Controlling a plurality of light sources in a passenger cabin

Abstract

An aircraft (2), having a passenger cabin (4) with light sources (6a-h), contains a light module (12) with outputs (14a-e) for the light sources (6a-h), a virtual output field (16) of field locations (Oa-e) over time (t) and location-time control specifications (20a-e), in order to assign light values (LW) to the field locations (Oa-e) and times (t), wherein each of the outputs (14a-e) is assigned a field location (Oa-e) in the output field (16), wherein the outputs (14a-e) control the light sources (6a-h) to emit light (10) according to the light value (LW) at the actual time (ta) at the field location (Oa-e), wherein the control specifications (20a-e) include: a colour value (Fa-e) for the light value (LW), a location interval (OIa-e), and a time interval (ZIa-e), during which, in the location interval (OIa-e), the color values (Fa-e) are admixed to the light values (LW) of the field locations (OA-e) located therein, starting at zero and completely admixed at the end. In a method for operating the aircraft (2), the light sources (6a-h) are connected to the outputs (14a-e), the control specifications (20a-e) are selected in a future time (t) of the operation of the aircraft (2), and the light module (12) is operated at least during the operation of the aircraft (2) such that the light sources (6a-h) emit light (10) according to the associated light values (LW).

Description

[0001] Control of multiple light sources in a passenger cabin

[0002] The invention relates to an aircraft (e.g. airplane, VTOL vertical take-off and landing vehicle) that includes a passenger cabin, wherein the aircraft includes a plurality of light sources arranged in the passenger cabin.

[0003] From WO 2021 / 228 742 A1, a method and a device for reducing circadian dysrhythmia during flights are known. The publication provides a method for reducing circadian dysrhythmia in a person flying in an aircraft cabin from a departure point located in a first time zone to a destination located in a second time zone that differs from the first, by means of a lighting system in the aircraft cabin. The lighting system is configured to generate, under computer control, lighting in the aircraft cabin that differs at least in its light intensity and light color. During the flight, the lighting system generates a lighting scenario by computer control, in which a plurality of lights differing in light intensity, light color,Color gradient or duration-distinguishing light scene blocks with a light scene block start and a light scene block end are switched one after the other in temporal sequence, and wherein the light scene block start or the light scene block end of at least one of the light scene blocks is triggered sensor-controlled.

[0004] Controlling multiple light sources in a passenger cabin to create such lighting scenarios is complex.

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose improvements with regard to such a control system.

[0006] The problem is solved by an aircraft according to claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, as well as other categories of invention, will become apparent from the further claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures. The aircraft can be, for example, an airplane, a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing vehicle), or another aircraft.

[0007] The aircraft contains a passenger cabin.

[0008] The aircraft contains multiple light sources; these are located in the passenger cabin and serve to emit light into the cabin. In this respect, they illuminate the passenger cabin. They also create a lighting scene within the cabin. A lighting scene, in this context, refers to any combination of light emitted by different light sources. These light sources are primarily colored light sources, meaning they can emit light that is not white, at least in part. Specifically, different light sources emit light of varying colors and / or brightness, and this light can also change over time.

[0009] The aircraft contains a light module. The light module has multiple outputs. The light sources are connected to these outputs. Not all outputs need to be connected to light sources. In particular, at least one or more light sources are connected to each occupied output. Specifically, at least two, and in particular all, of the outputs are connected to light sources.

[0010] The lighting module contains a virtual output field. The output field is a conceptual object used to illustrate a control algorithm for the outputs and thus the light sources. A first dimension of the output field is referred to as the field location. A second dimension of the output field is time, or rather, the naturally progressing time. The output field is conceived as a rectangle. The output field is therefore at least, and in fact, implemented in two dimensions. Third and further dimensions are conceivable for more complex control tasks, but will not be discussed in detail here. The conceptual output field is implemented, for example, as a data object in the lighting module, perhaps in the form of programming or hardwiring. However, the output field can also be understood as an abstract concept of control, without needing to be concretely implemented. In this case, it vividly reflects the control concept of the lighting module.The light module contains at least one, and preferably several, selectable field location-time control rules. For example, approximately 3-5, 10, 20, or 30 control rules are common. "Selectable" means that at least one of the control rules can be modified, reprogrammed, or created as desired. The control rule can also be referred to as a "light state." The control rules serve to assign a specific light value to certain field locations within the output field—that is, to specific locations, points, or areas in the virtual output field—at a given time. As time progresses, the output field is thus "swept" in the direction of time (the second dimension). The respective time coordinate reflects how the light values ​​are assigned to the field locations at that point in time. The spatial assignment can therefore change over time.

