Lighting Control via Optical Element Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems, particularly those using LED-based light sources, face limitations in fine-tuning lighting, adaptability to environmental changes, and flexibility in controlling lighting parameters, especially when using direct specification or remote devices, which can be cumbersome and lack granularity.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies properties of an attached optical element, such as size and shape, to adjust lighting properties of LEDs, including intensity and color, and can associate additional LEDs based on proximity to the optical element, allowing for dynamic control of lighting scenes and parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct specification of lighting parameters is used during configuration, then lighting control capability is provided, but flexibility for adapting to environmental objects and relocation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system automatically detects optical elements and their properties (size, shape, position) and autonomously adjusts lighting parameters without requiring manual reconfiguration. The system serves itself by using sensors to identify environmental objects and dynamically adapting lighting settings, thereby maintaining flexibility while preserving control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote devices are used to control light sources, then control flexibility is improved, but device complexity and operational cumbersome increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - an optical element with integrated sensors and processing capability - that mediates between the lighting system and environmental objects. This intermediary automatically detects and communicates object properties to the lighting control system, enabling flexible adaptation without requiring complex external remote devices.
3Ease of operation
If remote devices are used to control light sources, then control access is improved, but user attention and activity interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system performs automatic detection and adjustment without requiring user attention or intervention. Once configured, the system autonomously monitors for optical elements and dynamically adjusts lighting parameters based on detected object properties, freeing the user from continuous interaction while maintaining accessible control capabilities.
4Ease of manufacture
If direct specification of lighting parameters is used, then initial configuration capability is provided, but fine-tuning capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static direct specification to dynamic automatic adjustment. After initial configuration, the lighting parameters are no longer fixed but continuously adapted based on real-time detection of optical element properties. This dynamic approach enables precise fine-tuning automatically, achieving both ease of configuration and precision without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control. Presence of an optical element (110, 310, 312, 710A-E, 712, 810) is identified over one or more LEDs (323, 327) and at least one property of the optical element is identified. At least one property of light output of light sources associated with and/or covered by the optical element is adjusted based on the property of the optical element.