Control system and method for configuring multiple lighting devices in a lighting system

Abstract

A control system for configuring a plurality of lighting devices is disclosed, the control system including: a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of lighting devices, a configuration module configured to: for each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, group different segments of the plurality of individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups and communicate, via the one or more communication units, grouping information to the respective lighting device and cause each lighting device to store the respective grouping information in its memory, the grouping information indicating respective lighting control groups into which the different segments are grouped, and a control module configured to communicate, via the one or more communication units, broadcast commands to the plurality of lighting devices, the broadcast commands defining respective light settings for the respective lighting control groups.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system for configuring a plurality of lighting devices of a lighting system. The present invention further relates to a lighting system including a plurality of lighting devices and a control system. The present invention further relates to a method for configuring a plurality of lighting devices of a lighting system and a computer program for executing the method.

Background Art

[0002] Current home systems include a plurality of controllable lighting devices. In such a system, the lighting devices can be controlled based on media content rendered on a display. A user can, for example, play a movie or game on the display of a display device (such as a TV, PC monitor, tablet PC, projector, etc.). The lighting devices may be controlled based on media content rendered on the display by, for example, analyzing the colors of the image rendered on the display and controlling the lighting devices accordingly. Alternatively, the lighting devices may be controlled according to a light script that includes lighting control instructions pre-programmed for the lighting devices. The lighting control instructions are transmitted to the lighting devices to control the lighting devices in synchronization with the media content rendered on the display. This brings the atmosphere of a movie or game into the user's room.

[0003] Lighting control commands sent to lighting devices depend on the location of the lighting device relative to the display, space, user, etc., and the location of on-screen events (e.g., explosion, sunset, object approaching from one side of the display, etc.) corresponds to the location of the light effects produced by the lighting devices. When such on-screen events occur, it is desirable that the lighting devices in the space be controlled synchronously. This becomes difficult as the number of lighting devices in the space increases, especially when a lighting device contains multiple individually controllable segments. For example, a light strip or lighting tile contains such segments that can be controlled individually (each containing one or more light sources). This requires that multiple control commands be sent to different lighting devices to control the individually controllable segments. The disadvantage of this is that current (household) lighting control systems cannot handle this amount of control commands, resulting in lighting devices (and their segments) not being controlled synchronously, light effects having latency, and / or transitions between light effects not being very smooth.

[0004] US 10834804 B1 discloses devices and related methods relating to automatically providing a remotely configurable lighting display in a lighting zone, based on configuring a decorative lighting zone with a zone controller configured to independently control the lighting of the lighting zone, programming the zone controller to execute lighting commands received from a remote control, and independently activating the lighting commands in the zone controller. The lighting commands may be lighting sequences. The lighting zone may be, for example, multicolor light displaying a time-varying artificial tree lighting pattern. In some examples, the zone controller may be a multizone controller configured to allow a remote control to independently program and activate multiple zones. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control system that can control multiple lighting devices, each containing multiple individually controllable segments, in an improved manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is a control system for configuring a plurality of lighting devices in a lighting system, wherein each lighting device includes a memory and a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment includes one or more light sources, and the control system is A communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with multiple lighting devices, For each lighting device of multiple lighting devices, different segments of multiple individually controllable segments are grouped into different lighting control groups, and Grouping information is communicated to each lighting device via one or more communication units, causing each lighting device to store its respective grouping information in its memory. The grouping information indicates each lighting control group in which different segments are grouped. A configuration module is configured in such a way, Broadcast commands are communicated to multiple lighting devices via one or more communication units, and the broadcast commands define the respective light settings for each lighting control group. A control module configured as follows, This is achieved by a control system, including the following:

[0007] Different, individually controllable segments of different lighting devices are grouped into different lighting control groups. A lighting control group defines a group of segments that should be controlled as a group according to the same light settings. This grouping information is communicated to each lighting device so that each lighting device stores its respective grouping information in its memory. This allows a lighting device to control different segments accordingly when it receives a lighting control command targeting a particular group. The control module communicates broadcast commands to each of the multiple lighting devices. The broadcast commands define the respective light settings for each lighting control group. This allows a lighting device to control one or more light sources in each segment according to its respective light settings. By sending broadcast commands (instead of unicasting to individual lighting devices and / or their segments), control of different segments of different lighting devices is performed synchronously. Furthermore, due to the reduced number of commands, the latency of light effects is reduced and the transitions between light effects become smoother. Thus, this control system offers the advantages of improving the user experience of the lighting system and optimizing the use of network resources in the lighting system.

