Automatic light switch type determination system

Abstract

A system (21) is configured to select a light switch type for a light switch (46,47) to be used in a lighting system, the lighting system comprising at least one lighting device (51,53) configured to illuminate a target area (64,65), by obtaining location information indicative of the target area, gathering information regarding the type and / or quantity of light settings needed in that area, and selecting an appropriate light switch type from multiple available types based on this gathered information. The system then provides an output signal specifying the selected light switch type to a user.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80253

[0002] 1

[0003] Automatic light switch type determination system

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a system for selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target area.

[0006] The invention further relates to a method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target area.

[0007] The invention also relates to a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform such a method.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] When designing or modifying a light plan for a building, it is not trivial to determine the best target locations for the lighting devices and for the light switches. Luckily, this can be (at least partly) automated.

[0010] For example, US 2021 / 0073430 Al discloses a system for selecting equipment models and optimizing their placement in floor plans. The system can access a floor plan with multiple rooms, allow a user to select equipment symbols for analysis, identify instances of the selected equipment (such as lighting fixtures and light switches), and access functional requirements and technical specifications for the equipment. It then performs a generative analysis to select equipment models that conform to the functional requirements, updates the floor plan with the selected equipment, and generates outputs like a bill of materials. The generative analysis may involve running simulations to determine optimal technical specifications and placement locations for the equipment.

[0011] A drawback of the system of US 2021 / 0073430 Al is that it does not select a suitable light switch type for each of the target locations of the light switches. Even the users themselves are likely unfamiliar with what accessories can be used together with smart lighting to improve their control experience even more. In most cases, although users may replace lighting devices, they continue to use either legacy wall switches or in-product switches as control mechanisms. 2024PF80253

[0012] 2

[0013] Smart lighting allows new or smarter types of devices to be added (e.g., remote controls, sensors, etc.) and with different designs and functionalities not previously feasible with legacy lighting. As a result, users have a lot less implicit know-how on what accessories are needed in a certain room, which are critical and which are overkill, where they should be placed, etc.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] It is advantageous to provide a system and method, which automatically determines a light switch type suitable for a target area.

[0016] In a first aspect, a system for selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target area comprises at least one output interface and at least one processor configured to obtain location information indicative of the target area, obtain information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area, select the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, and provide, via the at least one output interface, an output signal to a user, the output signal specifying the light switch type.

[0017] By using information indicative of the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area to select the light switch type, a suitable light switch type may be automatically selected. This is possible, because there is a relation between the quantity of light settings needed in the target area and the type (e.g., buttons, sliders, dials) and quantity of light functions needed in this target area and between the type of light settings needed in the target area and the type and quantity of light functions needed in this target area. The selected light switch type should preferably have the type and quantity of light functions needed in this target area.

[0018] Having a light switch of a suitable type improves the user experience. By not having to ask the user to specify the type and number of light functions needed in a target area, this improvement may be achieved with relatively little effort from the user. The information may specify the type of space of the target area or may specify a type of light settings and / or a quantity of light settings derived from the type of space of the target area, for example. The type of space of the target area may be determined from one or more floor plans of the building or from one or more building scans of the building, for example. Different information indicative of the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or 2024PF80253

[0019] 3 the quantity of light settings needed in the target area may be used in addition to, or instead of, information specifying a type of the space of the target area.

[0020] The light settings may correspond to a light scene, automation, or individual light settings, for example. A light scene is a pre-programmed configuration of lighting settings, stored in a memory, that defines specific lighting conditions within a space. It typically includes parameters such as color, intensity, brightness, and sometimes dynamic effects, all tailored to create a particular ambiance or support specific activities. Light scenes can be recalled or activated automatically or manually, enabling consistent and repeatable lighting experiences that meet predefined objectives or aesthetic preferences.

[0021] The at least one processor may be configured to select one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch and configure, via the at least one output interface, the light switch to control the one or more lighting device after the light switch has been added to the lighting system, the light switch being of the selected light switch type.

[0022] The at least one processor may be configured to detect that a new light switch of the selected light switch type has been added to the lighting system, and upon detecting that a new light switch has been added to the lighting system, configure the light switch to control the one or more lighting devices by configuring the new light switch to control the one or more lighting devices.

[0023] The at least one processor may be configured to determine, based on the information, at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, and select the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings.

[0024] The at least one processor may be configured to determine, based on the information, at least one of a type of light control functions needed in the target area and a quantity of light control functions needed in the target area, and select the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions.

