HDR Sky Imaging Radiometer for Fenestration Daylight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fenestration control systems struggle to accurately measure and predict sky conditions, leading to inadequate responses to changes in daylight availability, resulting in inefficient energy use and discomfort due to their inability to distinguish between direct solar and diffuse sky components, and requiring costly and complex integration of multiple pyranometers and photometers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing high dynamic range (HDR) imagers to capture images of the local environment, processing these images to extract metrics and performance data, and using an expert learning system to generate near real-time predictions of environmental changes, enabling adjustments in building automation systems to counteract these changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pyranometers and photometers are used to measure sky conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sky condition measurement functions (direct solar irradiance, diffuse sky irradiance, sky brightness) into a single integrated imaging radiometer that captures hemispherical sky images. This single device performs the functions of multiple separate pyranometers and photometers by using image processing algorithms to extract different sky parameters from the captured images, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging radiometer is designed as a universal measurement device that can simultaneously or sequentially measure multiple sky parameters including direct solar irradiance, diffuse sky irradiance, and sky brightness. By using a single device with multiple measurement capabilities rather than separate specialized instruments, the system reduces complexity while preserving the ability to accurately measure all necessary sky conditions for fenestration control.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pyranometers and photometers are integrated, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple separate sensor devices with a single imaging device that uses optical and computational methods. Instead of physically integrating multiple pyranometers and photometers (which would be complex and costly), the system uses a camera or imaging sensor combined with image processing algorithms to extract the same measurement information, greatly simplifying the manufacturing and integration process.
3Loss of information
If HDR imagers are used to capture sky images, then information extraction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-sensor measurement systems with an HDR imaging system that captures sky radiance information. Instead of using multiple specialized sensors, the system uses high dynamic range imaging technology combined with computational algorithms to extract sky condition parameters from images, reducing hardware complexity while improving information extraction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system, method, and computer program product that employs high dynamic range (HDR) image processing and manipulation algorithms for capturing and measuring real-time sky conditions for processing into control input signals to a building's automated fenestration (AF) system, daylight harvesting (DH) system and HVAC system. The photometer comprises a color camera and a fitted fish-eye lens to capture 360-degree, hemispherical, low dynamic range (LDR) color images of the sky. Both camera and lens are housed in a sealed enclosure protecting them from environmental elements and conditions. In some embodiments the camera and processes are controlled and implemented by a back-end computer.