Lighting system, method and program for creating a dynamic lighting effect

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is related to a lighting device. In another aspect, the invention is related to a lighting system comprising a group of such lighting devices, wherein the lighting system is configured to provide a dynamic lighting effect. In another aspect, the present invention is related to a method for creating a dynamic lighting effect using the said lighting system. In a further aspect, the present invention is related to a computer program adapted for running the said method.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80329

[0002] 1

[0003] LIGHTING DEVICE, LIGHTING SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR CREATING A DYNAMIC LIGHTING EFFECT

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is related to a lighting device and a lighting system comprising a group of such lighting devices, wherein the lighting system is configured to provide a dynamic lighting effect. In another aspect, the present invention is related to a method for creating a dynamic lighting effect. In a further aspect, the present invention is related to a computer program adapted for running the method described herein.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Various lighting systems are available to provides static and dynamic light modes. A dynamic light mode refers to a lighting setting wherein the light changes in intensity, color, or pattern over time. Some lighting systems functioning in a dynamic light mode are configured to provide a sequence of colors that the lighting device will iterate through.

[0008] Some lighting devices are described as ‘multi -head’ and contain several distinct light sources, that can be controlled individually.

[0009] The most common product is the addressable LED strip, where each one of the plurality of LED chip on the strip can be individually addressed and controlled at the firmware level. For those multi -head devices, the dynamic light modes are rendered a little differently. Instead of the entirety of the product iterating through the different colors, those colors are applied to distinct segments on the LED strips, in a serial fashion. Providing a more pleasing ‘chasing’ effect.

[0010] The fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a dynamic lighting system 500 according to a first prior art embodiment comprising a LED strip 503 comprising a plurality of light emitting devices (LED) 504 and electrically coupled to each other, the LED strip 503 being connected through a serial link 502 to a lighting controller 501 and configured for providing a dynamic light scene wherein random colors or light outputs (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4) are moving through the LED strip. Such a lighting system is limited by the size and by the shape of the LED strip.2024PF80329

[0011] 2

[0012] Distinct lighting devices commissioned in a single room and presenting the same specifications can be grouped together. Once grouped the distinct devices will act as a single device. Turning on or off, changing the current light mode, on a particular device will be instantly replicated to all other devices in the same group.

[0013] Applying a dynamic light mode to a group of devices will have all those devices running the same light mode in synchronization.

[0014] Dynamic lighting effects on multi head, addressable, lighting devices can be more varied, and have a more pleasant effect.

[0015] But there is immediate way to apply that to light devices such as the regular light bulb.

[0016] Placing regular devices in a group will try to replicate the functionality of the addressable multi head devices using the more common devices.

[0017] A common solution to that problem is the use of a lighting controller (a bridge, a smartphone), to be used as an orchestrator for the different devices. However, this solution has some drawbacks such as needing a lot of communications between the light controller and the different devices.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a lighting device which can be used in a lighting system comprising a group of lighting devices, for the creation of a dynamic lighting effect, more particularly a chasing lighting effect, across the group of lighting devices.

[0020] The present invention also aims to reduce the amount of data communications that generally occurs between an external control device, such as for example a smartphone, and each of the lighting device of a lighting system.

[0021] Advantageously, the present invention provides a good versatility of the lighting system, allowing various spatial configurations of the lighting system. The lighting devices can be positioned according to various positions in an environment, for example on a wall, on a volume or in a room, and a chase lighting effect can be created across the lighting devices according to a predetermined pathway. The spatial positions of the lighting devices can be easily modified to form a various ambiances, letterings, or shapes.

[0022] In a first aspect, the present invention is related to a lighting device.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention is related to a lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting devices according to the first aspect, and a control device.2024PF80329

[0024] 3

[0025] In a third aspect, the present invention is related to a method for creating a dynamic light effect across a group of lighting devices.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, the present invention is related to a computer program product for a control device, the computer program product comprising a computer program code to perform the method of the third aspect, when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the control device.

