Color Sensor Light Adaptation Foreign Object Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems that automatically adapt light color to objects being illuminated are complex and expensive due to the need for accurate object identification and feature acquisition, which is not efficiently handled by current technologies.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a color sensor and a control device that generates a color signal from the target object and suppresses changes in light color when a foreign object is detected, allowing for automatic adaptation of light color without precise object identification, using a non-imaging color sensor and filtering out short-term color changes caused by temporary objects like people.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accurate object identification and feature acquisition are used to control light color, then lighting adaptation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential color information from the detection signal, ignoring other object features such as shape, size, and position. By focusing solely on color values, the system achieves effective lighting adaptation without requiring complex object identification capabilities, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining functional accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, cost-effective color sensors instead of expensive imaging systems or complex identification devices. These basic sensors provide sufficient color data for lighting control without the high costs associated with advanced object recognition technologies, making the system economically viable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Speed

If color changes from all objects are considered for light color control, then lighting adaptation responsiveness is improved, but reliability decreases due to foreign object interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting adaptation speedVSAvoidlight color control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a reference color value before lighting adaptation begins. This preliminary reference serves as a baseline for comparing subsequent color changes, enabling the system to distinguish between relevant object color changes and irrelevant foreign object interference. The reference value is used to determine whether detected color changes warrant lighting adjustments, improving reliability while maintaining responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detected color changes are continuously compared against the reference color value. This feedback loop allows the system to evaluate whether color changes originate from target objects or foreign objects, enabling intelligent decision-making about lighting adjustments. The feedback process filters out spurious signals while capturing genuine object color changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and cost-effective automatic adaptation of light color to objects, improving accuracy by filtering out temporary color changes from foreign objects and allowing for long-term color changes from repositioned items, with the option to store and transmit identification information for improved filtering and movement prediction.

Implementation Method 1

a color sensor (S) integrated into the luminaire (L) and positioned in the area of the light emission such that the detection range (E) of the color sensor (S) coincides with the luminaire's light emission area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3493652B1Automatic adaptation of the light colour of lights
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3493652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493652B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493652B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the color of the light emitted by a luminaire (L). The device comprises a color sensor (S) that generates a color signal from at least one target object (O) illuminated by the luminaire (L1..L4), and a control unit (5) that assigns a light color to a color value of the color signal and controls the luminaire (L) based on the assigned light color, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to determine the presence of a foreign object (P) in the detection range (E) of the color sensor (S) based on a change in the color signal and to suppress a change in the light color when the presence of a foreign object (P) has been determined.