Method and apparatus of transmitting / receiving data for controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices

Abstract

There is provided methods and apparatus of communicating data between a control device (11) and one or more dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16) communicatively coupled to the control device (10), to control the rendering of a lighting effect by the one or more dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16). To reach that aim, first data representative of a position of each of the dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16) in a determined space is transmitted by each of the dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16) to a control device (10). Lighting data is received in return by each of the dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16) from the control device (10), the lighting data being according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to the field of lighting and, in particular, to the generating of lighting effect to be rendered by one or more dynamic lighting devices. In particular, the present application relates to a method and device of receiving data by a dynamic lighting device for the rendering of a lighting effect or of a part of a lighting effect. The present application also relates to a corresponding method and device of transmitting data by a control device for the rendering of a lighting effect. The present application also relates to method and apparatus of controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices each comprising one or more light-emitting devices according to data representative of spatial position of one or more dynamic lighting devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of at least one exemplary embodiments of the present application that is described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present application.

[0003] To improve user experience when playing a media content such as a video content or a video game, it is known to control the lighting of one or more peripherals in the media content playback environment.

[0004] Controlling the lighting of such peripherals may for example increase the feeling of immersion while watching a movie or playing a video game. Such peripherals comprise smart LED light bulbs, RGB (Red, Green, Blue) components and accessories such as LED strips, keyboards, mice, mouse mats, speakers, screens, headsets or even the casing of the media player.

[0005] Lighting effects may be obtained by controlling the one or more light-emitting devices such as LED (Light-Emitting Diode) equipping the one or more peripherals.

[0006] However, there is still room for improvement to control the lighting of the media content playback environment, e.g., to improve the feeling of immersion.SUMMARY

[0007] The following section presents a simplified summary of at least one exemplary embodiment in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present application. This summary is not an extensive overview of an exemplary embodiment. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of an embodiment. The following summary merely presents some aspects of at least one of the exemplary embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided elsewhere in the document.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a method of receiving data, said method being implemented in a dynamic lighting device, the method comprising: transmitting first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device in a determined space to a control device; and receiving lighting data from the control device, the lighting data being according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises receiving the first data from a processing device different from the control device.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in the dynamic lighting device, the lighting data being further according to the second data.

[0011] In a further exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises controlling each light-emitting device according to the lighting data.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a space of a bounding box of an environment comprising the control device and a plurality of dynamic lighting devices comprising the dynamic lighting device each connected to the control device.

[0013] In a further exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a two-dimensional space.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a three-dimensional space.

[0015] In an additional exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises connecting the dynamic lighting device to the control device, the connecting triggering the transmitting of the first data.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a request from the control device to transmit the first data.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a method of transmitting data, the method being implemented in a control device, the method comprising: receiving, from each dynamic lighting device of a set of dynamic lighting devices, first data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device in a determined space; determining, for each dynamic lighting device, lighting data according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device; and transmitting the lighting data to each dynamic lighting device.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the method of transmitting data further comprises receiving, from each dynamic lighting device, second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in each dynamic lighting device, the lighting data being further determined according to the second data.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, the method of transmitting data further comprising updating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device in the determined space according to the first data.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device, wherein the apparatus comprises a memory associated with at least a processor configured to implement the method in accordance with the first aspect of the present application.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus corresponding to a control device, wherein the apparatus comprises a memory associated with at least a processor configured to implement the method in accordance with the second aspect of the present application.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product including instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product including instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0024] According to a seventh aspect of the present application, there is provided a non-transitory storage medium carrying instructions of program code for executing a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of the present application, there is provided a non-transitory storage medium carrying instructions of program code for executing a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0026] According to a ninth aspect of the present application, there is provided a system comprising an apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present application and one or more apparatus according to the third aspect of the present application each communicatively coupled with the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present application.

[0027] The specific nature of at least one of the exemplary embodiments as well as other objects, advantages, features and uses of said at least one of exemplary embodiments will become evident from the following description of examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present application, and in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an environment comprising a control device communicatively coupled to dynamic lighting devices, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 shows an example of a system comprising the control device of figure 1 communicatively coupled to a peripheral device, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 shows an example of a two-dimensional representation of a position of each of the control device and dynamic lighting devices of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 shows an example of a three-dimensional representation of a position of each of the control device and dynamic lighting devices of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of step(s) of a method of receiving data in a dynamic lighting device of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 6 shows a schematic block diagram of step(s) of a method of transmitting data in the control device of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example of a system or apparatus in which various aspects and exemplary embodiments are implemented.

[0029] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] At least one of the exemplary embodiments is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which examples of at least one of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. An exemplary embodiment may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other or each of the exemplary embodiment may be individually implemented, e.g., as an alternative embodiment.

[0032] At least one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of receiving data, the apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device implementing the method. A dynamic lighting device corresponds to any light-emitting device (lamp, light bulb, strip of LEDs or any peripheral or device incorporating one or more light sources, e.g., RGB light sources (for example arrangement of LEDs)) that is configured to be controlled by a control or master device to render a lighting effect, the lighting effect can be dynamic, i.e., the light effect may vary over time and / or space.

[0033] The method comprises transmitting, by the dynamic lighting device, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device to a control device. The position is defined in a specific or determined space, which may correspond to a two-dimensional (2D) space or three-dimensional (3D) space. When several dynamic lighting devices transmit their respective positions to the control device, all positions are defined in the same determined space. The method further comprises receiving, by the dynamic lighting device from the control device, lighting data, which have been determined according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters (e.g., brightness, color, color temperature, time or duration of lighting, etc.).

[0034] A lighting effect corresponds to any generation of light through one or more dynamic lighting devices. The lighting effect may correspond to a simple lighting effect (e.g., involving a single light-emitting device) or a more complex lighting effect involving a single or various light-emitting devices to render a light animation with time and / or spatial control of the light source(s) incorporated in the one or more light-emitting devices. Examples of complex lighting effect comprise a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect.

[0035] At least another one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of transmitting data, the apparatus corresponding to a control or master device implementing the method. First data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device is received from each dynamic lighting device of a set of dynamic lighting devices comprising one or more dynamic lighting devices, the position being defined or expressed in a determined space. Lighting data is determined for each dynamic lighting device according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters for each dynamic lighting device of the set. The lighting data is transmitted by the control device to each dynamic lighting device.

[0036] At least another one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices according to the lighting data to render one or more lighting effects, the lighting data being according to the respective positions of the one or more dynamic lighting devices.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an environment 1 comprising a control device communicatively coupled to dynamic lighting devices in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a system comprising a control device 10 connected to peripheral devices, each peripheral device corresponding to a dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, i.e., a device comprising one or more light sources, such as LED (light-emitting diode), to generate light according to lighting data transmitted by the control device 10 to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16.

[0039] The control device 10 is communicatively coupled to each dynamic lighting device through wired connection (e.g., via USB (Universal Serial Bus) input terminal, via a phone connector (also known as phone jack, audio jack, headphone jack or jack plug) input terminal or via an HDMI input terminal) or through wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< ).

[0040] The control device 10 corresponds to any processing device configured to determine or generate lighting data to be transmitted to the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to control the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 for the rendering of a lighting effect by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0041] The control device 10 may correspond to a personal computer, laptop, game consol, set-top box, mobile communication device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0042] The control device 10 may be configured to run one or more software applications.

[0043] A dynamic lighting device connected to the control device 10 corresponds to: a device whose primary function is to illuminate the environment 1 comprising the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16; or a device configured to implement several functions, including the ability to reproduce a lighting device through the one or more light sources it embeds.

[0044] According to the non-limiting example of figure 1, the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 of the environment 1 comprise: a display device 11 configured to display images from image data received from the control device 10, the display device 11 comprising light sources for example arranged on the back of the display device 11 and / or around the perimeter of the screen of the display device 11; a keyboard 12, e.g., a LED backlit keyboard; a mat 13 such as a gaming mat or a mouse mat, the mat 13 comprising for example a RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED strip arranged around its perimeter; a mouse 14, e.g., a mouse comprising RGB LEDs; and one or more lighting sources 15, 16 configured to light the environment 1, the lighting sources 15, 16 corresponding for example to wall-mounted lights, ceiling-mounted lamps, floor-standing lamps and / or desk lamps.

[0045] Naturally, the number of dynamic lighting devices is not limited to 6 as illustrated on figure 1 but extends to any number greater than or equal to 1, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20 or more.

[0046] The type of the dynamic lighting device does not limit either to the aforementioned examples but extends to any device or apparatus comprising one ore more light-emitting devices or light sources and configured to be controlled by a control device 10 to emit light. A dynamic lighting device may further correspond to a palm rest, a chair, a desk, a XR headset, headphones, a bracelet, a head and / or lumbar support device or chair.

[0047] The control device 10 may also comprise one or more light sources and be part of the set of dynamic lighting devices of the environment 1.

[0048] Some of the dynamic lighting devices correspond to interface peripheral devices of the control device 10: the display device 11, the keyboard 12 and the mouse 14 correspond to interface peripheral devices of the control device 10.

[0049] According to an illustrative embodiment, the environment 1 corresponds to a room of a house or to a part of a room, e.g., a desktop. The control device 10, the display device 11, the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and the mouse 14 rest for example on a desktop (not illustrated) and the lighting sources 15, 16 are mounted on a wall behind the desk.

[0050] According to an embodiment, one or more of the dynamic light devices (e.g., the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and / or the mouse 14) may comprise haptic actuators for the rendering of haptic effect(s).

[0051] According to another embodiment, the environment 1 further comprises a processing device 101 corresponding for example to a mobile communication device, e.g., a smartphone or a tablet. The processing device 101 is configured to run a software application adapted to enable a user of the processing device 101 to map the environment 1, i.e., to locate the various devices of the environment 1 including the control device 10 and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in a determined space, e.g., a 2D space or a 3D space. The processing device 101 is further configured to transmit first data representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 in the determined space to said each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. Each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 therefore receives from the processing device 101 the first data representative of its position or location, defined in the determined space, from the processing device 101.

[0052] The processing device 101 is communicatively coupled to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 through a wireless connection, e.g., via Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< : the processing device 101 and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 comprise a wireless communication interface configured to enable wireless communication between the processing device 101 on one hand and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 on the other hand.

[0053] According to a variant, the software application adapted to map the environment 1, i.e., to locate the various devices of the environment 1 in a determined space, is run on the control device 10. According to this variant, the first data representative of the location of each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in the determined space is transmitted by the control device 10 to said each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 through wired or wireless connection, depending on the connection between each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and the control device 10.

[0054] A process of communicating data in the environment 1 for controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to generate or render one or more lighting effects is implemented by one or more processors of one or more devices of the system of the environment of figure 1.