[0011] In other words, the control rule assigns a temporal sequence (progression in real time) of light values ​​to a specific field location. The time selected on the initial field corresponds to a specific time interval of real time, e.g., a flight phase of the aircraft.

[0012] The tax regulation can apply to a single field location, a subset of fields, or all fields. The same applies to time: it can refer to a specific point in time or a time interval starting from a certain point in time.

[0013] Each output is assigned a field location within the output field. The light values ​​that apply to this field location over time therefore apply to this output.

[0014] Each output is configured to control the connected light sources to emit light according to the current (elapsed time) light level present at the assigned field location. "Current" means that the current point in time corresponds to the time value projected in the output field.

[0015] Ultimately, the control rule serves to supply a time profile of light values ​​by linking it to the field location in the output field and the time projected in the output field, and thus to determine which light the light sources emit over time.

[0016] At least one, and in particular several or all, of the tax regulations contain the following parameters: Each tax regulation includes a color value for the luminance value. This determines the color of the light emitted by the light source to which the luminance value is assigned at a specific time. The color value specifically includes at least one color coordinate (e.g., (u,v) of the CIELUV color space system from 1976) for a color of the light emitted by the light source.

[0017] The control rule contains a spatial interval of field locations. The control rule assigns the corresponding color value to this spatial interval of field locations. In other words, only field locations (and their associated light sources) within the spatial interval are affected by the control rule. The spatial interval can also degenerate into a single point, or it can encompass a true subset of the field locations of the original field, or it can encompass all field locations, i.e., the entire original field. The color value is assigned to the light values ​​only within the spatial interval, as explained below.

[0018] The control rule contains a time interval. This interval is characterized in particular by a start time and a duration. The duration can also be zero; in this case, the time interval degenerates into a single point in time. With a finite duration, the time interval describes a period or ramp during which the (gradual) assignment of the color value to the light values ​​of the locations within the spatial interval takes place. With a zero duration, the assignment occurs instantaneously.

[0019] Over a time interval (non-zero), the color values ​​are gradually added to the field locations within the interval, or rather to their light values. The addition begins at 0% at the start of the time interval and ends at 100% at the end.

[0020] The color value is therefore a target color value that, after the time interval has elapsed, is completely mixed with the light value at the relevant field location.

[0021] The term "mixing" refers to the following: At the beginning of the time interval, a specific light value is already assigned to the field location. This corresponds in particular to a specific color and brightness (and possibly transparency, see below) of the light emitted by the light sources, e.g., white light at full brightness. Starting from this initial value, the color value is mixed in—beginning at 0% and ending at 100%—thus converting the light colors and brightnesses into one another. During operation, the light sources are therefore controlled over the course of the time interval by increasing the amount of color added, so that they initially emit mixed light from the previous color value and the current color value (the current control setting), and at the end of the time interval, they emit light according to the color value (possibly with a transparency component of the previous color value, see below).Depending on the degree of mixing (transparency, see below), the light either corresponds exclusively (transparency value = 1) to the color value or still contains a portion of the color value emitted by the light source before the time interval began (transparency less than 1). During the mixing process, color mixing takes place, particularly between the previously existing and the added color values. For example, a green transition occurs when mixing from yellow to blue light.

[0022] Due to the gradual addition, this can also be described as a ramping up of the color value or a color / brightness ramp.

[0023] A control rule is therefore a set of parameters that ultimately determines the temporal sequence of light source control with regard to their color, brightness, etc. In total, it is possible to control all light sources connected to the light module using any number of control rules. The actual conversion of the light values ​​into concrete control signals for the individual light source can be performed downstream of the output, it can take place within the light module itself, or it can occur in a decentralized device downstream of the light module. This allows the processing power to be distributed between the light module and downstream control units for the light sources. This enables decentralized control of the light sources.

[0024] Thanks to the concept of virtual output field and control rules, programming light scenes can be done very easily by simply creating or changing the corresponding control rules and assigning them to the output field.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the assignment of at least one, and in particular several or all, of the outputs to their corresponding field location in the output array can be changed. This allows for flexible assignment of outputs, and thus light sources, to a lighting scenario determined by the control rules or the correspondingly controlled output array. The control rules, and therefore the design of the lighting scenario, do not need to be modified.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, at least one, and in particular several or all, of the color values ​​contain a color coordinate and a brightness value for the light emitted by the light source. The color coordinate is, for example, a (u,v) value, and the brightness is an L value from the aforementioned CIELUV color space. A brightness of zero means that the light source controlled by the color value should not emit any light of this color value; in other words, it is switched off with respect to this light. This makes programming lighting scenarios based on the control parameters particularly easy.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a transparency value is assigned to the color value for at least one, and in particular several or all, of the control rules. The transparency value is also, in particular, variable. According to the transparency value, even after the complete addition of the color value at the end of the time interval, a proportion of the color value that predominated before (or simultaneously with, e.g., when using a level indicator, see below) the start of the addition remains in the color value. For example, a transparency value of zero means that the previous color is retained, i.e., no addition takes place at all. Conversely, a transparency value of one means that at the end of the time interval only the color value set by the control rule is present at the field location.

