Matrix LED headlight and method for controlling a light-generating assembly of a matrix LED headlight

Abstract

A matrix LED spotlight comprises a light-generating assembly with a carrier on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is arranged, an LED control device coupled to the light-generating assembly and configured to individually control the matrix of LEDs to emit light based on a matrix-resolved image information stream, and a control information generator. The control information generator is coupled to the LED control device. Furthermore, the control information generator has a first input interface for inputting lighting parameters and a second input interface for inputting user-generated adjustment commands for adjusting lighting parameters input via the first input interface to generate the matrix-resolved image information stream.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a matrix LED headlight and a method for controlling a light-generating assembly of a matrix LED headlight.

[0002] Matrix LED headlights within the meaning of the present disclosure are headlights which have, as their essential illuminating means, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a matrix form. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Luminaires with light sources arranged in a matrix are modern lighting devices used in professional lighting applications. These are luminaires that, based on various technologies, are capable of generating an array of illuminated and individually controllable pixels and projecting them into the distance. Examples include matrix lights in modern motor vehicles based on discrete or monolithic LED arrays, projectors with built-in LED light units, LCD displays, laser projectors, or combinations of such functions, as disclosed, for example, in document DE 10 2015 012 021 A1.

[0004] Matrix LED luminaires are also used in event, cinema, and theater settings, as such luminaires are capable of providing large-area illumination of film, studio, or theater setups in a variety of ways. Examples of this are disclosed in the publications US 7 178 941 B2, US 7 522 211 B2, US 5 752 766 A, and US 2009 / 0190346 A1. Such luminaires typically feature projection optics capable of projecting the individual pixels onto distant objects with as little distortion and color aberration as possible. Depending on the application, the luminaires have more or fewer pixels, more or less luminous flux, and different apertures and power levels. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One of the aims of the present invention is to enable the adjustment of dynamic effects such as, for example, the change of a radiation characteristic, a position of a light cone, a colour temperature or a half-beam angle, an illuminance or other parameters commonly used in lighting technology for a matrix LED spotlight, in particular in the event, studio, cinema or theatre sector, in a simpler, more convenient and in real time or almost real time.

[0006] This and other objects are achieved by the subject matter of the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims, which are related to the independent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a matrix LED spotlight comprises a light-generating assembly with a carrier on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is arranged, an LED control device coupled to the light-generating assembly and designed to individually control the matrix of LEDs to emit light based on a matrix-resolved image information stream, and a control information generator. The control information generator is coupled to the LED control device. Furthermore, the control information generator has a first input interface for inputting lighting parameters and a second input interface for inputting user-generated adjustment commands for adjusting lighting parameters input via the first input interface to generate the matrix-resolved image information stream.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a light-generating assembly of a matrix LED headlight, which has a carrier on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is arranged, comprises the following steps: Receiving lighting parameters via an LED control device first input interface of a control information generator; receiving user-generated adjustment commands for adjusting the lighting parameters fed in via the first input interface via a second input interface of the control information generator; converting the adjusted lighting parameters by the control information generator into a matrix-resolved image information stream; and controlling the individual LEDs of the matrix of LEDs to emit light based on the matrix-resolved image information stream.

[0009] One of the central ideas of the invention is to enable the user to conveniently and seamlessly adjust common lighting parameters, such as color temperature or half-beam angle, by selectively feeding user-generated adjustment commands for adjusting lighting parameters. These adjustment commands are input as lighting data to an LED control unit of a matrix LED spotlight. These user-generated adjustment commands enable precise implementation of lighting parameters, such as setting a specific illuminance in lux on a target surface.In addition, typical dynamic effects, such as changing the beam characteristics, changing the position of a light cone or the like, can be implemented directly and without the need for pre-calculation measures via the LED control device, without having to take these into account in the lighting data with a time lead time.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the matrix LED headlight can further comprise a feedback device coupled to the control information generator and configured to detect the light emitted by the light-generating assembly and, based on the detected light, to send a feedback signal to the control information generator for calibrating the matrix-resolved image information stream. In particular, a physical device on-site with the required interfaces can be used as the feedback device. Alternatively, the feedback signal can also be transmitted via remote access, for example, via wireless transmission in a cloud environment. The feedback device can be operated both online and offline.In the former case, for example, sensors can measure physical parameters of the light emitted by the light-generating assembly and transmit them to cloud-based management software, which then sends the correspondingly calculated or adjusted correction and / or calibration data back to the control information generator. In the latter case, measurement data from sensors can be stored locally, and a user can retrieve the stored measurement data at a later time using a removable storage medium such as a USB stick or flash memory and later feed it back into the control information generator.