[0055] Data exchange between the control device 10 and the dynamic haptic devices 11 to 16 is performed in the framework of a communication protocol, data being exchanged by way of APIs (Application Program Interface) that may be implemented both in the control device 10 and in the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0056] In a first operation of the process, a mapping of the environment 1 is performed. The mapping comprises associating position information with each dynamic lighting device of at least a part of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 of the environment 1.

[0057] The associating is for example performed for each dynamic lighting device that the user performing the mapping wants to be used for rendering lighting effect(s).

[0058] The mapping is for example performed via a mapping application running on the processing device 101 or on the control device 10. To reach that aim, the location information of each of the dynamic lighting devices is input to the mapping application by the user through one or more user interfaces such as for example a tactile interface associated with the screen of the processing device 101 of through the keyboard 12 and mouse 14 of the control device 10.

[0059] The location information may represent a rough or approximate location of each dynamic lighting device or a more precise location.

[0060] A rough or approximate location may correspond to a location relative to the location of the control device 10 and may be provided with position qualifier such as: 'in front of', 'behind', 'on the left', 'on the right', 'overhead', 'below' or any combination thereof.

[0061] A more precise location may correspond to a location relative to the location of the control device 10 and may be provided with the position qualifier associated with an approximate distance to the control device 10.

[0062] According to another example, a 2D or 3D map may be generated with the mapping application and used to locate the one or more dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0063] When the mapping application is run on the processing device 101, an empty representation of the 2D map, respectively 3D map, is first displayed onto the screen of the processing device. The user then locates each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, and optionally the control device 10, on the empty 2D map, respectively 3D map, e.g., by performing the following operations for each dynamic lighting device: selecting a device (the control device 10 or one of the dynamic lighting devices), e.g., selecting in a previously generated list of the devices to add to the map, each device being identified with a unique identifier (that may for example be associated with an address of the device obtained when pairing the device with the processing device 101); touching the screen with a finger at a determined position on the displayed 2D map, respectively 3D map, representing the position of the selected device in the environment 1, a graphical object or icon representing the selected device being displayed on the 2D map, respectively 3D map, at the determined position; the icon may be a simple point or an icon having a graphical representation representing the associated device; and reiterating the selecting and touching operation until each device has been located on the 2D map, respectively 3D map.

[0064] The position of each dynamic lighting device may be further modified on the map by selecting the associated icon displayed on the 2D map, respectively 3D map, and moving it tactilely until its new position.

[0065] When the mapping application is run on the control device, the 2D map, respectively 3D map, is generated in a same way using the display device 11, the keyboard 12 and the mouse 14 as input peripheral interface.

[0066] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a 2D map 3 generated with the mapping application.

[0067] The 2D map 3 may be seen as a projection surface onto which the various devices of the environment 1, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 10, are projected, e.g., with orthogonal projection, to represent their respective locations on the 2D map 3.

[0068] The projection surface may correspond to the surface associated with the desktop onto which rest the control device 10, the display device 11, the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and the mouse 14.

[0069] The dimensions of the 2D map are for example determined or chosen by the user using the mapping application to represent the dimensions of the environment 1. The 2D map may corresponding to a rectangle bounding the projection surface.

[0070] On figure 3, the position of each of the devices on the 2D map is represented with a graphical object whose dimensions represent the dimensions of the associated device. According to a variant (not represented on figure 3), the position of each device is represented with a same graphical object or icon, an identifier being for example displayed associated with the graphical object to identify each device.

[0071] In figure 3, the graphical object 30 represents the position of the control device 10 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 31 represents the position of the display device 11 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 32 represents the position of the keyboard 12 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 33 represents the position of the mat 13 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 34 represents the position of the mouse 14 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 35 represents the position of the lighting source 15 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; and the graphical object 36 represents the position of the lighting source 16 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3.

[0072] A 2D cartesian coordinate system is associated with the 2D space of the 2D map 3, the 2D orthonormal coordinate system being represented with orthonormal vectors X and Y, the reference point 'O' of the 2D cartesian coordinate system corresponding for example to a corner of the 2D map (e.g., the lower left corner) or to the position of the control device (e.g., a reference point of the graphical object 30).

[0073] The position of each of the devices 10 and 11 to 16 may be defined with 2 coordinates (x,y) in the 2D cartesian coordinate system, i.e., the coordinates (x,y) of a reference point of each graphical object 30 to 36.

[0074] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a 3D map 3 generated with the mapping application.

[0075] The 3D map 4 may be seen as a bounding box bounding the 3D volume occupied by the various devices of the environment 1, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 10.

[0076] The dimensions of the 3D map 4 are for example determined or chosen by the user using the mapping application to represent the dimensions of the environment 1 or the dimensions of the 3D volume.

[0077] On figure 4, the position of each of the devices on the 2D map is represented with a graphical object whose dimensions represent the dimensions of the associated device. According to a variant (not represented on figure 4), the position of each device is represented with a same graphical object or icon, an identifier being for example displayed associated with the graphical object to identify each device.

[0078] The graphical object may be a 2D object or a 3D object.

[0079] In figure 4, the graphical object 40 represents the position of the control device 10 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 41 represents the position of the display device 11 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 42 represents the position of the keyboard 12 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 43 represents the position of the mat 13 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 44 represents the position of the mouse 14 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 45 represents the position of the lighting source 15 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; and the graphical object 46 represents the position of the lighting source 16 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4.

[0080] A 3D cartesian coordinate system is associated with the 3D space of the 3D map 4, the 3D orthonormal coordinate system being represented with orthonormal vectors X, Y and Z, the reference point 'O' of the 3D cartesian coordinate system corresponding for example to a corner of the 3D map (e.g., the lower left front corner) or to the position of the control device (e.g., a reference point of the graphical object 40).

[0081] The position of each of the devices 10 and 11 to 16 may be defined with 3 coordinates (x,y,z) in the 2D cartesian coordinate system, i.e., the coordinates (x,y,z) of a reference point of each graphical object 40 to 46.

[0082] In a second operation of the process, the processing device 101 transmits first data representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to each respective dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 and, optionally, third data representative of the position of the control device 10 to the control device 10. When the mapping application is run on the control device, the first data is transmitted by the control device 10 to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. The display device 11 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the keyboard 12 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the mat 13 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the mouse 14 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the lighting source 15 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); and the lighting source 16 receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10).

[0083] The position is received as defined in the first operation, for example, under the form of spatial coordinated in the 2D or 3D coordinate system associated with the 2D or 3D space or the 2D or 3D map.

[0084] In a third operation of the process, each device, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 30, stores locally the first data representative of their respective position in a memory of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, and control device 10 when appropriate.

[0085] In a fourth operation of the process, each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 transmits the first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space to the control device 10.

[0086] The first data is for example transmitted automatically to the control device 10 when connecting the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10. The connection of the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10 triggers the transmission of the first data by the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10 through the connection that may correspond to a wired connection, e.g., USB, or a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< . When connecting the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10, the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 automatically initiate a process for communicating the first data through dedicated API(s). This process corresponds for example to a so-called "plug and play" (PnP) process, the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 corresponding to PnP devices.

[0087] According to a variant, the control device 10 transmits a request to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to obtain the first data from each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 receiving this request, the transmission of the request occurring after having connected the considered dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10. According to this variant, the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 transmits the first data stored in its memory to the control device 10 in response to the received request.

[0088] In a fifth operation of the process, the control device 10 receives the first data from each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. The position of each of the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 is stored or registered in a part of a memory of the control device 10 that is accessible to a determined software application (called lighting control application), e.g., a software application configured to determine lighting parameters of lighting effect(s) to be rendered by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0089] Such a process enables the control device 10, and more specifically the lighting control application, to obtain data representative of the position of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in a 2D or 3D space associated with the environment 1 of the control device 10 and dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, directly from the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0090] This allows the lighting control application to take into account the relative position of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in the environment 1 when computing or determining lighting effect(s), especially dynamic lighting effects, to be dynamically rendered by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16. This is especially useful for complex lighting effects, i.e., lighting effects with spatially and temporally synchronized rendering between the various dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16. Examples of complex lighting effect comprise a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect.

[0091] Even when the first data has been transmitted by the control device 10 to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, through the mapping application running on the control device 10, the associated position information may not be accessible to the lighting control application running on the control device 10, depending on the operating system of the control device 10, for example when the control device 10 corresponds to a game console, a set-top box, a mobile communication device such as a smartphone, e.g., a mobile communication device operated with iOS ®< operating system.

[0092] The first data may for example transmitted with additional data by each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to the control device 10. The additional data comprises for example one or more of the following data, in any possible combination: second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device, e.g., a LED, of a set of light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; the second data indicates the relative position of the one or more light-emitting devices arranged on the dynamic lighting device, e.g., in a local space associated with each dynamic lighting device; and / or third data representative of the number of light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or fourth data representative of the number of the light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or fifth data representative of the type and / or lighting characteristics of the light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or sixth data representative of the type, characteristics and / or configuration of the dynamic lighting device, e.g., the dimensions of the dynamic lighting device.

[0093] The first data and the second data are formatted in a determined format and transmitted according to a determined standard, e.g., according to the HID LampArray open standard as described in "HID Usage Tables for Universal Serial Bus (USB)", version 1.4.

[0094] The additional data is thus received by the control device 10 with the first data.

[0095] In a sixth operation of the process, the control device 10 determines, i.e., generates and updates, a 2D or 3D map according to representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 as represented in the first data.

[0096] The map is two-dimensional or three-dimension according to the space into which the position is defined in the first data and / or according to the configuration of the lighting control application running in the control device 10.

[0097] The 2D map that is obtained from the first data is for example identical or similar to the 2D map illustrated in Figure 3.

[0098] The 3D map that is obtained from the first data is for example identical or similar to the 3D map illustrated in Figure 4.

[0099] When a new dynamic lighting device is added to the environment 1 and connected to the control device 10, the 2D or 3D map is updated according to the first data received from this new dynamic lighting device.

[0100] In a seventh operation of the process, the control device 10 determines, for each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, lighting data according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16.

[0101] When additional data is received with the first data, the lighting data is determined according at least a part of the additional data, for each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0102] The determining of the lighting data may comprise the adjusting of lighting control parameters associated with a default lighting effect (i.e., a lighting effect selected by default when turning on the control device 10) or with a lighting effect that has been selected by a user, e.g., a user playing a video game running on the control device 10.

[0103] The lighting control parameters of a lighting effect are stored in a memory or register of the control device and are accessible by the lighting control application to be retrieved from the memory or register. The selection of a lighting effect that a user wishes to generate, or render, may be selected by the user through a Graphical User Interface, for example from a list of a plurality of available lighting effects.

