LCom Luminaire Identification via Smartphone Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting control systems for AV applications are cumbersome, unintuitive, and lack dynamic control options, leading to a diminished user experience due to limitations in existing wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and infrared, which are costly, require line of sight, and have pairing issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of light-based communication (LCom) systems that use pulsing light signals encoded with data to enable bi-directional communication between solid-state luminaires and computing devices, allowing for identification, control, and automatic calibration of lighting systems, supplemented by audio-based communication to complete the communication loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and infrared are used for lighting control, then communication between control devices and luminaires is established, but the system becomes costly, requires complex pairing/setup, and has line of sight requirements that diminish user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic pairing mechanisms (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) with optical detection mechanisms. The control device uses its camera to detect light emissions from the luminaire, automatically identifying and establishing communication without manual pairing. This substitutes mechanical/electronic pairing complexity with optical field detection, resolving the contradiction between reliable communication and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminaire actively emits light signals containing identification information, enabling the control device to automatically detect and identify it without user intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual pairing or setup procedures, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable communication establishment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing wireless communication technologies are used, then communication links can be established, but pairing and handshake steps are required that make the system cumbersome and unintuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire continuously emits light signals containing identification information before any control action is required. This preliminary action of broadcasting identification data eliminates the need for pairing or handshake steps, allowing users to simply point the camera and immediately control the luminaire, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining control flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If infrared communication is used, then wireless control is achieved, but line of sight requirements limit control options and reduce user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses its existing camera sensor for dual purposes: both capturing images and detecting light-based communication signals. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain ease of operation (point-and-control) while improving adaptability, as the camera can detect signals from various angles and the system can identify multiple luminaires simultaneously, expanding control flexibility beyond traditional infrared line-of-sight limitations.
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 intuitive, efficient, and dynamic control of lighting systems, improving user experience by allowing for precise control of luminaire characteristics and ambient light adjustments based on content and user interactions, without the need for complex setup or line of sight requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state luminaire configured to output light
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor configured to detect LCom signals emitted from the one or more luminaires
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for identifying and controlling light-based communication (LCom)-enabled luminaires. In some cases, the techniques include a luminaire communicating its ID to a computing device via one or more LCom signals. In some cases, a user may be able to aim a rear-facing camera of a smartphone at the luminaire desired to be controlled. Once the luminaire is in the field of view of the camera, the ID of the luminaire can be determined using one or more LCom signals received from the luminaire. The ID of the luminaire may be, for example, its internet protocol (IP) address or media access control (MAC) address or another unique identifier. Once a luminaire has been identified, commands can be issued to the luminaire to adjust one or more characteristics of the light output, such as changing the dimming percentage of the light output.