[0028] This means that particularly complex color scenarios or lighting scenarios can also be created with blending or mixing of colors.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, at least one, and in particular several or all, of the control rules include a time offset curve. The time interval then no longer begins simultaneously at all affected field locations, but rather with a time offset. According to the time offset curve, the time interval is thus arranged with a time offset / time shift across the field locations in the initial field. In other words, the time interval is distorted, shifted, or delayed in the time direction. The delay depends on the respective field location. This also enables particularly varied control of lighting scenarios.

[0030] The offset curve is also variable. In other words, the offset curve causes a "drift" of the time interval across space, i.e., a time offset in the ramp-up of the color. The offset curve can be linear, curved, or any shape. However, the time interval for each field location remains the same length; it only occurs at different times.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of this system, the offset curve is a straight line. As the field location in the initial field increases, the delay time of the time interval increases or decreases linearly. In other words, there is a linear time offset between a start time (beginning of the time interval) at a first field location at the beginning of the spatial interval and the start time of the time interval at a second field location at the end of the spatial interval. This linear time offset ranges from zero to a maximum time.

[0032] This allows lighting scenarios to be designed in a particularly simple yet highly varied way.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, at least two of the control rules contain a level characteristic value. If control rules occur simultaneously or overlap in time (overlap of time intervals at a specific location in the field), the control rule with the higher level characteristic value takes precedence over those control rules with lower level characteristic values. Transparency, as explained above, is taken into account where applicable. In other words, this allows light / colors from lower levels to "shine through" to the level with the highest level characteristic value, provided that the corresponding light is not obscured by other color values, etc. This also contributes to the greater variety of lighting scenarios that can be created using the control rules.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the output field contains a loop interval with respect to time. This loop interval also has, in particular, a start time and a duration. The control instructions contained in the loop interval are subsequently mapped to a number of repetition intervals. The number of repetitions can also be "infinite," meaning endless repetitions (until the system is switched off). In other words, so-called loops are formed, and the control instructions placed in the loop interval are repeated / copied in a loop-like fashion according to a set number of repetitions. This avoids the programming effort for recurring lighting scenes.

[0035] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method according to claim 9. This method serves to operate the aircraft according to the invention. In this method, a plurality of light sources are connected to the outputs. Furthermore, at least one of the control commands is selected such that its time interval lies within a future operating time of the aircraft. During the operating time of the aircraft, the light module is then operated at least within this time interval. Subsequently, the light sources emit light according to the assigned light values.

[0036] In other words, a lighting program is created in the form of the control regulations, which is then processed during the operation of the aircraft by the passage of time when the corresponding time projected in the output field is reached.

[0037] The method and at least some of its possible embodiments, as well as their respective advantages, have already been explained in substance in connection with the aircraft according to the invention. In particular, the preferred embodiments mentioned above in connection with the aircraft also constitute preferred embodiments of the method.

[0038] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, and considerations and further comprises the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to simply as "the invention." The embodiments may also include parts or combinations of the embodiments mentioned above, correspond to them, and / or may include previously unmentioned embodiments.

[0039] According to the invention, a definition of lighting scenes in aircraft is obtained.

[0040] The invention is based on the fundamental idea that modern aircraft cabins are equipped with a multitude of controllable, color-capable lighting devices. These are capable of displaying appealing and complex scenes by having the individual lighting devices display a wide variety of colors at specific times. Effective description, programming, configuration, and control of the lighting scene is therefore desirable. The invention is based on the following practical observations:

[0041] To describe a lighting scene, corresponding light data (color coordinates and brightness, hue, transparency) must be defined for the controllable light segments (light sources) of lighting systems at all times. In particular, dynamic color transitions across space (location of the light sources within the aircraft) and time must be defined. Furthermore, adjustments and extensions of defined lighting scenes are often necessary, as a real-world implementation of a lighting scene usually does not produce the desired result and therefore requires revision. With a rapidly increasing number of light segments and the requirement that these light segments do not all undergo the same color change, nor do they all change color simultaneously, this task becomes increasingly complex.

