Relative adjustment of light scene color temperature

Abstract

A system for adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is configured to determine, for each of the multiple colors (401-404) of the light scene, a respective distance from the black body line (400) of a color space (410), determine if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space, and adjust the chromaticity of a first color of the multiple colors across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line if the respective distance of the first color is within the first distance threshold.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80477

[0002] 1

[0003] Relative adjustment of light scene color temperature

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a system for adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units.

[0006] The invention further relates to a method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units.

[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] To make controlling lighting devices easier, it is nowadays not only possible for users to use physical light switches and graphical user interfaces of apps running on mobile devices, but also to provide natural language commands, e.g., voice commands. For example, it is possible to control Hue lighting devices with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.

[0010] Furthermore, US 2020 / 214112 AA discloses a method of controlling illumination emitted by one or more illumination sources of a lighting system, the method comprising automatically performing operations of: receiving from a speech recognition system a first input indicative of a first speech command; in response to the first input, controlling the lighting system to transition from a first state comprising a first value of a parameter of the illumination to a second state comprising a second value of the parameter; receiving from the speech recognition system a second input indicative of a second speech command, the second input indicating that the second speech command specifies a further change in the parameter; mapping the second input to an adjustment defined at least in part based on the first and second values of the parameter; and controlling the lighting system to transition from the second state to a further adjusted state by adjusting the parameter.

[0011] In certain systems, it is possible for users to provide voice commands for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of a light scene currently being rendered. 2024PF80477

[0012] 2

[0013] For example, to control Hue lights with Alexa, a user can provide the voice command “Alexa, make the {room} warmer”. However, controlling color temperature is not straightforward to implement; if the currently active scene is colorful, “cooler” or “warmer” would be undefined, so it might be best to ignore the command.

[0014] On the other hand, some light scenes might be very close to white (e.g., highly de-saturated scenes like “Unwind” or “Rolling Hills” in the Hue gallery) and for these light scenes, “warmer” and “cooler” commands are relevant. In the case of Alexa, if the user gives a command “make lights cooler”, it completely disregards the color and makes colored light cool white, which is not an expected behavior for most colorful light scenes.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is advantageous to provide a system and method, which can adjust a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene with less unexpected behavior.

[0017] In a first aspect, a system for adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units, comprises at least one input interface, at least one output interface, and at least one processor configured to receive, via the at least one input interface, an input signal indicative of the user command, determine, for each of the multiple colors, a respective distance from the black body line of a color space, determine, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space, if a respective distance of a first color of the multiple colors is within the first distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface, based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line, and if a respective distance of a second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold, not adjust the chromaticity of the second color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line.

[0018] By only adjusting the chromaticity of colors that are relatively close to the black body line in response to the user command for making a relative adjustment to the color temperature of the light scene, it is possibly to carry out the user command without unexpected behavior: the color temperature of colors which are relatively close to white (e.g., white) is adjusted while the color temperature of more colorful colors is not adjusted. 2024PF80477

[0019] 3

[0020] A light scene defines specific lighting conditions and may be, for example, a pre-programmed configuration of lighting settings stored in a memory or created on the fly when the user changes light settings manually. It typically includes parameters such as color, intensity, brightness, and sometimes dynamic effects, all tailored to create a particular ambiance or support specific activities. Pre-programmed 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 further configured to determine if the respective distance of the first color is within a second distance threshold from the black body line, the second distance threshold being smaller than the first threshold distance, and if the respective distance of the first color is within the second distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface, based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color along the black body line.

[0022] The at least one processor may be further configured to, if the respective distance of the first color is outside the second distance threshold and within the first distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface, based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line.

[0023] The at least one processor may be further configured to only perform the adjusting of the chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line if no second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold.

[0024] The user command may indicate a target size of the adjustment and the at least one processor may be configured to adjust the chromaticity of the one or more first colors based on the target size of the adjustment.

[0025] The at least one processor may be configured to enable the user command to be provided via a graphical user interface.

