Control device for presenting reduced-size lighting effect routines

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device (100) for controlling a target lighting device (TD1, TD2) to assume a reduced-size lighting effect routine (102) intended to be assumed by a larger number of devices. The data ascertaining unit (106) is configured to ascertain light script data (108) indicative of a set of expected light settings including light effects. The processing unit (110) is configured to select a number of remaining light settings to distribute light effects of the remaining light settings to other desired light settings and to generate a set of reduced-size light settings (S4, S5) indicative thereof; and generating and providing a control signal (112) for controlling the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) according to the set of reduced-size light settings (S4, S5) and thereby improving fidelity with respect to the intended routine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for controlling one or more target lighting devices of a target lighting arrangement to render a scaled-down lighting effect routine corresponding to an intended lighting effect routine, which intended lighting effect routine is intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices, which is higher than the number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement. The present invention further relates to a target lighting arrangement, a respective computer-implemented method for controlling operation of the control device and the target lighting arrangement, and a computer program. BACKGROUND

[0002] In 2021, Hue Spotify was launched, which allows for the creation of Spotify metadata-based light effects. Here, an algorithm analyzes the metadata of each song the user is playing and generates a lighting effect routine accordingly, which includes light effects to be rendered on a connected lighting arrangement. Philips Hue generates light scripts that reflect the beat of the music and are adjusted for each song, thereby matching the style, mood, and rhythm. It is inherent to current variants of this algorithm that they are optimized to run on multiple lamps, with an optimal experience being reached for a preferred 6 lamps. When more lamps are included, the light effects assigned to one or more lighting devices are “copied” to other lighting devices. However, when fewer lighting devices are included in an entertainment zone, the light scripts generated by the algorithm are “cut”, which means that even if a light script is intended for 6 lighting devices, the remaining light effects are simply left out. This further means that special light effects that are intended to be rendered on, for example, 5 and 6 intended lighting devices, are not rendered in an entertainment setup of 4 lighting devices, resulting in a possible degradation of the overall experience. This degradation can be due to the fact that the overall dynamics of the light script are changed, simply because fewer light effects are rendered. This can lead to potential mismatches in significant events detected by the user in the audio (e.g., a singer starts, a small drum rolls, etc.), which are not subsequently rendered on the lighting devices in the entertainment zone.

[0003] Document WO 2020 / 249502 describes a computer-implemented method for controlling a plurality of lighting devices of a lighting arrangement, the computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining a set of lighting settings; analyzing the set of lighting settings to extract one or more features of the lighting settings related to light properties; receiving one or more signals indicative of a number of lighting devices; determining a number of clusters based on the number of lighting devices; clustering the set of lighting settings into the determined number of clusters based on the extracted one or more features; determining individual lighting control settings for individual clusters; associating individual clusters with individual lighting devices; and controlling the plurality of lighting devices in accordance with the individual lighting control settings of the individually associated clusters. SUMMARY

[0004] It would be beneficial to provide an alternative for rendering a lighting effect routine on a target lighting arrangement having less target lighting devices than the target lighting devices originally intended for the lighting effect routine, which alternative has a higher fidelity with respect to the original light effects of the lighting effect routine and which is also simpler to implement.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control device according to claim 1 is disclosed. The control device is configured to control one or more target lighting devices of a target lighting arrangement for rendering a down-scaled lighting effect routine, which down-scaled lighting effect routine corresponds to an intended lighting effect routine that is intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices, which is higher than the number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement. The provided lighting effect routine, which is referred to as the intended lighting effect routine, is designed to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of lighting devices, which is referred to as the intended lighting devices, which can correspond to the number of channels included in the light script data. This number can be higher than the current number of available lighting devices, which are referred to as the target lighting devices, of the target lighting arrangement that are to render the lighting effect routine. Hence, if this is the case, a down-scaled lighting effect routine has to be determined, which corresponds to the intended lighting effect routine and which is to be rendered by the target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement. The control device of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a data ascertaining unit configured to ascertain, e.g. receive or determine, light script data indicative of a set of intended light settings, each intended light setting comprising one or more light effects associated with a respective intended lighting device. The set of intended light settings is indicative of, or in other words represents, the intended lighting effect routine. The control device further comprises a processing unit connected to the data ascertaining unit and configured to: select a number of remaining light settings according to a predetermined selection algorithm or selection rule, which number corresponds to the difference between the number of intended lighting devices for rendering the intended lighting effect routine and the number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement; associate the light effects of the selected remaining light settings with the light settings of those remaining intended light settings that are not remaining light settings according to a predetermined association rule or association algorithm and generate a set of down-scaled light settings indicative thereof; and further generate and provide control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the set of down-scaled light settings for rendering the down-scaled lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement.

