Apparatus and method for lighting control

Abstract

A device (102) for lighting automation includes at least one communication interface (122, 124) corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132), where each of the lighting fixtures is associated with a corresponding physical interface (122, 124), the device being configured to detect a gesture (106) by a user (108) via a mobile device (104) to establish an association with the physical interface. The device (102) is further configured to detect a lighting fixture (130, 132) controllable by the physical interface (122, 124) and to generate a control signal (120) for the detected lighting fixture via the orientation sensor based on movement of the mobile device. The device (102) is further configured to operate a lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface based on the generated control signal. The movement of the mobile device (104) is similar to the movement involved in the operation of the physical interface (122, 124).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to lighting control technology. In particular, the present invention relates to lighting control automation using mobile devices. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, lighting infrastructure is becoming increasingly smart. With the integration of wireless control of LED lighting and the deployment of various types of sensors (such as but not limited to occupancy sensors and ambient light sensors), automation of lighting and its operation with optimized energy usage has become possible.

[0003] Philips Hue is a consumer connected lighting solution. A Hue system typically includes a central controller called a bridge (or hub), wirelessly controllable lighting devices, and user interfaces in various forms (light control devices, sensors, and mobile device apps). The bridge connects to the user's router and communicates with the lighting devices. It can run schedules and home automation rules. In this way, it acts as the intelligence of the system. All user interfaces connect to the bridge in order to activate the lights.

[0004] In the Hue system, the mobile device app is typically used when the user is not near the light control device. As disclosed in US2016 / 0342297 A1, the mobile device app can also be used when it is inconvenient to use the light control device. US2016 / 0342297 A1 discloses that when the user places a smart phone near the control panel, the smart phone obtains functions from the control panel and temporarily impersonates the control panel in the eyes of the house automation system.

[0005] The Hue system includes a series of physical accessories that can be used to control lighting, including Hue dimmer switches, Hue tap switches, and Hue smart buttons. The Hue smart button and other Hue accessories can only accommodate a limited number of physical controls and have limited means for displaying to the user which behaviors have been assigned to the physical controls. Establishing an association between a physical panel control and a control device via a user's mobile device is disclosed in WO2013132416 A1.

[0006] However, widespread use of sensors in lighting networks can make infrastructure and installation a costly affair. With the increase in the number of light points and the need to integrate luminaires with sensors, the initialization of the lighting infrastructure can be cumbersome. Another technology trend accompanying intelligent optical networks is sophistication in mobile devices. Several sensors have been integrated with mobile devices configured to provide basic call and messaging services.

[0007] Mobile phones with built-in sensors have been used to initialize and control lighting networks. Input to the phone is provided via keyboards, touch screens, and other such devices. Postures and movements of mobile devices are also used to generate control signals. However, there is a need to operate lighting networks using mobile phones in an easier and natural way. Controlling a light source in response to detecting a user interaction with a light control device is disclosed in WO2021136711A1. However, user interaction with a light control device is independently defined and may not be intuitively related to the operation of the physical interface of the light control device. Summary of the invention

[0008] Embodiments of the present specification relate to lighting control technology. Specifically, the present invention relates to lighting control automation using mobile devices.

[0009] In one aspect of the specification, a device for lighting automation is disclosed. The device includes at least one communication interface corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures. In one embodiment, the plurality of lighting fixtures include corresponding lamps. Each of the lighting fixtures is associated with a corresponding physical interface. In one embodiment, the physical interface includes one of a slide switch and a toggle switch. Although only two types of switches are listed, the physical interface may also take other forms, such as but not limited to rotary switches and other forms of input devices.

[0010] The device is configured to establish an association between a physical interface and a mobile device based on a gesture by a user carrying the mobile device. The association is established based on a gesture signal obtained via the mobile device. In one embodiment, the device is configured to detect the physical interface when the mobile device is in close proximity to the physical interface. In another embodiment, the device is configured to detect the physical interface when the mobile device is pointing at the physical interface. In yet another embodiment, the device can receive information about the physical interface by reading an RFID tag fastened to the body of the physical interface via the mobile device. The device is also configured to establish an association between the physical interface and the mobile device based on the information.