[0104] The lighting control parameters may comprise one or more of the following parameters: parameters representative of brightness or luminous intensity, for example defined in candela (cd); and / or parameters representative of color, for example specified in a determined color space like RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model or CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow, Black) color model, a color value being for example coded in 8 or 10 bits for each color of the color model; and / or parameters representative of color temperature, defined in Kelvin (K); and / or timing parameters representative of the timing of the lighting effect, e.g., when the lighting effect is to be rendered or timing information for temporally controlling each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally each of the light-emitting devices comprised in one or more of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, e.g., for switching on or off the dynamic lighting devices and associated light-emitting devices; and / or parameters representative of the frequency of the lighting effect (e.g., for flickering lighting effect).

[0105] The lighting control parameters are determined or adjusted for each of the dynamic lighting devices selected for rendering a determined haptic effect according to the spatial position of said each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, and according to the spatial position of the light-emitting devices comprised in said each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, where applicable.

[0106] In a seventh operation of the process, the control device 10 transmits the lighting control parameters that have been determined or adjusted in the sixth operation to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0107] The transmission of the lighting control parameters to a considered dynamic lighting device allows the control device 10 to control the considered dynamic lighting device and to control light emission by the considered dynamic lighting device. The transmission may be timely synchronized (according to the timing parameters) to control successively, in a temporal way, the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to render or generate a complex lighting effect such as a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect. In this respect, the present application relates to a method and system of controlling one or more dynamic lighting device by a control device for the rendering of a lighting effect according to the spatial position of the one or more dynamic lighting devices.

[0108] Figure 2 illustrates a system 2 comprising the control device 10 communicatively coupled to a dynamic lighting device 21 in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

[0109] The system 2 is configured to implement a communication process between the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 21, the communication process. The communication process may be a part of a process of controlling the dynamic lighting device 21 for the rendering of a lighting effect by the dynamic lighting device 21 (or the plurality of dynamic lighting devices, where applicable).

[0110] The system 2 is illustrated on figure 2 with a single dynamic lighting device 21. However, the system 2 may comprise a plurality of dynamic lighting devices each communicatively coupled to the control device 10. According to a variant, the system 2 may further comprise a processing device such as the processing device 101 of figure 1, the processing device being communicatively coupled with the dynamic light device 21, i.e., with each dynamic lighting device when the system 2 comprises a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0111] According to first exemplary embodiments, a process of receiving data is implemented in the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0112] In a first operation of the receiving process, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in a determined space, e.g., a 2D or 3D space is transmitted to the control device through a wired or wireless link.

[0113] When the dynamic lighting device 21 comprises several light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the dynamic lighting device 21 may transmit second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device in the dynamic lighting device 21 to the control device 10, with the first data.

[0114] The first data may be retrieved from a memory of the dynamic lighting device 21. The first data may have been previously received from the control device 10 itself, e.g., from a mapping application, or from a processing device implementing a mapping application. The mapping application is configured to allow a user to input position information and associate this position information with the dynamic lighting device 10. This position information represents the relative position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in its environment, the position information being defined in a determined space associated with the environment.

[0115] The determined space may be a 2D or 3D space and may correspond to a space of a bounding box (the box being three-dimensional or two-dimensional (e.g., corresponding to a rectangle) of the environment comprising the control device 10 and a plurality of dynamic lighting devices comprising the dynamic lighting device 21, each dynamic lighting device of the plurality being communicatively coupled to the control device 10.

[0116] The transmitting of the first data may be triggered when connecting the dynamic lighting device 21 to the control device 10, for example according to a so-called "plug and play" (PnP) process. According to a variant, the transmitting of the first data may be triggered upon receiving a request from the control device 10 to receive the first data.

[0117] In a second operation of the receiving process, lighting data is received by the dynamic lighting device 21 from the control device 10. The lighting data is advantageously according to the first data, i.e., according to the spatial position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in its environment as defined with the first data. The lighting data is representative of lighting control parameters usable to control the one or more light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0118] Even if described with reference to a single dynamic lighting device, the receiving process applies in a same way to each dynamic lighting device of a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0119] According to second exemplary embodiments, a process of transmitting data is implemented in the control device 10.

[0120] In a first operation of the transmitting process, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in the determined space is received by the control device 10 from the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0121] The first data may be received with second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device in the dynamic lighting device 21 when the dynamic lighting device 21 comprises several light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0122] The received data is for example used to update a 2D or 3D map representing the position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in the determined space, such a 2D or 3D map being updated with the position of each dynamic lighting device of the environment comprising the control device 10 and the one or more dynamic lighting devices communicatively coupled with the control device 10.

[0123] In a second operation of the transmitting process, lighting data is determined according to the first data received in the first operation, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters to control the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0124] In a third operation of the transmitting process, the lighting data is transmitted by the control device 10 to the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0125] The transmitting of the lighting data allows the control device 10 to control light emission by the dynamic lighting device 21 according to the lighting control parameters.

[0126] Even if described with reference to a single dynamic lighting device, the transmitting process applies in a same way to each dynamic lighting device of a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0127] Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of steps of a method of receiving data, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0128] In a first step 51, first data representative of a position of a dynamic lighting device in a determined space is transmitted by the dynamic lighting device to a control device.

[0129] In a second step 52, lighting data is received by the dynamic lighting device from the control device, the lighting data being according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

[0130] According to an exemplary embodiment, the variants and examples of operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 4 apply to the method steps of Figure 5.

[0131] Figure 6 shows a schematic block diagram of steps of a method of transmitting data, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0132] In a first step 61, first data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device in a determined space is received by a control device from said each dynamic lighting device.

[0133] In a second step 62, lighting data is determined by the control device for each dynamic lighting device according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device.

[0134] In a third step 63, the lighting data is transmitted by the controller to said each dynamic lighting device.

[0135] According to an exemplary embodiment, the variants and examples of operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 4 apply to the method steps of Figure 6.

[0136] Figure 7 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus or system 7 in which various aspects and exemplary embodiments are implemented.

[0137] System 7 may be embedded as one or more devices including the various components described below. In various embodiments, the system 7 may be configured to implement one or more of the aspects described in the present application.

[0138] Examples of equipment that may form all or part of the system 7 include personal computers, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes and their associated processing systems, display devices, light-emitting devices, servers, chroma encoders, chroma decoders, video encoders, video decoders, post-processors processing output from a chroma and / or video decoder, pre-processors providing input to chroma and / or video encoder, web servers, set-top boxes, wireless (e.g., Bluetooth ®< ) connected wearable devices, game controller, mouse, mousepad, keyboard, palm rest, chairs, desk, XR headset, headphones, bracelet, head and / or lumbar support device or chair, any other device for processing chroma (lighting) data or signals, and / or video data or signals, or other communication devices. Elements of system 7, singly or in combination, may be embodied in a single integrated circuit (IC), multiple ICs, and / or discrete components. For example, in at least one embodiment, the processing and encoder / decoder elements of system 7 may be distributed across multiple ICs and / or discrete components. In various embodiments, the system 7 may be communicatively coupled to other similar systems, or to other electronic devices, via, for example, a communications bus or through dedicated input and / or output ports.

[0139] The system 7 may include at least one processor 71 configured to execute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, the various aspects described in the present application. Processor 71 may include embedded memory, input output interface, and various other circuitries as known in the art. The system 7 may include at least one memory 72 (for example a volatile memory device and / or a non-volatile memory device). System 7 may include a storage device 74, which may include non-volatile memory and / or volatile memory, including, but not limited to, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), flash, magnetic disk drive, and / or optical disk drive. The storage device 74 may include an internal storage device, an attached storage device, and / or a network accessible storage device, as non-limiting examples.

[0140] The system 7 may include an encoder / decoder module 73 configured, for example, to process data to provide encoded / decoded chroma (lighting) signal data and / or encoded / decoded video signal or data, and the encoder / decoder module 73 may include its own processor and memory. The encoder / decoder module 73 may represent module(s) that may be included in a device to perform the encoding and / or decoding functions. As is known, a device may include one or both of the encoding and decoding modules. Additionally, encoder / decoder module 73 may be implemented as a separate element of system 73 or may be incorporated within processor 71 as a combination of hardware and software as known to those skilled in the art.

[0141] Program code to be loaded onto processor 71 or encoder / decoder 73 to perform the various aspects described in the present application may be stored in storage device 74 and subsequently loaded onto memory 72 for execution by processor 71. In accordance with various embodiments, one or more of processor 71, memory 72, storage device 74, and encoder / decoder module 73 may store one or more of various items during the performance of the processes described in the present application. Such stored items may include, but are not limited to, data representative of chroma / lighting content, data representative of video content, a bitstream, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results from the processing of equations, formulas, operations, and operational logic.

[0142] In several embodiments, memory inside of the processor 71 and / or the encoder / decoder module 73 may be used to store instructions and to provide working memory for processing that may be performed during data processing, encoding or decoding.

[0143] In other embodiments, however, a memory external to the processing device (for example, the processing device may be the processor) may be used for one or more of these functions. The external memory may be the memory 72 and / or the storage device 74, for example, a dynamic volatile memory and / or a non-volatile flash memory. In at least one embodiment, a fast external dynamic volatile memory such as a RAM may be used as working memory for data processing.

[0144] The input to the elements of system 7 may be provided through various input devices as indicated in block 75. Such input devices include, but are not limited to, (i) an RF portion that may receive an RF signal transmitted, for example, over the air by a broadcaster, (ii) a Composite input terminal, (iii) a USB input terminal, (iv) a phone connector (also known as phone jack, audio jack, headphone jack or jack plug) input terminal and / or (v) an HDMI input terminal.

[0145] In various embodiments, the input devices of block 75 may have associated respective input processing elements as known in the art. For example, the RF portion may be associated with elements necessary for (i) selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal, or band-limiting a signal to a band of frequencies), (ii) down-converting the selected signal, (iii) band-limiting again to a narrower band of frequencies to select (for example) a signal frequency band which may be referred to as a channel in certain embodiments, (iv) demodulating the down-converted and band-limited signal, (v) performing error correction, and (vi) demultiplexing to select the desired stream of data packets. The RF portion of various embodiments may include one or more elements to perform these functions, for example, frequency selectors, signal selectors, band-limiters, channel selectors, filters, downconverters, demodulators, error correctors, and de-multiplexers. The RF portion may include a tuner that performs various of these functions, including, for example, down-converting the received signal to a lower frequency (for example, an intermediate frequency or a near-baseband frequency) or to baseband.

[0146] Various embodiments rearrange the order of the above-described (and other) elements, remove some of these elements, and / or add other elements performing similar or different functions.

[0147] Adding elements may include inserting elements in between existing elements, such as, for example, inserting amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter. In various embodiments, the RF portion may include an antenna.

[0148] Additionally, the USB and / or HDMI terminals may include respective interface processors for connecting system 7 to other electronic devices across USB and / or HDMI connections. It is to be understood that various aspects of input processing, for example, analog to digital conversion, time domain to frequency domain conversion, down sampling, band pass or low pass filtering, Reed-Solomon error correction, may be implemented, for example, within a separate input processing IC or within processor 71 as necessary. Similarly, aspects of USB or HDMI interface processing may be implemented within separate interface ICs or within processor 71 as necessary. The processed stream may be provided to various processing elements, including, for example, processor 71, and encoder / decoder 73 operating in combination with the memory and storage elements to process the data stream as necessary for presentation on an output device.