[0006] Hence, the processing unit first determines an offset or difference between the number of intended lighting devices that are expected to render the intended lighting effect routine as specified by the ascertained light script data and the number of target lighting devices available at the target lighting arrangement. If the difference is zero, the intended lighting effect routine is rendered as expected, thereby associating each of the intended light settings to a respective one of the target lighting devices. If the target lighting devices are more than intended or required by the light script data, some of the intended light settings can be rendered by more than one target lighting device simultaneously. However, in case the number of available target devices is less than the number of intended lighting devices (as specified by the light script data) that are initially required to render the intended lighting effect routine, the processing unit uses a predetermined selection algorithm to select which intended light settings are to be considered as remaining light settings, instead of omitting those light effects associated with intended lighting devices that do not have a corresponding part in the target lighting arrangement. The processing unit is then configured to generate a downsized light setting group that indicates or represents a downsized lighting effect routine that can be rendered by the target lighting arrangement, and which does not omit light effects of those intended lighting devices (or in other words, does not omit those channels among the target lighting devices that do not find a light script to render a corresponding part), but integrates the remaining light effects into the remaining (non-remaining) light effects. Hence, the processing unit is configured to associate the light effects of the selected remaining light settings to the light settings of those remaining intended light settings (i.e. the light settings that are not remaining light settings) according to a predetermined association rule, and to generate a group of downsized light settings that indicate said association. Hence, the processing unit is configured to integrate the light effects of the remaining light settings into the light settings that are not remaining settings and thus have a light setting to render a part among the target lighting devices according to a predetermined association rule.

[0007] The processing unit is then configured to generate and provide the necessary control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the generated group of downsized light settings. Hence, the control signals comprise operating instructions to operate the lighting devices such that the light output of the lighting devices follows the group of downsized light settings. This enables rendering a downsized lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement with a higher fidelity or similarity to the originally intended lighting effect routine as the current solution.

[0008] In the following, embodiments of the control device of the first aspect of the application will be described.

[0009] A light setting refers to a series of one or more light effects to be rendered by a lighting device. A lighting device is a device that outputs light in a controllable way and has variable and controllable operating points in terms of e.g. brightness, color, temperature, position, beam angle, beam orientation, which are referred to as lighting parameters. A light effect corresponds to a given operating point at which a lighting device is to be operated, and a light setting corresponds to a temporal variation of operating points of a given lighting device (e.g. intended lighting device (or light script channel) or target lighting device). For each of the target lighting devices, the downsized light setting group comprises a list of one or more light effects which the respective target lighting device has to produce for the target lighting arrangement to render the downsized lighting effect routine.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the light script data comprises priority data indicative of a respective priority of the intended light settings in the group of intended light settings, and wherein the processing unit is configured to select the remaining light settings in dependence on the priority data. Thus, the predetermined selection algorithm makes use of the priority data to select those lighting settings which are to be considered as remaining lighting settings, in particular those intended lighting settings associated with priority data indicative of a lower priority. Preferably, for a given number of target lighting devices N and intended lighting devices (or light script data channels) M, the N intended light settings having the highest priority according to the priority data are not selected as remaining lighting effects. The processing unit is then configured to associate or integrate the light effects of the remaining (M-N) intended light settings (i.e. the remaining light settings) into the first N light settings according to a predetermined association rule.

[0011] In another embodiment, the predetermined selection algorithm is based on a number or a ratio of light effects or light effect variations of a given light setting, wherein a larger number or ratio can represent a higher importance in the overall lighting effect routine.

[0012] In another embodiment, the intended light settings comprised in the light script data comprise or are divided into guide light settings and support light settings. In this embodiment, the processing unit is configured to: assign each guide light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices upon determining that the number of guide light settings is smaller than the number of target lighting devices; combine the light effects of the support light settings according to a predetermined combination rule to generate a down-scaled support light setting; and generate and provide control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the guide light settings and the down-scaled support light setting to render the down-scaled lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement. Thus, the intended light settings in the light script are divided into a "guide part" and a "support part" (just like in music). A given light script that is intended to be rendered over e.g. 6 channels can be optimally reduced by redistributing the merged channels with support properties. Thus, if possible, the processing unit selects the support light settings as the remaining light settings. In case the "guide" channels (guide light settings) are equal to the number of physical channels (target lighting devices), or in other words, when there are no target lighting devices (i.e. support light settings) for the support channels, the support channels can be mixed over the physical channels. For each physical channel (i.e. target lighting device), the mixing can be achieved by weighting the inputs (e.g. light effects) with the intensity of the inputs. If there is one or more target lighting devices still available for the support light settings, the light effects of the support light settings can be integrated or combined or assigned to the available target lighting devices.