[0025] The at least one processor may be configured to determine the at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions based on the at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings.

[0026] The light control functions may comprise one or more of a button, a touch interface, a slider, and a dial. 2024PF80253

[0027] 4

[0028] The at least one processor may be configured to obtain lighting device information indicative of capabilities of one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch and determine the at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings further based on the capabilities of the one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch.

[0029] The at least one processor may be configured to determine the target area based on at least one of one or more scans of a building and one or more floor plans of the building and determine the type of space based on at least one of the one or more scans of the building and the one or more floor plans of the building.

[0030] The at least one processor may be configured to determine target locations for lighting devices based on at least one of the one or more scans of the building and the one or more floor plans of the building, the lighting devices comprising the at least one lighting device, and determine the target area based on the target locations of the lighting devices.

[0031] The quantity of light settings may be defined by a quantity of the at least one lighting device.

[0032] The at least one processor may be configured to determine whether the quantity of light settings exceeds a threshold and select the light switch type by selecting a first light switch type if the quantity of light settings is determined to exceed a threshold and a second light switch type if the quantity of light settings is determined not to exceed the threshold.

[0033] In a second aspect, a method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target location comprises obtaining location information indicative of the target area, obtaining information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area, selecting the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, and providing an output signal to a user, the output signal specifying the light switch type. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. This software may be provided as a computer program product.

[0034] Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage-medium storing the computer program are provided. A computer program may, for example, be downloaded by or uploaded to an existing device or be stored upon manufacturing of these systems. 2024PF80253

[0035] 5

[0036] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform the method described above.

[0037] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a device, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware implementation, an entirely software implementation (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an implementation combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit", "module" or "system." Functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code stored thereon.

[0038] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of the present invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0039] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code included therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 2024PF80253

[0040] 6

[0041] Program code on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java(TM), Swift, Dart, Python, Go, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0042] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to implementations of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor, in particular a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0043] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0044] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or 2024PF80253

[0045] 7 other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0046] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, methods and computer program products according to various implementations of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0047] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0049] Fig. l is a block diagram of an implementation of the system;

[0050] Fig. 2 shows an example of a floor plan of an apartment in which the system of Fig. 1 has been installed;

[0051] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of a first implementation of the method;

[0052] Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a second implementation of the method;

[0053] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a third implementation of the method;

[0054] Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a fourth implementation of the method;

[0055] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of a fifth implementation of the method;

[0056] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram of a sixth implementation of the method;

[0057] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a seventh implementation of the method;

[0058] Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of an eighth implementation of the method; and

[0059] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the methods of the invention.

[0060] Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numeral. 2024PF80253

[0061] 8

[0062] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Fig. 1 shows an implementation of the system for selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system. The lighting system comprises at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target location. In this implementation, the system comprises a mobile device 21. The mobile device 21 may be a mobile phone, a tablet, or an Augmented Reality (AR) headset, for example.

[0064] In the implementation of Fig. 1, the mobile device 21 is able to control lighting devices 51-56 via a bridge 45, e.g. using Zigbee technology. A bridge is a central hub in a smart lighting system that connects lighting devices to the network and facilitates communication between the devices and control software. The bridge stores a configuration and ensures synchronized operation of the lighting devices. The bridge 45 may be a Hue bridge, for example. The bridge 45 is connected to a wireless LAN access point 33, e.g., via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. In the example of Fig. 1, the mobile device 21 is connected directly to the wireless LAN access point 33. Alternatively, the mobile device 21 may be connected to the Internet 31 remotely, e.g., via an LTE or 5G mobile communication network.

[0065] The bridge 45 is able to communicate with lighting devices 51-56 and light switches 46 and 47 (after they have been installed), e.g., using Zigbee technology. These devices form a lighting system 40. In an alternative implementation, the mobile device 21 can alternatively or additionally control one or more of the lighting devices 51-56 without a bridge, e.g., directly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or via an Internet server 37. The Internet server 37 may be operated by a manufacturer of a lighting company, for example. The Internet server 37 is also connected to the Internet 31.

[0066] The lighting system 40 may also be configured to let one or both of light switches 46 and 47 control one or more of lighting devices 51-56. The light switches 46 and 47 may comprise a Hue smart button and a Hue dimmer switch, for example. In order to link trigger events from light switches 46 and 47 to light control commands, the bridge 45 may have memory for storing rules, e.g., a definition that pressing a button on light switch 46 dims lighting device 53. Alternatively, the light switches 46 and 47 may have a memory for storing these rules themselves and may send light control commands to the lighting devices 51-56 themselves. The rules may be provided to the light switches 46 and 47 by the mobile device 21, the bridge 45, or the Internet server 37, for example.

