Illumination Control via Dimensionality Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination control systems require users to adjust a large number of luminaire setpoints, making control complex and time-consuming, as they lack intuitive interfaces that leverage human perception and sensor data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to control a higher dimensional space of illumination settings using a lower dimensional control space, where input from human users is analyzed to output control signals for dimmers to adjust luminaire intensity and color, utilizing dimensionality reduction algorithms like PCA and MDS to derive intuitive control variables from human perceptions and sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users control each luminaire setpoint individually, then precise control of illumination is achieved, but control complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the control interface from a high-dimensional space (one control variable per luminaire setpoint) to a low-dimensional space (two control variables: table brightness and wall brightness). This dimensional reduction is achieved by projecting the high-dimensional illumination space onto a two-dimensional plane defined by human perceptual attributes, allowing users to control multiple luminaires through a simplified two-dimensional interface while maintaining precise control over the illumination effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that translates user input in the low-dimensional control space into appropriate setpoints for multiple luminaires in the high-dimensional illumination space. This intermediary system uses algorithms (such as PCA, MDS, or neural networks) to map between the simplified control variables and the complex luminaire settings, enabling precise illumination control without requiring users to directly manage each luminaire individually.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users adjust multiple separate setpoints for intensity and color of multiple luminaires, then comprehensive illumination control is achieved, but control speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the control interface to two dimensions (table brightness and wall brightness) while maintaining control over multiple luminaires with different intensity and color settings. This dimensional reduction enables users to adjust illumination settings much faster by moving a single control point in two-dimensional space rather than adjusting multiple separate setpoints, while still achieving comprehensive illumination control through the mapping algorithm.
3Ease of operation
If control variables are derived from human perception data, then control intuitiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation to derive the mapping between control variables and luminaire setpoints before actual control operations. Human perception data is collected and processed in advance to establish the relationship between control variables (table brightness, wall brightness) and illumination effects. This preliminary action enables intuitive control during actual use without requiring real-time complex computations, as the mapping relationship is pre-established through algorithms like PCA, MDS, or neural networks trained on perception data.
Data Source
AI summary
In exemplary embodiments of this invention, one or more I/O devices accept input from a human user. The input is indicative of a value for each control variable in a set of separate control variables. A computer analyzes the input and outputs control signals to specify a set of separate setpoints. Dimmers adjust the intensity or color of a set of luminaires according to the setpoints. The number of separate control variables is much less than the number of separate setpoints. Having a human control a small number of control variables, in order to control a much larger number of separate luminaire setpoints of luminaires, has at least two advantages: control is faster and control is more intuitive. In illustrative implementations, the luminaire setpoints that are being controlled are not functions of each other.