[0026] The light scene may be a stored light scene and the at least one processor may be configured to indicate in the graphical user interface, after the chromaticity of the one or more first colors has been adjusted, a difference between a color temperature of the adjusted light scene and a color temperature of the stored light scene.

[0027] The at least one processor may be configured to indicate in the graphical user interface, before the input signal is received, of how many of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command. 2024PF80477

[0028] 4

[0029] The at least one processor may be configured to represent, before the input signal is received, each of the multiple lighting units in a representation of the color space, displayed in the graphical user interface, at locations corresponding to the chromaticity of the multiple colors, wherein the representations of the multiple lighting units indicate of which of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command.

[0030] The at least one processor may be configured to disable color temperature adjustment via the graphical user interface before the input signal is received or inform the user that the user command cannot be executed after the user input signal is received if not all colors of the multiple colors indicated in the light scene have a chromaticity within their respective first distance threshold from the black body line and none of the multiple colors have a chromaticity within their respective second distance threshold.

[0031] The at least one processor may be configured to enable a user to adjust the one or more first distance thresholds and / or to enable the user command to be provided via a slider or a rotary control knob or as a natural language command.

[0032] The at least one processor may be configured to determine, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line by determining the respective first distance threshold for the respective color based on the chromaticity of the respective color and determining if the respective distance is within the respective first distance threshold.

[0033] The at least one processor may be configured to determine an average color temperature of the light scene and determine the one or more first distance thresholds based on the average color temperature of the light scene.

[0034] In a second aspect, a method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units, comprises receiving an input signal indicative of the user command, determining, for each of the multiple colors, a respective distance from the black body line of a color space, determining, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space, if a respective distance of a first color of the multiple colors is within the first distance threshold, adjusting, based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line, and if a respective distance of a second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold, not adjusting the 2024PF80477

[0035] 5 chromaticity of the second color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. This software may be provided as a computer program product.

[0036] The method may further comprise determining if the respective distance of the first color is within a second distance threshold from the black body line, the second distance threshold being smaller than the first threshold distance, and wherein the chromaticity of the first color is adjusted along the black body line based on the user command if the respective distance of the first color is within the second distance threshold,

[0037] The chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line may be adjusted, based on the user command, such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line if the respective distance of the first color is outside the second distance threshold and within the first distance threshold.

[0038] The adjusting of the chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line might only be performed if no second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold.

[0039] The user command may indicate a target size of the adjustment and the chromaticity of the one or more first colors may be adjusted based on the target size of the adjustment.

[0040] The method may further comprise enabling the user command to be provided via a graphical user interface.

[0041] The light scene may be a stored light scene, and the method may further comprise indicating in the graphical user interface, after the chromaticity of the one or more first colors has been adjusted, a difference between a color temperature of the adjusted light scene and a color temperature of the stored light scene.

[0042] The method may further comprise indicating in the graphical user interface, before the input signal is received, of how many of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command.

[0043] The indicating in the graphical user interface of how many of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command may comprise representing, before the input signal is received, each of the multiple lighting units in a representation of the color space, displayed in the graphical user interface, at locations corresponding to the chromaticity of the multiple colors, wherein the representations of the 2024PF80477

[0044] 6 multiple lighting units indicate of which of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command.

[0045] The method may further comprise disabling color temperature adjustment via the graphical user interface before the input signal is received or informing the user that the user command cannot be executed after the user input signal is received if not all colors of the multiple colors indicated in the light scene have a chromaticity within their respective first distance threshold from the black body line and none of the multiple colors have a chromaticity within their respective second distance threshold.

[0046] The method may further comprise enabling a user to adjust the one or more first distance thresholds and / or to enable the user command to be provided via a slider or a rotary control knob or as a natural language command.

[0047] The determining, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line may comprise determining the respective first distance threshold for the respective color based on the chromaticity of the respective color and determining if the respective distance is within the respective first distance threshold.