[0067] The mobile device 21 comprises a receiver 23, a transmitter 24, a processor 25, a speaker 26, memory 27, a camera 28, and a display 29. The processor 25 is configured 2024PF80253

[0068] 9 to obtain location information indicative of the target area, obtain information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area, select the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, and provide, via display 29 and / or speaker 26, an output signal specifying the light switch type to a user. The user may then purchase and install a light switch of the specified light switch type.

[0069] For example, in sitting areas, users are more likely to go for strictly ambiance- related options, so a light switch type with dimming capabilities may be suggested, possibly with a few scene options (e.g. tap dial switch, dimmer switch), while in more general purpose areas like a kitchen island or a dining table, where both ambiance and functional lighting may be important, a light switch type that allows for easy choosing of light scenes (e.g., Hue Tap) may be suggested.

[0070] The processor 25 may also be configured to select one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch. One or more of these lighting devices may already have been installed. The processor 25 may further be configured to determine one or more lighting device types for one or more new lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch and provide, via display 29 and / or speaker 26, an output signal specifying the one or more lighting device types. For example, the output signal may specify a lighting plan, implying type, quantity, and locations of lighting devices per room. The user may then purchase and install the one or more new lighting of the specified one or more lighting device types.

[0071] The processor 25 may be configured to determine a target location for the light switch and obtain information indicative of a type of light settings needed in the target area at the target location of the light switch and / or a quantity of light settings needed in the target area at the target location of the light switch. For example, for light switches close to entrances, a light switch type with simple on / off buttons (e.g., wall switch module, smart button) may be suggested, because when users are close to entrances, they are transitioning between rooms, and it may then primarily be important that there is enough navigation light.

[0072] The processor 25 may also be configured to additionally prepare a configuration file or equivalent such that when the user purchases a light switch of the specified type, it is already pre-configured (i.e., without user input) to control the one or more lighting devices selected to be controlled by the light switch. 2024PF80253

[0073] 10

[0074] The processor 25 may be configured to provide the user with an AR interface, e.g., with camera 28 and display 29. AR tools can be used, for example, to help users understand better the possibilities that smart lighting offers within their own home context. Websites and offline retail spend lots of effort in trying to explain to users how the different products would benefit them, but none are as efficient as users being able to witness, via AR, what smart lighting implies in their own home. By scanning rooms and overlaying different smart lights users can better judge if they are satisfied with the light effects, size, decor, etc. The processor 25 may be configured to detect common objects in rooms such as furniture, walls, floor, ceiling, doors, and windows.

[0075] These same room scans may be used, possibly together with floor plans, to determine target locations for one or more light switches and / or target locations for one or more lighting devices. The target area to be controlled by a light switch may be determined based on the (target) location of the light switch. If the target location of a light switch still needs to be determined, the lighting device(s) to be controlled by the light switch may be selected before the target location for the light switch is determined. If the location of the light switch is fixed, the lighting device(s) to be controlled by the light switch may be selected based on the (target) locations of the lighting devices in the lighting system.

[0076] These room scans and / or these floor plans may also be used to obtain the information indicative the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area. For example, information extracted from these room scans and / or these floor plans may include type and layout of the rooms, type and capabilities of lighting devices, and / or activities expected to take place in the rooms.

[0077] In an example scenario, a user is scanning their living room to obtain a lighting plan. The mobile device 21 suggests that the user gets five panels for the ceiling and four floor luminaires for the corners of the room. The mobile device 21 determines that due to the high- end decor of the room and its overall large size, the use of only functional lighting would be a missed opportunity, so it recommends the full color / gradient variants of these panels and luminaires.

[0078] Once the user approves the lighting plan, mobile device 21 proceeds to determine the best combination of light switches for it. Since the living room is large, the mobile device 21 first concludes that at least two light switches would be needed to ensure there are multiple locations from where the user can control it. Since there are many lighting devices to be controlled, the mobile device 21 also determines that it should recommend a 2024PF80253

[0079] 11 multi-device switch such as a Hue Tap Dial Switch, as it allows independent control via each button of different groups of lighting devices. This will give ultimate flexibility to the user.

