Adaptive Lighting Control with Hierarchical Reference Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems that rely on environmental sensors for autonomous control often compromise between user comfort and energy efficiency, as they lack a dynamic and adaptive approach to adjust light levels based on occupancy and environmental characteristics across different locations within a space.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where luminaires adjust their light output based on occupancy detection and environmental factors, with a hierarchical control approach that sets reference light levels for occupied and unoccupied areas, and dynamically adjusts these levels based on ambient light and temperature, ensuring energy efficiency without compromising user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If occupancy sensors and light sensors are used for autonomous lighting control, then user comfort is ensured, but energy consumption is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different reference light levels for different locations within the same space. The first location (e.g., work area) receives a higher first reference light level, while the second location (e.g., circulation area) receives a lower second reference light level. This spatial differentiation allows the system to maintain user comfort in critical areas while reducing energy consumption in less critical areas, directly resolving the contradiction between comfort and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light output based on real-time occupancy detection and environmental characteristics. When occupancy is detected at the first location, the first luminaire activates and the second luminaire remains off. When occupancy moves to the second location, the roles reverse. This dynamic switching, combined with continuous adjustment based on ambient light and temperature sensors, enables the system to adapt to changing conditions, minimizing energy consumption while ensuring comfort is maintained wherever occupants are present.
2Use of energy by moving object
If light output is reduced in unoccupied areas, then energy efficiency is enhanced, but user comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple luminaires with different reference light levels before occupancy occurs. The first luminaire is configured with a higher first reference light level suitable for work areas, while the second luminaire is configured with a lower second reference light level suitable for circulation areas. This preliminary setup ensures that when occupancy is detected, the appropriate luminaire can immediately activate at the correct light level, preventing any discomfort while maximizing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental characteristics (ambient light, temperature) and occupancy status, using this feedback to dynamically adjust light output. Sensors provide real-time feedback about conditions in the space, allowing the control system to optimize lighting levels based on actual environmental conditions and occupancy patterns, ensuring comfort is maintained while energy consumption is minimized.
3Adaptability or versatility
If environmental sensors are integrated into the lighting system, then adaptive control is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a control entity that performs multiple functions: it controls lighting output, processes sensor data from occupancy sensors, light sensors, and environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2), and coordinates multiple luminaires. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control entity rather than distributing it across multiple devices, enabling adaptive control while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple sensing functions (occupancy detection, ambient light measurement, temperature monitoring, humidity sensing, CO2 detection) and control functions into a unified lighting control system. By combining these previously separate systems into one integrated platform, the patent enables comprehensive adaptive control while reducing overall system complexity through consolidation, as the merged system can process all sensor inputs and coordinate all lighting outputs through a single control entity.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example embodiment, a method (200) for lighting control in a lighting system (100) is provided. The lighting system (100) comprises a plurality of luminaires (120) for illuminating a space, the plurality of luminaires (120) including a first luminaire (120-m) arranged for illuminating a first location of said space and one or more second luminaires (120-n) that are associated with the first luminaire (120-m) and arranged for illuminating respective second locations of said space. The method (200) comprises: controlling (202) the first luminaire (120-m) to provide light output at a first light intensity in response to detecting occupancy at said first location, wherein the first light intensity is set such that it results in providing at least a first reference light level at said first location; controlling (204) the one or more second luminaires (120-n) to activate their respective light outputs in response to obtaining an indication of the first luminaire having activated its light output while not detecting occupancy at the respective second locations; controlling (206), while not detecting occupancy at the respective second location, the respective second luminaire (120-n) to provide light output at a respective second light intensity, wherein the respective second light intensity is set such that it results in providing at least a second reference light level at the respective second location, where the second reference light level is lower than the first reference light level; and adjusting (208) the second reference light level for the respective second luminaire in dependence of one or more environmental characteristics in said space.