Lighting system and method for controlling a lighting system

Abstract

Lighting system for illuminating a room (R), comprising - Means (4) for producing large-area room brightening and - Means (5) for producing concentrated, local illumination, - an attendance recording device (6) for recording the presence of at least one person (P) in the room (R), - a control device (8) for controlling the means (4) for generating room illumination and the means (5) for generating local illumination, wherein the control device (8) is designed to to automatically control large-area room illumination depending on daylight or time of day and to automatically control the local lighting depending on the presence of at least one person (P) in the room (R); wherein the means (4) for generating room illumination are designed to produce a large-area light emission from a ceiling area (2) of the room (R) and the means (5) for generating local illumination are designed to produce working illumination in at least one of several sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') located below the ceiling area (2); wherein the lighting system further comprises a daylight detection device (7) for detecting the intensity of daylight present in the room (R), the design remains as follows: The means (5) for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') and the intensity of daylight falls below a threshold value, and remain deactivated as long as the intensity of daylight exceeds the threshold value; and wherein in the lighting system the means (4) for generating room illumination are further designed to generate room illumination in different color temperatures, wherein the daylight detection device (7) is further designed to detect a color temperature of the daylight, the design remains as follows: The means (4) for generating room illumination are further controlled in such a way that, with increasing color temperature of the daylight, the room illumination is generated with increasing color temperature.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting system for illuminating a room, and a method for controlling such a lighting system.

[0002] The applicant markets a ceiling light for room illumination under the name "Mild Light." This light can be used to brighten a ceiling area and also to directly illuminate a work area. The light is designed to dim the ceiling light when the work area is sufficiently illuminated by daylight. This can result in the ceiling area appearing comparatively dark, potentially creating a negative atmosphere for anyone in the room.

[0003] From DE 10 2009 016 753 A1, an arrangement for room lighting is known in which one or more floor lamps are provided, each individually or collectively designed to emit a first light component indirectly, a second light component directly over a large area, and a third light component directly in a substantially focused beam. The first light component is centrally controlled, while the third light component can be controlled by a user.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing a corresponding improved lighting system and an improved method for controlling such a lighting system. In particular, the lighting system and the method should make it possible to produce a particularly positive lighting effect while maintaining overall energy efficiency.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with the subject matter specified in the independent claims. Specific embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is defined by the independent claims. Additional features of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. In the following, parts of the description and drawings relating to embodiments not listed in the claims are not considered embodiments of the invention, but rather useful examples for understanding the invention.

[0007] According to the invention, a lighting system for illuminating a room is provided, comprising means for generating large-area room illumination as well as means for generating concentrated, local illumination. Furthermore, the lighting system includes a presence detection device for detecting the presence of at least one person in the room and a control device for controlling the means for generating room illumination and the means for generating local illumination. The control device is configured to automatically control the large-area room illumination depending on the amount of daylight or the time of day, and the local illumination automatically depending on the presence of at least one person in the room.

[0008] Because the room brightness is automatically controlled depending on the daylight and time of day, it's possible to avoid reducing the brightness so drastically that it creates a negative lighting atmosphere. Nevertheless, the lighting system can be controlled in an energy-efficient manner, especially since the local lighting can be adjusted based on the number of people in the room.

[0009] According to the invention, the means for generating room illumination are designed to produce a large-area light emission from a ceiling area of ​​the room, while the means for generating local illumination are designed to produce task lighting in at least one of several sub-areas located below the ceiling area. By illuminating the ceiling area, a particularly beneficial effect of the light on the well-being or mood of a person present in the room can generally be achieved.

[0010] Preferably, the presence detection device is designed to detect whether at least one person is present in at least one of the sub-areas and, if so, in which sub-area(s). The design is further as follows: the means for generating local lighting are controlled such that only the sub-area in which at least one person is present is illuminated, or, if applicable, only those sub-areas in which at least one person is present are illuminated. This allows for particularly high energy savings. In particular, the design is further preferably as follows: the means for generating local lighting remain deactivated as long as no person is present in at least one of the sub-areas.