[0149] Various elements of system 7 may be provided within an integrated housing. Within the integrated housing, the various elements may be interconnected and transmit data therebetween using suitable connection arrangement 75, for example, an internal bus as known in the art, including the I2C bus, wiring, and printed circuit boards.

[0150] The system 7 may include communication interface 76 that enables communication with other devices via communication channel 760. The communication interface 76 may include, but is not limited to, a transceiver configured to transmit and to receive data over communication channel 760. The communication interface 76 may include, but is not limited to, a modem or network card and the communication channel 760 may be implemented, for example, within a wired and / or a wireless medium.

[0151] Data may be streamed to the system 7, in various embodiments, using a Wi-Fi network such as IEEE 802.11. The Wi-Fi signal of these embodiments may be received over the communications channel 760 and the communications interface 76 which are adapted for Wi-Fi communications. The communications channel 760 of these embodiments may be typically connected to an access point or router that provides access to outside networks including the Internet for allowing streaming applications and other over-the-top communications.

[0152] Other embodiments may provide streamed data to the system 7 using a set-top box or a computer that delivers the data over the HDMI connection of the input block 75.

[0153] Still other embodiments may provide streamed data to the system 7 using the RF connection of the input block 75.

[0154] The streamed data may be used as a way for signaling information used by the system 7. The signaling information may comprise the data encoded in a container such as a binary stream or a haptic effect file for example.

[0155] It is to be appreciated that signaling may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, one or more syntax elements, flags, and so forth may be used to signal information to a corresponding data processing device in various embodiments.

[0156] The system 7 may provide an output signal to various output devices, including a display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780, and other peripheral devices 790 like haptic devices / actuators.

[0157] In various embodiments, control signals may be communicated between the system 7 and the display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780, or other peripheral devices 790 using signaling such as AV.Link (Audio / Video Link), CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), Audio protocols, USB (Universal Serial Bus), HIF UHP (Haptics Industry Forum - Universal Haptic Protocol) or other communications protocols that enable device-to-device control with or without user intervention.

[0158] The output devices may be communicatively coupled to system 7 via dedicated connections through respective interfaces 77, 78, and 79.

[0159] Alternatively, the output devices may be connected to system 7 using the communications channel 760 via the communications interface 76. The display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may be integrated in a single unit with the other components of system 7 in an electronic device such as, for example, a television.

[0160] In various embodiments, the display interface 77 may include a display driver, such as, for example, a timing controller (T Con) chip.

[0161] The display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may alternatively be separate from one or more of the other components. In various embodiments in which the display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may be external components, the output signal may be provided via dedicated output connections, including, for example, HDMI ports, USB ports, or COMP outputs.

[0162] In Figures 1 to 7, various methods are described herein, and each of the methods includes one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. Unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified or combined.

[0163] Some examples are described with regard to block diagrams and / or operational flowcharts. Each block represents a circuit element, module, or portion of code which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in other implementations, the function(s) noted in the blocks may occur out of the indicated order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.

[0164] The implementations and aspects described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, a computer program, a data stream, a bitstream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussed only as a method), the implementation of features discussed may also be implemented in other forms (for example, an apparatus or computer program).

[0165] The methods may be implemented in, for example, a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices.

[0166] Additionally, the methods may be implemented by instructions being performed by a processor, and such instructions (and / or data values produced by an implementation) may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may take the form of a computer readable program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) and having computer readable program code embodied thereon that is executable by a computer. A computer readable storage medium as used herein may be considered a non-transitory storage medium given the inherent capability to store the information therein as well as the inherent capability to provide retrieval of the information therefrom. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. It is to be appreciated that the following, while providing more specific examples of computer readable storage mediums to which the present embodiments may be applied, is merely an illustrative and not an exhaustive listing as is readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art: a portable computer diskette; a hard disk; a read-only memory (ROM); an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory); a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM); an optical storage device; a magnetic storage device; or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0167] The instructions may form an application program tangibly embodied on a processor-readable medium.

[0168] Instructions may be, for example, in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination. Instructions may be found in, for example, an operating system, a separate application, or a combination of the two. A processor may be characterized, therefore, as, for example, both a device configured to carry out a process and a device that includes a processor-readable medium (such as a storage device) having instructions for carrying out a process. Further, a processor-readable medium may store, in addition to or in lieu of instructions, data values produced by an implementation.

[0169] An apparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. Examples of such apparatus include personal computers, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes, digital television receivers, personal video recording systems, connected home appliances, head mounted display devices (HMD, see-through glasses), projectors (beamers), "caves" (system including multiple displays), servers, video and / or haptic and / or chroma encoders, video and / or haptic and / or chroma decoders, haptic engine, chroma engine, post-processors processing output from a video decoder, pre-processors providing input to a video encoder, web servers, set-top boxes, wireless connected wearable haptic devices, e.g., Bluetooth ®< connected wearable haptic devices, game controller, mouse, mousepad, keyboard, palm rest, chairs, desk, XR headset, headphones, bracelet, head and / or lumbar support device or chair, any light source, and any other device for processing haptic data or signals representative of one or more haptic feedback or effect and / or for processing lighting / chroma data or signals representative of one or more lighting mode or effect, or other communication devices. As should be clear, the equipment may be mobile.

[0170] Computer software may be implemented by the processor 71 or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, the embodiments may be also implemented by one or more integrated circuits. The memory 72 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixed memory, and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The processor 71 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment, and may encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0171] As will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, implementations may produce a variety of signals formatted to carry information that may be, for example, stored or transmitted. The information may include, for example, instructions for performing a method, or data produced by one of the described implementations. For example, a signal may be formatted to carry the bitstream of a described embodiment. Such a signal may be formatted, for example, as an electromagnetic wave (for example, using a radio frequency portion of spectrum) or as a baseband signal. The formatting may include, for example, encoding a data stream and modulating a carrier with the encoded data stream. The information that the signal carries may be, for example, analog or digital information. The signal may be transmitted over a variety of different wired or wireless links, as is known. The signal may be stored on a processor-readable medium.

[0172] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes / comprises" and / or "including / comprising" when used in this specification, may specify the presence of stated, for example, features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Moreover, when an element is referred to as being "responsive" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly responsive or connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly responsive" or "directly connected" to other element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0173] It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the symbol / term " / ", "and / or", and "at least one of", for example, in the cases of "A / B", "A and / or B" and "at least one of A and B", may be intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of "A, B, and / or C" and "at least one of A, B, and C", such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as is clear to one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items as are listed.

[0174] Various numeric values may be used in the present application. The specific values may be for example purposes and the aspects described are not limited to these specific values.

[0175] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this application. No ordering is implied between a first element and a second element.

[0176] Reference to "one exemplary embodiment" or "an exemplary embodiment" or "one implementation" or "an implementation", as well as other variations thereof, is frequently used to convey that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth (described in connection with the embodiment / implementation) is included in at least one embodiment / implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one exemplary embodiment" or "in an exemplary embodiment" or "in one implementation" or "in an implementation", as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout this application are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0177] Similarly, reference herein to "in accordance with an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" or "in an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation", as well as other variations thereof, is frequently used to convey that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic (described in connection with the exemplary embodiment / example / implementation) may be included in at least one exemplary embodiment / example / implementation. Thus, the appearances of the expression "in accordance with an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" or "in an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same exemplary embodiment / example / implementation, nor are separate or alternative exemplary embodiment / examples / implementation necessarily mutually exclusive of other exemplary embodiments / examples / implementation.

[0178] Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims. Although not explicitly described, the present embodiments / examples and variants may be employed in any combination or sub-combination.

[0179] When a figure is presented as a flow diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a block diagram of a corresponding apparatus. Similarly, when a figure is presented as a block diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a flow diagram of a corresponding method / process.

[0180] Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0181] Additionally, this application may refer to "obtaining" various pieces of information. Obtaining the information may include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, determining the information, estimating the information, calculating the information, or retrieving the information from memory.

[0182] Further, this application may refer to "accessing" various pieces of information.

[0183] Accessing the information may include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, retrieving the information (for example, from memory), storing the information, moving the information, copying the information, calculating the information, determining the information, or estimating the information.

[0184] Additionally, this application may refer to "receiving" various pieces of information. Receiving is, as with "accessing", intended to be a broad term. Receiving the information may include one or more of, for example, accessing the information, or retrieving the information (for example, from memory). Further, "receiving" is typically involved, in one way or another, during operations such as, for example, storing the information, processing the information, transmitting the information, moving the information, copying the information, erasing the information, calculating the information, determining the information, or estimating the information.

[0185] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, elements of different implementations may be combined, supplemented, modified, or removed to produce other implementations. Additionally, one of ordinary skill will understand that other structures and processes may be substituted for those disclosed and the resulting implementations will perform at least substantially the same function(s), in at least substantially the same way(s), to achieve at least substantially the same result(s) as the implementations disclosed. Accordingly, these and other implementations are contemplated by this application.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0030]At least one of the exemplary embodiments is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which examples of at least one of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. An exemplary embodiment may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0031]Exemplary embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other or each of the exemplary embodiment may be individually implemented, e.g., as an alternative embodiment.

[0032]At least one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of receiving data, the apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device implementi...

FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to the field of lighting and, in particular, to the generating of lighting effect to be rendered by one or more dynamic lighting devices. In particular, the present application relates to a method and device of receiving data by a dynamic lighting device for the rendering of a lighting effect or of a part of a lighting effect. The present application also relates to a corresponding method and device of transmitting data by a control device for the rendering of a lighting effect. The present application also relates to method and apparatus of controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices each comprising one or more light-emitting devices according to data representative of spatial position of one or more dynamic lighting devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of at least one exemplary embodiments of the present application that is described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present application.

[0003] To improve user experience when playing a media content such as a video content or a video game, it is known to control the lighting of one or more peripherals in the media content playback environment.

[0004] Controlling the lighting of such peripherals may for example increase the feeling of immersion while watching a movie or playing a video game. Such peripherals comprise smart LED light bulbs, RGB (Red, Green, Blue) components and accessories such as LED strips, keyboards, mice, mouse mats, speakers, screens, headsets or even the casing of the media player.

[0005] Lighting effects may be obtained by controlling the one or more light-emitting devices such as LED (Light-Emitting Diode) equipping the one or more peripherals.

[0006] However, there is still room for improvement to control the lighting of the media content playback environment, e.g., to improve the feeling of immersion.SUMMARY

[0007] The following section presents a simplified summary of at least one exemplary embodiment in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present application. This summary is not an extensive overview of an exemplary embodiment. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of an embodiment. The following summary merely presents some aspects of at least one of the exemplary embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided elsewhere in the document.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a method of receiving data, said method being implemented in a dynamic lighting device, the method comprising: transmitting first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device in a determined space to a control device; and receiving lighting data from the control device, the lighting data being according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises receiving the first data from a processing device different from the control device.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in the dynamic lighting device, the lighting data being further according to the second data.