[0027] Other features of the present invention will be apparent through the description here below and the appended claims.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the disclosed systems, devices and methods will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of devices and methods, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an addressable LED strip according to an embodiment of the prior art.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 4A to 4D represents four different examples of a diagrams of a matrix of lighting devices LDA to LDI and their respective positions Pn in an index.

[0034] Fig. 5 represents a table of a light sequence performed on a group of four lighting devices according to the invention, arranged in a line, wherein the table lists the color output for each light at each instant of the sequence.

[0035] Fig. 6A represents an example of a three-dimensional view of an arrangement of lighting devices.

[0036] Fig. 6B represents table of a light sequence performed on a group of four lighting devices according to the fig. 6A, arranged in a S, wherein the table lists the color output for each light at each instant of the sequence.2024PF80329

[0037] 4

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In a first aspect, the present invention is related to a lighting device 101 configured to be part of a wireless connected network 200 through which signals from a control device 201 can be transmitted.

[0040] The figure 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a lighting device 101 according to the invention comprising:

[0041] an RGB light source 102;

[0042] an identification tag 103 for identifying the lighting device by the control device;

[0043] a receiver (105) configured to receive:

[0044] o A first input signal indicating a position of the lighting device in an index, wherein the position of the lighting device in the index is assigned by a user after identification of the lighting device by the control device;

[0045] o A second input signal of starting a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time ; and

[0046] A controller 106 configured for:

[0047] o receiving inputs and the receiver 105;

[0048] o Determining, based on the position of the lighting device in the index and based on the suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed, a particular step of the suite of steps to start with, and;

[0049] o Controlling the RGB light source such as to start the suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs by the particular step, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time.

[0050] Advantageously, the receiver 105 is further configured to receive a stop signal from the control device 201 and the controller 106 is further configured to control the RGB light source to stop the RGB lighting output upon reception of the stop signal.

[0051] In some embodiments, the lighting device 101 may further comprise an internal clock 104 configured to be synchronized with other internal clocks of other lighting devices, and the controller 106 may be configured to further receive inputs from the internal clock 104.

[0052] In a second aspect, the present invention is related to a lighting system for creating a dynamic light effect across a group of lighting devices comprising a plurality of lighting devices 101 as described above and a control device 201, wherein each of the2024PF80329

[0053] 5

[0054] lighting devices 101 are configured to be part of a wireless connected network 202, to be detected by the control device 201 and to receive inputs from the control device 201, in particular an input signal indicating a position of the lighting device in an index, wherein the position of the lighting device in the index is assigned by a user after identification of the lighting device by the control device, and an input signal of starting a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time. The control device is configured to be part of the wireless network 202, to detect the lighting devices 201 and to send input signals to the lighting devices 201, in particular a first input signal indicating a position of the lighting device in an index, wherein the position of the lighting device in the index is assigned by a user after identification of the lighting device by the control device, and a second input signal of starting a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time

[0055] The figure 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a lighting system according to the present invention.

[0056] Preferably, the control device 201 comprises an interface 203 allowing to a user to assign a position of each lighting device in an index and such that the control device transmits to each lighting device 101 an input signal indicating its assigned position in the index.

[0057] Preferably, the control device 201 comprises an interface 203 configured to propose a plurality of lighting modes and to allow a user to select a particular lighting mode among the plurality of lighting modes.

[0058] Preferably, the control device 201 comprises an interface 203 configured to allow a user to set the predetermined interval of time for each step of the suite of the lighting mode.

[0059] Preferably the interface 203 is further configured to propose an instruction to stop performing the lighting mode, the control device being configured to transmit to each of the lighting devices a stop signal upon selection of the instruction to stop by a user.