[0048] The method may further comprise determining an average color temperature of the light scene and determining the one or more first distance thresholds based on the average color temperature of the light scene.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 2024PF80477

[0052] 7 in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code stored thereon.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 2024PF80477

[0056] 8

[0057] (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).

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0061] 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 2024PF80477

[0062] 9 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.

[0063] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] 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:

[0065] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an implementation of the system;

[0066] Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a first implementation of the method;

[0067] Fig. 3 shows example color adjustments to illustrate the method of Fig. 2;

[0068] Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a second implementation of the method;

[0069] Fig. 5 shows example color adjustments to illustrate the method of Fig. 4;

[0070] Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a third implementation of the method;

[0071] Fig. 7 shows an example of a graphical user interface used in the method of Fig. 6;

[0072] Fig. 8 shows color temperature adjustment being disabled in the GUI of Fig. 7;

[0073] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a fourth implementation of the method;

[0074] Fig. 10 shows an example of a physical control device with which color temperature can be adjusted;

[0075] Fig. 11 is a flow chart of a fifth implementation of the method;

[0076] Fig. 12 is a flow chart of a sixth implementation of the method; and

[0077] Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the methods of the invention.

[0078] Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numeral.

[0079] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Fig. 1 shows an implementation of the system for adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene. The light scene comprises multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units, e.g., lighting devices 51-56 shown in Fig. 1. Lighting devices 51-56 each comprise one or more light sources. In this implementation, the system comprises a mobile device 21. The mobile device 21 may be a mobile phone or a tablet, for example. The mobile device 21 may run a light control app, e.g., the Hue app, for example. 2024PF80477

[0081] 10

[0082] 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.

[0083] The bridge 45 is able to communicate with lighting devices 51-56, e.g., using Zigbee technology. 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 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.

[0084] The mobile device 21 comprises a receiver 23, a transmitter 24, a processor 25, a speaker 26, memory 27, a camera 28, and a touchscreen display 29. The processor 25 is configured to receive, e.g., via the touchscreen display 29, an input signal indicative of the user command, determine, for each of the multiple colors, a respective distance from the black body line of a color space, and determine, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space. Light scene information indicating the multiple colors may be received from the bridge 45 or the lighting devices 51-56, for example.

[0085] The processor 25 is further configured to, if a respective distance of a first color of the multiple colors is within the first distance threshold, adjust, via the transmitter 24, based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line, and if a respective distance of a second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold, not adjust the chromaticity of the second color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line. In the implementation of Fig. 1, the mobile device adjusts the color of a lighting device by transmitting a command to the bridge 45, which then transmits a command to the lighting device.

[0086] For example, the user may use mobile device 21 to give a voice / text command “make the lights warmer”. The mobile device may then obtain the current light setting of the 2024PF80477

[0087] 11 lighting devices 51-56 and determine what the required size of the adjustment is (e.g., depending on if the command was “slightly warmer” or “warmer”).

[0088] If two distance thresholds are used, after calculating each distance d to the black body line (BBL), the mobile device 21 compares each distance d with the first distance threshold Tl and the second distance threshold T2. Depending on the calculated distances d, the light settings may, for example, be adjusted in the following manner:

[0089] • All lighting devices d> Tl: no colors are changed; the user is informed that the command cannot be executed;

[0090] • Some lighting devices d > Tl : the system adjusts the colors with distance d < T2 (depending on the specific implementation either first snap / collapse them to the BBL and then move them, or move them parallel to BBL);

[0091] • All lighting devices d < Tl: the colors of all lighting devices are adjusted (moved parallel to the BBL).

[0092] The connections depicted in Fig. 1 are only schematic 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.

[0093] 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 memory 27 may comprise one or more memory units. The memory 27 may comprise solid state memory, for example.

[0094] 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 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 2024PF80477

[0095] 12 connector. The invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.

[0096] 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 or a desktop PC. 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 bridge 45.

[0097] A first implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 2. The light scene comprises multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units. The light scene may be, for example, a stored light scene or a derivation thereof, but may alternatively be completely manually set. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example.