[0008] The configuration module may be configured to group different segments of multiple individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups, such that at least one first segment of a first lighting device among multiple lighting devices and at least one second segment of a second lighting device among multiple lighting devices are grouped into the same lighting control group. The broadcast command may include a light setting for the same lighting control group, such that one or more light sources of at least one first segment (of the first lighting device) and one or more light sources of at least one second segment are controlled according to the same light setting. This is beneficial because different segments of different lighting devices are controlled (synchronized) by the same broadcast command.

[0009] The number of groups (in which lighting device segments should be grouped) may be limited. The maximum number of lighting control groups may be less than the number of lighting device segments. Therefore, a configuration module may be configured to group at least two segments into the same lighting control group. At least two segments may be segments of a single lighting device. Additionally or alternatively, at least two segments may be segments of different lighting devices. The size of broadcast commands (i.e., the amount of data) may be limited, which may limit the number of available groups (e.g., a maximum of 20 groups). Therefore, it may be necessary to group different segments into the same lighting control group.

[0010] The configuration module may further determine, for each of the multiple lighting devices, the adjustment levels for one or more segments of each lighting device, where the adjustment levels define the adjustment of the light output of one or more light sources in each segment, and communicate the adjustment levels to each lighting device so that each lighting device stores its respective adjustment level in its memory. The lighting device may adjust the light output of one or more light sources in each segment when the segments are controlled based on broadcast commands according to grouping. Such adjustments may be necessary, for example, when a light source is close to the illuminated surface, when the reflective properties of the illuminated surface differ for different segments, or when a segment is closer to the user and / or media rendering device compared to other segments. These adjustment levels may differ for different lighting devices (and segments). Storing the adjustment levels in the lighting devices is beneficial because broadcast commands do not need to define them for different segments of different lighting devices. The broadcast command defines the light settings for each respective control group, and the lighting device adjusts the light output of each segment only if the adjustment level exists in its memory for each segment. The adjustment levels may define adjustments to the color, brightness, and / or saturation of the light output.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the configuration module may further determine, for each of a group of lighting devices, an adjustment level for each lighting device, the adjustment level defining the adjustment of the light output of the lighting device's light source, and communicate the adjustment level to each lighting device so that each lighting device stores its respective adjustment level in its memory. Each lighting device may adjust the light output of one or more of its light sources when the segments are controlled based on broadcast commands according to grouping. Such adjustments may be required depending on the distance to the illuminated surface, the reflectivity of the illuminated surface, the distance of the lighting device to the user and / or media rendering device, etc. Another reason for applying adjustments is differences in light output characteristics between different lighting devices (e.g., differences in color rendering characteristics, differences in minimum / maximum brightness, etc.). These adjustment levels may differ for different lighting devices. Therefore, having lighting devices store adjustment levels is beneficial because the light settings defined in the broadcast command are the same for all respective control groups, and the lighting devices adjust the light output of their light sources depending on the adjustment levels present in their respective memory. The adjustment level may define adjustments to the color, brightness, and / or saturation of the light output.

[0012] The configuration module may further be configured to obtain information indicating the location of the lighting device (or its respective segment) relative to the surface to be illuminated by the lighting device (or its respective segment), and to determine the adjustment level based on the location of the lighting device (or its respective segment) relative to the surface to be illuminated by the lighting device (or its respective segment). Information indicating the location of the lighting device (or its respective segment) relative to the surface to be illuminated by the lighting device (or its respective segment) may be obtained, for example, from an indoor positioning system, based on user input received via a user interface, based on sensor input received from sensors included in or adjacent to the lighting device, etc. These adjustment levels may differ for different lighting devices (and segments). Therefore, storing adjustment levels in the lighting device is beneficial because the light settings defined in the broadcast command are the same for all respective control groups, and the lighting device adjusts the light output of the light source only if an adjustment level exists in its respective memory for that lighting device (or its respective segment).

[0013] The configuration module may be configured to determine the grouping of different segments into different lighting control groups based on the location of the lighting device and / or its segments. The configuration module may also be configured to determine the lighting control groups based on the location of the lighting device and / or its segments relative to space, to predetermined locations within space, to each other, to devices or objects, to the user, etc. Determining groups based on segment location is beneficial because it allows for the grouping of adjacent segments. This may be even more beneficial when the maximum number of lighting control groups is limited.

[0014] The control system may further include a user interface configured to receive user input indicating grouping of different segments of multiple individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups. The user operating the control system may indicate the groups via the user interface.