[0060] The lighting system according to the invention is adapted for providing a dynamic lighting effect, in particular a chase lighting effect. A chase lighting effect refers to an illumination technique wherein a particular light is outputted across a plurality of lighting devices positioned in line, in a planar surface or in a volume, in a specific order and for a selected interval of time, in order to create an appearance of a lighting movement along a2024PF80329

[0061] 6

[0062] path. The chase lighting effect can create the appearance of a lighting movement along a unique direction of the path or the appearance of a back-and-forth lighting movement along the path.

[0063] In the context of the present invention, the term “lighting system” refers to a system comprising a group of lighting devices configured to be part of a connected network and to provide a dynamic lighting effect across the plurality of lighting devices of the group of lighting devices.

[0064] In the lighting system, the lighting devices are associated with the control device. In some embodiments, the control device can comprise a user interface such as an interface of a smartphone, of a tablet or of a computer or any equivalent device providing the same effect. A smartphone, tablet, computer or equivalent may communicate directly with the lighting devices or indirectly through a wireless router. The control device is advantageously separated from the group of lighting devices and is connectable through a wireless connected network. Association of the plurality of lighting devices with the control device includes typical wireless protocols known in the art allowing the lighting devices and the control device to connect and function with each other.

[0065] Preferably, the control device is configured to broadcasts to each of the lighting devices, preferably in a synchronized manner, a signal of starting a selected light mode with a selected interval of time for a chasing lighting effect through the wireless network. Therefore, each of the lighting devices receives an instruction at the same time of starting a suite of steps, wherein each step is to be performed during a selected interval of time. Alternatively, each lighting device may have optionally an internal clock synchronized with each other and each controller is configured and instructed to start their respective suite of steps at the same time.

[0066] The lighting system further comprises a hardware configured for receiving signals, i.e. a receiver, from the control device via any wired or wireless protocol such as Ethernet, DMX, DALI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G or ZigBee. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting system and the control device are configured to be part of a wireless connected network.

[0067] In the lighting system of the present invention, each of the lighting devices are distinct from each other and preferably does not communicate between each other. The lighting devices can be arranged in line, on a surface or inside a volume or on a volume to form a particular lighting shape. A first lighting device has at least one adjacent lighting device positioned at a certain distance. The distance between two adjacent lighting devices is2024PF80329

[0068] 7

[0069] not relevant for the invention, however, the distance between two adjacent lighting devices is advantageously of less than 20 meters, preferably less than 10 meters, more preferably less than 5 meters, even more preferably less than 1 meter. The lighting devices can be arranged to form a particular shape.

[0070] Each of the lighting devices has an identification tag so that it can be identified by the control device. Each lighting device identified by the control device has an assignable position in an index. In the context of the invention, the term “index” refers to an ordered listing of lighting devices identified in the lighting system. In other words, the “index” refers to an order in which the lighting devices of a group of lighting device performs a particular lighting sequence. In some embodiments, each lighting device is set up to have a different position in the index. For example, in a lighting system comprising N lighting devices, the index comprises N different positions corresponding to the N lighting devices. In another embodiment, one or more subgroups of lighting devices may share the same position in the index. For example, in a lighting system comprising N lighting devices, the lighting devices may be set up such that two neighboring lighting devices are associated by pairs and a such that each pair of lighting devices shares a same position in the index, so that the number of positions in the index is N / 2. In another example, in a lighting system comprising eighteen lighting devices, two first neighboring lighting devices can share a first position in the index, three second neighboring lighting devices can share a second position in the index, five neighboring third lighting devices can share a third position in the index and eight neighboring fourth lighting devices can share a fourth position in the index, so that in a sequence of colors, a first color moves from the two first neighboring devices, then to the three second neighboring lighting devices, then to the five neighboring lighting devices and then to the eight neighboring lighting devices. The position of each lighting device in the index may be set up by default or is advantageously assigned by a user through an interface of the control device. For example, the lighting devices may be positioned in a line and a first lighting device arranged at one extremity of the line has the assigned position as the first position in the index. In another example, the group of lighting devices can be arranged to form a matrix and one of the lighting devices arranged at one extremity of the matrix, for example at a comer or at an edge, or in the center of the matrix, or in another position in the matrix may be assigned as the first position in the index.

