Light Sensor Orientation Detection Using Temporal Brightness Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems require complex manual configuration or additional expensive sensors to determine the orientation of light sensors, which complicates installation and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses an information processing unit to automatically detect the orientation of light sensors by analyzing at least two measurements or comparing relative spectral components, allowing simple light sensors to be used while ensuring accurate orientation detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional sensors (magnetometer, gyroscope) are used to detect light sensor orientation, then orientation detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light sensor system determines its own orientation using only the light sensor itself by analyzing the temporal profile of its brightness measurements. The system serves itself by exploiting the characteristic response pattern of the light sensor to ambient light changes, eliminating the need for external orientation sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/sensor-based orientation detection systems (magnetometers, gyroscopes) with an optical measurement approach. By substituting the physical sensing of orientation with the analysis of optical response patterns over time, the system achieves orientation detection without additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual configuration by operator is used to determine light sensor orientation, then orientation detection accuracy is improved, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation detection accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated detection of orientation during installation or commissioning. By pre-determining the orientation through automated analysis of the light sensor's temporal response pattern, the need for manual configuration is eliminated, saving installation time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The light sensor system automatically determines its own orientation without requiring operator intervention. The system serves itself by analyzing its own brightness measurement patterns to identify orientation, eliminating the need for manual configuration during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If simple light sensors are used without additional sensors, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but orientation detection capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidorientation detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for additional orientation sensors with an optical measurement approach. By analyzing the temporal profile of brightness measurements from the simple light sensor, the system substitutes physical sensor-based orientation detection with optical signal analysis, maintaining capability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation step that analyzes the temporal profile of brightness measurements as a mediator between the simple light sensor and orientation determination. This intermediary analysis layer enables orientation detection to be derived from the light sensor's normal operational data, without requiring additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 automated orientation detection without additional sensors, simplifying installation and reducing costs while ensuring consistent lighting activation based on ambient brightness.

Implementation Method 1

a light sensor (8, 9) for detecting ambient brightness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4169355B1System for identifying an orientation of a light sensor
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4169355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4169355B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for identifying an orientation of a light sensor (8, 9). The system comprises the light sensor (8, 9) and an information processing unit which is configured to assign a first orientation or a second orientation to the light sensor (8, 9). In this case, the assignment is implemented on the basis of at least two measurements carried out at different times or else on the basis of a comparison of relative spectral components. The light sensor (8, 9) detects direct daylight in the first orientation of said light sensor, while reflected daylight is detected in the second orientation.