[0015] The lighting settings defined by broadcast commands may include lighting control commands to control the lighting characteristics of each lighting control group segment (e.g., brightness, color, saturation, beam shape / size / direction, etc.). In various examples, the lighting settings defined by broadcast commands may include off-settings for each lighting control group, and another lighting setting defined by broadcast commands may include on-settings for another lighting control group.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the objective is Multiple lighting devices, each lighting device including a memory and multiple individually controllable segments, each segment including one or more light sources, Control system and, A lighting system including, Each lighting device is Each group receives its own grouping information. Each grouping information is stored in its own memory. Receive broadcast commands Based on control commands and grouping information, it determines which segment should be controlled according to which optical settings, and Control one or more light sources in each segment according to their respective lighting settings. This is achieved by a lighting system configured in such a way.

[0017] Each lighting device may include a receiver for receiving grouping information and broadcast commands. This enables the lighting device to control different segments accordingly when receiving lighting control commands targeted at a specific group.

[0018] One or more of the plurality of lighting devices may be a light source array. The light source array may be a one-dimensional array (e.g., an LED strip / string), a two-dimensional array (e.g., an LED tile), or a three-dimensional array (e.g., an LED cube).

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object is a method of configuring a plurality of lighting devices of a lighting system, each lighting device including a memory and a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment including one or more light sources, the method comprising: For each lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, grouping different segments of the plurality of individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups; [[ID=Y]] Communicating the grouping information to each lighting device via one or more communication units to cause each lighting device to store the respective grouping information in its memory, the grouping information indicating the respective lighting control groups into which different segments are grouped; Communicating a broadcast command to the plurality of lighting devices via one or more communication units, the broadcast command defining respective light settings for respective lighting control groups; is achieved by a method comprising.

[0020] The method further comprises each of the plurality of lighting devices receiving the respective grouping information; each of the plurality of lighting devices storing the respective grouping information in its memory; each of the plurality of lighting devices receiving the broadcast command; For each of the plurality of lighting devices, determining which segments to control according to which light settings based on a control command and based on grouping information; For each of the plurality of lighting devices, controlling one or more light sources of each segment according to their respective light settings; may be included.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a computer program product for one or more computing devices, the computer program product including computer program code for performing a method when executed by one or more processing units of the one or more computing devices. Each step of the method may be executed by a corresponding (processing) element of the control / lighting system.

[0022] It should be understood that the lighting system, method and computer program may have the same and / or identical embodiments and advantages as the control system described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the disclosed systems, devices and methods will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the devices and methods, with reference to the accompanying drawings. All the figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale, generally showing only the parts necessary to clarify the present invention, and other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a lighting system including a control system and a plurality of lighting devices including individually controllable segments, each segment including a plurality of light sources. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the grouping of different segments of the lighting devices of FIG. 1 into different control groups. [Figure 3]Figures 3a and 3b schematically show examples of sub-areas of a space that include multiple lighting devices and lighting control groups. [Figure 4] Figures 4a and 4b schematically show examples of sub-areas of a space that include multiple lighting devices and lighting control groups. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows an example of a lighting system in which the display portion corresponds to a lighting control group. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically illustrates how to configure multiple lighting devices in a lighting system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Figure 1 schematically shows a lighting system 100 including a control system 102 and a plurality of lighting devices 200, 300. Each lighting device includes a memory 202, 302 and a plurality of individually controllable segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330, each segment including one or more light sources 212, 222, 232, 312, 322, 332 (e.g., LED light sources). Each lighting device further includes a receiver 204, 304 and a controller 206, 306 (e.g., one or more processors) operably coupled to the receiver, memory and the plurality of light sources. The lighting devices 206, 306 may be any type of lighting device including a plurality of individually controllable (addressable) lighting segments, each containing one or more (LED) light sources. The lighting devices may be, for example, a one-dimensional array (e.g., an LED strip / string), a two-dimensional array (e.g., an LED tile), or a three-dimensional array (e.g., an LED cube). The lighting device may be integrated into peripheral devices such as a keyboard, computer mouse, game controller, or PC casing. The control system 102 includes one or more communication units 104 configured to communicate wirelessly with multiple lighting devices, a configuration module 106, and a control module 108.