[0071] Each of the lighting device is preferably supplied by an electric source such as a battery or an electric generator. Advantageously, each lighting devices is freely movable independently from each other.2024PF80329

[0072] 8

[0073] The RGB (red-green-blue) light source is preferably a Light emission device (LED) providing a controlled lighting output.

[0074] The receiver is configured to receive a signal indicating an assigned position of the lighting device in an index and to receive an input signal of starting a lighting mode. In the context of the invention, a “lighting mode” refers to a predefined suite of light outputs. The suite of light outputs comprises a plurality of steps wherein each step is performed with a predetermined light output for a predetermined interval of time. The light output is created by the RGB light source which can provide various colors of various brightness, intensity, or contrast. The lighting mode can be selected or customized by a user from an interface of the control device communicating with each of the lighting devices of the lighting system.

[0075] Each of the lighting devices are spatially positioned in an environment, for example in a room. Each of the lighting devices has an identification tag 103 and can be recognized by the control device. In a preferred embodiment, the spatial position, preferably a relative spatial position, of each of the identified lighting devices is defined by a user through the interface of the control device and the position of the lighting devices in an index listing each of the lighting devices in a particular order for performing a chase lighting effect is defined by the user through the interface of the control device. In one optional embodiment, the spatial position of each lighting devices in the room can be recognized by the control device and the control system is configured to generate an index listing each of the lighting devices in an order according to their spatial position.

[0076] In a third aspect, the present invention aims to provide a method for creating a dynamic lighting affect across a group of lighting devices comprising the steps of :

[0077] i. providing a plurality of lighting devices as described above and a control device;

[0078] ii. connecting the plurality of lighting devices with the control device through a wireless connected network to form a lighting system; iii. assigning to each of the lighting devices a position in an index; iv. defining a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed during a predetermined interval of time or selecting among a library of lighting modes available on an interface of the control device a predefined lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed during a predetermined interval of time;

[0079] v. operating the control device to send:2024PF80329

[0080] 9

[0081] a first input signal to each lighting devices indicating to each lighting device its assigned position in an index; and

[0082] a second input signal of starting a lighting mode to each lighting devices of the group of lighting devices;

[0083] wherein each of the lighting device of the group of lighting device is controlled to start the suite of steps by a particular step according to the assigned position of the lighting device in the index.

[0084] In some embodiments, before the step of connecting the plurality of lighting devices with the control device, a step of associating the plurality of lighting devices with the control device is performed by using typical wireless protocols known in the art allowing the lighting devices and the control device to connect and function with each other.

[0085] In one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of defining spatial coordinates of the lighting devices and assigning the position of each of the lighting devices in the index is in function their spatial coordinates, so that the position of each of the lighting devices in the index can be assigned in function of the location of the lighting devices in an environment.

[0086] In one embodiment, each lighting device comprises an identification tag and the control device is configured to detect the spatial coordinates of each of the lighting devices in an environment and the control device is further configured to display an overview of the spatial position of each lighting devices on an interface. For example, a plurality of lighting device arranged along a horizontal line can be detected by the control device and a user can assign, through the interface, a position of each lighting devices in an index in function of their spatial position from left to right or from right to left, according to the dynamic lighting effect desired by the user.

[0087] Preferably, the position of each of the lighting devices in the index is directly assigned by a user through an interface of the control device. The fig. 4A to 4D shows different possibilities of assigning the positions of lighting devices in the index for lighting devices arranged in a 3 x 3 matrix, wherein the spatial positions of the lighting devices are identified LDA to LDI and the position of the lighting devices in the index are labelled Pn, wherein n is a number indicating the position of the lighting device in the index. The index can be customized by the user through the interface of the control device or various selections of index can be automatically generated by the control device and proposed to the user through the interface.2024PF80329

[0088] 10

[0089] In fig. 4A, the lighting devices are assigned their positions in the index as followed :

[0090] - Pl : LDA

[0091] - P2 : LDB

[0092] - P3: LDC

[0093] - P4: LDF

[0094] - P5: LDE

[0095] - P6: LDD

[0096] - P7: LDG

[0097] - P8: LDH

[0098] - P9: LDI

[0099] So that in the embodiment of Fig. 4A, a dynamic lighting effect moves through the matrix of lighting devices LDA to LDI like a serpentine.