[0011] In a further exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises controlling each light-emitting device according to the lighting data.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a space of a bounding box of an environment comprising the control device and a plurality of dynamic lighting devices comprising the dynamic lighting device each connected to the control device.

[0013] In a further exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a two-dimensional space.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, the determined space corresponds to a three-dimensional space.

[0015] In an additional exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises connecting the dynamic lighting device to the control device, the connecting triggering the transmitting of the first data.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a request from the control device to transmit the first data.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a method of transmitting data, the method being implemented in a control device, the method comprising: receiving, from each dynamic lighting device of a set of dynamic lighting devices, first data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device in a determined space; determining, for each dynamic lighting device, lighting data according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device; and transmitting the lighting data to each dynamic lighting device.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the method of transmitting data further comprises receiving, from each dynamic lighting device, second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in each dynamic lighting device, the lighting data being further determined according to the second data.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, the method of transmitting data further comprising updating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device in the determined space according to the first data.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device, wherein the apparatus comprises a memory associated with at least a processor configured to implement the method in accordance with the first aspect of the present application.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, there is provided an apparatus corresponding to a control device, wherein the apparatus comprises a memory associated with at least a processor configured to implement the method in accordance with the second aspect of the present application.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product including instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product including instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0024] According to a seventh aspect of the present application, there is provided a non-transitory storage medium carrying instructions of program code for executing a method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of the present application, there is provided a non-transitory storage medium carrying instructions of program code for executing a method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0026] According to a ninth aspect of the present application, there is provided a system comprising an apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present application and one or more apparatus according to the third aspect of the present application each communicatively coupled with the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present application.

[0027] The specific nature of at least one of the exemplary embodiments as well as other objects, advantages, features and uses of said at least one of exemplary embodiments will become evident from the following description of examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present application, and in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an environment comprising a control device communicatively coupled to dynamic lighting devices, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 shows an example of a system comprising the control device of figure 1 communicatively coupled to a peripheral device, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 shows an example of a two-dimensional representation of a position of each of the control device and dynamic lighting devices of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 shows an example of a three-dimensional representation of a position of each of the control device and dynamic lighting devices of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of step(s) of a method of receiving data in a dynamic lighting device of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 6 shows a schematic block diagram of step(s) of a method of transmitting data in the control device of figure 1, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example of a system or apparatus in which various aspects and exemplary embodiments are implemented.

[0029] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] At least one of the exemplary embodiments is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which examples of at least one of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. An exemplary embodiment may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other or each of the exemplary embodiment may be individually implemented, e.g., as an alternative embodiment.

[0032] At least one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of receiving data, the apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device implementing the method. A dynamic lighting device corresponds to any light-emitting device (lamp, light bulb, strip of LEDs or any peripheral or device incorporating one or more light sources, e.g., RGB light sources (for example arrangement of LEDs)) that is configured to be controlled by a control or master device to render a lighting effect, the lighting effect can be dynamic, i.e., the light effect may vary over time and / or space.

[0033] The method comprises transmitting, by the dynamic lighting device, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device to a control device. The position is defined in a specific or determined space, which may correspond to a two-dimensional (2D) space or three-dimensional (3D) space. When several dynamic lighting devices transmit their respective positions to the control device, all positions are defined in the same determined space. The method further comprises receiving, by the dynamic lighting device from the control device, lighting data, which have been determined according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters (e.g., brightness, color, color temperature, time or duration of lighting, etc.).

[0034] A lighting effect corresponds to any generation of light through one or more dynamic lighting devices. The lighting effect may correspond to a simple lighting effect (e.g., involving a single light-emitting device) or a more complex lighting effect involving a single or various light-emitting devices to render a light animation with time and / or spatial control of the light source(s) incorporated in the one or more light-emitting devices. Examples of complex lighting effect comprise a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect.

[0035] At least another one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of transmitting data, the apparatus corresponding to a control or master device implementing the method. First data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device is received from each dynamic lighting device of a set of dynamic lighting devices comprising one or more dynamic lighting devices, the position being defined or expressed in a determined space. Lighting data is determined for each dynamic lighting device according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters for each dynamic lighting device of the set. The lighting data is transmitted by the control device to each dynamic lighting device.

[0036] At least another one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices according to the lighting data to render one or more lighting effects, the lighting data being according to the respective positions of the one or more dynamic lighting devices.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an environment 1 comprising a control device communicatively coupled to dynamic lighting devices in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a system comprising a control device 10 connected to peripheral devices, each peripheral device corresponding to a dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, i.e., a device comprising one or more light sources, such as LED (light-emitting diode), to generate light according to lighting data transmitted by the control device 10 to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16.

[0039] The control device 10 is communicatively coupled to each dynamic lighting device through wired connection (e.g., via USB (Universal Serial Bus) input terminal, via a phone connector (also known as phone jack, audio jack, headphone jack or jack plug) input terminal or via an HDMI input terminal) or through wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< ).

[0040] The control device 10 corresponds to any processing device configured to determine or generate lighting data to be transmitted to the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to control the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 for the rendering of a lighting effect by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0041] The control device 10 may correspond to a personal computer, laptop, game consol, set-top box, mobile communication device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0042] The control device 10 may be configured to run one or more software applications.

[0043] A dynamic lighting device connected to the control device 10 corresponds to: a device whose primary function is to illuminate the environment 1 comprising the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16; or a device configured to implement several functions, including the ability to reproduce a lighting device through the one or more light sources it embeds.

[0044] According to the non-limiting example of figure 1, the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 of the environment 1 comprise: a display device 11 configured to display images from image data received from the control device 10, the display device 11 comprising light sources for example arranged on the back of the display device 11 and / or around the perimeter of the screen of the display device 11; a keyboard 12, e.g., a LED backlit keyboard; a mat 13 such as a gaming mat or a mouse mat, the mat 13 comprising for example a RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED strip arranged around its perimeter; a mouse 14, e.g., a mouse comprising RGB LEDs; and one or more lighting sources 15, 16 configured to light the environment 1, the lighting sources 15, 16 corresponding for example to wall-mounted lights, ceiling-mounted lamps, floor-standing lamps and / or desk lamps.

[0045] Naturally, the number of dynamic lighting devices is not limited to 6 as illustrated on figure 1 but extends to any number greater than or equal to 1, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20 or more.

[0046] The type of the dynamic lighting device does not limit either to the aforementioned examples but extends to any device or apparatus comprising one ore more light-emitting devices or light sources and configured to be controlled by a control device 10 to emit light. A dynamic lighting device may further correspond to a palm rest, a chair, a desk, a XR headset, headphones, a bracelet, a head and / or lumbar support device or chair.

[0047] The control device 10 may also comprise one or more light sources and be part of the set of dynamic lighting devices of the environment 1.

[0048] Some of the dynamic lighting devices correspond to interface peripheral devices of the control device 10: the display device 11, the keyboard 12 and the mouse 14 correspond to interface peripheral devices of the control device 10.

[0049] According to an illustrative embodiment, the environment 1 corresponds to a room of a house or to a part of a room, e.g., a desktop. The control device 10, the display device 11, the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and the mouse 14 rest for example on a desktop (not illustrated) and the lighting sources 15, 16 are mounted on a wall behind the desk.

[0050] According to an embodiment, one or more of the dynamic light devices (e.g., the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and / or the mouse 14) may comprise haptic actuators for the rendering of haptic effect(s).

[0051] According to another embodiment, the environment 1 further comprises a processing device 101 corresponding for example to a mobile communication device, e.g., a smartphone or a tablet. The processing device 101 is configured to run a software application adapted to enable a user of the processing device 101 to map the environment 1, i.e., to locate the various devices of the environment 1 including the control device 10 and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in a determined space, e.g., a 2D space or a 3D space. The processing device 101 is further configured to transmit first data representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 in the determined space to said each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. Each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 therefore receives from the processing device 101 the first data representative of its position or location, defined in the determined space, from the processing device 101.

[0052] The processing device 101 is communicatively coupled to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 through a wireless connection, e.g., via Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< : the processing device 101 and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 comprise a wireless communication interface configured to enable wireless communication between the processing device 101 on one hand and each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 on the other hand.

[0053] According to a variant, the software application adapted to map the environment 1, i.e., to locate the various devices of the environment 1 in a determined space, is run on the control device 10. According to this variant, the first data representative of the location of each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in the determined space is transmitted by the control device 10 to said each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 through wired or wireless connection, depending on the connection between each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and the control device 10.

[0054] A process of communicating data in the environment 1 for controlling one or more dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to generate or render one or more lighting effects is implemented by one or more processors of one or more devices of the system of the environment of figure 1.

[0055] Data exchange between the control device 10 and the dynamic haptic devices 11 to 16 is performed in the framework of a communication protocol, data being exchanged by way of APIs (Application Program Interface) that may be implemented both in the control device 10 and in the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0056] In a first operation of the process, a mapping of the environment 1 is performed. The mapping comprises associating position information with each dynamic lighting device of at least a part of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 of the environment 1.

[0057] The associating is for example performed for each dynamic lighting device that the user performing the mapping wants to be used for rendering lighting effect(s).

[0058] The mapping is for example performed via a mapping application running on the processing device 101 or on the control device 10. To reach that aim, the location information of each of the dynamic lighting devices is input to the mapping application by the user through one or more user interfaces such as for example a tactile interface associated with the screen of the processing device 101 of through the keyboard 12 and mouse 14 of the control device 10.

[0059] The location information may represent a rough or approximate location of each dynamic lighting device or a more precise location.

[0060] A rough or approximate location may correspond to a location relative to the location of the control device 10 and may be provided with position qualifier such as: 'in front of', 'behind', 'on the left', 'on the right', 'overhead', 'below' or any combination thereof.

[0061] A more precise location may correspond to a location relative to the location of the control device 10 and may be provided with the position qualifier associated with an approximate distance to the control device 10.

[0062] According to another example, a 2D or 3D map may be generated with the mapping application and used to locate the one or more dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0063] When the mapping application is run on the processing device 101, an empty representation of the 2D map, respectively 3D map, is first displayed onto the screen of the processing device. The user then locates each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, and optionally the control device 10, on the empty 2D map, respectively 3D map, e.g., by performing the following operations for each dynamic lighting device: selecting a device (the control device 10 or one of the dynamic lighting devices), e.g., selecting in a previously generated list of the devices to add to the map, each device being identified with a unique identifier (that may for example be associated with an address of the device obtained when pairing the device with the processing device 101); touching the screen with a finger at a determined position on the displayed 2D map, respectively 3D map, representing the position of the selected device in the environment 1, a graphical object or icon representing the selected device being displayed on the 2D map, respectively 3D map, at the determined position; the icon may be a simple point or an icon having a graphical representation representing the associated device; and reiterating the selecting and touching operation until each device has been located on the 2D map, respectively 3D map.