[0025] The control system 102 may be any type of control system for configuring and controlling multiple lighting devices 200, 300 of the lighting system 100. In the example in Figure 1, the configuration module 106 and the control module 108 are contained in a single device (e.g., a central lighting control device such as a smartphone, bridge, hub, or remote server). This is just an example, and depending on the system architecture, the configuration module 106, the control module 108, and one or more communication units 104 may be distributed across different devices. The configuration module 106 and the control module 108 may be contained in separate devices, each having its own communication unit 104 for communicating with the lighting devices 200, 300. The configuration module 106 and the control module 108 may run on one or more processors (e.g., circuits, microcontrollers, etc.) of the control system 102.

[0026] The control system 102 includes one or more communication units 104 configured to communicate wirelessly with the lighting devices 200, 300. The communication units may communicate configuration information (such as grouping information) and lighting control commands to the lighting devices 200, 300 in order to configure and control them. The communication units may include hardware for communicating via one or more wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, Li-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or ZigBee®. The specific communication technology may be selected based on the communication capability of the lighting devices, the power consumption of the communication driver for the wireless communication technology, and / or the communication range of the signals.

[0027] The control system 102 further includes a configuration module 106 for configuring lighting devices 200, 300. The configuration module 106 is configured to group different segments of multiple individually controllable segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330 into different lighting control groups for each of the multiple lighting devices 200, 300. The configuration module 106 is further configured to communicate the grouping information to each lighting device via one or more communication units 104 so that each lighting device stores the grouping information in its memory, where the grouping information indicates the respective lighting control group to which the different segments are grouped. The configuration module 106 may, for example, associate segments 210, 220, 230 of the first lighting device 200 with their respective lighting control groups, and segments 310, 320, 330 of the second lighting device 300 with their respective lighting control groups. This grouping information is transmitted to the lighting devices 200, 300. Lighting devices 200 and 300 are configured to receive grouping information and store the associations of different segments in their respective memories. Lighting device 200 may receive associations between its segments 210, 220, and 230 and lighting control groups via its communication unit 204, and its controller 206 may store these associations in its memory 202. Similarly, lighting device 300 may receive associations between its segments 310, 320, and 330 and lighting control groups via its communication unit 304, and its controller 306 may store these associations in its memory 302. The configuration module 106 may be configured to update the grouping information (for example, periodically, at the request of lighting devices 200 and 300, at the request of the lighting control device, at the request of the user, etc.) and to communicate the updated grouping information to lighting devices 200 and 300.

[0028] The lighting devices 200 and 300 may be configured to store different sets of grouping information. The configuration module 106 may, for example, transmit a first set of grouping information to the lighting devices 200 and 300, and a second set of grouping information to the lighting devices 200 and 300, and both of these may be stored in their respective memories 202 and 302. The lighting devices 200 and 300 may be configured to receive commands (for example, from the configuration module 106 or the control module 108) and to activate one of the received sets of grouping information. The first set of grouping information may relate to the control of the lighting device based on a first set of media content (for example, video content rendered on a display), and the second set of grouping information may relate to the control of the lighting device based on a source different from the first set of media content (for example, based on a second set of media content, based on the user's location, etc.). This is beneficial because it allows switching the grouping of segments by sending commands to lighting devices 200 and 300 instructing them to switch. Figure 2 shows another example of grouping segments into multiple lighting control groups. Here, configuration module 102 may group different segments of multiple individually controllable segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330 into different lighting control groups 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 such that at least one first segment 210 of the first lighting device 200 and at least one second segment 310 of the second lighting device 300 are grouped into the same lighting control group 410. In the example shown in Figure 2, segment 220 is grouped into lighting control group 420, segment 230 into lighting control group 430, segment 320 into lighting control group 440, and segment 330 into lighting control group 450. This grouping information is transmitted to lighting devices 200 and 300. The lighting devices 200 and 300 receive the grouping information and are configured to store the associations of different segments in their respective memories 202 and 306.Lighting device 200 may associate its segments 210, 220, and 230 with the respective lighting control groups 410, 420, and 430 via its communication unit 204, and its controller 206 may store these associations in its memory 202. Similarly, lighting device 300 may associate its segments 310, 320, and 330 with the respective lighting control groups 410, 440, and 450 via its communication unit 304, and its controller 306 may store these associations in its memory 302.