[0013] In another embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to determine parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters of the light effects, and to further associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence on the extracted parameter data. For example, the lighting parameters for which parameter data is determined can comprise one or more of a color value, an intensity value, a beam shape, an angle value, an orientation or a position. For the redistribution of the light effects, the main determining factor is preferably in the intensity of the effects, as this can be superimposed on the existing lighting devices without e.g. color artifacts. When a light script is reduced from e.g. two intended lighting devices or light script channels to one target lighting device, and according to the intended lighting effect routine, intended lighting device A shows a red flash at second 1 and intended lighting device B shows a blue flash at second 2, then a redistributed script can be generated, i.e. this set of down-scaled light settings for one target lighting device, such that the target lighting device shows light as a red flash at second 1 (taken from intended lighting device or light script channel A) and shows light as another red flash at second 2 (where only the intensity is taken from intended lighting device B, not the color). Alternatively, the redistribution of these two parameters can be considered based on e.g. the effect density and the number of available target lighting devices.

[0014] In another embodiment, the data ascertaining unit is further configured to ascertain lighting device data indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices, and wherein the processing unit is further configured to associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings further in dependence on the ascertained lighting device data. For example, the lighting device data can be indicative of a range of color values of light that a given lighting device can provide, or a range of brightness values, a range of temperature values, a range of angular beam values, a range of directionality (e.g. can provide a multi-focused light beam) values, etc. The association rules preferably take into account the operational capabilities of the target lighting devices, and preferably also the parameter data of the light effects, to associate or distribute the remaining light effects among the target lighting devices such that the lighting parameters (brightness values, color values, temperature values, beam direction, etc.) can be output by suitable target lighting devices that are capable of outputting said lighting parameters.

[0015] Preferably, in embodiments according to the first aspect of the application, the data ascertaining unit is configured as a data input unit configured to receive the light script data via a wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, the data ascertaining unit is configured as a light script data generating unit that generates the light script data based on a media file (such as a video file, an audio file, an image file, etc.).

[0016] The second aspect of the application is formed by a target lighting arrangement for rendering a scaled-down lighting effect routine as described above. The lighting arrangement comprises one or more target lighting devices that are lighting devices whose operational state can be controlled in order to render a light effect. The target lighting arrangement further comprises a control device according to the first aspect of the application, and the control device is configured to control the one or more target lighting devices to render a scaled-down lighting effect routine that corresponds to an intended lighting effect routine that is intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices that is higher than the number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement.

[0017] The arrangement of the second aspect of the application shares the advantages of the control device of the first aspect of the application.

[0018] In one embodiment, the target lighting arrangement is a wirelessly controllable lighting arrangement that is controlled by means of communication signals provided via a suitable wireless communication network (such as WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, Thread, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, at least a subset of the lighting devices of the arrangement can be controlled via a wired connection (e.g. via a wired DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) connection).

[0019] The control unit can be integrated in a hub, bridge or other network control device of the lighting arrangement. Alternatively, the control unit can be a remote device configured to send the set of size-reduced light settings indicative of the size-reduced lighting effect routine to a hub or bridge or suitable network control device of the target lighting arrangement.

[0020] A third aspect of the invention is formed by a computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a controller device according to the first aspect of the invention. The method comprises: - ascertaining (e.g. receiving or determining) light script data indicative of a set of intended light settings, each intended light setting comprising one or more light effects associated with a respective intended lighting device, the set of intended light settings being indicative of an intended lighting effect routine; - selecting a number of remaining light settings according to a predetermined selection algorithm, the number corresponding to a difference between a number of intended lighting devices for rendering the intended lighting effect routine and a number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement; - associating light effects of the selected remaining light settings with light settings of those remaining intended light settings that are not remaining light settings according to a predetermined association rule, and generating a set of size-reduced light settings indicative thereof; and - generating and providing control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the set of size-reduced light settings for rendering a size-reduced lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement.

[0021] Hence, the method of the third aspect of the invention shares the advantages of the controller device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0022] In the following, embodiments of the inventive method of the third aspect will be described.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method further comprises: - selecting the remaining light settings in dependence on priority data comprised by the light script data.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the method additionally or alternatively comprises determining parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters (e.g. brightness, temperature, color, orientation, beam angle, etc.) of the light effects, and further associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence on the extracted parameter data.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises ascertaining lighting device data indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices, and further associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence on the ascertained lighting device data.