[0064] The position of each dynamic lighting device may be further modified on the map by selecting the associated icon displayed on the 2D map, respectively 3D map, and moving it tactilely until its new position.

[0065] When the mapping application is run on the control device, the 2D map, respectively 3D map, is generated in a same way using the display device 11, the keyboard 12 and the mouse 14 as input peripheral interface.

[0066] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a 2D map 3 generated with the mapping application.

[0067] The 2D map 3 may be seen as a projection surface onto which the various devices of the environment 1, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 10, are projected, e.g., with orthogonal projection, to represent their respective locations on the 2D map 3.

[0068] The projection surface may correspond to the surface associated with the desktop onto which rest the control device 10, the display device 11, the keyboard 12, the mat 13 and the mouse 14.

[0069] The dimensions of the 2D map are for example determined or chosen by the user using the mapping application to represent the dimensions of the environment 1. The 2D map may corresponding to a rectangle bounding the projection surface.

[0070] On figure 3, the position of each of the devices on the 2D map is represented with a graphical object whose dimensions represent the dimensions of the associated device. According to a variant (not represented on figure 3), the position of each device is represented with a same graphical object or icon, an identifier being for example displayed associated with the graphical object to identify each device.

[0071] In figure 3, the graphical object 30 represents the position of the control device 10 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 31 represents the position of the display device 11 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 32 represents the position of the keyboard 12 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 33 represents the position of the mat 13 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 34 represents the position of the mouse 14 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; the graphical object 35 represents the position of the lighting source 15 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3; and the graphical object 36 represents the position of the lighting source 16 in the 2D space of the 2D map 3.

[0072] A 2D cartesian coordinate system is associated with the 2D space of the 2D map 3, the 2D orthonormal coordinate system being represented with orthonormal vectors X and Y, the reference point 'O' of the 2D cartesian coordinate system corresponding for example to a corner of the 2D map (e.g., the lower left corner) or to the position of the control device (e.g., a reference point of the graphical object 30).

[0073] The position of each of the devices 10 and 11 to 16 may be defined with 2 coordinates (x,y) in the 2D cartesian coordinate system, i.e., the coordinates (x,y) of a reference point of each graphical object 30 to 36.

[0074] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a 3D map 3 generated with the mapping application.

[0075] The 3D map 4 may be seen as a bounding box bounding the 3D volume occupied by the various devices of the environment 1, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 10.

[0076] The dimensions of the 3D map 4 are for example determined or chosen by the user using the mapping application to represent the dimensions of the environment 1 or the dimensions of the 3D volume.

[0077] On figure 4, the position of each of the devices on the 2D map is represented with a graphical object whose dimensions represent the dimensions of the associated device. According to a variant (not represented on figure 4), the position of each device is represented with a same graphical object or icon, an identifier being for example displayed associated with the graphical object to identify each device.

[0078] The graphical object may be a 2D object or a 3D object.

[0079] In figure 4, the graphical object 40 represents the position of the control device 10 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 41 represents the position of the display device 11 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 42 represents the position of the keyboard 12 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 43 represents the position of the mat 13 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 44 represents the position of the mouse 14 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; the graphical object 45 represents the position of the lighting source 15 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4; and the graphical object 46 represents the position of the lighting source 16 in the 3D space of the 3D map 4.

[0080] A 3D cartesian coordinate system is associated with the 3D space of the 3D map 4, the 3D orthonormal coordinate system being represented with orthonormal vectors X, Y and Z, the reference point 'O' of the 3D cartesian coordinate system corresponding for example to a corner of the 3D map (e.g., the lower left front corner) or to the position of the control device (e.g., a reference point of the graphical object 40).

[0081] The position of each of the devices 10 and 11 to 16 may be defined with 3 coordinates (x,y,z) in the 2D cartesian coordinate system, i.e., the coordinates (x,y,z) of a reference point of each graphical object 40 to 46.

[0082] In a second operation of the process, the processing device 101 transmits first data representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to each respective dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 and, optionally, third data representative of the position of the control device 10 to the control device 10. When the mapping application is run on the control device, the first data is transmitted by the control device 10 to each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. The display device 11 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the keyboard 12 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the mat 13 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the mouse 14 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); the lighting source 15 thus receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10); and the lighting source 16 receives first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space from the processing device 101 (or from the control device 10).

[0083] The position is received as defined in the first operation, for example, under the form of spatial coordinated in the 2D or 3D coordinate system associated with the 2D or 3D space or the 2D or 3D map.

[0084] In a third operation of the process, each device, i.e., the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally the control device 30, stores locally the first data representative of their respective position in a memory of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, and control device 10 when appropriate.

[0085] In a fourth operation of the process, each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 transmits the first data representative of its position in the 2D or 3D space to the control device 10.

[0086] The first data is for example transmitted automatically to the control device 10 when connecting the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10. The connection of the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10 triggers the transmission of the first data by the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10 through the connection that may correspond to a wired connection, e.g., USB, or a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth ®< or Wifi ®< . When connecting the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10, the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 automatically initiate a process for communicating the first data through dedicated API(s). This process corresponds for example to a so-called "plug and play" (PnP) process, the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 corresponding to PnP devices.

[0087] According to a variant, the control device 10 transmits a request to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to obtain the first data from each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 receiving this request, the transmission of the request occurring after having connected the considered dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 to the control device 10. According to this variant, the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 transmits the first data stored in its memory to the control device 10 in response to the received request.

[0088] In a fifth operation of the process, the control device 10 receives the first data from each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16. The position of each of the dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 is stored or registered in a part of a memory of the control device 10 that is accessible to a determined software application (called lighting control application), e.g., a software application configured to determine lighting parameters of lighting effect(s) to be rendered by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0089] Such a process enables the control device 10, and more specifically the lighting control application, to obtain data representative of the position of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in a 2D or 3D space associated with the environment 1 of the control device 10 and dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, directly from the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0090] This allows the lighting control application to take into account the relative position of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 in the environment 1 when computing or determining lighting effect(s), especially dynamic lighting effects, to be dynamically rendered by the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16. This is especially useful for complex lighting effects, i.e., lighting effects with spatially and temporally synchronized rendering between the various dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16. Examples of complex lighting effect comprise a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect.

[0091] Even when the first data has been transmitted by the control device 10 to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, through the mapping application running on the control device 10, the associated position information may not be accessible to the lighting control application running on the control device 10, depending on the operating system of the control device 10, for example when the control device 10 corresponds to a game console, a set-top box, a mobile communication device such as a smartphone, e.g., a mobile communication device operated with iOS ®< operating system.

[0092] The first data may for example transmitted with additional data by each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to the control device 10. The additional data comprises for example one or more of the following data, in any possible combination: second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device, e.g., a LED, of a set of light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; the second data indicates the relative position of the one or more light-emitting devices arranged on the dynamic lighting device, e.g., in a local space associated with each dynamic lighting device; and / or third data representative of the number of light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or fourth data representative of the number of the light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or fifth data representative of the type and / or lighting characteristics of the light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device; and / or sixth data representative of the type, characteristics and / or configuration of the dynamic lighting device, e.g., the dimensions of the dynamic lighting device.

[0093] The first data and the second data are formatted in a determined format and transmitted according to a determined standard, e.g., according to the HID LampArray open standard as described in "HID Usage Tables for Universal Serial Bus (USB)", version 1.4.

[0094] The additional data is thus received by the control device 10 with the first data.

[0095] In a sixth operation of the process, the control device 10 determines, i.e., generates and updates, a 2D or 3D map according to representative of the position of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16 as represented in the first data.

[0096] The map is two-dimensional or three-dimension according to the space into which the position is defined in the first data and / or according to the configuration of the lighting control application running in the control device 10.

[0097] The 2D map that is obtained from the first data is for example identical or similar to the 2D map illustrated in Figure 3.

[0098] The 3D map that is obtained from the first data is for example identical or similar to the 3D map illustrated in Figure 4.

[0099] When a new dynamic lighting device is added to the environment 1 and connected to the control device 10, the 2D or 3D map is updated according to the first data received from this new dynamic lighting device.

[0100] In a seventh operation of the process, the control device 10 determines, for each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16, lighting data according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device 11 to 16.

[0101] When additional data is received with the first data, the lighting data is determined according at least a part of the additional data, for each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0102] The determining of the lighting data may comprise the adjusting of lighting control parameters associated with a default lighting effect (i.e., a lighting effect selected by default when turning on the control device 10) or with a lighting effect that has been selected by a user, e.g., a user playing a video game running on the control device 10.

[0103] The lighting control parameters of a lighting effect are stored in a memory or register of the control device and are accessible by the lighting control application to be retrieved from the memory or register. The selection of a lighting effect that a user wishes to generate, or render, may be selected by the user through a Graphical User Interface, for example from a list of a plurality of available lighting effects.

[0104] The lighting control parameters may comprise one or more of the following parameters: parameters representative of brightness or luminous intensity, for example defined in candela (cd); and / or parameters representative of color, for example specified in a determined color space like RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model or CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow, Black) color model, a color value being for example coded in 8 or 10 bits for each color of the color model; and / or parameters representative of color temperature, defined in Kelvin (K); and / or timing parameters representative of the timing of the lighting effect, e.g., when the lighting effect is to be rendered or timing information for temporally controlling each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 and optionally each of the light-emitting devices comprised in one or more of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, e.g., for switching on or off the dynamic lighting devices and associated light-emitting devices; and / or parameters representative of the frequency of the lighting effect (e.g., for flickering lighting effect).

[0105] The lighting control parameters are determined or adjusted for each of the dynamic lighting devices selected for rendering a determined haptic effect according to the spatial position of said each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, and according to the spatial position of the light-emitting devices comprised in said each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16, where applicable.

[0106] In a seventh operation of the process, the control device 10 transmits the lighting control parameters that have been determined or adjusted in the sixth operation to each of the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16.

[0107] The transmission of the lighting control parameters to a considered dynamic lighting device allows the control device 10 to control the considered dynamic lighting device and to control light emission by the considered dynamic lighting device. The transmission may be timely synchronized (according to the timing parameters) to control successively, in a temporal way, the dynamic lighting devices 11 to 16 to render or generate a complex lighting effect such as a synchronized lighting effect, a coordinated lighting effect, an animated lighting effect, a propagating wave lighting effect, a breathing lighting effect, and a spectrum lighting effect. In this respect, the present application relates to a method and system of controlling one or more dynamic lighting device by a control device for the rendering of a lighting effect according to the spatial position of the one or more dynamic lighting devices.