[0011] According to the invention, the lighting system further comprises a daylight detection device for detecting the intensity of daylight present in the room, the design being further as follows: the means for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person is present in at least one of the sub-areas and the intensity of the daylight falls below a threshold value, and remain deactivated as long as the intensity of the daylight exceeds the threshold value. This allows for further improved energy savings.

[0012] The means for generating room illumination are preferably designed to produce room illumination at different intensities, with the design being as follows: the means for generating room illumination are controlled in such a way that the room illumination is produced with increasing intensity as the intensity of daylight increases. This allows for a particularly positive effect on the mood through room illumination.

[0013] According to the invention, the means for generating room illumination are further configured to produce room illumination at different color temperatures, wherein the daylight detection device is further configured to detect a color temperature of the daylight, and wherein the configuration is further as follows: the means for generating room illumination are controlled such that the room illumination is generated with an increasing color temperature as the color temperature of the daylight increases. This selection of the color temperature of the room illumination allows its effect to be particularly well adapted to the daylight.

[0014] Furthermore, the means for generating local lighting are advantageously designed to produce local lighting at different color temperatures, with the design being as follows: the means for generating local lighting are controlled in such a way that the local lighting is generated with an increasing color temperature as the color temperature of the daylight increases. This also allows the effect of the local lighting to be particularly well adapted to that of daylight.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a lighting system for illuminating a room is provided, comprising the following steps: a) detecting whether at least one person is present in the room, b) controlling means for generating large-area ceiling illumination and means for generating concentrated, local illumination, wherein the large-area room illumination is automatically controlled depending on the daylight or time of day, and the local illumination is automatically controlled depending on the presence of at least one person in the room.

[0016] By automatically controlling the room's brightness based on the available daylight and time of day, it's possible to avoid reducing the brightness so drastically that it creates a negative atmosphere. At the same time, this allows for particularly energy-efficient control, as the local lighting can be adjusted according to the number of people present in the room.

[0017] Furthermore, with regard to energy efficiency, the means for generating local lighting are advantageously designed according to the invention to generate task lighting in at least one of several sub-areas located below a ceiling area of ​​the room. Preferably, the means for generating local lighting are controlled such that only the sub-area in which at least one person is present is illuminated, or, if applicable, only those sub-areas in which at least one person is present are illuminated. In particular, the means for generating local lighting preferably remain deactivated as long as no person is present in at least one of the sub-areas.

[0018] According to the invention, the intensity of daylight present in the room is further measured, wherein the means for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person is present in at least one of the sub-areas and the daylight intensity falls below a threshold value, and remain deactivated as long as the daylight intensity exceeds the threshold value. Furthermore, the means for generating room illumination are preferably controlled such that the room illumination is generated with increasing intensity as the daylight intensity increases.

[0019] According to the invention, the color temperature of the daylight present in the room is further measured, and the means for generating the room brightening are further controlled in such a way that the room brightening is generated with increasing color temperature as the color temperature of the daylight increases.

[0020] Preferably, the means for generating local lighting are controlled in such a way that, with increasing color temperature of the daylight, the local lighting is generated with increasing color temperature.

[0021] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic sketch of a lighting system according to the invention for illuminating a room, Fig. 2a a schematic sketch of the room with several people present, Fig. 2b a schematic sketch of the room with only one person present, Fig. 2c a schematic sketch of the room without any person present, Fig. 3a a schematic sketch of the room with several people present, in which a daylight-dependent control of the lighting system is provided, Fig. 3b a schematic sketch of the room with a person present who is recorded by an attendance detection device and Fig. 3c a schematic sketch of the room with an attendance recording device, without a person present.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sketch of a lighting system according to the invention for illuminating a room R. Room R can, for example, be a large room that has several work areas or is divided into several work areas. For example, a workstation can be provided in each of the work areas. Room R can, for example, be an open-plan office, a classroom, or the like.

