Lighting Controller Using Function-Based Dimming Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart lighting systems often fail to maintain an optimal lighting atmosphere when dimming multiple lighting units simultaneously, as all units are dimmed according to the same curve, which can be undesirable in environments with different types of lighting units.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that adjust the dimming profiles of lighting units based on their functions, allowing ambient lighting units to dim less than functional lighting units when a specific light scene is active, and both to dim according to a shared profile when the scene is not active, thereby maintaining an improved lighting atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all lighting units are dimmed according to the same dimming curve, then the control operation is simple and uniform, but the lighting atmosphere is degraded and functional lighting becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different dimming curves to different lighting units based on their specific functions. Ambient lighting units use a first dimming curve that preserves atmospheric quality at low intensities, while functional lighting units use a second dimming curve that maintains adequate task illumination. This allows each lighting unit to be dimmed according to its optimal characteristics rather than applying a uniform curve to all units.
2Illumination intensity
If ambient lighting units are dimmed more than functional lighting units, then the lighting atmosphere is maintained, but functional lighting becomes insufficient for tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system differentiates dimming behavior by local quality - ambient lighting units follow a dimming curve optimized for atmosphere preservation, while functional lighting units follow a separate curve optimized for maintaining task illumination. This ensures that when overall dimming is applied, ambient lighting maintains its atmospheric quality while functional lighting retains sufficient intensity for tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the dimming characteristics to change based on the operational state and function of each lighting unit. The controller dynamically selects which dimming curve to apply to each unit based on its designated function (ambient vs. functional), enabling adaptive dimming behavior that optimizes both atmosphere and task lighting performance.
3Productivity
If functional lighting units are dimmed more than ambient lighting units, then task illumination is maintained, but the lighting atmosphere is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning different dimming curves to different lighting units based on their specific functions. Ambient lighting units use a first dimming curve that preserves atmospheric quality at low intensities, while functional lighting units use a second dimming curve that maintains adequate task illumination. This allows each lighting unit to be dimmed according to its optimal characteristics rather than applying a uniform curve to all units.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (400) of controlling a plurality of lighting units (112, 114) of a lighting system (100) is disclosed. The method (400) comprises receiving (402) a first input indicative of that a light scene of a first type has been activated, receiving (404) a second input indicative of a dimming command for the plurality of lighting units (112, 114), obtaining (406) data indicative of functions of the plurality of lighting units (112, 114), wherein a first lighting unit (112) has a first function to provide ambient lighting and a second lighting unit (114) has a second function to provide functional lighting, and, if the light scene of the first type is active, controlling (408) the first lighting unit (112) based on the dimming command according to a first dimming profile, wherein the first dimming profile for the first lighting unit (112) is based on the first function, and simultaneously controlling (408) the second lighting unit (114) based on the dimming command according to a second dimming profile different from the first profile, wherein the second dimming profile for the second lighting unit (114) is based on the second function.