[0098] A step 101 comprises receiving an input signal indicative of the user command for making the relative adjustment to the color temperature of the light scene. Optionally, the user command indicates a target size of the adjustment, e.g., “slightly warmer” or “slightly cooler”. A step 103 comprises obtaining light scene information related the light scene. This light scene information indicates the multiple colors.

[0099] A step 105 comprises selecting a first color or a next color from the multiple colors of the light scene. In its first iteration, step 105 comprises selecting the first color of the light scene. In next iterations, step 105 comprises selecting the next color of the light scene. A step 107 comprises determining, for the color selected in step 105, a respective distance d from the black body line of a color space. The color space may be CIE xyY or CIE 1976 UCS color space, for example.

[0100] The distance d is preferably calculated by calculating a distance between the color to a point on the BBL that has the same correlated color temperature (CCT). Alternatively, the distance d may be calculated by calculating Euclidean distance to the nearest point on the BBL in a given color space. Moreover, CCT is only well defined near the BBL, so depending on the distance from the BBL, different approaches may be used to measure the exact distance to a corresponding correlated color temperature point on the BBL.

[0101] A step 109 comprises determining, for the color selected in step 105, whether the respective distance d determined in step 107 is within a first distance threshold T1 from the black body line of the color space. The first distance threshold T1 may be 0.05 in CIE 1976 2024PF80477

[0102] 13

[0103] UCS color space, for example. If d is smaller than or equal to Tl, step 113 is performed. If d is larger than Tl, step 113 is skipped and step 115 is performed next.

[0104] Step 113 comprises adjusting, based on the user command indicated in the user input signal received in step 101, the chromaticity of the color selected in step 105 across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the color follows the black body line. The chromaticity may be adjusted parallel to the black body line or may be adjusted along the black body line, i.e., collapsed onto the black body line, for example. The adjustment depends on whether the user command requests an increase or decrease of the color temperature. If the user command indicates a target size of the adjustment, the chromaticity of the one or more first colors is adjusted based on the target size of the adjustment in step 113, e.g., a larger adjustment for “warmer” than for “slightly warmer”.

[0105] Thus, if the respective distance determined in step 107 is outside the first distance threshold Tl, the chromaticity of the color is not adjusted across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line. A step 115 comprises determining whether steps 105, 107, 109, and optionally 113, have been performed for all colors. If so, the method ends. If not, step 105 is repeated, and the method proceeds as shown in Fig. 2 with the next color.

[0106] Fig. 3 shows an example of a light scene in which the colors of all lighting devices are within the first distance threshold from the black body line (BBL). In Fig. 3, four colors 401-404 and their position in color space 410 relative to the BBL 400 are shown. If the user gives a command “make the lights cooler”, the colors of all lighting devices are then moved parallel to the BBL 400, thus maintaining their distance to BBL 400. All four colors are adjusted, resulting in adjusted colors 411-414.

[0107] A second implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 4. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 4 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 4, step 109 of Fig. 2 is implemented by a step 123 and step 113 of Fig. 2 is implemented by steps 125 and 127.

[0108] Step 123 comprises determining whether the respective distance d determined in step 107 is within a first distance threshold Tl from the black body line of the color space and determining whether the respective distance d is within a second distance threshold T2 from the black body line. The second distance threshold T2 is smaller than the first threshold distance TL The first distance threshold Tl may be 0.05 and the second distance threshold T2 may be 0.025 2024PF80477

[0109] 14 in CIE 1976 UCS color space, for example. If d is smaller than or equal to T2, step 125 is performed. If d is larger than T2 and smaller than or equal to Tl, step 127 is performed. If d is larger than Tl, step 113 is skipped and step 115 is performed next.

[0110] Step 125 comprises adjusting the chromaticity of the color selected in step 105 along the black body line based on the user command. The colors adjusted in step 125 are snapped to the BBL / collapsed on the BBL and treated as white ambiance light sources. Step 127 comprises adjusting the chromaticity of the color selected in step 105 across the area comprising the black body line based on the user command such that the chromaticity of the color follows the black body line. In step 127, the chromaticity of the color is not adjusted along the black body line but adjusted parallel to the black body line or close to parallel.