[0080] Moreover, the mobile device 21 recognizes that the room has a seating area that is somewhat far away from the door to this room. The mobile device 21 then suggests that the user place one of the switches next to the entrance to the room, to make sure that the user does not walk into a dark room, and another one of the switches close to the seating area, to provide quick control while seated, without having to get up and go to the door. Based on the relative color schemes of the room and surrounding furniture, the mobile device 21 also suggests that the switch close to the door should be white (to blend properly with the wall) and the one in the seating area should be black (to not stand out too much against the dark couches).

[0081] In the same living room, the user also has a desk for working from home. The mobile device 21 then further suggests getting a desk light for focused work and a new light switch for use and placement at the desk. Since it is expected that the desk light will be mainly functional and not decorative, it is not necessary to have a light switch as advanced as the Hue Tap Dial Switch, but instead, a simple Hue Smart Button with a single actionable button may be enough. As additional benefit, this a very compact light switch, so it would not clutter the compact desk.

[0082] The connections depicted in Fig. 1 are only schematical representations. For example, it is not required that each lighting device communicates directly with bridge 45. The devices of the lighting system may form a mesh network and physical communication may be routed over multiple nodes in order to keep the distances of each radio connection short.

[0083] In the implementation of the mobile device 21 shown in Fig. 1, the mobile device 21 comprises one processor 25. In an alternative implementation, the mobile device 21 comprises multiple processors. The processor 25 of the mobile device 21 may be a general-purpose processor, e.g. from ARM or Qualcomm or an application-specific processor. The processor 25 of the mobile device 21 may run an Android or iOS operating system for example. The display 29 may comprise an LCD or OLED display panel, for example. The display 29 may be a touchscreen display, for example. The memory 27 may comprise one or more memory units. The memory 27 may comprise solid state memory, for example.

[0084] The receiver 23 and the transmitter 24 may use one or more wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point 33, for example. In an alternative implementation, multiple receivers 2024PF80253

[0085] 12 and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. In the implementation shown in Fig. 1, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative implementation, the receiver 23 and the transmitter 24 are combined into a transceiver. Camera 28 may comprise a CMOS or CCD sensor, for example. The mobile device 21 may comprise other components typical for a mobile device such as a battery and a power connector. The invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0086] In the implementation of Fig. 1, the system of the invention comprises a mobile device. In an alternative implementation, the system of the invention alternatively or additionally comprises a different device, e.g., an Internet server. In the implementation of Fig. 1, the system comprises a single device. In an alternative implementation, the system comprises a plurality of devices, e.g. the mobile device 21 and the Internet server 37.

[0087] Fig. 2 shows an example of a floor plan of an apartment in which the lighting system 40 of Fig. 1 has been installed. Apartment 61 comprises an (open) kitchen 63, a living room 64, a bathroom 65, a hallway 66, and a bedroom 67. In the example of Fig. 2, some lighting devices and some light switches have already been installed and a user 69 uses an app running on mobile device 21 of Fig. 1 to determine which (additional) light switches to install at which target locations. The user 69 may also use the AR interface on mobile device 21 to determine which (additional) lighting devices to install at which target locations.

[0088] In the example of Fig. 2, lighting device 54 of Fig. 1 has been installed in the (open) kitchen 63, bridge 45 and lighting device 51 of Fig. 1 have been installed in the living room 64, lighting device 53 of Fig. 1 has been installed in the bathroom 65, lighting device 52 of Fig. 1 has been installed in hallway 66, and lighting devices 55 and 56 of Fig. 1 have been installed in bedroom 67.

[0089] In the example of Fig. 2, a light switch 46 has already been installed (but needs to be replaced) and a light switch 47 has not yet been installed (and still needs to be purchased). Further light switches have been installed in apartment 61 but are not shown in Fig. 2 for the sake of simplicity. Light switch 46 has been installed in bathroom 65 (which is the target area for light switch 46). When the user 69 walks through the apartment, the app suggests replacing the light switch 46 with a light switch of another type at the same location or at least in target region 71 and placing a new light switch 47 in target region 72 (in living room 64, which is the target area for light switch 47).

[0090] For example, by replacing the light switch 46 with a light switch of another type, the user may be able to take advantage of the additional capabilities of lighting device 2024PF80253

[0091] 13

[0092] 53, and by placing a new light switch 47 in target region 72, the user is able to control lighting device 51 from a location which is convenient in view of the placement of the furniture. Light switch 47 may not only be intended for controlling lighting device 51, but optionally also for controlling lighting device 52 and / or lighting device 54. Thus, the target area need not include only the space in which the light switch is located. Furthermore, the target area need not even include the space in which the light switch is located.

