Load control system having a visible light sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control systems are inefficient due to inaccurate data collection from multiple sensors, particularly glare, daylight, and occupancy/vacancy sensors, leading to unreliable control of environmental conditions in user environments.
Innovation Solution
A load control system incorporating a visible light sensor that records images and processes them to detect occupancy and vacancy conditions, adjust lighting levels, and control lighting zones, using digital masks and algorithms to focus on specific regions of interest and apply control strategies based on environmental characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different sensors (glare sensor, daylight sensor, color temperature sensor, occupancy sensor) are used to gather environmental information, then the system can detect various environmental characteristics, but the system complexity increases and the reliability of individual sensor readings decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single visible light sensor that performs multiple functions: detecting occupancy/vacancy conditions, measuring light levels, and determining color temperature. This multi-functional sensor replaces multiple specialized sensors (glare sensor, daylight sensor, color temperature sensor, occupancy sensor), reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive environmental detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate sensors into a single visible light sensor unit. By merging occupancy detection, light level measurement, and color temperature sensing into one device, the system reduces the number of input devices and simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving all necessary environmental monitoring capabilities
2Ease of operation
If prediction algorithms are used to estimate glare-affected portions of the user environment, then control decisions can be made without direct measurement, but the accuracy and reliability of glare detection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces prediction algorithms with direct optical measurement using a visible light sensor. Instead of using computational methods to estimate glare-affected areas, the system uses the sensor's actual light detection capabilities to directly measure and identify glare conditions, providing accurate real-time data for control decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The visible light sensor directly performs the detection function it is designed for, providing accurate glare information without requiring external prediction algorithms. The sensor serves its own purpose of detecting light characteristics, including glare, through its inherent optical measurement capabilities
3Reliability
If traditional occupancy sensors based on heat movement detection are used, then occupancy can be detected, but the sensors fail to detect stationary occupants and may detect false heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heat-based occupancy sensors with a visible light sensor that detects occupancy through visual means. The visible light sensor captures images and analyzes them to identify the presence or absence of occupants, eliminating the limitations of heat movement detection and false heat source identification
Solution Approach 2:
The visible light sensor creates visual copies (images) of the environment to detect occupancy. By capturing and analyzing visual information rather than thermal information, the system can accurately identify occupants based on their visual appearance in the captured images, regardless of their movement or heat signature
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
The system provides accurate and efficient control of lighting and occupancy conditions, improving the reliability of load control by using image processing to accurately detect movement and environmental factors, thereby enhancing user comfort and energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a visible light sensing circuit configured to record an image of the space
Data Source
AI summary
A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.