[0111] Optionally, step 127 is only performed if no color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold Tl. The rationale behind this approach is that if at least one color is outside the first distance threshold Tl, not all colors of the light scene should be adjusted, and therefore only colors are adjusted that are white or can be approximated to white (within the second distance threshold T2; very small distance to BBL), but if all colors of the light scene are within the first distance threshold Tl, i.e., the scene is homogeneous and consists of pastel colors, the requirement is relaxed and all colors of the light scene are adjusted.

[0112] In a variation on this implementation in which step 127 is only performed if no color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold Tl, step 125 comprises adjusting the chromaticity of the color to follow the BBL (e.g., parallel to the BBL or close to parallel) instead of along the black body line. The chromaticity of colors inside the second distance threshold T2 is always adjusted, i.e., irrespective of whether there are colors outside the first distance threshold Tl or not.

[0113] In Fig. 5, four colors 401-404 and their position in color space 410 relative to the BBL 400 are shown. Fig. 5 shows an example of a light scene in which colors 401, 402, and 403 are within the first distance threshold and color 404 is outside the first distance threshold. Since color 404 is outside the first distance threshold, it is not adjusted. Color 401 is not adjusted either, because it is between the first and second distance thresholds and color 404 is outside the first distance threshold. Colors 402 and 403 are within the second distance threshold and are therefore adjusted, resulting in adjusted colors 412-413.

[0114] If the color 404 would be inside the first distance threshold like in the example of Fig. 3 and the method of Fig. 4 would be applied, then colors 401 and 404 would have been adjusted like in the example of Fig. 3, but colors 402 and 403 would be adjusted along 2024PF80477

[0115] 15 the BBL (snapping) while colors 401 and 404 may be adjusted in a different way to follow the BBL (non-snapping), e.g., parallel to the BBL.

[0116] In an alternative to the method of Fig. 4, it is first checked whether there is at least one color outside the first distance threshold T1 and only then is it checked for each color whether the respective distance d is within the second distance threshold T2 from the black body line. In this alternative, if color 404 would be inside the first distance threshold like in the example of Fig. 3, colors 402 and 403 would be adjusted in the same way as colors 401 and 404, e.g., in parallel to the BBL 400.

[0117] A third implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 6. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 6 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 6, a step 141 is performed before step 101 of Fig. 2. Step 141 comprises enabling the user command to be provided via a graphical user interface, e.g., of an app.

[0118] The graphical user interface preferably provides feedback to the user such that user understands better what is happening when the user makes a scene cooler or warmer. Fig. 7 shows an example of a such a graphical user interface. In the GUI 300 of Fig. 7, four colors of the light scene currently being rendered are represented by circles 301-304 in a representation of color space 300. The locations of the circles 301-304 correspond to the chromaticity of the corresponding colors. The current average color temperature 319 is 4000 K. On a virtual slider 310, a line 311 indicates the color temperature of the stored light scene and a movable thumb 312 indicates the current color temperature, i.e., the color temperature of the adjusted light scene.

[0119] Thus, the virtual slider 310 indicates the difference between the color temperature of the adjusted light scene and the color temperature of the stored light scene. Even if the user command is given using voice, if the user opens the app, the user could see color temperature level in the same way as a brightness level (not shown in Fig. 7). For example, 0 may be the default scene color temperature, above 0 (right of line 311 in Fig. 7), colors were made warmer, and below 0 (left of line 311), colors were made cooler.

[0120] The user can move the thumb 312 to adjust the color temperature of the light scene. The circles 302 and 303 are white to indicate that the corresponding colors (which are close to the BBL) of the respective lighting devices will be adjusted when the user changes the color temperature of the light scene. The circles 301 and 304 are black to indicate that the corresponding colors (which are far away from the BBL) of the respective lighting devices 2024PF80477

[0121] 16 will not be adjusted when the user changes the color temperature of the light scene. Thus, the representation of the color space indicates of how many colors 301-304 the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user provides a new command, e.g., moves the thumb 312 of the slider 310 or provides a voice command.