[0026] In another particular embodiment, wherein the intended light settings comprised in the light script data comprise a lead light setting and a support light setting, the method further comprises, upon determining that the number of lead light settings is smaller than the number of target lighting devices, - assigning each lead light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices; - combining the light effects of the support light settings according to a predetermined combination rule to generate a down-scaled support light setting; and - generating and providing control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the lead light settings and the down-scaled support light setting to render a down-scaled lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement.

[0027] A fourth aspect of the invention is formed by a method for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement for rendering a down-scaled lighting effect routine corresponding to an intended lighting effect routine, which is intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices, which is higher than the number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement. The method comprises: - performing the method of the third aspect of the invention; and - controlling the target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement according to the down-scaled lighting effect routine.

[0028] A fifth aspect of the invention is formed by a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a control device, cause the control device to perform the method of the third aspect of the invention and / or the method of the fourth aspect of the invention.

[0029] It will be understood that the control device of claim 1, the target lighting arrangement of claim 8, the computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a controller device of claim 9, the computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement of claim 14, and the computer program of claim 15 have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments, in particular as defined in the dependent claims.

[0030] It will be understood that the preferred embodiments of the invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or the above embodiments with the corresponding independent claims.

[0031] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] In the drawings: Figure 1 a schematic block diagram of a target lighting arrangement is shown, Figure 2A flowchart of a computer-implemented method 200a for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement is shown, the method 200a comprising a computer-implemented method 300 for controlling operation of a controller device, and Figure 3 A flowchart of a computer-implemented method 200b for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement is shown, the method 200b comprising a computer-implemented method 400 for controlling operation of a controller device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a target lighting arrangement 500 according to an embodiment of the application is shown. The target lighting arrangement 500 exemplarily comprises two target lighting devices TD1, TD2. The target lighting devices are for example wirelessly controllable lighting devices comprising a light strip, a spot light, a wall light, a ceiling light, a pendant light, a track light, a desk light, a floor light, a recessed light, or an outdoor light, which are capable of changing the value of one or more lighting parameters including brightness, temperature, color, orientation, beam angle, etc.

[0034] The target lighting arrangement further comprises a control device 100, which in this particular example is in the form of a network control unit such as a hub or a bridge. The target lighting arrangement can be implemented as a Hue lighting arrangement, wherein the control device 100 is a Hue bridge.

[0035] The control device is configured to control the target lighting devices T1, T2 of the target lighting arrangement 500 for rendering a size-reduced lighting effect routine 102. The size-reduced lighting effect routine corresponds to an intended lighting effect routine that was originally intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices L1, L2, L3. In this case, the number of intended lighting devices is higher than the number of target lighting devices TD1, TD2. In a known arrangement (not shown), in this situation, the lighting devices of the lighting arrangement ignore and do not render a part of the intended lighting effect routine.

[0036] The control device 100 comprises a data ascertaining unit 106, here shown as an input unit, configured to receive light script data 108. The light script data 108 is indicative of a set of intended light settings S1, S2, S3, each intended light setting or channel comprising one or more light effects E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6 associated with a respective intended lighting device L1, L2, L3 or light script channel. The set of intended light settings is indicative of or characterizes the intended lighting effect routine 104. The light script data can for example be provided by Hue- Spotify, allowing for the creation and reproduction of light effects based on media (e.g. Spotify) based metadata. The user can define some characteristics of the intended lighting effect routine, such as a preferred color palette, a maximum brightness value, a preferred rate of change of the lighting effects, a routine style (e.g. pulsing, color transition, etc.). An algorithm analyzes the metadata of the audio file the user is playing and generates a lighting effect routine accordingly, comprising light effects to be rendered on a connected target lighting arrangement. According to exemplary light script data 108, the intended lighting effect routine 104 has three channels, each associated with a respective intended lighting device L1, L2, L3. During a first time span t1, the intended light setting S1 associated with the intended lighting device L1 comprises a first light effect E1 (e.g. a combination of predetermined values of one or more lighting parameters such as color and brightness). The second intended light setting S2 associated with the intended lighting device L2 remains idle (e.g. the intended lighting device does not output any light) during said first time span, and the third intended light setting S3 associated with the intended lighting device L3 comprises a light effect E4. During a second time span t2, the intended light setting S1 remains comprising the same light effect as in the first time span t1, while the second intended light setting S2 implying the idle device in t1 now comprises a light effect E3 (e.g. a bright red flash with a given duration). Also during t2, the third intended light setting changes from light effect E4 to light effect E5. During a third time span t2, the first intended light setting changes the light effect from E1 to E2, the second intended light setting again becomes idle, and the third intended light setting changes from light effect E5 to light effect E6.