[0011] According to some further embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the matrix-resolved image information stream may comprise static image information or dynamic video information indicating the luminous behavior of the individual LEDs of the matrix over time.

[0012] According to some further embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the first input interface can be a DMX interface, an RDM interface, an ArtNet interface, or an ACN interface. An RS-485 interface, a USB interface, an Ethernet interface, or a wireless interface such as WLAN or Bluetooth can be used as the input interface, via which the lighting parameters can be transmitted according to one of the aforementioned data coding protocols, i.e., DMX, RDM, ArtNet, or ACN.

[0013] According to some further embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the matrix LED headlight may further comprise a user control device which is coupled to the control information generator via the second input interface and comprises mechanical and / or electronic control elements for a user.

[0014] According to some further embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the lighting parameters may include a radiation characteristic, a brightness, a brightness gradient, a two-dimensional light distribution shape, a color, a color gradient and / or a color correction.

[0015] According to some further embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the light-generating assembly may further comprise projection optics designed to project the emitted light of each individual LED onto objects in the far field without distortion or color errors.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise steps of detecting the light emitted by the light generating assembly and sending a feedback signal for calibrating the matrix-resolved image information stream to the control information generator based on the detected light.

[0017] According to some further embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, the matrix-resolved image information stream may comprise static image information or dynamic video information indicating the luminous behavior of the individual LEDs of the matrix over time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of this invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of this invention and many of the intended advantages of this invention will be readily understood as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to the same scale as one another. Like reference characters designate similar parts, accordingly. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a matrix LED headlight according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling a light-generating assembly of a matrix LED headlight according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Throughout the figures, like reference numerals designate identical or functionally similar components unless otherwise noted. All directional designations such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "rear," "front," and similar terms are used for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments to the specific arrangements shown in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the specific embodiments shown and described may be replaced by a variety of alternative and / or equivalent implementations without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments described herein.

[0021] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a matrix LED spotlight 10, which is suitable, for example, for use in event, studio, cinema, or theater settings. The matrix LED spotlight 10 has a light-generating assembly 17, which serves to project light onto an illuminated surface B of an object 20 to be illuminated. The object 20 to be illuminated can be, for example, a screen, a theater stage, a wall, a room, or any other suitable object. The illuminated surface B on a surface or in the vicinity of the object 20 to be illuminated can have a variable or adjustable size and any desired outline shape.

[0022] The light-generating assembly 17 generally comprises a carrier 18 on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) L is arranged. This matrix can, for example, comprise LEDs arranged in one or more rows, lines, and / or columns. The LEDs can have any desired color, emission intensity, and / or size. In particular, LEDs with different light emission characteristics can be arranged next to one another in different areas or sections of the matrix. For example, the LEDs can be combined into multi-colored clusters, in which light from neighboring LEDs in the respective cluster can be mixed together to form a pixel of the desired color by controlling the individual LEDs of different colors or color temperatures.The carrier 18 may, for example, comprise one or more PCBs ("printed circuit board") or any other suitable substrate on which the LEDs L can be applied and selectively supplied with current.

