Image-Based Lighting Scene Storage and Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connected lighting systems face challenges in easily storing and sharing light scenes, especially when multiple lamps with different settings are involved, as users often need to manually adapt and activate scenes, making it difficult to recall or share dynamic light settings effectively.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that utilize image capture and processing to identify lighting devices and associate them with current light settings, allowing users to store and share light settings by linking images with metadata, enabling easy recall and activation of desired light scenes without needing to manually name or adapt settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually adapt and activate light scenes, then light scenes can be controlled, but the process becomes complex and difficult when multiple lamps with different settings are involved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of storing and sharing light scenesVSAvoidcomplexity of adapting and activating scenes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image copying as a metaphor for light scene copying. Instead of manually configuring and naming light scenes, users simply capture an image of the desired lighting state. The system automatically extracts lighting parameters from the image and creates a reusable light scene representation, making the process as simple as taking a photograph.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic scene adaptation and activation without requiring manual user intervention. When an image is captured, the system automatically identifies lighting devices, extracts their settings, and creates the light scene representation. This self-service approach eliminates the complexity of manual scene configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If users store and share light scenes traditionally, then light scenes can be preserved, but it requires repeated adaptation and activation which is not easy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of storing light settingsVSAvoidease of recalling light settings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the light scene through image capture. The image serves as a reliable representation that can be stored and shared without loss of information. When recalled, the image automatically triggers the associated light settings, eliminating the need for manual re-adaptation and ensuring consistent reproduction of the original scene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If users create representative names for light scenes, then scenes can be identified, but giving a good representative name is not trivial and adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepresentation of light sceneVSAvoidcomplexity of naming scenes
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces text-based naming with image-based representation. Instead of requiring users to craft descriptive names, the system captures a visual copy of the light scene that inherently represents all lighting parameters, device states, and spatial relationships. This visual representation is more informative and requires no creative naming effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image as an intermediary between the light scene and the user. Rather than directly naming or describing the scene, the image serves as a mediator that encapsulates all scene information visually. This intermediary eliminates the need for text-based naming while preserving complete scene information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3912435B1Receiving light settings of light devices identified from a captured image
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3912435B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3912435B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3912435B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An electronic device (1) is configured to obtain at least one image (81) captured with a camera. The at least one image captures one or more light effects (91,92). The electronic device is further configured to perform image analysis on the at least one image to identify one or more lighting devices (25,26) rendering the one or more light effects, receive one or more input signals comprising one or more current light settings of the identified one or more lighting devices, and output the one or more current light settings and an association between the one or more current light settings and the at least one image. A user of another device may be able to activate these one or more light settings on one or more of his own lighting devices by selecting the at least one image.