[0029] The control system 102 further includes a control module 108 configured to communicate broadcast commands to multiple lighting devices 200, 300 via one or more communication units 104, the broadcast commands defining the respective light settings for each lighting control group. The broadcast commands are lighting control commands for controlling the light outputs of light sources 212, 222, 232, 312, 322, 332 of the lighting devices 200, 300. The broadcast commands may also include control instructions addressed to the lighting devices 200, 300 for controlling the light outputs of light sources 212, 222, 232, 312, 322, 332 of different lighting control groups. By sending broadcast commands (instead of unicasting to individual lighting devices and / or their segments), control of different segments of different lighting devices 200, 300 is performed synchronously. The broadcast commands define the light settings for each lighting control group (e.g., lighting control instructions for controlling one or more light characteristics of a light source). A broadcast command may include light settings for a lighting control group that is not related to any segment of the first lighting device, but only to a segment of the second lighting device. This is illustrated below. Referring again to Figure 2, Table 1 schematically shows an example of a broadcast command that includes light settings for different lighting control groups. TIFF0007897245000001.tif63141 When the first lighting device 200 receives a broadcast command, its controller 206 determines whether one or more segments are associated with one or more lighting control groups defined by the broadcast command. In this example, segment 210 is associated with lighting control group 410, segment 220 is associated with lighting control group 420, and segment 230 is associated with lighting control group 430. This grouping information is stored in memory 202. As a result, the controller 206 of the first lighting device 200 controls the light source of segment 210 according to light setting 1, the light source of segment 220 according to light setting 2, and the light source of segment 230 according to light setting 3. Similarly, when the second lighting device 300 receives a broadcast command, its controller 306 determines whether one or more segments are associated with one or more lighting control groups defined by the broadcast command. In this example, segment 310 is associated with lighting control group 410, segment 320 with lighting control group 440, and segment 330 with lighting control group 450. As a result, the controller 306 of the second lighting device 300 controls the light source of segment 310 according to light setting 1, the light source of segment 320 according to light setting 4, and the light source of segment 330 according to light setting 5. In Table 1, the light settings are shown as numerical values ​​(which may correspond to lighting control values ​​stored in the memory of the lighting device), but other examples of light settings may include RGB values, XY values ​​of the CIE color spectrum, beam shape / size / direction control values, etc. Light settings defined by broadcast commands may include off settings for lighting control groups. Communicating lighting control settings to lighting devices is known in the art and will not be discussed in detail.

[0030] The number of groups (where segments of lighting devices 200 and 300 should be grouped) may be limited. The maximum number of lighting control groups may be less than the number of segments of multiple lighting devices. For example, referring to Figure 2, the maximum number of lighting control groups may be five. Therefore, the configuration module 106 may be configured to group at least two segments into the same lighting control group. At least two segments may be segments of different lighting devices (as shown in Figure 2). Alternatively, at least two segments may be segments of a single lighting device. The size of the broadcast command (i.e., the amount of data) may be limited, which may limit the number of available groups (e.g., a maximum of 20 groups). Therefore, it may be necessary to group different segments into the same lighting control group.

[0031] The configuration module 106 is further configured to determine the adjustment level for one or more segments of each of the multiple lighting devices 200, 300, where the adjustment level may define the adjustment of the light output of one or more light sources in each segment. Such adjustments may be necessary, for example, when a light source is close to the illuminated surface, when the reflective properties of the illuminated surface differ for different segments, or when a segment is closer to the user and / or media rendering device compared to other segments. The configuration module 106 may further be configured to communicate the adjustment levels to each lighting device via the communication unit 104, causing each lighting device to store its respective adjustment level in its memory 202, 302. The lighting devices 200, 300 are configured to receive their respective adjustment levels via their respective receivers 204, 304 and store them in their respective memories 202, 302. The controllers 206, 306 of the lighting devices 200, 300 may take the adjustment levels into consideration when the segments are controlled, if the segments are controlled based on broadcast commands according to the grouping. Table 2 shows examples of adjustment levels for segments 210, 220, and 230 of the first lighting device 200 stored in memory 202. TIFF0007897245000002.tif45136 When the first lighting device 200 receives a broadcast command, the first lighting device 200 controls its segments 210, 220, and 230 according to the light settings defined by the broadcast command and applies adjustments as defined in memory. For example, the light settings defined by the broadcast command may be a first color for a first lighting control group (e.g., the first segment 210), a second color for a second lighting control group (e.g., the second segment 220), and a third color for a third lighting control group (e.g., the third segment 230), and the controller 206 of the first lighting device 200 may adjust the brightness of these segments accordingly (100% brightness for the light source of the first segment 210, 80% brightness for the light source of the second segment 220, and 60% brightness for the light source of the third segment 230) by referring to Table 2. In the example in Figure 2, the adjustment level is related to brightness. Other examples of adjustment levels may be adjustments to other optical properties of different segment light sources, such as color, saturation, beam shape / size / direction, etc. The configuration module 106 may further be configured to obtain information indicating the location of the segments relative to the surface to be illuminated by each segment, and to determine the adjustment level based on the location of the segments relative to the surface to be illuminated by each segment. Information indicating the location of the segments relative to the surface to be illuminated by each segment may be obtained, for example, from an indoor positioning system, based on user input received via a user interface, based on sensor input received from sensors included in or adjacent to the lighting device, etc.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the configuration module 106 may further determine the adjustment level for each of the multiple lighting devices 200, 300, where the adjustment level defines the adjustment of the light output of the light source of the lighting device, and communicate the adjustment level to each lighting device so that each lighting device stores its respective adjustment level in its memory. Each lighting device may adjust the light output of one or more light sources of the lighting device as described above, when the segments are controlled based on broadcast commands according to the grouping.

