus 306. Thus, the data processing system can store program code within memory elements 304. Further, the processor 302 can execute the program code and produce operational data. In one aspect, the data processing system can be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the data processing system 300 can be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory that enables the processor to execute the functions described in this specification.

[0121] The memory elements 304 can include one or more physical memory devices, such as local memory 308 and one or more bulk storage devices 310. Local memory can refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device can be implemented as a hard disk drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 300 can also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 310 during execution. The processing system 300 can also use memory elements of another processing system if, for example, the processing system 300 is part of a cloud computing platform.

[0122] Input / output (I / O) devices depicted as input device 312 and output device 314 optionally can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices can include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (e.g., for audio and / or voice recognition), etc. Examples of output devices can include, but are not limited to, a monitor or display, speakers, etc. The input and / or output devices can be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening I / O controllers.

[0123] In embodiments, the input and output devices can be implemented as combined input / output devices (in Figure 15 ​(Seen in the diagram with dashed lines around input device 312 and output device 314). An example of such a combined device is a touch-sensitive display, sometimes also referred to as a touchscreen display or simply a touchscreen. In such embodiments, input to the device can be provided by movement of a physical object, such as a stylus or the movement of a user's finger on or near the touchscreen display.

[0124] Network adapter 316 can also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to couple to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices via an intermediate private or public network. The network adapter may include: a data receiver for receiving data sent to the data processing system 300 by said systems, devices, and / or networks; and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 300 to said systems, devices, and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapters that can be used with the data processing system 300.

[0125] like Figure 15 As shown, memory element 304 can store application 318. In various embodiments, application 318 can be stored in local memory 308, one or more mass storage devices 310, or separately from both local memory and mass storage devices. It should be understood that data processing system 300 may further execute an operating system that facilitates the execution of application 318. Figure 15 (Not shown in the document). The application 318, implemented as executable program code, can be executed by the data processing system 300 (e.g., by the processor 302). In response to executing the application, the data processing system 300 can be configured to perform one or more operational or method steps described herein.

[0126] Figure 15 An input device 312 and an output device 314, separate from the network adapter 316, are shown. However, additionally or alternatively, input can be received and output can be transmitted via the network adapter 316. For example, the data processing system 300 may be a cloud server. In this case, input can be received from a user device acting as a terminal and output can be sent to the user device acting as a terminal.

[0127] Various embodiments of the present application can be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, wherein the program(s) of the program product define the functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and operate in conjunction with the computer system. In one embodiment, the program(s) can include routines, programs, applications, components, data structures, modules, and the like, which execute on various non-transitory computer readable media, where, as used herein, the expression "non-transitory computer- readable medium" includes all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal. In another embodiment, the program(s) can include routines, programs, applications, components, data structures, modules, and the like, which execute on various transitory computer readable media. Exemplary computer readable 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 within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive, or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory), on which information is stored that can be changed by the computer. The computer program can run on the processor 302 described herein.

[0128] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0129] Hereinafter, corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of embodiments of the present 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 (2, 41, 71) for controlling a pixelated lighting device (1, 51), the pixelated lighting device comprising a plurality of individually addressable lighting segments (11-19), the system (2, 41, 71) comprising: at least one control interface (6, 44, 74); and at least one processor (5, 45, 75) configured to: - determine a position of a further light source (29) relative to the pixelated lighting device (1, 51), - obtain original light settings of the pixelated lighting device (1, 51), the original light settings being associated with respective ones of the individually addressable lighting segments (11-19), - obtain further original light settings of the further light source (29), - adjust the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source (29), and - control the individually addressable lighting segments (11-19) via the at least one control interface (6, 44, 74) to emit light according to the adjusted original light settings, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to adjust the original light settings in the adjusted original light settings by assigning at least one of the original light settings to a different individually addressable lighting segment than the individually addressable lighting segment with which the original light setting is associated in the original light settings.

2. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to obtain an image captured by a camera and determine the relative position from the image.

3. The system (2) of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to obtain light sensor data from a light sensor (8, 9) embedded in or attached to the pixelated lighting device (1) and determine the relative position from the light sensor data.

4. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein a difference between each of the adjusted original light settings and a corresponding original light setting is limited to a predetermined maximum value.

5. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to adjust a plurality of the original light settings in the adjusted original light settings by assigning the plurality of the original light settings to different individually addressable lighting segments than the individually addressable lighting segments with which the original light settings are associated in the original light settings.

6. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to adjust at least one of the original light settings based on a color, a brightness and / or a color saturation of at least one other of the original light settings.

7. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein a difference between an average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the adjusted original light settings and an average color, brightness and / or color saturation of the original light settings does not exceed a first threshold, and a difference between a color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the adjusted original light settings and a color, brightness and / or color saturation distribution of the original light settings does not exceed a second threshold.

8. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein two of the individually addressable illumination segments (11-19) are edge segments, and the original light settings associated with the edge segments are not adjusted.

9. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to: - adjust the further original light settings based on the original light settings and the relative position of the further light source (29), and - control the further light source (29) via the at least one control interface (6, 44, 74) to emit further light according to the adjusted further original light settings.

10. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to control the individually addressable illumination segments (11-19) to start emitting the light and to stop emitting the light in synchronization with the further light source (29) starting to emit further light and to stop emitting further light according to the further original light settings.

11. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the adjusted original light settings and the original light settings use the same color palette.

12. The system (2, 41, 71) of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5, 45, 75) is configured to: - select one or more of the plurality of individually addressable illumination segments (11-19) based on the relative position of the further light source (29), the selected one or more individually addressable illumination segments being estimated to illuminate the same spatial region as the further light source (29), and - adjust the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the selection.

13. A method of controlling a pixelated illumination device, the pixelated illumination device comprising a plurality of individually addressable illumination segments, the method comprising: - determining (101) a position of a further light source relative to the pixelated illumination device; - obtaining (103) original light settings of the pixelated illumination device, the original light settings being associated with respective ones of the individually addressable illumination segments; - obtaining (105) further original light settings for the further light source; - adjusting (107) the original light settings based on the further original light settings and the relative position of the further light source; and - controlling (109) the individually addressable illumination segments to emit light according to the adjusted original light settings, ​ wherein the adjusting (107) comprises: in the adjusted original light setting, assigning at least one of the original light settings to a separately addressable illumination segment different from the separately addressable illumination segment with which the original light setting is associated in the original light setting.

14. A computer program product comprising at least one software code portion for performing the method of claim 13 when the software code portion is run on a computer system.

Images