[0093] The lighting device type determined for light switch 47 may depend on whether the living room 64 is used for just ambiance (e.g., the room has just couches and a coffee table, possibly a dining table) or (possibly) also for entertainment (e.g., the room has a couch facing a TV and / or a desk with a gaming PC and headphones).

[0094] In the example of Fig. 2, the living room 64 has a couch facing a TV, so a light switch type is determined which includes multiple buttons, where some of these buttons may be dedicated to ambiance-only functions and others may be linked to entertainment functions. Examples of entertainment functions include rendering of light effects that have been determined based on video content (e.g., in real-time from a certain input media source) to accompany the display of the video content and rendering of light effects that have been determined based on music to accompany the playback of the music. In these examples, the entertainment light effects are synchronized to video content and music, respectively.

[0095] For example, the light switch type determined and suggested for the (to-be- purchased) light switch 47 may be a Hue Tap Dial Switch, which has four buttons and a dial. Buttons 1 and 2 may be configured to trigger light scenes (for ambiance), button 3 may be configured to cause (entertainment) syncing to start, button 4 may be configured to allow the input media source to be changed, and the dial may be configured to either change brightness of a scene (when no syncing is taking place) or change the speed / intensity of the entertainment effects (when syncing is taking place). This configuration may be automatically performed as soon as a Hue Tap Dial Switch is installed in living room 64.

[0096] A first implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 3. The lighting system comprises at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target location. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example.

[0097] A step 101 comprises obtaining location information indicative of a target area. The light switch is typically located in the target area but may alternatively be located outside the target area. The location information may specify the location of the at least one lighting 2024PF80253

[0098] 14 device configured to illuminate the target area and / or may comprise an identifier of the target area (e.g. “room 4”), for example.

[0099] A step 103 comprises obtaining information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area, e.g., the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings that users are expected to want to be able to use for the at least one lighting device. The quantity of light settings may be defined by the quantity of the at least one lighting device, i.e., the quantity of lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch.

[0100] The information is obtained in step 103 based on the location information obtained in step 101. For example, step 103 may comprise transmitting the location information to another system and receiving information specific to the target area (e.g., determined from a floor plan) from the other system or retrieving information specific to the target area from storage means based on the location information.

[0101] The information obtained in step 103 may specify a type of space of the target area, for example. The type of space is indicative of the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings. Alternatively, the information obtained in step 103 may specify the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or a quantity of light settings needed in the target area, for example.

[0102] A step 105 comprises selecting the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, as indicated in the information obtained in step 103.

[0103] For example, if the information obtained in step 103 specifies a type of space of the target area, step 105 may comprise estimating, based on the type of space, one or more activities which will be performed in the target area, and selecting the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on these one or more activities. Different activities will be performed in different types of spaces, e.g., cooking in the kitchen, watching TV and reading in the living room, and reading or sleeping in the bedroom, and different activities may require different types of light settings and / or quantities of light settings.

[0104] In an extension of this example, step 105 may further comprise determining one or more types of lighting based on the one or more activities, and selecting the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on the one or more types of lighting. The one or more types of lighting may include functional lighting, ambient lighting, and / or entertainment lighting, for example. By first determining the needed type(s) of 2024PF80253

[0105] 15 lighting, no mapping directly from activity to type of light settings and / or to quantity of light settings is needed and the mappings may then be easier to make. As a variation on this extension, estimating the one or more activities which will be performed in the target area and determining the one or more types of lighting based on these one or more activities may be performed in one or more separate steps before step 105 is performed.

[0106] A step 107 comprises providing an output signal to a user. The output signal specifies the light switch type selected in step 105. The implementation of Fig. 3 may be combined with one of the implementations of Figs. 6-9 and / or with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5, 10.

[0107] A second implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 4. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 4 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 4, steps 121, 123, and 125 are performed after step 107 of Fig. 3.

[0108] Step 121 comprises (a system) detecting that a new light switch of the light switch type selected in step 105 has been added to the lighting system. Step 123 comprises selecting one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch. In an alternative implementation, step 123 is performed before step 121.

[0109] Step 125 is performed upon detecting in step 121 that a new light switch has been added to the lighting system. Step 125 comprises configuring the new light switch detected in step 121 to control the one or more lighting devices selected in step 123.