[0011] In addition, the device is also configured to detect lighting fixtures that can be controlled by the physical interface. The device is also configured to generate control signals for the detected lighting fixtures via the orientation sensor based on the movement of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the device is configured to receive signals from a mobile phone that is moved by a user in a pre-specified pattern. The device interprets the received signals as control signals to generate control signals for operating the lamps. In one embodiment, the pre-specified pattern is a physical movement similar to the movement involved in operating the physical interface associated with the mobile phone. The device is configured to operate the lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface based on the generated control signal. The present invention is characterized in that the movement of the mobile device is similar to the movement involved in the operation of the physical interface.

[0012] In another aspect of the specification, a method for lighting automation is disclosed. The method includes establishing an association between a physical interface among a plurality of physical interfaces corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures and a mobile device based on a gesture obtained by a user via the mobile device. In one embodiment, establishing an association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes positioning the mobile device in close proximity to the physical interface. In another embodiment, establishing an association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes pointing the mobile device in the direction of the physical interface. In yet another embodiment, establishing an association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes receiving, via the mobile device, information from an RFID tag secured to a body of the physical interface.

[0013] The method also includes detecting lighting equipment that can be controlled by the physical interface. The method also includes generating a control signal for the detected lighting equipment via an orientation sensor based on the movement of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the control signal can be generated by the mobile device based on the gesture movement of the user. In such an embodiment, the mobile device is configured to exchange data with the physical interface to establish an association between the physical interface and the mobile device. In another embodiment, the control signal is generated by a control device that receives a gesture signal from the mobile device. In one embodiment, generating the control signal includes receiving input via one of the sensor devices of the mobile device. It can be noted that the input from the sensor device is generated by a mobile phone motion (such as a movement pattern of the mobile device performed by the user).

[0014] In a specific example, the movement pattern of the mobile device includes physical movement of the mobile device. Different types of physical movement of the mobile device generate distinguishable signals according to the sensor. These generated signals are provided as inputs for generating control signals. The method also includes operating the lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface based on the generated control signals. The method is characterized in that the movement of the mobile device is similar to the movement involved in the operation of the physical interface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will now be further explained with the aid of the schematic, non-limiting accompanying drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 A lighting system having a device that can be used for lighting automation according to the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 Various sensor devices that can be used in a mobile device for lighting automation according to the present invention are shown;

[0018] Figure 3A-3B Depicts measurements of various sensors of a mobile device that can be used in lighting automation according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4A-4C depicts movement motions that can be used for lighting automation according to the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 5 A flow chart representing a method of lighting automation according to the present invention is depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Lighting automation refers to the use of sensors and computing power in the control of lighting without human intervention. The term "lighting system" refers to the lighting arrangement in a facility. The phrase "communication interface" refers to the hardware, equipment, circuit and / or method used to establish communication between two devices. The term "physical interface" refers to a physical device set on a wall panel for controlling one or more lighting fixtures in a lighting system. The term "sensor" used in this article means a transducer that measures a physical quantity and generates a corresponding electrical signal in a conventional sense. The term "sensor" is also used in this article to represent a component for providing a communication protocol (such as but not limited to GSM, CDMA and Bluetooth). The phrase "lighting fixture" is used to refer to an electrical device having an electric lamp capable of providing lighting. The lamp can be one or more LED elements. The terms "received signal", "movement signal" and "gesture" are used equivalently and interchangeably and are identified by the reference numeral 106 in this specification.

[0022] Figure 1 A system 100 for lighting automation according to the present invention is shown. The system 100 includes a device 102 that can be used to implement lighting automation according to the present invention. The device 102 includes at least one communication interface 122, 124 corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures 130, 132, 134, 136. In one embodiment, the plurality of lighting fixtures 130, 132, 134, 136 include corresponding lamps (not shown in the figure). Each of the lighting fixtures is associated with a corresponding physical interface 126, `128.

