Bidirectional Graphical Interface for Lighting Effect Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems lack intuitive and versatile user interfaces for designing lighting effects that vary over time in terms of light intensity, hue, saturation, and color temperature, making it difficult for users to create complex and dynamic lighting scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that display a time axis with a graphical representation of lighting effects, allowing users to select and edit points on the graph to adjust intensity, color, and color temperature over time, using a bidirectional graphical user interface with separate selection areas for intensity, color, and color temperature, enabling intuitive control of lighting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a text editor is used to input RGB values for color selection, then the system can achieve precise color control, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complex and non-intuitive input process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the user and the text-based color input system. The GUI provides visual color palettes, sliders, and graphical representations that translate intuitive user selections into precise RGB values, eliminating the need for direct text input while maintaining color control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation from raw text-based RGB triplets to visual graphical parameters. Users interact with graphical elements such as color pickers, sliders, and visual palettes that map intuitive visual selections to precise numerical color values, making color selection both easy and accurate
2Ease of operation
If a simple user interface is used for lighting control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates due to limited control over time-based lighting effects
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: a graphical representation area for visualizing lighting effects over time, and a selection area for controlling specific parameters (intensity, hue, saturation, color temperature). This segmentation allows simple, intuitive controls for each parameter while maintaining overall system versatility through the graphical timeline representation
Solution Approach 2:
The interface adds a temporal dimension to lighting control by displaying a graphical representation of lighting effects along a time axis. Users can select and edit points in time to create dynamic lighting sequences, transforming static parameter control into dynamic time-based effects while maintaining simple interaction through point selection and parameter adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive controls for all lighting parameters are provided, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control mechanisms into a unified graphical user interface that integrates the time axis representation with parameter selection areas. Users control intensity, hue, saturation, and color temperature through a single cohesive interface using pointer devices, eliminating the need for separate complex control systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the time-based lighting sequence, provides parameter selection capabilities, enables point selection for editing, and offers visual feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated controls for each lighting parameter, simplifying the overall interface while maintaining comprehensive adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for displaying to a user a feature of a lighting effect to be generated. The method comprises displaying a time axis and a representation of said lighting effect as a graph along said time axis. A selection area is displayed separately from said time axis, said selection area representing characteristics of light that comprise intensity and zero, one, or two of: colour temperature, colour. As a response to a user input, a first location is defined in terms of time and a second location is defined in terms of at least one of said characteristics. A point is displayed at said first location with respect to said time axis, and a point is displayed at said second location with respect to said selection area, along with an indication of the point at said second location being a parallel representation of the point at said first location.