[0110] By automatically configuring the new light switch, user effort is reduced. The same information that was used to select the light switch type may be used to determine the configuration. In the implementation of Fig. 4, the user does not have to manually initiate the task of configuring the light switch, and user effort is thereby reduced. The implementation of Fig. 4 may be combined with one of the implementations of Figs. 6-9 and / or with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 5 and 10.

[0111] A third implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 5. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. In the implementation of Fig. 5, step 121 of Fig. 4 has been replaced by a step 131.

[0112] Step 131 comprises receiving user input which indicates that a new light switch of the light switch type selected in step 105 has been added to the lighting system. The user input may be received via the touchscreen display or microphone of mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, 2024PF80253

[0113] 16 for example. The implementation of Fig. 5 may be combined with one of the implementations of Figs. 6-9 and / or with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4 and 10.

[0114] A fourth implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 6. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 6 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 6, step 123 is performed between steps 101 and 103 of Fig. 3, a step 153 is performed between steps 103 and 105 of Fig. 3, step 105 of Fig. 3 is implemented by a step 155, and an optional step 151 is optionally performed between steps 123 and 153.

[0115] Step 101 comprises obtaining location information indicative of a target area. Step 103 comprises obtaining information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area. The information obtained in step 103 may specify a type of space of the target area, for example.

[0116] Step 123 comprises selecting one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch. In an alternative implementation, step 123 is performed before step 101. Optional step 151 comprises obtaining lighting device information indicative of capabilities of the one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch, as selected in step 123.

[0117] Step 153 comprises determining, based on the information obtained in step 103, the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area. The type and / or the quantity may be extracted from the information or may be derived from the information (e.g., by using a mapping).

[0118] The type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area may optionally further be determined based on the capabilities determined in optional step 151. If a lighting device has more capabilities, this normally means that it supports more light settings. By taking into account the capabilities of the lighting device, the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings may be determined more accurately.

[0119] Step 155 comprises selecting the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings determined in step 153. For example, step 155 may comprise determining whether the quantity of light settings (determined in step 153) exceeds a threshold and selecting the light switch type by selecting a first light switch type if the quantity of light settings is determined to exceed a threshold and a second light switch type if the quantity of light settings is 2024PF80253

[0120] 17 determined not to exceed the threshold. The implementation of Fig. 6 may be combined with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5, 10.

[0121] A fifth implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 7. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 7 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 7, a step 161 is performed between steps 103 and 105 of Fig. 3 and step 105 of Fig. 3 is implemented by a step 163.

[0122] Step 161 comprises determining, based on the information obtained in step 103, at least one of a type of light control functions needed in the target area and a quantity of light control functions needed in the target area, i.e., needed to control the at least one lighting device which illuminates the target area. The light control functions may comprise a button, a touch interface, a slider, and / or a dial, for example.

[0123] In the implementation of Fig. 7, the information obtained in step 103 does not specify the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings, but e.g., specifies a type of space of the target area. In the implementation of Fig. 7, the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings is also not derived from the information obtained in step 103; instead, the type of light control functions and / or the quantity of light control functions is derived directly from the information obtained in step 103.

[0124] Step 163 comprises selecting the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions, as determined in step 161. The implementation of Fig. 7 may be combined with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5, 10.

[0125] Thus, instead of a single mapping from type of space to light switch type, like in the implementation of Fig. 9, two mappings may be used to select the light switch type: a first mapping from type of space to quantity and / or type of light control functions (e.g., two buttons) and a second mapping from quantity and / or type of light control functions to light switch type. The two mappings may be easier to maintain than one, as a person adding a new light switch type to the second mapping would only need to know the quantity and type of light control functions supported by the light switch type.

[0126] A sixth implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 8. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 8 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 8, steps 153 and 171 are performed between steps 103 and 105 of Fig. 3, and step 105 of Fig. 3 is implemented by step 163. 2024PF80253

[0127] 18

[0128] Step 153 comprises determining, based on the information obtained in step 103 and optionally further based on capabilities of the one or more lighting devices to be controlled by the light switch (as shown in Fig. 6), the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area. Step 171 comprises determining a type of light control functions and / or a quantity of light control functions based on the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings, as determined in step 153. The light control functions may comprise a button, a touch interface, a slider, and / or a dial, for example.