[0023] The light-generating assembly 17 can further comprise a housing and optical elements that enable targeted light emission in a specific direction or at a specific angle. For example, the light-generating assembly can comprise projection optics that can project the emitted light from each individual LED onto objects in the far field without distortion or color errors, such as onto the illuminated surface B of the object 20 to be illuminated in an event, studio, cinema, or theater application.

[0024] In order to control the LEDs L, the matrix LED spotlight comprises an LED control device 15, which is coupled to the light-generating assembly 17. The LED control device 15 serves to individually control the matrix of LEDs L for light emission. This control is based on a matrix-resolved image information stream V1, which is output by a central processor 13 of a control information generator 11. The central processor 13 is operated by software with the aid of which lighting parameters V0 can be converted into static image information and / or dynamic video information, which indicate the lighting behavior of the individual LEDs L of the matrix over time. This static image information and / or dynamic video information is then transmitted to the LED control device in the matrix-resolved image information stream V1.

[0025] The control information generator 11 has a first input interface 12, for example, a DMX ("digital multiplex" DMX) interface, an RDM ("remote device management" RDM) interface, an ArtNet interface, or an ACN ("architecture for control networks" ACN) interface. Lighting parameters V0 can be fed in from an image information source Q via the first input interface 12. The lighting parameters V0 can include, for example, a radiation characteristic, a brightness, a brightness gradient, a two-dimensional light distribution shape, a color, a color gradient, and / or a color correction. The central processor 13 of the control information generator 11 can, via its software, establish a defined assignment or calibration between the lighting parameters V0 on the input side and image / video parameters of the matrix-resolved image information stream V1 on the output side.

[0026] In order to enable precise, photometrically and colorimetrically correct settings of the light field, as is often desired in professional lighting applications in the event, studio, cinema, or theater sectors, the control information generator 11 further comprises a second input interface 14, via which user-generated adjustment commands U can be fed into the central processor 13. For example, the second input interface 14 can be coupled to a user control device 19 outside the control information generator 11, via which a user can make user inputs UI. For example, the user control device 19 can comprise mechanical control elements such as rotary knobs, joysticks, keyboards, trackballs, or the like and / or electronic control elements such as a touchscreen or a touchpad.In addition, the user control device 19 can have display elements that enable the user to detect the current state of the control information generator 11 or the currently fed-in lighting parameters V0 in real time or near real time.

[0027] The user-generated adjustment commands U are processed by the central processor 13 to adjust the lighting parameters V0 fed in via the first input interface 12 to generate the matrix-resolved image information stream V1. For example, a user can use the user-generated adjustment commands U to set a light distribution that resembles a Fresnel lens with a specific half-beam angle and / or a specific illuminance at a specified distance. Furthermore, the user can use the user-generated adjustment commands U to achieve a convenient and practical adjustment of any light distribution, such as pivoting a light cone by a specific angle in a desired direction, zooming to a desired half-beam angle, and / or correcting a light color with selectable digital color filters.

[0028] In order to calibrate the matrix-resolved image information stream V1, the light emitted by the light-generating assembly 17 can be detected at or on an illuminated surface B of the object 20 to be illuminated. For this purpose, the matrix LED spotlight 10 can, for example, have a feedback device 16 coupled to the control information generator 11. The feedback device 16 detects the light emitted by the light-generating assembly 17 and sends a corresponding feedback signal F to the control information generator 11 for calibrating the matrix-resolved image information stream V1.

[0029] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a method M for controlling a light-generating assembly of a matrix LED headlight, which has a carrier on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is arranged. The method M can be implemented, for example, using the matrix LED headlight 10 as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0030] First, in a first step M1, lighting parameters V0 are received via a first input interface 12 of a control information generator 11 of the matrix LED headlight 10. Simultaneously or in temporal association, in a second step M2, user-generated adjustment commands U for adjusting the lighting parameters V0 fed in via the first input interface 12 are received via a second input interface 14 of the control information generator 11 of the matrix LED headlight 10.