[0037] For a target lighting arrangement in which the number of target lighting devices is equal to the number of intended lighting devices, each of the target lighting devices can be instructed to render a respective one of the intended light settings. If there are more target lighting devices than intended lighting devices, two or more target lighting devices can be instructed to render the same intended light setting. For example, if the intended lighting effect routine 104 is to be rendered by a lighting arrangement comprising four target lighting devices, the first and second devices can be instructed to render the first intended light setting S1, the third device can be instructed to render the second intended light setting S2, and the fourth device can be instructed to render the third intended light setting.

[0038] However, according to Figure 1 , the target lighting arrangement only has two target illuminations, which number is less than the number of intended lighting devices L1, L2, L3 or the number of intended light settings S1, S2, S3. In this case, the known arrangement would present the first intended light setting S1 using the target lighting device TD1, and the second intended light setting S2 using the second target lighting device TD2, while not presenting the third intended light setting S3 at all. In order to provide a lighting effect routine 102 having a higher similarity with respect to the intended lighting effect routine 104, the control device 100 comprises a processing unit 110 connected to the data ascertaining unit 106 and configured to select a number of remaining light settings S3 according to a predetermined selection algorithm 107, which number corresponds to the difference between the number of intended lighting devices L1, L2, L3 for presenting the intended lighting effect routine 104 and the number of target lighting devices TD1, TD2 of the target lighting arrangement 500. In this particular case, the processing unit is configured to select one of the intended light effect settings as a remaining light setting, e.g. S3. This selection is done according to a predetermined selection algorithm, which can for example be based on a numerical ordering of the intended light settings, on the content of the light effects of the intended light settings, or other considerations. For example, the light script data can comprise priority data indicating a respective priority of the intended light settings, such that those intended light settings having a lower priority tend to be selected as remaining light settings.

[0039] The processing unit is further configured to associate the light effects E4, E5, E6 of the selected remaining light setting (in this case S3) to the light settings S1, S2 of those remaining intended light settings (in this case S1, S2) that are not the remaining light setting, according to predetermined association rules 109. Based on this association, the processing unit is configured to generate a set of downsized light settings S4, S5 that is indicative of the association. In this example, the light effect E3 and E6 have been associated with the intended light setting S2, which is idle during the respective time spans t1 and t3. This forms the light setting S5, which is part of the set of downsized light settings. The light effect E5 is combined with the light effect E1 of the intended light setting S1 to form the light setting S4, which is also part of the set of downsized light settings. For example, the light effect E5 can consist of a flash sequence characterized by a maximum brightness, a minimum brightness, and a frequency, and the light effect E1 can consist of a constant brightness and a constant color. The resulting light effect E1+E5 to be rendered at t2 (this time or time span is typically relative to the duration of a media file, such as a video or audio file) is part of the light setting S4. In another example, the light effect E1 corresponds to a first color, and the light effect E5 corresponds to a second color, and the combination of effects E1+E5 corresponds to a combination of the two colors (e.g. a sum of the RGB components). In another example, the light effect E1 corresponds to a certain flash pattern with a first frequency, and the light effect E5 corresponds to another flash pattern with a second frequency. Here, the combination of light effects E1 and E5 corresponds to a combination of the two flash patterns. The association (i.e. which light effects can be combined with each other) is predetermined by the association rules, which are for example based on a pre-determined list of allowable associations that minimizes artifacts in the downsized lighting effect routine.

[0040] For example, according to suitable association rules, the light effects of the remaining light settings are redistributed or allocated to the light settings to be rendered by the available target lighting devices, ideally with equal weight for each available target lighting device. In other words, when the original light script data relates to, for example, six intended lighting devices, and the actual target lighting arrangement only comprises five target lighting devices, then all light effects of the sixth intended lighting device to be redistributed are equally distributed over the 5 available target lighting devices. Here, the redistribution should ideally be done such that there is no overlap between the existing light effects and the superimposed light effects from the remaining light settings. Such overlap can be based on a simple timing cut-off (e.g. 500 ms), or on the dynamics of the existing effects. In the latter case, a short flash with a 2 second fade-out can remain intact, with the superimposed effects rendered on different target lighting devices, or the fade-out can be shortened. According to exemplary association rules, different light effects or light effect types (e.g. brightness change or flicker, color change or transition, etc.) have a predefined priority, such that when associating the light effects of the remaining light settings, the light effects with the highest priority will be allocated first if the operating conditions of the target lighting devices allow. Like, in an example where an intended lighting effect routine with six intended light settings is to be rendered by a target lighting arrangement with one single target lighting device, the light effects of five remaining light settings can not all be allocatable to the target lighting device, and according to the association rules, the processing unit will start the association with those light effects having a higher priority value.