[0023] In one embodiment, the physical interfaces 126, 128 include one of a slide switch and a toggle switch. Although only two types of switches are listed, the physical interface may also take other forms, such as, but not limited to, a rotary switch and other forms of input devices. The device 102 is configured to establish an association between the physical interfaces 126, 128 and the mobile device 104 based on a gesture by a user 108 carrying the mobile device. The association is established based on a gesture signal obtained via the mobile device. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to detect the physical interface when the mobile device 104 is in close proximity to the physical interface. In another embodiment, the device 102 is configured to detect the physical interface when the mobile device 102 is pointed at the physical interface. In yet another embodiment, the device 102 is capable of receiving information read from an RFID tag fastened to the body of the physical interface via the mobile device.

[0024] The device is further configured to establish an association between the physical interface and the mobile device based on the information. In addition, the device is further configured to detect lighting fixtures that can be controlled by the physical interface. The device 102 is further configured to generate a control signal 120 for the detected lighting fixture via the orientation sensor based on the movement of the mobile device 104. In one embodiment, the device 102 is configured to receive the signal 106 from a mobile phone that is moved by a user in a pre-specified pattern.

[0025] The received signals 106 are interpreted as movements of the mobile device 104 that represent gestures of the user 108. The device 102 is also configured to generate control signals 120 for operating the light fixtures within the lighting fixtures 130, 132, 134, 136. In one embodiment, the pre-specified patterns are physical movements that are similar to the movements involved in operating a physical interface associated with the mobile device 104. The device 102 is configured to operate the lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface based on the generated control signals 120. The movements of the mobile device, as contemplated in the present invention, are similar to the movements involved in the operation of the physical interface.

[0026] In one embodiment, device 102 includes receiver circuitry 110 configured to receive movement signals 106 generated from sensors of mobile device 104. Movement signals 106 represent gestures made by user 108. Receiver circuitry 110 is also configured to generate input signals 114 that lighting control unit 118 uses to generate output signals 116 that are directed to a selected lighting fixture via a corresponding communication interface. A signal suitable for selected communication interface 124 is generated by transmitter circuitry 112 based on output signals 116.

[0027] In one embodiment, the lighting control unit 118 may be a controller, a general purpose processor, or a digital signal processor (DSP). The lighting control unit 118 may receive additional input from a user through a control panel or any other input device including a keyboard. The lighting control unit 118 may also include dedicated or customized hardware modules, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The lighting control unit 118 may include one or more memory modules. These memory modules may also be external to the lighting control unit 118 (not shown in the figure). The memory module may be a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or any other type of computer-readable memory accessible by the lighting control unit 118. The memory medium may be encoded with a program to instruct the lighting control unit 118 to enable a series of steps to perform functions related to lighting automation.

[0028] Figure 2 Various sensor devices 200 that can be used for mobile devices for lighting automation according to the present invention are shown. The sensor device 200 is built into a typical mobile device 230. Not all sensors are available in all types of mobile devices. However, a smart phone may include Figure 2 . In one embodiment, the mobile device 230 includes one or more of a global positioning system (GPS) 202, a wireless communication interface 204 that provides an internet connection (such as wi-fi), a wireless communication interface 206 that provides a connection between two devices across a relatively short distance (such as Bluetooth), a global system for mobile communications interface (GSM) 208, and a near field communication interface (NFC) 210. In an alternative embodiment, reference numeral 208 may also represent a code division multiple access interface (CDMA). The mobile device 230 may also include a front camera 212 and a rear camera 214. In some mobile phones, there may be other sensors such as an accelerometer 216, a gyroscope 218, a magnetometer 220, a barometer 222, a proximity sensor 224, a light sensor 226, and a touch sensor 228.

