Lighting Device for Pedestrian Flow Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling the flow of people in areas, such as buildings and transportation hubs, face limitations due to space constraints and inefficiencies in active guidance measures, necessitating a more precise and adaptable approach to manage crowd behavior.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a lighting device to adjust its light characteristics based on real-time measurement data of crowd behavior, allowing for iterative adjustments to guide the flow of people effectively, potentially using machine learning models to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If active measures for managing pedestrian flows are implemented (such as controllable doors or barriers), then flow guidance capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow guidance capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical flow control systems (controllable doors, barriers) with an optical control system using lighting devices. The lighting device emits light with adjustable characteristics to guide pedestrian flow without physical obstacles, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining flow guidance capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the control system and pedestrians. Instead of directly blocking or forcing pedestrians through mechanical means, the lighting device uses light characteristics (intensity, color, position) as a mediator to subtly guide and influence pedestrian behavior, achieving flow management with simpler equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If measurement data are collected and processed in real-time to adjust lighting characteristics, then flow guidance precision is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow behavior detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial measurement by focusing detection resources on key areas or moments in the pedestrian flow process. Instead of continuously monitoring all parameters at full resolution, the system selectively measures critical flow characteristics and adjusts lighting accordingly, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient guidance precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of lighting characteristics based on real-time measurement data. The system continuously adapts light intensity, color, and position in response to changing pedestrian flow patterns, enabling precise flow guidance while optimizing energy usage by adjusting lighting levels according to actual conditions rather than maintaining constant high intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3597012B1Intelligent control of the light characteristic
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3597012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3597012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3597012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device, which is controlled in order to light at least one scene (151-158) in a region (150) with a first light characteristic. Measurement data are received, which are indicative of the behavior of a flow of persons (180) in the region (150) during the lighting of the at least one scene (151-158) with the first light characteristic. Then a second light characteristic is determined on the basis of the measurement data. The lighting device is controlled in order to light the at least one scene (151-158) with the second light characteristic.