[0122] The method of Fig. 6 may comprise disabling color temperature adjustment via the graphical user interface before the input signal is received or informing the user that the user command cannot be executed after the user input signal is received if not all colors of the multiple colors indicated in the light scene have a chromaticity within their respective first distance threshold from the black body line and none of the multiple colors have a chromaticity within their respective second distance threshold.

[0123] Fig. 8 shows color temperature adjustment being disabled in the GUI of Fig. 7.

[0124] Fig. 8 again shows the GUI 300 of Fig. 7, but now with only two colors corresponding to white circles 301 and 304 of Fig. 7. Since these colors will not be adjusted when the user changes the color temperature of the light scene, color temperature adjustment has been disabled with gray rectangle 331. Thus, for very colorful scenes (all colors are far away from the BBL), color temperature control is disabled. Alternatively, color coding may be used, e.g. red: feature is not available, yellow: only some lights will be affected, green: all lights will be affected.

[0125] A fourth implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 9. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 9 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 9, steps 161 and 163 are performed before step 101 of Fig. 2. In an alternative implementation, one of steps 161 and 163 is omitted.

[0126] Step 161 comprises enabling the user to adjust the one or more first distance thresholds, e.g., within a certain range. Step 163 comprises enabling the user command to be provided via a slider or a rotary control knob (a physical dial) or as a natural language command. The slider may be a real slider in a physical control device or a virtual slider in a graphical user interface. In an alternative implementation, one or more other UI modalities than the ones mentioned here are used, e.g., real or virtual buttons.

[0127] Fig. 10 shows an example of a physical control device with which color temperature can be adjusted. Fig. 10 shows a physical user control device 331 with four buttons 333-336, e.g., for switching lighting units on and off, increasing and decreasing brightness, and / or switching between light scenes, and slider 338. The slider 338 enables the 2024PF80477

[0128] 17 user to provide the user command for making a relative adjustment to the color temperature of the light scene, e.g., in a similar manner to virtual slider 310 of Fig. 7, but then in physical form.

[0129] A fifth implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 11. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 11 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 11, step 109 of Fig. 2 is implemented by steps 181 and 183.

[0130] Step 109 comprises determining, for the color selected in step 105, whether the respective distance d determined in step 107 is within a first distance threshold T1 from the black body line of the color space. Step 181 comprises determining a respective first distance threshold for the respective color selected in step 105 based on the chromaticity of the respective color. Step 183 comprises determining if the respective distance is within the respective first distance threshold determined in step 181.

[0131] Thus, if a color rendered by, or specified for, a lighting device is closer to a cooler part of the color temperature, the first distance threshold (and optionally the second distance threshold) used for that lighting device may be different than if the color is closer to a warmer part of the color temperature.

[0132] A sixth implementation of the method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene is shown in Fig. 12. The method may be performed by the mobile device 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 12 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 12, steps 203 and 201 are performed between steps 103 and 105 of Fig. 2.

[0133] Step 201 comprises determining an average color temperature of the light scene. Step 203 comprises determining the one or more first distance thresholds to be used in step 109 based on the average color temperature of the light scene determined in step 201. In this case, typically a single first distance threshold is used for all lighting devices. This single first distance threshold is not fixed but dependent on the average scene color temperature and changes as a scene is made cooler or warmer. Thus, if the average light scene color temperature is closer to the cooler part of the color temperature, the first distance threshold (and optionally the second distance threshold) used for all colors / lighting devices is different than if the average light scene color temperature would be closer to the warmer part of the color temperature. 2024PF80477

[0134] 18

[0135] One or more of the implementations described above may be combined to create one or more additional implementations. For example, one or more steps of one flowchart may be added to another flowchart.

[0136] Fig. 13 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may perform the method as described with reference to the flow charts.

[0137] As shown in Fig. 13, 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 Intemet / cloud server, for example.