[0033] The configuration module 106 may be configured to determine the grouping of different segments into different lighting control groups based on the positions of the lighting devices 200, 300 and / or their segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330. The configuration module 106 may further be configured to obtain positional information indicating the positions of the lighting devices 200, 300 and / or their segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330. The positional information may be obtained, for example, from a positioning system such as an RF-based positioning system or a coded optical positioning system, from the lighting devices, via a user interface that allows the user to position the lighting devices in a virtual space, etc. Techniques for obtaining the positions of lighting devices are known in the art and will not be discussed in detail. The positional information may indicate the positions of the lighting devices 200, 300 and / or their segments 210, 220, 230, 310, 320, 330 relative to space, relative to objects, relative to (media rendering) devices, relative to the user, relative to each other, etc. The configuration module 106 may be configured to determine grouping based on location information. For example, the configuration module 106 may group all segments located in a first sub-area of ​​the space where the lighting devices are located into a first lighting control group, and all segments located in a second sub-area of ​​the space where the lighting devices are located into a second lighting control group. Figures 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b show examples of grouping segments of a lighting device into different lighting control groups based on their location. In these examples, the squares of the lighting device represent individually controllable segments of the lighting device. For example, in Figure 3a, the segments of lighting devices 540, 542, and 544 are grouped based on their location in the space. In Figure 3a, the space 500 includes five sub-areas 502, 504, 506, 508, and 510, and the configuration module 106 may group the individual segments accordingly based on the location of the lighting devices 540, 542, and 544.

[0034] The configuration module 106 is configured to obtain area information indicating sub-areas of the space in which the lighting system 100 is installed, and each sub-area may define one or more lighting control groups. Segments of lighting devices located in these sub-areas may be grouped into lighting control groups accordingly. Sub-areas may be predefined or determined by the configuration module, for example, based on user input or based on the location of objects, users and / or devices in the space.

[0035] The configuration module 106 may be configured to determine the number, location, and / or size of sub-areas based on information about space 500 (e.g., dimensions, type of space, etc.), and the positions of objects, devices, and / or users within space 500. Position information of (multiple) objects, (multiple) users, and / or (multiple) devices may be obtained, for example, from a positioning system such as an RF-based positioning system or a coded optical positioning system, or through a user interface that allows the user to position devices and objects in the virtual space. Techniques for obtaining the positions of objects, users, and / or devices are known in the art and will not be discussed in detail. For example, in Figure 3a, the locations of the sub-areas may be determined relative to the media rendering device 530. The sub-areas may be positioned relative to the media rendering device (i.e., a television in this example) such that there is a central sub-area 506, a front-left sub-area 504, a rear-left sub-area 502, a front-right sub-area 508, and a rear-right sub-area 510. Figure 3B shows an example where the location and size of sub-areas are determined based on the location of object 520 (i.e., sofa) within space 500. The sizes and locations of sub-areas 502', 504', 506', 508', and 510' are selected so that they enclose object 520 and substantially fill space 500. Based on the locations of lighting devices 540, 542, and 544, the configuration module 106 may group the individual segments accordingly. In other examples, the user may change the size and location of the sub-areas. Figure 4a shows an example of a user input device 700 including a display 702 that renders a virtual representation of space 500 from the example in Figure 3a. In this example, the user adjusts the size of sub-area 502 by providing user input 704 (e.g., via a touchscreen, via a peripheral device such as a computer mouse, etc.). Figure 4b shows another example of a space containing grid lines that divide the space into multiple sub-areas 601-615 (which may be predefined, determined, or user-based, etc.).Based on the locations of the lighting devices 540, 542, and 544, the configuration module 106 may group the individual segments accordingly.