[0100] In Fig. 4B, the lighting devices are assigned their positions in the index as followed :

[0101] - PL LDA, LDD and LDG

[0102] - P2: LDB, LDE and LDH

[0103] - P3: LDC, LDF and LDI

[0104] So that in the embodiment of Fig. 4B, a dynamic lighting effect moves as a vertical line crossing the matrix of lighting devices from left to right.

[0105] In fig. 4C, the lighting devices are assigned their positions in the index as followed:

[0106] - Pl: LDA,

[0107] - P2: LDB and LDD

[0108] - P3: LDC, LDE and LDG

[0109] - P4: LDF and LDH

[0110] - P5: LDI

[0111] So that in the embodiment of Fig. 4C, a dynamic lighting effect moves as a line crossing diagonally the matrix of lighting devices from the top left to the bottom right.

[0112] In Fig. 4D, the lighting devices are assigned their position in the index as followed:

[0113] - Pl: LDA, LDD and LDG

[0114] - P2: LDB, LDE and LDH

[0115] - P3: LDC, LDF and LDI2024PF80329

[0116] 11

[0117] - P4: LDB, LDE and LDH

[0118] So that in the embodiment of Fig. 4D, a dynamic lighting effect moves as a line crossing vertically the matrix of lighting devices as a back-and-forth movement.

[0119] Various lighting modes are available through an interface of the control device and comprise a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed by a lighting device during a predetermined interval of time. Advantageously, the lighting modes are defined such that the predetermined interval of time is the same for each step of the suite, such as to simplify the synchronization of the lighting devices. The interface of the control device advantageously provide an option to set up the predetermined interval of time.

[0120] In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of selecting a particular lighting mode available from a library of light mode stored on a memory of the control device. The particular light mode can be selected by a user through an interface of the control device. Alternatively, a particular light mode can be customized with a suite of customized colors and a customized interval of time by a user through an interface of the control device.

[0121] Once each lighting device has received an assigned position in the index and the lighting mode has been chosen by the user, the user can provide instruction through the interface to start the lighting mode so that each lighting device will start the suite of steps by a particular step according to the assigned position of the lighting device in the index.

[0122] The method further comprises a step of operating the control device such as to send a stop signal to each lighting devices of the group of lighting devices such as to stop the lighting devices to perform the light mode.

[0123] In a fourth aspect, the present invention is related to a computer program product for a control device, the computer program product comprising a computer program code to perform the method as described above when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the control device.

[0124] Examples

[0125] A lighting system according to the invention comprises a group of four lighting devices arranged in a particular environment, for example on the surface of a wall, and connected to a wireless network, e.g. a Wi-Fi. The lighting devices can be arranged in line or in a two-dimensional shape or a three-dimensional shape. In the present example, four lighting devices are arranged in line as presented in Fig. 3.

[0126] An application is installed on a smartphone as the control device which is connected to the lighting devices through a wireless network and the application provides an interface for a user allowing selection of a particular light mode among a plurality of light2024PF80329

[0127] 12

[0128] modes in a library. Each lighting mode is defined by a suite of steps during which a predetermined lighting output is to be provided during a certain interval of time. The interface further allows to the user to select an interval of time for the steps of the suite of steps of the lighting mode.