[0042] An example of a complex task would be, for instance, a sunrise in the aircraft using different colors, progressing from front to back in the cabin.

[0043] Furthermore, the increasing number of individually controllable light segments generates more and more data, which increasingly burdens both the central computer that controls the scenes in the aircraft and the interfaces.

[0044] In practice, for scene definition, the controllable light segments, which are all supposed to perform the same function, are grouped together.

[0045] A single group can only cover dynamics over time. To cover dynamics across space, you need many groups working at different times.

[0046] For each of these groups, a color gradient is defined over time, with these color gradients being temporally related to each other. This involves creating a large number of individual light points (support points).

[0047] Once a definition has been established for all groups, implementing changes is very complex, as modifications must be made to all involved groups, requiring adjustments to a large number of lighting points. When a scene is played in the aircraft, a central computer within the aircraft sends the lighting data to the lighting devices. The central computer must extract the scene data for every single controllable unit of a lighting device, calculate the lighting data, and then transmit it to the lamp (light source) in equivalent time intervals.

[0048] The basic idea of ​​the invention is also this: This amount of data needs to be reduced for future lighting systems and the computing power distributed across computing nodes and / or lighting devices.

[0049] The invention is based on the following core ideas:

[0050] Scene definition is achieved through parameter sets (control rules) and not through the definition of support values ​​(color values) for many groups. A parameter set describes not only the change over time (second dimension / time in the initial field) but also the propagation across space (first dimension / field locations in the initial field).

[0051] For future lighting systems, the parameterized scene definitions with time and space information can be transferred to the lighting devices, which will then themselves perform the decoding of a parameterized lighting scene.

[0052] Using the "notation" in the form of a starting field and control rules for defining a color gradient over time and space eliminates the need to divide (the light sources) into groups. The color gradient is described with just a few parameters (the control rules: color value, location, time interval, etc.) and can therefore be easily adapted and extended.

[0053] The entire scene is described using very little data (control regulations). Therefore, very little data needs to be transmitted to the lighting equipment.

[0054] It is no longer necessary to transfer the support points for all the smallest controllable units of the lighting system.

[0055] The decoding of parameterized lighting scenes with time and space can be performed by the lighting systems themselves, saving processing power in the aircraft's central computer and reducing data volume. This is becoming increasingly important as lighting systems incorporate more and more individually controllable LEDs.

[0056] The core of the invention is therefore the parameterization of a lighting scene over time as well as over space. Scenes are defined in particular using light states (light value, supplied by control commands) and loops (loop interval, number of repetitions).

[0057] A light state is not just a simple color, but contains more information, in particular:

[0058] - Time (start time of the light state, start of the time interval)

[0059] - REF_Color (target color in uvLa, part of the color value), where u and v are the colors of the CIE 1976 diagram, L is the brightness and a is the transparency (transparency value),

[0060] - Duration (of the time interval, length of the ramp to REF_Color)

[0061] - Drift (delay of the ramp across the dimension (field location), offset curve)

[0062] - SpaceFirst (first starting point in space, beginning of the spatial interval)

[0063] - SpaceLast (last starting point in space, end of the spatial interval)

[0064] - Override u,v,L and a (optional parameters that override the REF_Color information)

[0065] Further features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. These figures are shown in a schematic diagram:

[0066] Figure 1 shows an aircraft with a passenger cabin, light sources and a light module.

[0067] Figure 2 is a graphical representation of a tax regulation according to Figure 1.

[0068] Figure 3a shows a control rule according to Figure 2 with a zero time interval and no offset curve.

[0069] Figure 3b with finite time interval,

[0070] Figure 3c with positive, and

[0071] Figure 3d negative offset curve

[0072] Figure 4 shows an initial field with three spaced-apart, and

[0073] Figure 5 consecutive tax regulations,

[0074] Figure 6 shows an output field with superimposed and partially transparent tax regulations; Figure 7 shows an output field with a first and

[0075] Figure 8 shows a second loop interval.

[0076] Figure 1 shows a highly symbolic representation of an aircraft 2. This contains a passenger cabin 4 and a multitude of light sources 6 arranged in it, of which only light sources 6a-h are shown as examples.

[0077] Reference symbols are sometimes used without an index in this description when the corresponding object is being addressed generally. Indices are used to refer to specific individuals within the object.

[0078] In a longitudinal direction 8, which corresponds to the straight-forward flight direction of the aircraft 2, the light sources 6a-h are arranged at various longitudinal positions of the passenger cabin 4. All light sources 6 are multi-color light sources which, depending on the control, can emit light 10 (only indicated by arrows for illustrative purposes) of any color.