[0036] Figure 5 schematically shows an example in which parts of the display correspond to lighting control groups. The configuration module 106 may be configured to determine the lighting control groups for segments of lighting devices 920, 922, and 924 based on their position relative to the display 530 (for example, based on the position of the corresponding virtual representation segment relative to the position of the virtual representation of the display). In this example, the display 530 is divided into 14 parts 901 to 914, each corresponding to a lighting control group. The two upper segments of the first lighting device 920 are grouped into lighting control groups 901 and 914 based on their position, and the two lower segments of the first lighting device 920 are grouped into control group 913 based on their position. The segments of the second lighting device 922 (which is shorter and has fewer segments than the first lighting device 920) are grouped into lighting control groups 906 to 908 based on their position. The segments of the third lighting device 924 are grouped into lighting control groups 908 to 913 based on their position. As a result, when the lighting device is controlled based on the media content being rendered on display 530, the light settings of the segment correspond to the colors of the media content.

[0037] The control system 102 may further include a user interface configured to receive user input indicating the grouping of different segments of multiple individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups. The user may provide input to adjust, for example, the size, number, and / or location of sub-areas 502, 504, 506, 508, 510 (see, for example, Figure 4a). Alternatively, the user may select segments of different lighting devices (for example, by selecting them on the display 702) to add selected segments to a particular lighting control group. The user interface may allow the user to add or remove lighting control groups.

[0038] Figure 6 schematically shows an example of a method 800 for configuring multiple lighting devices in a lighting system, where each lighting device includes a memory and a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment including one or more light sources, and the method For each of the multiple lighting devices, different segments of multiple individually controllable segments are grouped into different lighting control groups 802a, 802b, 804 communicates grouping information to each lighting device via one or more communication units, causing each lighting device to store its respective grouping information in its memory, wherein the grouping information indicates each lighting control group in which different segments are grouped. 810 Communicating broadcast commands to multiple lighting devices via one or more communication units, wherein the broadcast commands define the respective light settings for each lighting control group. Includes.

[0039] Furthermore, the method is, Each of the multiple lighting devices receives its own grouping information 806a, 806b, Each of the multiple lighting devices stores its respective grouping information in its memory, 808a, 808b, Each of the multiple lighting devices receives broadcast commands 812a, 812b, Each of the multiple lighting devices determines, based on control commands and grouping information, which light setting to control which segment 814a, 814b, Each of the multiple lighting devices controls one or more light sources in each segment according to their respective light settings 816a, 816b, It may include.

[0040] Steps 802a, 802b, 804a, 804b, and 810 may be executed by the computer program code of the computer program product if the computer program product is executed on one or more processing units of computing devices such as the component module 106 and control module 108 of the control system 102. Steps 806a, 808a, 812a, 814a, 816a, 806b, 808b, 812b, 814b, and 816b may be executed by the computer program code of the computer program product if the computer program product is executed on one or more processing units of each computing device such as the controllers 206 and 306 of the lighting devices 200 and 300.

[0041] Steps 802a and 804a may be performed by a component module 106 of the control system 102 for the first lighting device 200, and steps 802b and 804b may be performed by a component module 106 of the control system 102 for the second lighting device 300. Step 810 may be performed by a component module 106 of the control system 100. Steps 806a, 808a, 812a, 814a and 816a may be performed by a controller 206 of the first lighting device 200, and steps 806b, 808b, 812b, 814b and 816b may be performed by a controller 306 of the second lighting device 300.

[0042] It should be noted that the embodiments described above are illustrative and not limiting to the present invention, and that those skilled in the art can design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0043] In the claims, no reference numerals enclosed in parentheses should be construed as limiting the claims. The use of the verb “including” and its conjugations does not preclude the existence of elements or steps other than those described in the claims. The articles “a” or “an” preceding an element do not preclude the existence of multiple such elements. The present invention may be implemented by hardware comprising several individual elements, and by a suitably programmed computer or processing unit. In a device claim listing several means, some of these means may be embodied by items of the same hardware. The mere fact that certain means are listed in different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously.

[0044] Aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a computer program product, which may be a collection of computer program instructions stored in a computer-readable storage device that can be executed by a computer. The instructions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), or Java classes, and may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism. The instructions may be provided as a complete executable program, a partial executable program, a modification (e.g., an update) to an existing program, or an extension (e.g., a plug-in) to an existing program. Furthermore, some of the processing of the present invention may be distributed across multiple computers or processors, or across a "cloud."