[0041] The processing unit is further configured to generate and provide control signals 112 for controlling the target lighting devices TD1, TD2 according to the set of size-reduced light settings S4, S5 to render the size-reduced lighting effect routine 102 on the target lighting arrangement 500. The control signals 112 thus comprise instructions to cause the lighting devices to output the light effects in the respective light settings S4 and S5 contained in the set of size-reduced light settings S4, S5.

[0042] For example, the intended light settings S1, S2, S3 included in the light script data 108 can comprise or be divided into a lead light setting and a support light setting. The processing unit 100 can be configured to, upon determining that the number of lead light settings is smaller than the number of target lighting devices, assign each lead light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices, combine the light effects of the support light settings according to a predetermined combination rule to generate a down-scaled support light setting, and generate and provide control signals 112 for controlling the target lighting devices TD1, TD2 according to the lead light settings and the down-scaled support light setting to render the down-scaled lighting effect routine 102 on the target lighting arrangement 500. Thus, the light script is divided into a "lead part" comprising the lead light settings and a "support part" comprising the support light settings. This division is similar to a division used in music. By redistributing and merging channels with a supportive nature, a given light script over six channels (i.e. of six intended lighting devices) can be optimally reduced. In case the "lead" channels equal the number of physical channels or target lighting devices (meaning that no target lighting device is available for a support channel), the "support" channels (or in other words the light effects associated with the support light settings) can be mixed over the physical channels. For each physical channel (target lighting device), the mixing can be achieved by weighting the inputs with the input's luminance.

[0043] According to other exemplary selection and association rules, the selection of the mixed intended light settings is determined by the order in which they occur. Implicitly, this is equivalent to assuming that the first channel (i.e. the first intended light setting) is more important than the following channels. The last (M-N) intended light settings are selected as the remaining light settings and are assigned to the available light settings, with preference given to the less important light settings so as not to interfere with the more important light settings. The superposition of the inputs can be achieved by giving priority to the last input change signal received. For example, Table 1 illustrates a case in which a light script for six intended lighting devices (e.g. with six channels) is to be rendered by five target lighting devices. The first four intended light settings are assigned to four respective target lighting devices and are not shown in Table 1. The intended light settings 5 and 6 (channels 5 and 6 in Table 1, with the RGB values given as a function of time) are combined into a mixed channel, thereby forming a down-scaled light setting to be rendered in the remaining target lighting devices.

[0044] Table 1 : RGB values of two light script channels as a function of time, and the resulting down-scaled light setting (mixed channel) Time (Hr:Min:Sec) Channel 5 Channel 6 Mix Channel 00:00:00 RGB = [255, 0, 0] RGB = [255, 0, 0] 00:00:02 RGB = [200, 100, 0] RGB = [200, 100, 0] 00:00:03 RGB = [0, 0, 200] RGB = [0, 0, 200] 00:00:05 RGB = [255, 0, 0] RGB = [255, 0, 0]

[0045] In the exemplary control device 100, the processing unit is further configured to determine parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters P1, P2 of the light effects E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6 and to further associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings depending on the extracted parameter data. For example, the lighting parameters for which parameter data is determined comprise one or more of a color value, a brightness value, a beam shape, an angle value, an orientation or a position. Preferably, the main determining factor should be the brightness of the light effects, as this can be superimposed on the existing light settings without strange color artifacts. The processing unit determines parameter data indicative of the brightness and based thereon assigns or associates the light effects to generate the set of down-scaled light settings S4, S5.

[0046] Further, in the exemplary control device 100, the data ascertaining unit is further configured to ascertain (receive or determine) lighting device data LD1, LD2 indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices TD1, TD2. The respective operational capabilities can determine whether a given lighting device can render a particular light effect. For example, a lighting device in which only a brightness value and / or a light temperature can be varied is not suitable for rendering light effects involving e.g. color transitions and therefore, such light effects should not be included in the light settings to be rendered by said lighting device. Therefore, the processing unit 110 is further configured to further associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings depending on the ascertained lighting device data.