[0029] Figure 3A-3B Depicted are measurements that may be obtained by various sensors of a mobile device that may be used in lighting automation according to the present invention. Figure 3A An accelerometer measurement representing the rate of change of velocity of a mobile device is shown. In one embodiment, the accelerometer may be a single-axis accelerometer configured to measure simple vibrations. In another embodiment, the accelerometer may be a dual-axis accelerometer configured to measure acceleration along two perpendicular axes. In yet another embodiment, the accelerometer may be a tri-axis accelerometer configured to measure acceleration along three perpendicular axes. Figure 3AThe illustrated embodiment of shows an acceleration in a first direction 302 and another acceleration in a second direction 304 perpendicular to the first direction. Figure 3B Measurements taken by a gyroscope representing orientation or angular velocity are shown. Angular orientation is measured relative to a first axis 306, 310, a second axis 308, 314, and a third axis 316, 312. The first axis 306, 310, the second axis 308, 314, and the third axis 316, 312 are perpendicular to each other.

[0030] Figure 4A-4C A movement motion 400 is depicted that may be used for lighting automation according to the present invention. Figure 4A 404, 404, 402, 404, 404, 406, 404, 402. The mobile device in the continuous position of 404, 406, 404, 402 performs the tilt movement of the mobile device. Alternatively, the mobile device in the continuous position of 404, 406, 404, 402, 404, 406 also provides the tilt movement of the mobile device. The signals of the accelerometer and / or gyroscope sensor during these positions can be used to detect the tilt gesture made by the user. Figure 4B 4. The displacement movement of a mobile device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Reference numeral 410 indicates an untilted position of the mobile device 104. The mobile device 104 in position 408 is displaced to the left, and the mobile device 104 in position 412 is displaced to the right. The movement of the mobile device 104 in the successive positions 410, 408, 410, 412, 410, 408 (or alternatively 410, 412, 410, 408, 410, 412) represents the displacement movement of the mobile device. The signals generated by the accelerometer and / or gyroscope during this movement can be analyzed to determine the user's displacement posture. Figure 4C Movements of the mobile device 104 constituting a rotational gesture by a user are shown. The mobile device 104 can take positions 414, 416, 418, 420, 422, which are points on an approximately circular path. Signals generated by sensors such as accelerometers and / or gyroscopes can be used by a processing element to determine a rotational gesture of a user holding the mobile device.

[0031] In one embodiment, one or more of the gestures of user 108 may be used to change parameters that will be controlled by subsequent gestures of user 108. In alternative embodiments, specific gestures of the user are intended to generate specific signal types from specific sensors of mobile device 104. Specifically, in one example, a tilt gesture may generate signals based on an accelerometer and / or gyroscope sensor, and may be usable to provide knob functionality. Such functionality may be used to provide dimming and tuning control for a lamp. In another example, a shake or rotation gesture of user 108 may be a function that may be used to provide selection of different parameters to control subsequent gestures of user 108. Specifically, in one embodiment, a shake or rotation gesture may be used to change a control parameter of a lamp from dimming to tuning. When a tilt gesture may be configured to change the dimming of a lamp, a shake gesture followed by a tilt gesture will change the tuning of the lamp.

[0032] In one specific embodiment, the device 102 can establish an association between the mobile device and the physical interface by implementing interoperability between Wi-Fi and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) protocols. While Wi-Fi facilitates communication between the mobile device 104 and the home Wi-Fi router, BLE facilitates establishing a connection between the mobile device and the BLE of the light fixture. This technology can be used to automate lighting functions as well as provide occupancy sensor functionality within the house.

[0033] Figure 5 A flowchart 500 representing a lighting automation method according to the present invention is depicted. The method includes receiving 502 a gesture from a user via a mobile device. The method also includes establishing 504 an association between a physical interface among a plurality of physical interfaces corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures and the mobile device based on the gesture. In one embodiment, establishing 504 the association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes positioning the mobile device in close proximity to the physical interface. In another embodiment, establishing 504 the association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes pointing the mobile device in the direction of the physical interface. In yet another embodiment, establishing 504 the association between the physical interface and the mobile device includes receiving, via the mobile device, information from an RFID tag secured to a body of the physical interface.