[0045] Suitable storage media for storing computer program instructions include, but are not limited to, all forms of non-volatile memory, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal and external hard disk drives, removable disks, and CD-ROM disks. Computer programs may be distributed on such storage media, or they may be made available for download via servers connected to a network such as HTTP, FTP, email, or the Internet.

Claims

1. A control system for configuring multiple lighting devices in a lighting system, wherein each lighting device includes a memory and a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment includes one or more light sources, and the control system is One or more communication units configured to communicate wirelessly with the aforementioned plurality of lighting devices, For each of the multiple lighting devices, different segments of the multiple individually controllable segments are grouped into different lighting control groups, and The grouping information is communicated to each lighting device via one or more communication units, causing each lighting device to store the grouping information in its memory, and the grouping information indicates each lighting control group in which the different segments are grouped. Configuration modules are configured as follows, Broadcast commands are communicated to the plurality of lighting devices via one or more communication units, and the broadcast commands define the respective light settings for each of the lighting control groups. A control module configured as follows, A control system including...

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein at least one first segment of a first lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices and at least one second segment of a second lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices are grouped into the same lighting control group.

3. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the number of groups is limited, the maximum number of lighting control groups is less than the number of segments of the plurality of lighting devices, and the configuration module is configured to group at least two segments into the same lighting control group.

4. The aforementioned configuration module is For each of the plurality of lighting devices, the adjustment level of one or more segments of each lighting device is determined, and the adjustment level defines the adjustment of the light output of one or more light sources in each segment, and The adjustment level is communicated to each lighting device, and each lighting device stores its respective adjustment level in its memory. The control system according to claim 1, configured as described above.

5. The aforementioned configuration module is For each of the aforementioned plurality of lighting devices, the adjustment level of each lighting device is determined, and the adjustment level defines the adjustment of the light output of the light source of the lighting device, and The adjustment level is communicated to each lighting device, and each lighting device stores its respective adjustment level in its memory. The control system according to claim 1, configured as described above.

6. The control system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the adjustment level defines the adjustment of the color, brightness and / or saturation of the light output.

7. The control system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the configuration module is configured to obtain information indicating the location of each lighting device relative to a surface to be illuminated by each lighting device, and to determine the adjustment level based on the location of each lighting device relative to a surface to be illuminated by each lighting device.

8. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the configuration module is configured to determine the grouping of the different segments into the different lighting control groups based on the position of the lighting device and / or its segments.

9. The control system according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user input indicating the grouping of the multiple individually controllable segments into different lighting control groups.

10. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the light settings defined by the broadcast command include an off setting for each lighting control group.

11. Multiple lighting devices, each lighting device including a memory and multiple individually controllable segments, each segment including one or more light sources, The control system according to claim 1, A lighting system including, Each lighting device is Receiving the respective grouping information mentioned above, Each of the aforementioned grouping information is stored in its own memory. Upon receiving the aforementioned broadcast command, Based on control commands and grouping information, it determines which segment should be controlled according to which optical settings, and Control one or more light sources in each segment according to their respective lighting settings. A lighting system configured in such a way.

12. The lighting system according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of lighting devices is a light source array.

13. A method for configuring multiple lighting devices in a lighting system, wherein each lighting device includes a memory and a plurality of individually controllable segments, each segment includes one or more light sources, and the method is For each of the multiple lighting devices, different segments of the multiple individually controllable segments are grouped into different lighting control groups. The method involves communicating grouping information to each lighting device via one or more communication units, causing each lighting device to store its respective grouping information in its memory, wherein the grouping information indicates each lighting control group in which the different segments are grouped. Communicating broadcast commands to the plurality of lighting devices via one or more communication units, wherein the broadcast commands define the respective light settings for each of the lighting control groups. Methods that include...

14. This method is Each of the aforementioned multiple lighting devices receives the respective grouping information, Each of the aforementioned multiple lighting devices stores the respective grouping information in its memory, Each of the aforementioned multiple lighting devices receives the broadcast command, Each of the aforementioned multiple lighting devices determines, based on control commands and grouping information, which light setting should be used to control which segment, Each of the aforementioned plurality of lighting devices controls one or more light sources in each segment according to their respective light settings. The method according to claim 13, including the method described in claim 13.

15. A computer program for one or more computing devices, which, when the computer program is executed on one or more processing units of the one or more computing devices, includes computer program code for performing the method described in claim 13 or 14.

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