[0108] Figure 2 illustrates a system 2 comprising the control device 10 communicatively coupled to a dynamic lighting device 21 in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

[0109] The system 2 is configured to implement a communication process between the control device 10 and the dynamic lighting device 21, the communication process. The communication process may be a part of a process of controlling the dynamic lighting device 21 for the rendering of a lighting effect by the dynamic lighting device 21 (or the plurality of dynamic lighting devices, where applicable).

[0110] The system 2 is illustrated on figure 2 with a single dynamic lighting device 21. However, the system 2 may comprise a plurality of dynamic lighting devices each communicatively coupled to the control device 10. According to a variant, the system 2 may further comprise a processing device such as the processing device 101 of figure 1, the processing device being communicatively coupled with the dynamic light device 21, i.e., with each dynamic lighting device when the system 2 comprises a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0111] According to first exemplary embodiments, a process of receiving data is implemented in the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0112] In a first operation of the receiving process, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in a determined space, e.g., a 2D or 3D space is transmitted to the control device through a wired or wireless link.

[0113] When the dynamic lighting device 21 comprises several light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the dynamic lighting device 21 may transmit second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device in the dynamic lighting device 21 to the control device 10, with the first data.

[0114] The first data may be retrieved from a memory of the dynamic lighting device 21. The first data may have been previously received from the control device 10 itself, e.g., from a mapping application, or from a processing device implementing a mapping application. The mapping application is configured to allow a user to input position information and associate this position information with the dynamic lighting device 10. This position information represents the relative position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in its environment, the position information being defined in a determined space associated with the environment.

[0115] The determined space may be a 2D or 3D space and may correspond to a space of a bounding box (the box being three-dimensional or two-dimensional (e.g., corresponding to a rectangle) of the environment comprising the control device 10 and a plurality of dynamic lighting devices comprising the dynamic lighting device 21, each dynamic lighting device of the plurality being communicatively coupled to the control device 10.

[0116] The transmitting of the first data may be triggered when connecting the dynamic lighting device 21 to the control device 10, for example according to a so-called "plug and play" (PnP) process. According to a variant, the transmitting of the first data may be triggered upon receiving a request from the control device 10 to receive the first data.

[0117] In a second operation of the receiving process, lighting data is received by the dynamic lighting device 21 from the control device 10. The lighting data is advantageously according to the first data, i.e., according to the spatial position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in its environment as defined with the first data. The lighting data is representative of lighting control parameters usable to control the one or more light-emitting devices comprised in the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0118] Even if described with reference to a single dynamic lighting device, the receiving process applies in a same way to each dynamic lighting device of a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0119] According to second exemplary embodiments, a process of transmitting data is implemented in the control device 10.

[0120] In a first operation of the transmitting process, first data representative of a position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in the determined space is received by the control device 10 from the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0121] The first data may be received with second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device in the dynamic lighting device 21 when the dynamic lighting device 21 comprises several light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0122] The received data is for example used to update a 2D or 3D map representing the position of the dynamic lighting device 21 in the determined space, such a 2D or 3D map being updated with the position of each dynamic lighting device of the environment comprising the control device 10 and the one or more dynamic lighting devices communicatively coupled with the control device 10.

[0123] In a second operation of the transmitting process, lighting data is determined according to the first data received in the first operation, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters to control the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0124] In a third operation of the transmitting process, the lighting data is transmitted by the control device 10 to the dynamic lighting device 21.

[0125] The transmitting of the lighting data allows the control device 10 to control light emission by the dynamic lighting device 21 according to the lighting control parameters.

[0126] Even if described with reference to a single dynamic lighting device, the transmitting process applies in a same way to each dynamic lighting device of a plurality of dynamic lighting devices.

[0127] Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of steps of a method of receiving data, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0128] In a first step 51, first data representative of a position of a dynamic lighting device in a determined space is transmitted by the dynamic lighting device to a control device.

[0129] In a second step 52, lighting data is received by the dynamic lighting device from the control device, the lighting data being according to the first data, the lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

[0130] According to an exemplary embodiment, the variants and examples of operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 4 apply to the method steps of Figure 5.

[0131] Figure 6 shows a schematic block diagram of steps of a method of transmitting data, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0132] In a first step 61, first data representative of a position of each dynamic lighting device in a determined space is received by a control device from said each dynamic lighting device.

[0133] In a second step 62, lighting data is determined by the control device for each dynamic lighting device according to the first data, the lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of each dynamic lighting device.

[0134] In a third step 63, the lighting data is transmitted by the controller to said each dynamic lighting device.

[0135] According to an exemplary embodiment, the variants and examples of operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 4 apply to the method steps of Figure 6.

[0136] Figure 7 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus or system 7 in which various aspects and exemplary embodiments are implemented.

[0137] System 7 may be embedded as one or more devices including the various components described below. In various embodiments, the system 7 may be configured to implement one or more of the aspects described in the present application.

[0138] Examples of equipment that may form all or part of the system 7 include personal computers, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes and their associated processing systems, display devices, light-emitting devices, servers, chroma encoders, chroma decoders, video encoders, video decoders, post-processors processing output from a chroma and / or video decoder, pre-processors providing input to chroma and / or video encoder, web servers, set-top boxes, wireless (e.g., Bluetooth ®< ) connected wearable devices, game controller, mouse, mousepad, keyboard, palm rest, chairs, desk, XR headset, headphones, bracelet, head and / or lumbar support device or chair, any other device for processing chroma (lighting) data or signals, and / or video data or signals, or other communication devices. Elements of system 7, singly or in combination, may be embodied in a single integrated circuit (IC), multiple ICs, and / or discrete components. For example, in at least one embodiment, the processing and encoder / decoder elements of system 7 may be distributed across multiple ICs and / or discrete components. In various embodiments, the system 7 may be communicatively coupled to other similar systems, or to other electronic devices, via, for example, a communications bus or through dedicated input and / or output ports.

[0139] The system 7 may include at least one processor 71 configured to execute instructions loaded therein for implementing, for example, the various aspects described in the present application. Processor 71 may include embedded memory, input output interface, and various other circuitries as known in the art. The system 7 may include at least one memory 72 (for example a volatile memory device and / or a non-volatile memory device). System 7 may include a storage device 74, which may include non-volatile memory and / or volatile memory, including, but not limited to, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), flash, magnetic disk drive, and / or optical disk drive. The storage device 74 may include an internal storage device, an attached storage device, and / or a network accessible storage device, as non-limiting examples.

[0140] The system 7 may include an encoder / decoder module 73 configured, for example, to process data to provide encoded / decoded chroma (lighting) signal data and / or encoded / decoded video signal or data, and the encoder / decoder module 73 may include its own processor and memory. The encoder / decoder module 73 may represent module(s) that may be included in a device to perform the encoding and / or decoding functions. As is known, a device may include one or both of the encoding and decoding modules. Additionally, encoder / decoder module 73 may be implemented as a separate element of system 73 or may be incorporated within processor 71 as a combination of hardware and software as known to those skilled in the art.

[0141] Program code to be loaded onto processor 71 or encoder / decoder 73 to perform the various aspects described in the present application may be stored in storage device 74 and subsequently loaded onto memory 72 for execution by processor 71. In accordance with various embodiments, one or more of processor 71, memory 72, storage device 74, and encoder / decoder module 73 may store one or more of various items during the performance of the processes described in the present application. Such stored items may include, but are not limited to, data representative of chroma / lighting content, data representative of video content, a bitstream, matrices, variables, and intermediate or final results from the processing of equations, formulas, operations, and operational logic.

[0142] In several embodiments, memory inside of the processor 71 and / or the encoder / decoder module 73 may be used to store instructions and to provide working memory for processing that may be performed during data processing, encoding or decoding.

[0143] In other embodiments, however, a memory external to the processing device (for example, the processing device may be the processor) may be used for one or more of these functions. The external memory may be the memory 72 and / or the storage device 74, for example, a dynamic volatile memory and / or a non-volatile flash memory. In at least one embodiment, a fast external dynamic volatile memory such as a RAM may be used as working memory for data processing.

[0144] The input to the elements of system 7 may be provided through various input devices as indicated in block 75. Such input devices include, but are not limited to, (i) an RF portion that may receive an RF signal transmitted, for example, over the air by a broadcaster, (ii) a Composite input terminal, (iii) a USB input terminal, (iv) a phone connector (also known as phone jack, audio jack, headphone jack or jack plug) input terminal and / or (v) an HDMI input terminal.

[0145] In various embodiments, the input devices of block 75 may have associated respective input processing elements as known in the art. For example, the RF portion may be associated with elements necessary for (i) selecting a desired frequency (also referred to as selecting a signal, or band-limiting a signal to a band of frequencies), (ii) down-converting the selected signal, (iii) band-limiting again to a narrower band of frequencies to select (for example) a signal frequency band which may be referred to as a channel in certain embodiments, (iv) demodulating the down-converted and band-limited signal, (v) performing error correction, and (vi) demultiplexing to select the desired stream of data packets. The RF portion of various embodiments may include one or more elements to perform these functions, for example, frequency selectors, signal selectors, band-limiters, channel selectors, filters, downconverters, demodulators, error correctors, and de-multiplexers. The RF portion may include a tuner that performs various of these functions, including, for example, down-converting the received signal to a lower frequency (for example, an intermediate frequency or a near-baseband frequency) or to baseband.

[0146] Various embodiments rearrange the order of the above-described (and other) elements, remove some of these elements, and / or add other elements performing similar or different functions.

[0147] Adding elements may include inserting elements in between existing elements, such as, for example, inserting amplifiers and an analog-to-digital converter. In various embodiments, the RF portion may include an antenna.

[0148] Additionally, the USB and / or HDMI terminals may include respective interface processors for connecting system 7 to other electronic devices across USB and / or HDMI connections. It is to be understood that various aspects of input processing, for example, analog to digital conversion, time domain to frequency domain conversion, down sampling, band pass or low pass filtering, Reed-Solomon error correction, may be implemented, for example, within a separate input processing IC or within processor 71 as necessary. Similarly, aspects of USB or HDMI interface processing may be implemented within separate interface ICs or within processor 71 as necessary. The processed stream may be provided to various processing elements, including, for example, processor 71, and encoder / decoder 73 operating in combination with the memory and storage elements to process the data stream as necessary for presentation on an output device.

[0149] Various elements of system 7 may be provided within an integrated housing. Within the integrated housing, the various elements may be interconnected and transmit data therebetween using suitable connection arrangement 75, for example, an internal bus as known in the art, including the I2C bus, wiring, and printed circuit boards.

[0150] The system 7 may include communication interface 76 that enables communication with other devices via communication channel 760. The communication interface 76 may include, but is not limited to, a transceiver configured to transmit and to receive data over communication channel 760. The communication interface 76 may include, but is not limited to, a modem or network card and the communication channel 760 may be implemented, for example, within a wired and / or a wireless medium.

