Lighting system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems struggle to effectively attract the attention of individuals in busy environments, such as retail spaces or museums, without initial engagement or interest from the user, as they rely on detecting initial interest to determine appropriate light displays.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a configurable spotlight effect, utilizing a presence detector and controller to create a light effect from a proximal location towards a desired location of interest, using a planar array of individually addressable LEDs and refractive lenses to dynamically adjust the light beam's direction, shape, and position, ensuring the light effect is within the user's field of view and can be adjusted quickly to follow their gaze.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting system waits to detect initial user interest before activating, then it can determine appropriate light display content, but it fails to attract the attention of distracted or engaged users who show no initial interest
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by projecting the spotlight into the user's field of view before the user actually looks at the display. The presence detector and gaze tracker anticipate where the user might look, and the controller pre-positioned the spotlight to capture attention proactively rather than reactively, solving the problem of users being distracted or engaged elsewhere.
2Measurement precision
If the spotlight is projected directly at the user's current gaze location, then it may be missed if the user is looking away, but if projected elsewhere it may not be visible to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by projecting the spotlight into the user's field of view based on predicted gaze direction before the user actually looks at the display. The controller calculates where the user is likely to look and positions the spotlight accordingly, ensuring visibility while accounting for the user's current attention state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the spotlight position based on real-time gaze tracking data. The controller monitors user eye movements and dynamically repositions the spotlight to maintain it within the user's field of view as their gaze shifts, ensuring the light remains visible and engaging throughout the interaction.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a mechanical moving spotlight apparatus is used, then it can create a dynamic light effect, but it has limited speed and flexibility in adjusting beam direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical moving spotlight apparatus with an electronic control system using LEDs and electronic beam steering. Instead of physically moving a light source with motors and mechanical components, the system uses electronic signals to rapidly adjust LED activation and beam direction, achieving much faster response times and greater flexibility in spotlight positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by enabling rapid, programmable adjustment of beam direction and spotlight characteristics through electronic control. The controller can instantly change LED activation patterns and beam steering angles without mechanical inertia or physical constraints, allowing the spotlight to dynamically follow user gaze and adapt to changing conditions at high speed.
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
The system successfully draws the user's attention from their initial focus to a desired location by generating a dynamic and adaptable spotlight effect, even when they are distracted, ensuring effective engagement and guidance in environments like retail or museum settings.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system comprising a plurality of refractive lenses common to the individually addressable light sources
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a lighting system (10) for generating a configurable spotlight effect adapted to direct the attention of an individual from an initial location (34) to a defined second location (36). In particular, the invention comprises a presence detector (14) for detecting motion of an individual (22) at a detection location (28) within a detection area, and for detecting in which direction the individual (22) is moving. A configurable light source (12) is controlled by a controller (18) to create a light effect (30, 32) from a first location (34) in front of the individual (22) based on the direction of the individual (22) toward a defined location (36) so as to thereby draw the attention of the user toward said defined location.