[0079] Aircraft 2 contains a light module 12, which is also only symbolically indicated here. Light module 12 has a total of five outputs 14a-e. The light sources 6a-h are connected to the five outputs 14a-e. In some cases, two light sources 6a, b, 6e, f and 6g, h are connected to a single output 14a, e, f in order to be controlled together or simultaneously.

[0080] The light module 12 also contains a virtual output field 16, which is implemented here in two dimensions. The output field 16 is a virtual entity and serves to functionally assign control commands 20 to the outputs 14 over a time course of the actual elapsed time t. A first dimension 18a of the output field 16 is a field location O, which can assume normalized values ​​between "0" and "1". The second dimension 18b of the output field 16 is the naturally progressing time t, which is plotted here in seconds. The time "0" is chosen such that it is reached at an unspecified point in time during the flight of the aircraft 2.

[0081] The light module 12 also has a total of five control rules 20a-e in the example, which, for clarity, are each symbolically represented twice in Figure 1, once inside and once outside the output field 16. Each of the outputs 14a-e is assigned one of the field locations O in the output field 16, which thus corresponds to a dashed line running along time t in the output field 16. For example, output 14a is assigned field location Oa, output 14b field location Ob, and so on.

[0082] As explained below, in output field 16, light values ​​LW are assigned to the respective field locations O over time t. Outputs 14a-e serve to, or are configured to, assign a light value LW present at field location O at a current time ta of time t to the respective connected light source 6 and to control this light source 6 according to the light value LW to emit light 10, so that the light 10 corresponds to the characteristics of the light value LW.

[0083] Each of the control rules 20a-e contains a color value Fa-e for the illuminance value LW. The color values ​​Fa-e selected in the example for control rules 20a-e are, in this order, "blue", "white", "red", "white", "white". Furthermore, each control rule 20a-e is assigned a corresponding time interval Zla-e. The time intervals Zla-c C range from t=6 to t=14 seconds, and the time intervals Zld,e range from t=30 to t=40 seconds.

[0084] Furthermore, each of the tax regulations 20a-e is assigned a location interval Ola-e. These are: Ola,d from field locations 0=0 to 0=0.33, Olb from 0=0.33 to 0=0.66 and Olc,e from 0=0.66 to 0=1.

[0085] In output field 16, all control rules 20a-e are symbolically represented according to their time intervals Zla-e and location intervals Ola-e. The location interval Ola-e denotes those field locations O whose light values ​​LW are manipulated by the corresponding control rule 20a-e, i.e., to which the corresponding color value F is or will be assigned.

[0086] During the natural passage of time t, as it spannes the time interval Zla-e, the color value F is gradually mixed with the respective light values ​​LW. Starting at 0% at the beginning of each interval Zla-e, it reaches 100% at the end of each interval, increasing linearly.

[0087] This results in the following effect: For times ta<0 and up to ta=6, i.e., until the onset of the first manipulation by one of the control regulations 20a-c, the light values ​​LW are unaffected and have certain historical values, in this case, no light emission (brightness zero). The light values ​​LW thus correspond to switched-off light sources 6a-h. In other words, the light values ​​LW correspond to a light 10 according to history 26, which has therefore been established according to its historical influence.

[0088] Upon reaching the time intervals Zla-c at time ta=6 seconds, the mixing of the respective colors blue (in the figure above), white (middle), and red (bottom) begins at 0% for the respective spatial intervals Ola-c. The mixing increases to 100% at time ta=14 seconds. The light sources 6a-h distributed in passenger cabin 4 now emit light 10 in the colors of the French national flag, distributed along the length of passenger cabin 4.

[0089] Since no further control rules 20a-e are active during the period between ta=14 and ta=30 seconds, the light sources 6a-h remain unchanged. The illuminance values ​​LW remain unchanged.

[0090] At time ta=30 seconds, the control regulations 20d,e become active, but only in the local areas Old,e, i.e., the areas of field locations O from 0 to 0.33 and 0.66 to 1. In the area of ​​field locations 0.33 to 0.66, nothing changes; the light values ​​LW remain the same, and white light continues to be emitted unchanged. Since the color values ​​Fd,e are also "white," the slow mixing of the color "white" with the light values ​​LW begins at ta=30 seconds, starting at 0% and ending at 100% at time ta=40 seconds. From this point on, all light sources 6a-h emit only white light, as all LW values ​​represent completely white.

