Audio Fragment Rendering for Light Scene Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connected lighting systems with limited lighting devices struggle to create recognizable and evocative light scenes, as users often fail to associate descriptive names with the intended ambiance, leading to a lack of mood enhancement in smart home environments.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines whether a light scene is selected descriptively or non-descriptively, and based on this, controls an audio fragment rendering device to provide an audio fragment that matches the light scene's characteristics, such as color, intensity, and image, to enhance user recognition, using user interfaces, voice commands, switches, or sensors for selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the number of lighting devices is limited, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to create recognizable and evocative light scenes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of lighting devicesVSAvoiduser recognition of light scene
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces audio fragments as an intermediary element that mediates between the lighting system and the user. The audio fragment rendering device plays sounds that correspond to the current light scene, serving as a mediator that enhances user understanding and recognition of the light scene's intended ambiance without requiring additional lighting devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If descriptive names are provided for light scenes, then user recognition is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser recognition of light sceneVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of using text labels or visual icons in user interfaces with an audio-based system. Instead of relying on descriptive names displayed on screens or buttons, the system uses audio fragments (sounds) to convey the ambiance and meaning of light scenes, substituting a visual/mechanical interface with an auditory one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If audio fragments are provided for non-descriptively selected light scenes, then user recognition is enhanced, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser recognition of light sceneVSAvoidenergy consumption of audio rendering device
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-associating audio fragments with specific light scenes in advance. When a light scene is selected, the corresponding audio fragment is already prepared and can be immediately played without requiring real-time processing or selection, thereby minimizing energy consumption during operation while still providing the recognition-enhancing audio feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3928594B1Enhancing a user's recognition of a light scene
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3928594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3928594B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3928594B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for enhancing a user's recognition of a light scene, the method comprising: receiving a first signal indicative of a selection of the light scene; the light scene defining one or more lighting instructions according to which one or more lighting devices are to be controlled; determining whether the light scene has either been descriptively selected or has been non-descriptively selected; wherein a determination is made that the light scene has been descriptively selected when the light scene has been selected via a user interface device which provides a descriptive name of the light scene, and wherein otherwise the determination is made that the light scene has been non-descriptively selected; controlling the one or more lighting devices to render the light scene; and on condition that the determination has been made that the light scene has been non-descriptively selected: determining a characteristic of the light scene; providing an audio fragment based on the determined characteristic; controlling an audio fragment rendering device to render the provided audio fragment