[0047] Figure 2A flowchart of a computer-implemented method 200a for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement is shown. According to embodiments of the present application, the method 200a further comprises a computer-implemented method 300 for controlling operation of a controller device. The methods 200a and 300 comprise, in step 202, ascertaining light script data indicative of a set of intended light settings, each intended light setting comprising one or more light effects associated with a respective intended lighting device or light script channel, the set of intended light settings being indicative of an intended lighting effect routine. The methods 200a and 300 further comprise, in step 208, selecting a number of remaining light settings according to a predetermined selection algorithm, the number corresponding to a difference between a number of intended lighting devices for rendering the intended lighting effect routine and a number of target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement. The method further comprises, in step 210, associating light effects of those light settings that are selected to be the remaining light settings (i.e. the selected remaining light settings) with light settings of those remaining intended light settings that are not selected to be the remaining light settings according to a predetermined association rule, and generating a set of down-scaled light settings indicative of said association. The method further comprises, in step 212, generating and providing control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the set of down-scaled light settings for rendering a down-scaled lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement. The method 200a further comprises, in step 214, controlling the target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement according to the down-scaled lighting effect routine.

[0048] In an exemplary method, step 208 is performed in dependence on priority data comprised by the light script data.

[0049] In embodiments, the methods 200a and 300 can comprise, in optional step 204, determining parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters of the light effects. Step 210 of associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings can then be further performed in dependence on the extracted parameter data.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, the methods 200a and 300 can comprise, in optional step 206, ascertaining lighting device data indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices. Step 210 of associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings can then be further performed in dependence on the ascertained lighting device data.

[0051] Figure 3A flowchart of a computer-implemented method 200b for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement according to another embodiment of the application is shown, the method 200b comprising a computer-implemented method 400 for controlling operation of a controller device. The intended light settings included in the ascertained light script data (which is ascertained in step 402 of the methods 200b and 400) comprise the guide light settings and the support light settings. The method further comprises, when it is determined in step 404 that the number of guide light settings is less than the number of target lighting devices, in step 406, assigning each guide light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices, in step 408, combining the light effects of the support light settings according to a predetermined combination rule to generate a down-scaled support light setting, in step 410, generating a down-scaled lighting effect routine based on the guide light settings and the down-scaled support light setting, and in step 410, generating and providing control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the guide light settings and the down-scaled support light setting for rendering the down-scaled lighting effect routine on the target lighting arrangement. The method 200b then comprises controlling the target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement according to the down-scaled lighting effect routine in step 214.

[0052] In summary, the application relates to a control device for controlling target lighting devices to render a down-scaled lighting effect routine intended to be rendered by a larger number of devices. A data ascertainment unit is configured to ascertain light script data indicative of a set of intended light settings comprising light effects. A processing unit is configured to select a number of remaining light settings, assign the light effects of the remaining light settings to other intended light settings, and generate a set of down-scaled light settings indicative thereof; and generate and provide control signals for controlling the target lighting devices according to the set of down-scaled light settings, and thereby improve the fidelity with respect to the intended routine.

[0053] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0054] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the

[0055] A single unit or device can fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0056] The computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state storage medium supplied together with other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0057] The reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A control device (100) for controlling one or more target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of a target lighting arrangement (500) to render a down-scaled lighting effect routine (102) corresponding to an intended lighting effect routine (104) intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices (L1, L2, L3), the predetermined number being higher than the number of target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of the target lighting arrangement (500), the control device (100) comprising: - a data ascertaining unit (106) configured to ascertain light script data (108) indicative of a set of intended light settings (S1, S2, S3), each intended light setting comprising one or more light effects (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6) associated with a respective intended lighting device (L1, L2, L3), the set of intended light settings being indicative of the intended lighting effect routine (104); - a processing unit (110) connected to the data ascertaining unit (106) and configured to: - select a number of remaining light settings (S3) in accordance with a predetermined selection algorithm (107), the number of remaining light settings (S3) corresponding to a difference between the number of intended lighting devices (L1, L2, L3) for rendering the intended lighting effect routine (104) and the number of target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of the target lighting arrangement (500), - associate light effects (E4, E5, E6) of the selected remaining light settings (S3) to light settings (S1, S2) of those remaining intended light settings that are not remaining light settings (S1, S2) in accordance with a predetermined association rule (109), and generate a set of down-scaled light settings (S4, S5) indicative of said association, and - generate and provide control signals (112) for controlling the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) in accordance with the set of down-scaled light settings (S4, S5) to render the down-scaled lighting effect routine (102) on the target lighting arrangement (500).