[0151] Data may be streamed to the system 7, in various embodiments, using a Wi-Fi network such as IEEE 802.11. The Wi-Fi signal of these embodiments may be received over the communications channel 760 and the communications interface 76 which are adapted for Wi-Fi communications. The communications channel 760 of these embodiments may be typically connected to an access point or router that provides access to outside networks including the Internet for allowing streaming applications and other over-the-top communications.

[0152] Other embodiments may provide streamed data to the system 7 using a set-top box or a computer that delivers the data over the HDMI connection of the input block 75.

[0153] Still other embodiments may provide streamed data to the system 7 using the RF connection of the input block 75.

[0154] The streamed data may be used as a way for signaling information used by the system 7. The signaling information may comprise the data encoded in a container such as a binary stream or a haptic effect file for example.

[0155] It is to be appreciated that signaling may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, one or more syntax elements, flags, and so forth may be used to signal information to a corresponding data processing device in various embodiments.

[0156] The system 7 may provide an output signal to various output devices, including a display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780, and other peripheral devices 790 like haptic devices / actuators.

[0157] In various embodiments, control signals may be communicated between the system 7 and the display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780, or other peripheral devices 790 using signaling such as AV.Link (Audio / Video Link), CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), Audio protocols, USB (Universal Serial Bus), HIF UHP (Haptics Industry Forum - Universal Haptic Protocol) or other communications protocols that enable device-to-device control with or without user intervention.

[0158] The output devices may be communicatively coupled to system 7 via dedicated connections through respective interfaces 77, 78, and 79.

[0159] Alternatively, the output devices may be connected to system 7 using the communications channel 760 via the communications interface 76. The display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may be integrated in a single unit with the other components of system 7 in an electronic device such as, for example, a television.

[0160] In various embodiments, the display interface 77 may include a display driver, such as, for example, a timing controller (T Con) chip.

[0161] The display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may alternatively be separate from one or more of the other components. In various embodiments in which the display 770, light-emitting devices or light sources 780 and / or haptic device(s) (actuators) 790 may be external components, the output signal may be provided via dedicated output connections, including, for example, HDMI ports, USB ports, or COMP outputs.

[0162] In Figures 1 to 7, various methods are described herein, and each of the methods includes one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. Unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified or combined.

[0163] Some examples are described with regard to block diagrams and / or operational flowcharts. Each block represents a circuit element, module, or portion of code which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in other implementations, the function(s) noted in the blocks may occur out of the indicated order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.

[0164] The implementations and aspects described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or a process, an apparatus, a computer program, a data stream, a bitstream, or a signal. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussed only as a method), the implementation of features discussed may also be implemented in other forms (for example, an apparatus or computer program).

[0165] The methods may be implemented in, for example, a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices.

[0166] Additionally, the methods may be implemented by instructions being performed by a processor, and such instructions (and / or data values produced by an implementation) may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may take the form of a computer readable program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) and having computer readable program code embodied thereon that is executable by a computer. A computer readable storage medium as used herein may be considered a non-transitory storage medium given the inherent capability to store the information therein as well as the inherent capability to provide retrieval of the information therefrom. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. It is to be appreciated that the following, while providing more specific examples of computer readable storage mediums to which the present embodiments may be applied, is merely an illustrative and not an exhaustive listing as is readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art: a portable computer diskette; a hard disk; a read-only memory (ROM); an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory); a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM); an optical storage device; a magnetic storage device; or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0167] The instructions may form an application program tangibly embodied on a processor-readable medium.

[0168] Instructions may be, for example, in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination. Instructions may be found in, for example, an operating system, a separate application, or a combination of the two. A processor may be characterized, therefore, as, for example, both a device configured to carry out a process and a device that includes a processor-readable medium (such as a storage device) having instructions for carrying out a process. Further, a processor-readable medium may store, in addition to or in lieu of instructions, data values produced by an implementation.

[0169] An apparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. Examples of such apparatus include personal computers, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, digital multimedia set top boxes, digital television receivers, personal video recording systems, connected home appliances, head mounted display devices (HMD, see-through glasses), projectors (beamers), "caves" (system including multiple displays), servers, video and / or haptic and / or chroma encoders, video and / or haptic and / or chroma decoders, haptic engine, chroma engine, post-processors processing output from a video decoder, pre-processors providing input to a video encoder, web servers, set-top boxes, wireless connected wearable haptic devices, e.g., Bluetooth ®< connected wearable haptic devices, game controller, mouse, mousepad, keyboard, palm rest, chairs, desk, XR headset, headphones, bracelet, head and / or lumbar support device or chair, any light source, and any other device for processing haptic data or signals representative of one or more haptic feedback or effect and / or for processing lighting / chroma data or signals representative of one or more lighting mode or effect, or other communication devices. As should be clear, the equipment may be mobile.

[0170] Computer software may be implemented by the processor 71 or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. As a non-limiting example, the embodiments may be also implemented by one or more integrated circuits. The memory 72 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, semiconductor-based memory devices, fixed memory, and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The processor 71 may be of any type appropriate to the technical environment, and may encompass one or more of microprocessors, general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0171] As will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, implementations may produce a variety of signals formatted to carry information that may be, for example, stored or transmitted. The information may include, for example, instructions for performing a method, or data produced by one of the described implementations. For example, a signal may be formatted to carry the bitstream of a described embodiment. Such a signal may be formatted, for example, as an electromagnetic wave (for example, using a radio frequency portion of spectrum) or as a baseband signal. The formatting may include, for example, encoding a data stream and modulating a carrier with the encoded data stream. The information that the signal carries may be, for example, analog or digital information. The signal may be transmitted over a variety of different wired or wireless links, as is known. The signal may be stored on a processor-readable medium.

[0172] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes / comprises" and / or "including / comprising" when used in this specification, may specify the presence of stated, for example, features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Moreover, when an element is referred to as being "responsive" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly responsive or connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly responsive" or "directly connected" to other element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0173] It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the symbol / term " / ", "and / or", and "at least one of", for example, in the cases of "A / B", "A and / or B" and "at least one of A and B", may be intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of "A, B, and / or C" and "at least one of A, B, and C", such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as is clear to one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items as are listed.

[0174] Various numeric values may be used in the present application. The specific values may be for example purposes and the aspects described are not limited to these specific values.

[0175] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this application. No ordering is implied between a first element and a second element.

[0176] Reference to "one exemplary embodiment" or "an exemplary embodiment" or "one implementation" or "an implementation", as well as other variations thereof, is frequently used to convey that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth (described in connection with the embodiment / implementation) is included in at least one embodiment / implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one exemplary embodiment" or "in an exemplary embodiment" or "in one implementation" or "in an implementation", as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout this application are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0177] Similarly, reference herein to "in accordance with an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" or "in an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation", as well as other variations thereof, is frequently used to convey that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic (described in connection with the exemplary embodiment / example / implementation) may be included in at least one exemplary embodiment / example / implementation. Thus, the appearances of the expression "in accordance with an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" or "in an exemplary embodiment / example / implementation" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same exemplary embodiment / example / implementation, nor are separate or alternative exemplary embodiment / examples / implementation necessarily mutually exclusive of other exemplary embodiments / examples / implementation.

[0178] Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims. Although not explicitly described, the present embodiments / examples and variants may be employed in any combination or sub-combination.

[0179] When a figure is presented as a flow diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a block diagram of a corresponding apparatus. Similarly, when a figure is presented as a block diagram, it should be understood that it also provides a flow diagram of a corresponding method / process.

[0180] Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0181] Additionally, this application may refer to "obtaining" various pieces of information. Obtaining the information may include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, determining the information, estimating the information, calculating the information, or retrieving the information from memory.

[0182] Further, this application may refer to "accessing" various pieces of information.

[0183] Accessing the information may include one or more of, for example, receiving the information, retrieving the information (for example, from memory), storing the information, moving the information, copying the information, calculating the information, determining the information, or estimating the information.

[0184] Additionally, this application may refer to "receiving" various pieces of information. Receiving is, as with "accessing", intended to be a broad term. Receiving the information may include one or more of, for example, accessing the information, or retrieving the information (for example, from memory). Further, "receiving" is typically involved, in one way or another, during operations such as, for example, storing the information, processing the information, transmitting the information, moving the information, copying the information, erasing the information, calculating the information, determining the information, or estimating the information.

[0185] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, elements of different implementations may be combined, supplemented, modified, or removed to produce other implementations. Additionally, one of ordinary skill will understand that other structures and processes may be substituted for those disclosed and the resulting implementations will perform at least substantially the same function(s), in at least substantially the same way(s), to achieve at least substantially the same result(s) as the implementations disclosed. Accordingly, these and other implementations are contemplated by this application.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0030]At least one of the exemplary embodiments is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which examples of at least one of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. An exemplary embodiment may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0031]Exemplary embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other or each of the exemplary embodiment may be individually implemented, e.g., as an alternative embodiment.

[0032]At least one of the aspects generally relates to a method and apparatus of receiving data, the apparatus corresponding to a dynamic lighting device implementi...

Claims

1. A method of receiving data, said method being implemented in a dynamic lighting device (21), the method comprising: - transmitting (51) first data representative of a position of said dynamic lighting device (21) in a determined space to a control device (10); and - receiving (52) lighting data from said control device (10), said lighting data being according to said first data, said lighting data being representative of lighting control parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving said first data from a processing device (101) different from said control device (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising transmitting second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in said dynamic lighting device (21), said lighting data being further according to said second data.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising controlling said each light-emitting device according to said lighting data.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said determined space corresponds to a space of a bounding box of an environment (1) comprising said control device (10) and a plurality of dynamic lighting devices (11 to 16) comprising said dynamic lighting device (21) each connected to said control device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said determined space corresponds to a two-dimensional space or to a three-dimensional space.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising connecting said dynamic lighting device (21) to said control device (10), said connecting triggering the transmitting (51) of said first data.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising receiving a request from said control device (10) to transmit said first data.

9. A method of transmitting data, said method being implemented in a control device (10), the method comprising: - receiving (61), from each dynamic lighting device (21) of a set of dynamic lighting devices, first data representative of a position of said each dynamic lighting device in a determined space; - determining (62), for said each dynamic lighting device (21), lighting data according to said first data, said lighting data comprising lighting control parameters of said each dynamic lighting device (21); and - transmitting (63) said lighting data to said each dynamic lighting device (21).

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving, from said each dynamic lighting device (21), second data representative of a position of each light-emitting device of a set of light-emitting devices in said each dynamic lighting device (21), said lighting data being further determined according to said second data.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising updating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map (3, 4) representative of the position of said each dynamic lighting device (21) in said determined space according to said first data.

12. A dynamic lighting device (21) comprising a memory (72) associated with at least a processor (71) configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A control device (10) comprising a memory (72) associated with at least a processor (71) configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

14. A computer program product comprising instructions of program code for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, when said program is executed on a computer.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions of program code for executing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, when said program is executed on a computer.

Images