[0129] Upon detection of the group lighting devices by the control device, the interface displays a list of lighting devices labelled LDA, LDB, LDC, LDD and the user can assign each of the lighting devices in an index according to their coordinates position (x, y, z). In the case of four lighting devices labelled LDA, LDB, LDC, LDD arranged in a horizontal line from left to right, the lighting devices have the respective relative coordinate positions (0,0,0), (1,0,0), (2,0,0) and (3,0,0). By “relative coordinate position” is understood that each coordinate is defined by the position of the lighting device independently from the distance between each of them. For example, in the fig. 3, the effective distance between the lighting device LDA and LDB differs from the distance between the lighting devices LDB and LDC, but for each x coordinate position is a natural number referring to the relative position of the lighting devices along an x axis. The interface may be configured to ask the user to define these coordinate positions or preferably, the control device is configured to detect the relative spatial positions of the lighting device and to display each relative spatial positions of the lighting devices on the interface.

[0130] The interface of the control device is further configured to ask to a user to define a position of the lighting devices in an index, or alternatively to propose a selection of various index wherein each lighting device has one or more assigned position.

[0131] The interface is further configured to ask the user to select a lighting mode among a library of available lighting modes, or to custom a lighting mode according to the wishes of the user.

[0132] In the present examples, the lighting mode comprises displaying a chase lighting effect which can be tuned to be performed along a single direction or as a back-and-forth movement.

[0133] For example, the user starts an application provided in the interface of the control device which detects and identify the presence of four lighting devices LDA, LDB, LDC, LDD. The application displays each lighting devices in a list and ask to the user to assign a position of each light in an index that will be used for creating the chase lighting effect. Advantageously, the application includes a checking function so that the user can switch on separately each lighting devices in order to check the spatial location of each lighting devices.2024PF80329

[0134] 13

[0135] For example, when four lighting devices LDA, LDB, LDC, LDD as shown in Fig. 3 have respectively the following spatial coordinates (0,0,0), (1,0,0), (2,0,0) and (3,0,0), the user can assign the position of the four lighting devices in the index like:

[0136] First position: LDA

[0137] Second position: LDB

[0138] Third position: LDC

[0139] Fourth position: LDD.

[0140] The user selects on the interface the light mode LM1 which displays the following repeating suite of colors:

[0141] Step 1 : red

[0142] Step 2: blue

[0143] Step 3 : yellow

[0144] Step 4: green.

[0145] The user further selects an interval of time for each steps, for example 500 ms. The user further selects the light mode to be performed as a chasing effect according to a unidirectional movement, e.g. left to right, across the four lights when the lighting devices LDA, LDB, LDC, LDD are spatially positioned left to right and assigned in the index according to their spatial position.

[0146] Once the user has confirmed his selection, the application interface provides a start button so that the user can give instruction to start the light mode with the selected interval of time and the chase lighting effect unidirectional.

[0147] Before or when the instruction to start is given by the user, the control device, i.e. the application run on the smartphone, communicates to each lighting device their assigned positions in the index., then, after the instruction to start, the control device, broadcasts to each of the lighting device, preferably in a synchronized manner, a signal of starting the selected light mode with the selected interval of time and the chasing lighting effect through the wireless network. Therefore, each of the four lighting devices receives an instruction at the same time of starting a suite of four steps, wherein each step is to be performed during an interval of 500 ms. Alternatively, each lighting device may have optionally an internal clock synchronized with each other and each controller is configured and instructed to start their respective suite of steps at the same time. In order to perform the chase lighting effect in one direction, the controller of each lighting device determines in function of the number of positions in the index and in function of the position of the lighting2024PF80329

[0148] 14

[0149] device in the index at which step of the repeating suite of colors to start the repeating suite of colors, and control the RGB light source to provide a RGB lighting output every 500 ms.

[0150] As shown in the diagram of fig. 5, at a starting time tO:

[0151] the lighting device LDA execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red,

[0152] the lighting device LDB execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color green,

[0153] the lighting device LDC execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow; and

[0154] the lighting device LDD execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color blue.