[0138] 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.

[0139] Input / output (I / O) 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 I / O controllers.

[0140] The input and the output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in Fig. 13 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 2024PF80477

[0141] 19 display, also sometimes referred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen”. In 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] As pictured in Fig. 13, 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. 13) 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.

[0144] 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. 2024PF80477

[0145] 20

[0146] 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 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.

[0147] 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

2024PF8047721CLAIMS:

1. A system (21) for adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units (51-56), the system (21) comprising: at least one input interface (29); at least one output interface (24); and at least one processor (25) configured to:- receive, via the at least one input interface (29), an input signal indicative of the user command,- determine, for each of the multiple colors, a respective distance from the black body line of a color space,- determine, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space,- if a respective distance of a first color of the multiple colors is within the first distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface (24), based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line, and- if a respective distance of a second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold, not adjust the chromaticity of the second color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line.

2. The system (21) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (25) is further configured to:- determine if the respective distance of the first color is within a second distance threshold from the black body line, the second distance threshold being smaller than the first threshold distance, and2024PF8047722- if the respective distance of the first color is within the second distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface (24), based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color along the black body line.

3. The system (21) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one processor (25) is further configured to, if the respective distance of the first color is outside the second distance threshold and within the first distance threshold, adjust, via the at least one output interface (24), based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line.

4. The system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is further configured to only perform the adjusting of the chromaticity of the first color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line if no second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold.

5. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user command indicates a target size of the adjustment and the at least one processor (25) is configured to adjust the chromaticity of the one or more first colors based on the target size of the adjustment.

6. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to enable the user command to be provided via a graphical user interface (300).

7. A system (21) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light scene is a stored light scene and the at least one processor (25) is configured to indicate in the graphical user interface (300), after the chromaticity of the one or more first colors has been adjusted, a difference between a color temperature of the adjusted light scene and a color temperature of the stored light scene.

8. A system (21) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to indicate in the graphical user interface (300), before the input signal is2024PF8047723 received, of how many of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command.

9. A system (21) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to represent, before the input signal is received, each of the multiple lighting units (51-56) in a representation of the color space, displayed in the graphical user interface (300), at locations corresponding to the chromaticity of the multiple colors, wherein the representations of the multiple lighting units (51-56) indicate of which of the multiple colors the chromaticity will be adjusted when the user will provide the user command.

10. A system (21) as claimed in any one of claims 6-9 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to disable color temperature adjustment via the graphical user interface (300) before the input signal is received or inform the user that the user command cannot be executed after the user input signal is received if not all colors of the multiple colors indicated in the light scene have a chromaticity within their respective first distance threshold from the black body line and none of the multiple colors have a chromaticity within their respective second distance threshold.

11. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to enable a user to adjust the one or more first distance thresholds and / or to enable the user command to be provided via a slider (310,338) or a rotary control knob or as a natural language command.

12. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to determine, for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line by:- determining the respective first distance threshold for the respective color based on the chromaticity of the respective color, and- determining if the respective distance is within the respective first distance threshold.

13. A system (21) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (25) is configured to:- determine an average color temperature of the light scene, and2024PF8047724- determine the one or more first distance thresholds based on the average color temperature of the light scene.

14. A method of adjusting a light scene based on a user command for making a relative adjustment to a color temperature of the light scene, the light scene comprising multiple colors being rendered on multiple lighting units, the method comprising:- receiving (101) an input signal indicative of the user command,- determining (107), for each of the multiple colors, a respective distance from the black body line of a color space,- determining (109), for each of the multiple colors, if the respective distance is within a first distance threshold from the black body line of the color space,- if a respective distance of a first color of the multiple colors is within the first distance threshold, adjusting (111), based on the user command, the chromaticity of the first color across an area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the first color follows the black body line, and- if a respective distance of a second color of the multiple colors is outside the first distance threshold, not adjusting the chromaticity of the second color across the area comprising the black body line such that the chromaticity of the second color does not follow the black body line.

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.

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