Luminaire Camera Module Interface for Privacy-Aware Lighting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminaires face challenges in efficiently controlling illumination based on environmental conditions due to complex and costly wired communication setups and high bandwidth requirements for wireless data transmission, which can compromise privacy.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating a luminaire with a camera module featuring a mechanical and electrical interface, allowing the camera module to be connected to the luminaire for local data processing, reducing the need for high-bandwidth wireless communication by transmitting processed information rather than raw image data, and enabling flexible illumination control based on detected conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired communication link is provided between the luminaire and external elements, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The luminaire is equipped with a communication unit that can wirelessly transmit data to external elements such as control circuits or sensor units, eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining reliable data transmission capability.
2Device complexity
If wireless communication is used between the luminaire and external elements, then wiring complexity is reduced, but data rates and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the essential information from the camera module's image data before transmission to the luminaire. The control circuit identifies and transmits only relevant parameters such as occupancy detection, movement detection, and environmental conditions, rather than transmitting the complete image data, thereby reducing the required bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs preliminary processing of the image data from the camera module before transmission to the luminaire. It analyzes the image data in advance to extract meaningful information and prepare compressed or processed data for transmission, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the wireless channel.
3Loss of information
If raw image data is transmitted from the camera module, then complete information is available, but privacy and data security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit extracts only the necessary information from the raw image data processed by the camera module. Instead of transmitting complete image data, it extracts and transmits only relevant parameters such as occupancy status, movement detection, and environmental conditions, thereby maintaining information completeness for control purposes while removing sensitive visual information that could compromise privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the camera module and the luminaire. It processes the image data from the camera module, extracts relevant information, and transmits only this processed information to the luminaire, preventing direct transmission of raw image data that could expose privacy concerns while still providing the luminaire with the necessary control information.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system comprising a luminaire and a camera module. The luminaire and the camera module each comprise an interface for mechanically and electrically connecting the camera module and the luminaire with each other. The luminaire is configured to electrically supply the camera module with electrical energy via the interface of the luminaire and the interface of the camera module, when the interface of the camera module is electrically and mechanically connected to the interface of the luminaire. The camera module comprises a control circuit and at least one image sensor. The image sensor is configured to detect an image of an area within the detection field of the camera module and provide the image in the form of image data to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine information on the area by extracting the information from the image data.