[0155] After a first interval of time of 500 ms:

[0156] the lighting device LDA execute the second step of the suite and outputs the color blue;

[0157] the lighting device LDB execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red;

[0158] the lighting device LDC execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color green; and

[0159] the lighting device LDD execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow.

[0160] After a second interval of time of 500 ms:

[0161] the lighting device LDA execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow;

[0162] the lighting device LDB execute the second step of the suite and outputs the color blue;

[0163] the lighting device LDC execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red; and

[0164] the lighting device LDD execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color green.

[0165] After a third interval of 500 ms:

[0166] the lighting device LDA execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color green;

[0167] the lighting device LDB execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow;2024PF80329

[0168] 15

[0169] the lighting device LDC execute the second step of the suite and outputs the color blue; and

[0170] the lighting device LDD execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red.

[0171] After a fourth interval of time of 500 ms, each of the lighting devices restart the suite of RGB light outputs by executing color outputs as at the starting time tO.

[0172] In another example, the chase light effect can be set up by the user through the interface such as to create a back-and-forth chasing effect. Once a suite of four colors red, blue, yellow and green have traveled from the first lighting device LDA to the fourth lighting device LDD, the suite of colors travels back in a reversed order from the fourth device LDD to the first lighting device LDA.

[0173] In another example, a group of nine lighting devices is arranged according to a two-dimensional shape, for example a “S” as shown in the diagram of fig. 6 A. The application run on the smartphone detects the presence of nine identified lighting devices having the respective identification tag and relative spatial coordinates: LDA (1,1,0), LDB (2,1,0), LDC (3,2,0), LDD (3,3,0), LDE (2,4,0), LDF (1,5,0), LDG (1,6,0), LDH (3,6,0), LDI (2,7,0). In order to have a chase lighting effect forming a path like the letter “S” and starting from the bottom extremity of the letter S, the user assign the position of the nine lighting devices in the index like:

[0174] First position Pl : LDB

[0175] Second position P2: LDA

[0176] Third position P3 : LDC

[0177] Fourth position P4: LDD

[0178] Fifth position P5: LDE

[0179] Sixth position P6: LDF

[0180] Seventh position P7: LDG

[0181] Eighth position P8: LDI

[0182] Ninth position P9: LDH

[0183] Once each lighting device has received an assigned position in the index and once the user has selected the lighting mode, for example the lighting mode LM1 as described above and such as to obtain a lighting effect along a unique direction, the control device communicates to each lighting device its position in the index and the suite of colors to be outputted, so that the controller of each lighting device can determine at the starting2024PF80329

[0184] 16

[0185] time of the lighting mode at which step of the suite to start. In the present case, at a starting time tO:

[0186] the lighting device LDB execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red,

[0187] the lighting device LDA execute the second step of the suite and outputs the color green,

[0188] the lighting device LDC execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow; and

[0189] the lighting device LDD execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color blue,

[0190] the lighting device LDE execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red,

[0191] the lighting device LDF execute the second step of the suite and outputs the color green,

[0192] the lighting device LDG execute the third step of the suite and outputs the color yellow; and

[0193] the lighting device LDI execute the fourth step of the suite and outputs the color blue,

[0194] the lighting device LDH execute the first step of the suite and outputs the color red.

[0195] At each interval of time of 500 ms, each lighting device change the lighting output such as to follow the suite of colors according to their respective step from which they started, as represented in the timetable of Fig. 6B following the same logic as for the first example.

[0196] In some other embodiments, a light mode can comprise in the suite of steps one or more steps during which no light output is provided.

[0197] Therefore, according to the present invention, the amount of signal communications transmitted between the control device and the lighting devices is limited to the steps of:

[0198] detecting the presence of lighting devices,

[0199] assigning to each lighting devices a position in an index;

[0200] instructing each lighting devices to start a light mode with a predefined interval from a step of the light mode according to the position of the lighting device in the index;2024PF80329

[0201] 17

[0202] optionally instructing each lighting device to change the light mode, and; instructing each lighting device to stop the light mode they are performing. Advantageously, while all of the lighting devices are synchronized with each other after reception of an input signal to start a lighting mode, they do not communicate between each other and operate independently from each other to provide a chase lighting effect.