2. The control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light script data (108) comprises priority data indicative of a respective priority of intended light settings of the set of intended light settings, and wherein the processing unit is configured to select the remaining light settings in dependence on the priority data.

3. The control device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein intended light settings comprised in the light script data (108) comprise a lead light setting and a support light setting, and wherein the processing unit is configured to, upon determining that the number of lead light settings is less than the number of target lighting devices, - assign each lead light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices; - combine light effects of the support light settings in accordance with a predetermined combination rule to generate a down-scaled support light setting; and - assign the down-scaled support light setting to the target lighting devices. - generating and providing control signals (112) for controlling the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) in accordance with the guide light settings and the dimensionally reduced support light settings to render a dimensionally reduced lighting effect routine (102) on the target lighting arrangement (500).

4. The control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters (P1, P2) of the light effects (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6) and to further associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence on the extracted parameter data.

5. The control device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the lighting parameters for which parameter data is determined comprise one or more of a color value, a brightness value, a beam shape, an angle value, an orientation or a position.

6. The control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data ascertaining unit is further configured to ascertain lighting device data (LD1, LD2) indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2), and wherein the processing unit is further configured to further associate the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence on the ascertained lighting device data.

7. The control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data ascertaining unit (106) is configured as a data input unit configured to receive light script data (108) via a wired or wireless connection.

8. A target lighting arrangement for rendering a dimensionally reduced lighting effect routine, the lighting arrangement comprising: - one or more target lighting devices; - a control device according to any one of the preceding claims for controlling the one or more target lighting devices (T1, T2) to render a dimensionally reduced lighting effect routine (102) corresponding to an intended lighting effect routine (104) as intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices (L1, L2, L3), the predetermined number being higher than a number of target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of the target lighting arrangement (500).

9. A computer-implemented method (200) for controlling operation of a control device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method (200) comprising: - ascertaining (202) light script data (108) indicative of a set of intended light settings (S1, S2, S3), each intended light setting comprising one or more light effects (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6) associated with a respective intended lighting device (L1, L2, L3), the set of intended light settings being indicative of an intended lighting effect routine (104); - selecting (208) a number of remaining light settings (S3) in accordance with a predetermined selection algorithm (107), the number of remaining light settings (S3) corresponding to a difference between a number of intended lighting devices (L1, L2, L3) for rendering the intended lighting effect routine (104) and a number of target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of the target lighting arrangement (500). - associating (210) the light effects (E4, E5, E6) of the selected remaining light settings (S3) to light settings (S1, S2) of those remaining intended light settings that are not remaining light settings (S1, S2) according to predetermined association rules (109), and generating a set of scaled-down light settings (S4, S5) indicative of said association, and - generating and providing (212) control signals (112) for controlling the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) according to the set of scaled-down light settings (S4, S5) for rendering a scaled-down lighting effect routine (102) on the target lighting arrangement (500).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of selecting (208) the remaining light settings is done in dependence of priority data comprised by the light script data.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising determining (204) parameter data indicative of one or more lighting parameters (P1, P2) of the light effects (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6), and further associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence of the extracted parameter data.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims 9 to 11, further comprising ascertaining (206) lighting device data indicative of respective operational capabilities of the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2), and further associating the light effects of the remaining intended light settings in dependence of the ascertained lighting device data.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims 9 to 12, wherein the intended light settings comprised in the light script data (108) comprise a lead light setting and a support light setting, the method further comprising, when the number of lead light settings is determined to be less than the number of target lighting devices, - assigning each lead light setting to a respective one of the target lighting devices; - combining the light effects of the support light settings according to predetermined combination rules to generate a scaled-down support light setting; and - generating and providing control signals (112) for controlling the target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) according to the lead light settings and the scaled-down support light setting for rendering the scaled-down lighting effect routine (102) on the target lighting arrangement (500).

14. A computer-implemented method (200a, 200b) for controlling operation of a target lighting arrangement for rendering a scaled-down lighting effect routine (102) corresponding to an intended lighting effect routine (104) that is intended to be rendered by at least a predetermined number of intended lighting devices (L1, L2, L3), the predetermined number being higher than the number of target lighting devices (TD1, TD2) of the target lighting arrangement (500), the method comprising: - performing the method (300, 400) according to any of the preceding claims 9 to 13; and - controlling (214) the target lighting devices of the target lighting arrangement according to the scaled-down lighting effect routine. ​ 15. A computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product comprising computer program code to perform the method (400) according to any one of claims 9-14 when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the computing device.

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