[0129] If the information obtained in step 103 does not specify the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings, but e.g., specifies a type of space of the target area, then step 153 may involve the use of an additional mapping compared to the two mappings described in relation to Fig. 7. While in the implementation of Fig. 7, a (simple) first mapping might specify that for a light switch in a living room, two buttons would be required, in the implementation of Fig. 8, one (simple) mapping might specify that for a light switch in a living room, two ambience light scenes would be required, and another (simple) mapping might specify that for two ambience light scenes, two buttons would be required. The resulting three mappings may be easier to maintain than the two mappings described in relation to Fig. 7.

[0130] Step 163 comprises selecting the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions, as determined in step 171. The implementation of Fig. 8 may be combined with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5, 10.

[0131] A seventh implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 9. The method may be performed by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 9 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 9, step 105 of Fig. 3 is implemented by a step 181.

[0132] Step 181 comprises selecting the light switch type directly from the information obtained in step 103. For example, the information obtained in step 103 may specify a type of space of the target area, and the light switch may then be selected in step 181 by using a mapping from type of space to type of light switch. The implementation of Fig. 9 may be combined with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5, 10.

[0133] An eighth implementation of the method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system is shown in Fig. 10. The method may be performed 2024PF80253

[0134] 19 by the mobile device 21 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 10 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 3. In the implementation of Fig. 10, steps 191 and 193 are performed before step 101 of Fig. 3, and steps 101 and 103 of Fig. 3 have been implemented by steps 195 and 197, respectively.

[0135] Step 191 comprises obtaining one or more scans of a building and / or one or more floor plans of the building. For example, the one or more floor plans may indicate doors, furniture and room types. The same information may be obtained by performing image analysis on the one or more scans. The one or more floor plans may be obtained from a Building Information Management (BIM) system, for example. The one or more scans may be obtained with / from an AR device, for example. The one or more scans and the one or more floor plans need not represent the entire building, but may represent a part of the building, e.g., one or more rooms or a floor of the building.

[0136] Step 193 comprises determining target locations for lighting devices based on the one or more scans of the building and / or the one or more floor plans of the building, as obtained in step 191. Step 195 comprises determining the target area based on the target locations of the lighting devices, as determined in step 193. For example, the target area may correspond to a room, a part of a room (e.g., a seating area), or multiple spaces in adjacent rooms.

[0137] Step 195 may comprise determining a target location for the light switch based on the target locations of the lighting devices and determining the target area based on the target locations of the lighting devices and the target location for the light switch. For example, the target location for the light switch may be determined to be in between the locations of multiple lighting devices. In an alternative implementation, the target area and / or the target location for the light switch are determined based on the one or more scans of the building and / or the one or more floor plans of the building, but not based on the target locations of the lighting devices.

[0138] Step 197 comprises determining a type of space based on the one or more scans of the building and / or the one or more floor plans of the building, as obtained in step 191. The type of space is indicative of the type of light settings needed in the target area and / or the quantity of light settings needed in the target area. Thus, in the implementation of Fig. 10, both the target area and the type of space of the target area are determined based one or more scans of the building and / or one or more floor plans of the building.

[0139] Step 197 may further comprise determining, e.g., based on the one or more scans of the building and / or the one or more floor plans of the building, other information indicative of the type of light settings and / or the quantity of light settings. The 2024PF80253

[0140] 20 implementation of Fig. 10 may be combined with one of the implementations of Figs. 6-9 and / or with one or more of the implementations of Figs. 4-5.

[0141] Fig. 11 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may perform the method as described with reference to the flow charts.

[0142] As shown in Fig. 11, the data processing system 900 may include at least one processor 902 coupled to memory elements 904 through a system bus 906. As such, the data processing system may store program code within memory elements 904. Further, the processor 902 may execute the program code accessed from the memory elements 904 via a system bus 906. In one aspect, the data processing system may be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the system 900 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory that is capable of performing the functions described within this specification. The data processing system may be an Internet / cloud server, for example.

[0143] The memory elements 904 may include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 908 and one or more bulk storage devices 910. The local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 900 may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the quantity of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 910 during execution. The processing system 900 may also be able to use memory elements of another processing system, e.g. if the processing system 900 is part of a cloud-computing platform.

[0144] Input / output (VO) devices depicted as an input device 912 and an output device 914 optionally can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (e.g. for voice and / or speech recognition), or the like. Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or a display, speakers, or the like. Input and / or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening VO controllers.