[0203] Another advantage of the present invention is the versatility of the lighting system, in which the lighting devices can be easily rearranged to form different shapes in which a dynamic lighting effect is created.

Claims

2024PF8032918CLAIMS1. A lighting system (200) configured to create a chasing light effect across a group of lighting devices comprising a plurality of lighting devices (101), wherein the lighting system (200) comprises:a plurality of lighting devices (101) is configured to be part of the wireless network (202), each lighting device (101) of the plurality of the lighting devices (101) comprising:an RGB light source (102);an identification tag (103) for identifying the lighting device (101) by a control device (201);a receiver (105) configured to receive:o a first input signal indicating an assigned position of the lighting device in an index, wherein the assigned position of the lighting device in the index is assigned by a user after identification of the lighting device by the control device (201), and ;o a second input signal of starting a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time; anda controller (106) configured for:o receiving input from the receiver (105);o determining, based on the position of the lighting device in the index and based on the suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs, a particular step of the suite of steps to start with, and;o controlling the RGB light source to start the suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs by the particular step, wherein each step is to be performed during a predetermined interval of time;2024PF8032919the control device (201) is configured to be part of the wireless network (202), to detect the lighting devices (101) and to send input signals to each of the lighting devices (ioi).

2. Lighting system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (105) of the lighting device (101) is further configured to receive a stop signal from the control device (201) and wherein the controller (106) of the lighting device (101) is further configured to control the RGB light source to stop the RGB lighting output upon reception of the stop signal.

3. Lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (201) comprises an interface (203) allowing to a user to assign a position of each lighting device in an index and such that the control device transmits to each lighting device (101) an input signal indicating its position in the index.

4. Lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (201) comprises an interface (203) configured to propose a plurality of lighting modes and to allow a user to select a particular lighting mode among the plurality of lighting modes.

5. Lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (201) comprises an interface (203) configured to set the predetermined interval of time.

6. Lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (201) comprises an interface (203) configured to propose an instruction to stop the performance of a lighting mode, the control device being configured to transmit to each of the lighting devices a stop signal upon selection of the instruction to stop by a user.

7. A method for creating a chasing light effect across a group of lighting devices comprising a plurality of lighting devices comprising the steps ofproviding the plurality of lighting devices according to any one of the preceding claims and a control device;2024PF8032920connecting the plurality of lighting devices with the control device through a wireless connected network to form a lighting system;assigning to each of the lighting devices of the plurality of lighting devices a position in an index;defining a lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed during a predetermined interval of time or selecting among a library of lighting modes available on an interface of the control device a predefined lighting mode comprising a suite of steps of predetermined RGB light outputs to be performed during a predetermined interval of time;operating the control device to send:o a first input signal to each lighting devices indicating to each lighting device its assigned position in an index; and o a second input signal of starting the lighting mode to each lighting devices of the group of lighting devices, wherein each of the lighting device of the group of lighting devices is controlled to start the suite of steps by a particular step according to the assigned position of the lighting device in the index.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising a step of defining spatial coordinates of the lighting devices and assigning the position of each of the lighting devices in the index is in function their spatial coordinates.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the position of each of the lighting device in the index is assigned by a user.

10. A method according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein a subgroup of the group of lighting device is assigned to a same position in the index.

11. A method according to any one of the claims 7 to 10 the predetermined interval of time is the same for each step of the lighting mode.

12. A method according to any one of the claims 7 to 11 further comprising a step of operating the control device such as to send a stop signal to each lighting devices of the group of lighting devices such as to stop the lighting devices to perform the light mode.2024PF803292113. Computer program product for a control device, the computer program product comprising a computer program code to perform the method of claim 7 to 12 when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the control device.

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