Lighting Control via Shadow Detection for Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems face challenges in automatically adjusting light ambience based on the position of furniture and people in a room without requiring extensive calibration or overhead, such as using RFID tags or detailed image processing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method that captures images to detect light interception by objects and determines the direction of objects relative to light sources, updating position information to adjust lighting parameters, allowing for automatic control of light ambience without precise calibration, using image processing to identify shadow effects and select appropriate light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags or transponders are attached to furniture and persons to determine positions, then the positions and identities of objects can be accurately determined, but the system requires substantial overhead and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from active transponders and implements it through passive shadow detection. Instead of requiring furniture and persons to carry RFID tags or transponders, the system uses the shadows cast by these objects to infer their positions, thereby eliminating the need for substantial overhead while maintaining position determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (shadow) of the physical object to determine its position. By detecting the shadow pattern and its relationship to light sources, the system can infer the position of the object without requiring the object itself to carry identification equipment
2Measurement precision
If calibrated image processing techniques are used to measure object positions, then position information can be obtained, but detailed calibration is required which is impracticable in non-professional environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using the known positions of light sources and the detected shadow patterns to automatically establish the geometric relationships needed for position determination. This eliminates the need for manual calibration procedures, making the system practical for non-professional environments while maintaining measurement capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to create a light ambience, then the lighting can be adapted to different activities and content, but the control of lighting parameters becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from shadow detection to automatically adjust lighting parameters. By continuously monitoring shadow patterns and determining object positions, the system can adaptively control which light sources are active and at what intensity, simplifying the control complexity while maintaining adaptability to different activities and content
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 efficient and automatic adjustment of lighting parameters to create desired light ambience by reducing the need for detailed calibration, providing accurate positioning information for effective lighting control with minimal overhead.
Implementation Method 1
an image processor detects whether light from a selected one of the controllable light sources to points in said space shown at respective image positions in said image has been intercepted by the person or other object
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to control the lighting ambience in a space by means of a plurality of controllable light sources (16). The light from the light sources (16) is adapted dependent on a position of an object (20) such as a person in the space. Control comprises capturing an image of at least part of said space. From said image whether light from a selected one of the controllable light sources (16) to points in said space shown at respective image positions in said image has been intercepted by the object (20). This may involve image positions where the object casts a shadow or positions that show a surface on the object that is turned away from the light source (16). From the respective image positions where the light has been detected to be intercepted information indicative of a direction of the intercepting object relative to the selected one of the controllable light sources (16) is detected. Position information that indicates a position of the object (20) in said space is updated according to the direction determined from the respective image positions where the light has been detected to be intercepted. A lighting parameter setting of the controllable light sources (16) is adjusted dependent on the updated position information.