[0145] The input and the output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in Fig. 11 with a dashed line surrounding the input device 912 and the output device 914). An example of such a combined device is a touch sensitive display, also sometimes referred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen”. In 2024PF80253

[0146] 21 such an implementation, input to the device may be provided by a movement of a physical object, such as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a user, on or near the touch screen display.

[0147] A network adapter 916 may also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by the systems, devices and / or networks to the data processing system 900, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 900 to the systems, devices and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter that may be used with the data processing system 900.

[0148] As pictured in Fig. 11, the memory elements 904 may store an application 918. The application 918 may be stored in the local memory 908, the one or more bulk storage devices 910, or separate from the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system 900 may further execute an operating system (not shown in Fig. 11) that can facilitate execution of the application 918. The application 918, being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by the data processing system 900, e.g., by the processor 902. Responsive to executing the application, the data processing system 900 may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein.

[0149] The invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define functions. The program(s) may be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computer readable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. The program(s) may also be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor 902 described herein.

[0150] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the 2024PF80253

[0151] 22 singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0152] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The detailed description has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

2024PF8025323CLAIMS:

1. A system (21) for selecting a light switch type for a light switch (46,47) to be used in a lighting system (40) comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target area, the system (21) comprising: at least one output interface (24,29); and at least one processor (25) configured to:- obtain location information indicative of the target area (64,65),- obtain, based on the location information, information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area (64,65) and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area (64,65),- select the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area (64,65) and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area (64,65), and- provide, via the at least one output interface (24,29), an output signal to a user, the output signal specifying the light switch type.

2. A system (21) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- select one or more lighting devices (51-56) to be controlled by the light switch (46,47), and- configure, via the at least one output interface (24,29), the light switch (46,47) to control the one or more lighting devices (51-56) after the light switch (46,47) has been added to the lighting system (40), the light switch (46,47) being of the selected light switch type.

3. A system (21) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- detect that a new light switch (46,47) of the selected light switch type has been added to the lighting system (40), and2024PF8025324- upon detecting that a new light switch (46,47) has been added to the lighting system (40), configure the light switch (46,47) to control the one or more lighting devices (51-56) by configuring the new light switch (46,47) to control the one or more lighting devices (51-56).

4. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine, based on the information, at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area (64,65) and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area (64,65), and- select the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings.

5. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine, based on the information, at least one of a type of light control functions needed in the target area (64,65) and a quantity of light control functions needed in the target area (64,65), and- select the light switch type from the plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions.

6. A system (21) as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to determine the at least one of the type of light control functions and the quantity of light control functions based on the at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings.

7. A system (21) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the light control functions comprise at least one of a button, a touch interface, a slider, and a dial.

8. A system (21) as claimed in claim 4 or 6, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- obtain lighting device information indicative of capabilities of one or more lighting devices (51-56) to be controlled by the light switch (46,47), and2024PF8025325- determine the at least one of the type of light settings and the quantity of light settings further based on the capabilities of the one or more lighting devices (51-56) to be controlled by the light switch (46,47).

9. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the information specifies a type of space of the target area (64,65) in which the system is located.

10. A system (21) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine the target area (64,65) based on at least one of one or more scans of a building and one or more floor plans of the building, and- determine the type of space based on at least one of the one or more scans of the building and the one or more floor plans of the building.

11. A system (21) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine target locations for lighting devices (51-56) based on at least one of the one or more scans of the building and the one or more floor plans of the building, the lighting devices comprising the at least one lighting device, and- determine the target area (64,65) based on the target locations of the lighting devices (51-56).

12. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the quantity of light settings is defined by a quantity of the at least one lighting device.

13. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine whether the quantity of light settings exceeds a threshold, and- select the light switch type by selecting a first light switch type if the quantity of light settings is determined to exceed a threshold and a second light switch type if the quantity of light settings is determined not to exceed the threshold.2024PF802532614. A method of selecting a light switch type for a light switch to be used in a lighting system comprising at least one lighting device configured to illuminate a target location, the method comprising:- obtaining (101) location information indicative of the target area, - obtaining (103), based on the location information, information indicative of at least one of a type of light settings needed in the target area and a quantity of light settings needed in the target area,- selecting (105) the light switch type from a plurality of light switch types based on at least one of the type of light settings needed in the target area and the quantity of light settings needed in the target area, and- providing (107) an output signal to a user, the output signal specifying the light switch type.

15. A computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product comprising computer program code to perform the method of claim 14 when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the computing device.

Images