[0023] The lighting system includes means 4 for generating large-area room illumination. These means can be designed, in particular, to generate a large-area light emission from a ceiling area 2 of room R. Ceiling area 2 can, in particular, be the entire ceiling surface of room R or a sub-area comprising at least 50% of the total ceiling surface of room R.

[0024] The means 4 for generating room brightening can also be advantageously designed to additionally brighten a side wall area and / or a floor area of ​​room 3.

[0025] Furthermore, the lighting system comprises means 5 for generating concentrated, local lighting 5. These can be designed, in particular, to generate task lighting or workplace lighting in at least one of several sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' of room R located below the ceiling area 2. For example, each of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' can comprise exactly one of the work areas.

[0026] In particular, the means 5 for generating local lighting 5 can be designed to generate working light or workplace lighting independently of each other in each of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1''.

[0027] The lighting system is therefore designed to emit light in two different ways. For general room illumination, a less intense but more widespread light output is provided, while for local lighting, a more localized but more intense light output is provided, in particular lighting that allows each workstation to be illuminated independently of the other workstations.

[0028] Furthermore, the lighting system includes a presence detection device 6 for detecting the presence of a person P in the room R.

[0029] Furthermore, the lighting system includes a control device 8 for controlling the means 4 for generating room illumination and the means 5 for generating local illumination.

[0030] The control device 8 is designed to automatically control the large-area room illumination depending on the amount of daylight or the time of day, and to automatically control the local lighting depending on the presence of at least one person P in the room R. In the example shown here, the presence detection device 6 is advantageously designed to detect whether at least one person P is present in at least one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' and, if so, in which of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' or, if applicable, in which of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1''. The room R can be completely subdivided into the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' in such a way that the presence detection device 6 can detect whether a person P is present in the room R.

[0031] In particular, the control device 8 is designed to control the means 4 for generating room illumination independently of the means 5 for generating local illumination.

[0032] The control device 8 is further designed such that the means 5 for generating the local lighting are controlled in such a way that only the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' in which at least one person P is present are illuminated, or, if applicable, only those sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' in which at least one person P is present are illuminated. Accordingly, the control device 8 is advantageously connected to the presence detection device 6 for the corresponding information transmission.

[0033] In particular, the design can be such that the control of the means 4 for generating the room illumination takes place independently of whether a person P is in the room R or in one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' or whether several persons P are in the room R or in one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1''.

[0034] Of course, it can also be energetically advantageous to provide that the means 4 for generating room illumination are deactivated when no one is in room R or in one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' and remain deactivated as long as this condition exists.

[0035] In the example shown, the presence detection device comprises 6 presence sensors, which can be used to detect whether a person is located in one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' and, if so, in which sub-area 1, 1', 1'' they are located. For example, exactly one of the presence sensors can be provided in each of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1''.

[0036] For energy efficiency, it is provided that the means 5 for generating the local lighting remain deactivated or switched off as long as no person is present in at least one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1''.

[0037] In the example shown, the lighting system also includes a daylight detection device 7, for example in the form of a light sensor, for detecting any daylight present in room R. The control system is designed such that the means 5 for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person is present in at least one of the sub-areas 1, 1', 1'' and the intensity of the daylight falls below a threshold value. However, as long as the intensity of the daylight exceeds the threshold value, the means 5 for generating local lighting remain deactivated. This is energy-efficient.

[0038] The threshold is therefore preferably set in such a way that at each of the workplaces there is sufficient light suitable for a task, for example reading or writing, when the intensity of daylight exceeds the threshold.

[0039] Furthermore, the means 4 for generating room illumination are preferably designed to produce room illumination at different intensities, wherein the means 4 for generating room illumination are controlled such that the room illumination is produced with increasing intensity as the intensity of daylight increases. In particular, it can be provided that the control is such that the means 4 for generating room illumination "recreate" the intensity of daylight.