[0091] Figure 1 thus shows the assignment of a light value LW or light state to only a part of the output field: This shows, for example, the French flag on a side wall of passenger cabin 4. The flag is displayed (ta=6-14s), waits a while (ta=14-30s), and the entire side wall area is then displayed in white (ta=30-40s). This complex scene is defined by only five light states or control rules 20a-e.

[0092] Specifically, the following parameters apply: Tax Regulation 20a:

[0093] Time = 6 REF_Color = blue Duration = 8 Drift = 0

[0094] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 0.33 Tax Regulation 20b:

[0095] Time = 6 REF Color = white Duration = 8 Drift = 0

[0096] SpaceFirst = 0.33 SpaceLast = 0.66

[0097] Tax Regulation 20c:

[0098] Time = 6 REF Color = red Duration = 8 Drift = 0

[0099] SpaceFirst = 0.66 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0100] Tax Regulation 20d:

[0101] Time = 30 REF Color = white Duration = 10 Drift = 0

[0102] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 0.33

[0103] Tax Regulation 20e:

[0104] Time = 30 REF Color = white Duration = 10 Drift = 0

[0105] SpaceFirst = 0.66 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0106] The visualization of the parameters above in Figure 1 serves only to illustrate the

[0107] Meaning of the parameters. In an editor tool for programming the lighting scenario that is not shown, these do not need to be visualized in this way.

[0108] The assignment of outputs 14a-f to field locations O can be changed or configured. Thus, adjustments to lighting scenarios can be achieved while maintaining the same control regulations 20a-e by changing the relevant field locations O for the respective outputs 14a-f in output field 16.

[0109] In this context, the color values ​​F each have a chromaticity coordinate in the form of the CIE-LUV-1976 parameters "(u,v)" and a brightness value in the form of the parameter "L", as well as a transparency value a, which in output field 16 indicates the "opacity" of the 100% assigned color value F over previously existing color values ​​F according to history 26. Any color values ​​F that may be predominant when a control rule 20 is applied are therefore only mixed up to the respective opacity level of the transparency a, so that a portion of the previously existing color information is retained. In this context, the transparency value a ranges from "0" (transparent, the previous color / illuminance value LW is completely retained) to "1" (at the end of the time interval ZI, the previous color / illuminance value LW is completely replaced by the color value F of the control rule 20). Figure 2 shows an exemplary control rule 20 in a general embodiment.In Figure 2, a time drift curve 22 is also generally associated with the control rule 20. This curve indicates how the time interval ZI shifts over time within the spatial interval 01 (here from location "S1" to location "S2"). Thus, the time interval ZI begins at location S1 at time t2, but only at location S2 at time t3. The time interval ZI is chosen here as "t2-t1", meaning that at each time point, the color value F (here "green") is gradually mixed with the illuminance value LW.

[0110] To gain a clear understanding of the parameters REF_Color, Duration, and Drift, some examples in Figures 2 and 3 will demonstrate their meaning: Time = t1 is the beginning of the time interval ZI.

[0111] REF_Color is the target color in uvLa coordinates / parameters. The duration / length of the ramp to REF_Color is t2-t1. The drift (delay of the ramp across space) is t3-t2. The start of the spatial interval is Spacefirst = S1, and its end is SpaceLast = S2. t1 is the start time of the light state (i.e., control rule 20). t2 is the first time (at location S1) at which the target color is reached. t3 is the last time (at location S2) at which the target color is reached. S1: start of the spatial interval Ol, and S2: its end.

[0112] Figure 3 shows various examples of control rules 20. The color value F is red in each case, at full brightness and maximum transparency value a=1 (i.e., complete color coverage). Figure 3 thus shows light states, i.e., control rules 20, that change to a color in different ways (in particular the parameters duration and drift):

[0113] In Figure 3a (Light state definition, upper part of the figure): Time = 6 REF_Color = red Duration = 0 Drift = 0

[0114] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0115] This results in a "Light Fixtures Light output," i.e., the sudden emission of uniform red light 10 at t=6s. This is symbolically represented in the output field 16 (lower part of the figure). In Figure 3a, the time interval ZI begins and ends at t=6s, thus having a time length of zero. The spatial interval O extends from location S1=0 to location S2=1, i.e., across the spatial width / first dimension 18a of the output field 16. As a result, at time ta=6s, all controlled light sources 6 in the entire aircraft 2 are switched on to full brightness and color red.

[0116] In Figure 3b, the following applies:

[0117] Time = 6 REF_Color = red Duration = 4 Drift = 0

[0118] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0119] The example in Figure 3b differs from that in Figure 3a only in that the time interval ZI now has a finite length of ta=6 to ta=10 seconds. Starting at time ta=6 seconds, the color red is gradually faded in over 4 seconds until full brightness is reached.