[0031] In a third step, the control information generator 11 converts the adjusted lighting parameters V0 into a matrix-resolved image information stream V1, which is used in a fourth step M4 to control the individual LEDs L of the matrix of LEDs to emit light via an LED control device 15. The matrix-resolved image information stream V1 can contain static image information or dynamic video information, which indicates the luminous behavior of the individual LEDs L of the matrix over time.

[0032] Optionally, in a fifth step M5, the light emitted by the light-generating assembly 17 can be detected at or on an illumination surface B of the object 20 to be illuminated. Based on the detected light, a feedback signal F is sent to the control information generator 11 in order to calibrate the matrix-resolved image information stream V1.

[0033] In the above detailed description, various features are grouped into one or more examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is understood that the above description is to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the above description.

[0034] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical applications, and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. In the appended claims and specification, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as simple language counterparts for the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Furthermore, "a" or "an" does not exclude pluralities as used herein. List of reference symbols

[0035] 10Matrix LED spotlight 11Control information generator 12First input interface 13Processor 14Second input interface 15LED control device 16Feedback device 17Light-generating assembly 18Carrier 19User control device 20Projection surface QImage information source FFeedback signal V0Lighting parameters V1Matrix-resolved image information stream UUser-generated adjustment commands UIUser input SLED control signal LLEDs BBillumination surface MProcedure M1-4Procedure steps

Claims

1. A matrix LED headlight (10), comprising: a light-generating assembly (17) with a carrier (18) on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs, L) is arranged; an LED control device (15) which is coupled to the light-generating assembly (17) and is designed to individually control the matrix of LEDs (L) to emit light on the basis of a matrix-resolved image information stream (V1); and a control information generator (11) which is coupled to the LED control device (15) and which has a first input interface (12) for feeding in lighting parameters (V0) and a second input interface (14) for feeding in user-generated adaptation commands (U) for adapting lighting parameters (V0) fed in via the first input interface (12) to generate the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1).

2. Matrix LED headlight (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a feedback device (16) which is coupled to the control information generator (11) and is designed to detect the light emitted by the light-generating assembly (17) and, on the basis of the detected light, to send a feedback signal (F) to the control information generator (11) for calibrating the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1).

3. Matrix LED headlight (10) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1) comprises static image information or dynamic video information with which the lighting behavior of the individual LEDs (L) of the matrix is ​​indicated over time.

4. Matrix LED spotlight (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first input interface (12) is a DMX interface, an RDM interface, an ArtNet interface or an ACN interface.

5. Matrix LED headlight (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a user operating device (19) which is coupled to the control information generator (11) via the second input interface (14) and has mechanical and / or electronic operating elements for a user.

6. Matrix LED headlight (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lighting parameters (V0) have a radiation characteristic, a brightness, a brightness gradient, a two-dimensional light distribution shape, a color, a color gradient and / or a color correction.

7. Matrix LED headlight (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light-generating assembly further comprises projection optics which are designed to project the emitted light of each individual LED onto objects in the far field without distortion or color errors.

8. A method (M) for controlling a light-generating assembly (17) of a matrix LED headlight (10), which assembly has a carrier on which a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs, L) is arranged, the method (M) comprising the following steps: receiving (M1) lighting parameters (V0) via a first input interface (12) of a control information generator (11); receiving (M2) user-generated adjustment commands (U) for adjusting the lighting parameters (V0) fed in via the first input interface (12) via a second input interface (14) of the control information generator (11); converting (M3) the adjusted lighting parameters (V0) by the control information generator (11) into a matrix-resolved image information stream (V1);and controlling (M4) the individual LEDs (L) of the matrix of LEDs by an LED control device (15) to emit light on the basis of the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1).; 9. The method (M) according to claim 8, further comprising the step of: detecting (M5) the light emitted by the light generating assembly (17) and sending a feedback signal (F) for calibrating the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1) to the control information generator (11) on the basis of the detected light.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the matrix-resolved image information stream (V1) comprises static image information or dynamic video information with which the luminous behavior of the individual LEDs (L) of the matrix is ​​indicated over time.

Images