[0040] By activating means 4 to generate room illumination, it is particularly possible to avoid the situation where, in the case where only one workplace is illuminated or only a small part of the workplaces is illuminated, the room R appears as a "dark cave".

[0041] Similarly, it can be further provided that the means 4 for generating room illumination are designed to produce room illumination at different color temperatures, with the daylight detection device still being designed to detect a single color temperature of daylight. The means 4 for generating room illumination are controlled in such a way that the room illumination is generated with an increasing color temperature as the color temperature of the daylight increases. This makes it particularly suitable for creating a room illumination effect that "replicates" the effect of daylight.

[0042] The means 5 for generating local lighting can also be designed to generate local lighting in different color temperatures, whereby the means 5 for generating local lighting are further controlled in such a way that as the color temperature of the daylight increases, the local lighting is generated with an increasing color temperature.

[0043] With this lighting system and its control system, the system's energy consumption can be kept low while still achieving a positive effect on the well-being of the people present in room R. In particular, it is possible to ensure that the comparatively energy-intensive local lighting is only emitted when desired, based on the current ambient light level and the presence of one or more people. The less intense, more diffused ambient lighting, on the other hand, is emitted even when only a few workstations are illuminated by the local lighting system, for example, later in the evening in an open-plan office when relatively few workstations are occupied. This creates a positive atmosphere in the room.

[0044] In the Fig. Figures 2a to 2c show schematic sketches of room R under different lighting conditions. Fig. Figure 2a outlines a case in which several people P are present in room R and, accordingly, several work areas or workstations are illuminated by means 5 for generating local lighting. As indicated in the sketch, the design can be such that means 4 for generating room illumination and means 5 for generating local lighting are implemented by several ceiling lights D, in the sketched example three, wherein preferably each of the ceiling lights D has a first light emission area D1, through which the light for generating room illumination is emitted, and a second light emission area D2, through which the light for generating local lighting is emitted.

[0045] The second light emission area D2 can represent a sub-area of ​​the first light emission area D1. For example, as sketched, the first light emission area D1 can be elongated, and the second light emission area D2 can be formed by a similarly elongated, central sub-area of ​​the first light emission area D1.

[0046] Ceiling lights D, for example, can be surface-mounted or recessed. However, the lighting system can also be designed to use individual lights that emit light in both different ways. This concept can also be applied to larger lighting arrangements, which may consist of several, possibly different, types of lights.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 2b shows room R with one person P present. Accordingly, only one workstation is illuminated, in this example by the middle of the three ceiling lights D. The two side ceiling lights D therefore do not emit light to create local illumination via the second light emission area D2. However, all three ceiling lights D emit light to create ambient room illumination.

[0048] In Fig. 2c shows room R without a person. The three ceiling lights D are controlled accordingly, so that the means 5 for generating local lighting are deactivated, meaning no light is emitted via the second light emission area D2 to generate local lighting.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 3a shows a corresponding schematic sketch of room R with several people P present, where a daylight-dependent control of the lighting system is provided, as symbolically represented by a sun S.

[0050] Fig. Figure 3b shows a schematic sketch of room R with a person P present. The presence of person P is detected by a presence sensor, which is part of the presence detection device 6. The presence detection device 6 also detects in which of the sub-areas person P is located; this information is transmitted from the presence detection device 6 to the control device 8. The latter then activates the means 5 for generating local lighting such that task lighting is generated in the sub-area where the person is located. No task lighting is generated in other sub-areas where no persons are present. Accordingly, the control is such that the means 5 for generating local lighting are only activated for one of the three ceiling lights D, in this case the middle ceiling light.

[0051] Fig.Figure 3c shows a corresponding sketch depicting room R without any person present. The presence detection device 6 can detect that no person is in any of the sub-areas, in particular that no person P is in room R.