[0120] In Figure 3c, the following applies:

[0121] Time = 6 REF_Color = red Duration = 4 Drift = 8

[0122] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0123] Figure 3c differs from Figure 3b in that a drift curve 22 is now assigned to the control rule 20. This causes a time delay of 8 seconds over the entire spatial interval Ol. The time interval ZI thus begins at field location 0=0 at ta=6s and ends at ta=10s. Linearly increasing with increasing field locations O, the time interval ZI begins correspondingly later, until it finally begins at field location 0=1 at time ta=6+8=14s and ends at ta=18s.

[0124] In Figure 3d, the following applies:

[0125] Time = 6 REF_Color = red Duration = 4 Drift = -8

[0126] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0127] Finally, in Figure 3d, a negative offset curve 22 with the value "-8" seconds is chosen, which is why, with respect to the field locations O, the time intervals ZI begin and end opposite to Figure 3c. Regarding Figures 4 and 5: The visualizations of the light state parameters (control rules 20) can overlap, but only one light state definition (control rule 20) is allowed for a single light unit segment at a specific time t in a specific SceneLayer (layer identifier KE, see below). Figures 4 and 5 show several overlapping light state parameter visualizations (control rules 20):

[0128] The scene editor, as symbolically represented here, allows the user to define lighting conditions. The expected light output with color transitions is visualized as shown. In particular, the mixed colors are displayed, such as purple between blue and red and yellow / orange between red and green.

[0129] Figure 4 therefore shows examples with mixed areas from blue through purple to red and red through yellow / orange to green. Here, there are still pauses between the temporal sequence of the three tax regulations 20.

[0130] Figure 5 shows this in the respective chronologically uninterrupted sequence of the tax regulations 20.

[0131] Figure 6 shows an example where a level characteristic value KE is assigned to the respective tax regulation 20. Figure 6 illustrates transparency and overlay:

[0132] Transparency is defined using the parameter "a" in REF_Color. If the parameter "a" is not equal to 1.00, the colors u, v, and L must be mixed with the colors of the lower layers (layer characteristic KE=0) at the top of the figure.

[0133] A special use case (hiding, see below) for transparency is a light state with u&v=no color (undefined) (u&v=0); a=0 (means no color, but full transparency).

[0134] The layer is defined by the SceneLayer parameter (layer identifier KE). This allows the user to stack multiple assignments on top of each other. A higher SceneLayer number means that this layer is above a lower SceneLayer number.

[0135] Both functionalities are used in the following example: The first assignment ("Assembly", Scene 1 and SceneLayer = 0) defines a light state of white color for the entire assembly labeled "Assembly", i.e. the entire output field 16.

[0136] The second assignment to the same assembly ("Assembly", Scene 2 and SceneLayer = 1) defines a three-colored flag (blue green red) that is displayed in the middle of the assembly and moves back and forth in the middle of, for example, a side wall, and is hidden by transparency with u & v & a = 0.

[0137] The overall result is a moving flag with a white background, the fading in and out of which is achieved by nineteen Lightstates (Tax Regulations 20).

[0138] The following applies:

[0139] Scene 1, layer parameter KE=O (SceneLayer 0, at the top of the figure):

[0140] Time = 0 REF_Color = white Duration = 2 Drift = 0

[0141] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0142] Scene 2, layer parameter KE=1 (SceneLayer 1 , bottom of the figure):

[0143] In addition to the tax regulations for the colors blue (arrows PB), green (arrows PG) and red (arrows PR), which are not explained again here, only the tax regulations for the transparencies (arrows PT) are explained here:

[0144] Time = 0 REF Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 4 Drift = 0

[0145] SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 0.10

[0146] Time = 0 REF Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 4 Drift = 0

[0147] SpaceFirst = 0.70 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0148] Time = 11 REF Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 0 Drift = 3

[0149] SpaceFirst = 0.10 SpaceLast = 0.40

[0150] Time = 14 REF Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 0 Drift = -4

[0151] SpaceFirst = 0.60 SpaceLast = 1.00

[0152] Time = 18 REF Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 0 Drift = 3 SpaceFirst = 0.00 SpaceLast = 0.30

[0153] Time = 28 REF_Color = u&v&a=0 Duration = 4 Drift = 0

[0154] SpaceFirst = 0.30 SpaceLast = 0.90

[0155] Thus, transparency areas 28 are created in scene 2 (scene layer 1, KE=1) where the white "background" according to scene 1 (scene layer 0, KE=0) shines through and the light values ​​LW correspond to white light.