[0034] The method also includes detecting 506 a lighting fixture that can be controlled by the physical interface. The method also includes generating 508 a control signal for the detected lighting fixture via an orientation sensor based on the movement of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the control signal can be generated by the mobile device based on the gesture movement of the user. In such an embodiment, the mobile device is enabled when an association between the physical interface and the mobile device is established. In another embodiment, the control signal is generated by a control device that receives a gesture signal from the mobile device. In one embodiment, generating the control signal includes receiving an input via one of the sensor devices of the mobile device. It can be noted that the input from the sensor device is generated by mobile phone motion (such as a movement pattern of the mobile device performed by the user). In a specific example, the movement pattern of the mobile device includes physical movements similar to movements observed during operation of the physical interface associated with the mobile device.

[0035] The method further comprises operating 510 a lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface based on the generated control signal.The method is characterized in that the movement of the mobile device is similar to the movement involved in the operation of the physical interface.

[0036] It should be understood that not all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved according to any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the components and configurations of lighting automation described herein may be implemented or performed in a manner that achieves or improves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught in 2 herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages that may be taught or suggested in this specification.

[0037] While various embodiments of the apparatus for lighting automation have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the description may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the description is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (102) for lighting automation, the device comprising at least one communication interface (122, 124) corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132), the plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132) being connected to a corresponding plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128), the device being configured to: establishing an association between a physical interface among the plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) and the mobile device (104) based on a gesture (106) provided by a user (108) via the mobile device (104); detecting a lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132) controllable by the physical interface; generating, via a position sensor of the mobile device, a control signal for the detected lighting fixture based on the user movement (120); and A lighting fixture corresponding to a physical interface is operated based on the generated control signal (120), characterized in that the movement of the mobile device (104) is similar to the movement involved in the operation of the physical interface.

2. The device (102) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) comprises one of a slide switch (128) and a toggle switch (126).

3. The device (102) of claim 1, configured to detect a physical interface among the plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) when the mobile device (104) is in close proximity, and to prepare to perform functionality of the physical interface upon detection.

4. The device (102) of claim 1, configured to detect a physical interface among a plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) when the mobile device (104) is pointed in the direction of the physical interface.

5. The device (102) of claim 1, configured to detect one of the plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) by reading, by a mobile device (104), an RFID tag fastened to a body of the physical interface.

6. The device (102) of claim 1, configured to generate a control signal (120) when a user moves the mobile device (104) in a pre-specified pattern.

7. The device (102) according to claim 6, wherein: The pre-specified movement pattern includes physical movements similar to those involved in operating a physical interface associated with the mobile device (104).

8. A method (500) for lighting automation, the method comprising: establishing (504) an association between the mobile device (104) and one of a plurality of physical interfaces (126, 128) corresponding to a plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132) based on a gesture of a user (108) obtained via the mobile device (104); detecting (506) a lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures (130, 132) controllable by the physical interface; generating (508) a control signal for the detected lighting fixture via a position sensor of the mobile device (104) based on user movement; and A lighting fixture corresponding to the physical interface is operated (510) based on the generated control signal, wherein movement of the mobile device (104) is similar to movement involved in operation of the physical interface.

9. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: Establishing (504) includes detecting the physical interface including one of a slide switch, a toggle switch, and a dimmer switch.

10. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: Establishing (504) the association includes: placing the mobile device (104) in close proximity to a physical interface; and The mobile device (104) is enabled to configure itself to perform the functionality of the physical interface.

11. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: Establishing (504) the association includes pointing the mobile device (104) in the direction of the physical interface.

12. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: Establishing (504) the association includes reading, by the mobile device, an RFID tag secured to a body of the physical interface.

13. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: Generating (508) the control signal includes receiving input via one of the sensor devices of the mobile device (104).

14. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: The movement of the mobile device (104) includes a movement pattern of the mobile device performed by the user (108).

15. The method (500) of claim 8, wherein: The movement pattern of the mobile device (104) includes physical movements similar to movements observed during operation of a physical interface associated with the mobile device (104).

Images