Claims

[1] Lighting system for illuminating a room (R), comprising - Means (4) for producing large-area room brightening and - Means (5) for producing concentrated, local illumination, - an attendance recording device (6) for recording the presence of at least one person (P) in the room (R), - a control device (8) for controlling the means (4) for generating room illumination and the means (5) for generating local illumination, wherein the control device (8) is designed to to automatically control large-area room illumination depending on daylight or time of day and to automatically control the local lighting depending on the presence of at least one person (P) in the room (R); wherein the means (4) for generating room illumination are designed to produce a large-area light emission from a ceiling area (2) of the room (R) and the means (5) for generating local illumination are designed to produce working illumination in at least one of several sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') located below the ceiling area (2); wherein the lighting system further comprises a daylight detection device (7) for detecting the intensity of daylight present in the room (R), the design remains as follows: The means (5) for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') and the intensity of daylight falls below a threshold, and remain deactivated as long as the intensity of daylight exceeds the threshold; and wherein in the lighting system the means (4) for generating room illumination are further designed to generate room illumination in different color temperatures, wherein the daylight detection device (7) is further designed to detect a color temperature of the daylight, the design remains as follows: The means (4) for generating room illumination are further controlled in such a way that, with increasing color temperature of the daylight, the room illumination is generated with increasing color temperature. [2] Lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the presence detection device (6) is configured to detect whether at least one person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') and, if so, in which sub-area(s) (1, 1', 1''), wherein the configuration is further as follows: the means (5) for generating local lighting are controlled in such a way, that only the sub-area (1, 1', 1'') in which at least one person (P) is present is illuminated, or, if necessary, only those sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') in which at least one person (P) is present are illuminated. [3] Lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the design is further as follows: The means (5) for generating local lighting remain deactivated as long as no person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1''). [4] Lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, where the means (4) for generating room illumination are designed to generate room illumination in different intensities, the design remains as follows: The means (4) for generating room illumination are controlled in such a way that, with increasing intensity of daylight, the room illumination is generated with increasing intensity. [5] Lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for generating the local lighting are further configured to generate the local lighting in different color temperatures, the configuration being further as follows: The means (5) for generating the local lighting are further controlled such that as the color temperature of the daylight increases, the local lighting is generated with an increasing color temperature. [6] Method for controlling a lighting system for illuminating a room (R), comprising the following steps: a) Determine whether at least one person (P) is present in the room (R), b) Control of means (4) to generate large-area room illumination and of means (5) to generate concentrated, local illumination, wherein the large-area room illumination is automatically controlled depending on the daylight or time of day and the local lighting is automatically controlled depending on the presence of at least one person (P) in the room (R); wherein the means (5) for generating local lighting are designed to generate working lighting in at least one of several sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') located below a ceiling area (2) of the room (R), and where the intensity of daylight present in the room (R) is also measured, wherein the means (5) for generating local lighting remain activated as long as at least one person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1'') and the intensity of daylight falls below a threshold, and remain deactivated as long as the intensity of daylight exceeds the threshold, in addition, the color temperature of the daylight present in the room (R) is recorded, wherein the means (4) for generating the room illumination are further controlled such that, with increasing color temperature of the daylight, the room illumination is generated with increasing color temperature. [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the means (5) for generating the local lighting are controlled such that only the part (1, 1', 1'') in which the at least one person (P) is present is illuminated, or optionally only those part (1, 1', 1'') in which the at least one person (P) is present are illuminated. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the means (5) for generating the local illumination remain deactivated as long as no person (P) is present in at least one of the sub-areas (1, 1', 1''). [9] Method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the means (4) for generating the room illumination are controlled such that the room illumination is generated with increasing intensity as the intensity of the daylight increases. [10] Method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the means (5) for generating the local illumination are further controlled such that the local illumination is generated with increasing color temperature as the color temperature of the daylight increases.

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