[0156] Figures 7 and 8 explain loops: A loop is an element that defines which part of a scene is repeated. The attributes of a loop define the time (start of the loop), period (duration of the loop), and count (number of loops).

[0157] In Figure 7, the output field 16 contains a loop interval 24 that extends from time t=0 to time t=20. This interval also has a repetition count WA of 3. This results in the control rules 20 (not shown here) located in loop interval 20 being repeated a further 2 times in the time periods 20 to 40 and 40 to 60 seconds. (Indicated by dashed frames.)

[0158] Figure 8 shows this for an alternative example. The control rules 20 are identical to those in Figure 7; however, the loop interval 24 here extends only from time t=8 to t=20 seconds and has a repetition count WA of 2, which is why it is repeated only once in the period from t=20 to t=32 seconds. The control rules 20 correspond to those in Figure 5.

[0159] Reference symbol list

[0160] 2 aircraft

[0161] 4 passenger cabin

[0162] 6a-h light source

[0163] 8 Longitudinal direction

[0164] 10 lights

[0165] 12 light modules

[0166] 14a-e Exit

[0167] 16 Starting field

[0168] 18a,b Dimension

[0169] 20a-e Tax Regulations

[0170] 22 Offset curve

[0171] 24 loop interval

[0172] 26 History (Light values)

[0173] 28 Transparency range t Time ta Time point (current)

[0174] Oa-e Feldort

[0175] LW illuminance value

[0176] Fa-e color value

[0177] Ola-e spatial interval

[0178] Zla-e time interval u,v,L CIE parameters

[0179] (u,v) Color location

[0180] L Brightness a Transparency

[0181] KE level characteristic

[0182] PB Arrow

[0183] PG Arrow

[0184] PR arrow

[0185] PT Arrow

[0186] WA repetition count

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Aircraft (2), with a passenger cabin (4), - with a plurality of light sources (6a-h) arranged in the passenger cabin (4), - with a light module (12) which features: - a plurality of outputs (14a-e), wherein the light sources (6a-h) are connected to the outputs (14a-e), - a virtual initial field (16) whose first dimension (18a) is a field location (Oa- e) and whose second dimension (18b) is a progressing time (t), - at least one selectable location-time control rule (20a-e) according to which a respective light value (LW) is assigned to certain field locations (Oa-e) of the output field (16) over a certain time (t), - where each of the outputs (14a-e) is assigned a field location (Oa-e) in the output field (16), - wherein the outputs (14a-e) are configured to control connected light sources (6a-h) to emit light (10) according to the light value (LW) present at the assigned field location (Oa-e) at the current time (ta) of the time (t), - containing at least one of the tax provisions (20a-e): - a colour value (Fa-e) for the luminous value (LW), - a spatial interval (Ola-e) of the field locations (Oa-e) whose illuminance value (LW) is assigned the chromaticity value (Fa-e), - a time interval (Zla-e) during which the color values ​​(Fa-e) are mixed into the light values ​​(LW) of the field locations (Oa-e) located therein, starting at zero and completely at the end.

2. Aircraft (2) according to claim 1 , characterized in that for at least one output (14a-e) its assignment to the field location (Oa-e) in the output field (16) is changeable 3. Aircraft (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the color values ​​(Fa-e) contains a color location (u,v) and a brightness (L).

4. Aircraft (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for at least one of the control regulations (20a-e) a transparency value (a) is assigned to the color value (Fa-e) according to which, when the color value (Fa-e) is added, the color value present at the field location (Oa-e) according to history (26) is partially retained.

5. Aircraft (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the control rules (20a-e) contains a time offset curve (22).

6. Aircraft (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the offset curve (22) is a straight line.

7. Aircraft (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the control instructions (20a-e) contain a plane characteristic value (KE), wherein, in the case of simultaneous control instructions (20a-e), the one with the higher plane characteristic value (KE) is given priority over those with lower plane characteristic values ​​(KE).

8. Aircraft (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output field (16) contains a loop interval (24) with respect to time (t), wherein the control instructions (20a-e) present therein are mapped to at least one subsequent time interval according to a number of repetitions (WA).

9. Method for operating the aircraft (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the majority of the light sources (6a-h) are connected to the outputs (14a-e), - at least one of the tax regulations (20a-e) is chosen such that its time interval (Zla-e) lies in a future time (t) of the operation of the aircraft (2), - the light module (12) is operated at least during the time interval (Zla-e) of the operation of the aircraft (2), so that the light sources (6a-h) emit light (10) according to the assigned light values ​​(LW).

Images