Luminaire Configuration for Geometry-Free Illuminance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems face challenges in efficiently configuring illuminance distributions across multiple work surfaces with a large number of controllable degrees of freedom, especially when geometry information is absent or when dealing with virtual surfaces, and they often require lengthy iterations and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled lighting system that automatically computes configuration settings for luminaires to achieve specified illuminance distributions without the need for geometry input or physical sensors, using an interface to define work surfaces and illumination parameters, and a processing unit to calculate optimal luminaire positions and orientations for efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lighting CAD tools are used with trial-and-error method to configure lighting systems, then photorealistic visualization of light scenes can be achieved, but the number of possible combinations to be tested grows exponentially making the approach unworkable for large numbers of controllable degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error configuration method with a mathematical optimization system. The control unit solves a system of linear equations to directly calculate optimal luminaire settings, eliminating the need for iterative CAD-based trial-and-error approaches. This substitution transforms an exponentially complex search problem into a solvable mathematical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from visual/photorealistic parameter adjustment to mathematical parameter calculation. By formulating the lighting configuration as a system of linear equations with illuminance values as parameters, the system directly computes optimal settings rather than iteratively adjusting parameters through trial-and-error simulation.
2Reliability
If illuminance sensors are permanently deployed at several points of the work surface to enable intelligent illumination control, then real-time regulation can be achieved, but the system demands very long times to converge to a solution and requires complex iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the complete lighting configuration before actual implementation. By solving the system of linear equations to determine all optimal luminaire settings in advance, the system avoids lengthy real-time iterations during operation. The configuration is computed beforehand and then applied, eliminating convergence time issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the iterative control loop and replaces it with a direct calculation approach. By removing the need for continuous sensor feedback and iterative adjustment, the system takes out the time-consuming convergence process while maintaining reliable illuminance control through mathematical optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of controllable luminaire settings are integrated in a lighting infrastructure to achieve desired illuminance distribution, then lighting control flexibility is improved, but the energy consumption becomes unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes control parameters by calculating the precise luminous flux, dimming levels, and beam directions needed to achieve target illuminance. By changing from full-power operation to mathematically optimized parameter settings, the system maintains lighting flexibility while minimizing energy consumption through efficient luminaire configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local optimization by individually configuring each luminaire's settings based on its specific position and contribution to work surface illuminance. Rather than uniformly adjusting all luminaires, the system optimizes each one's luminous flux and direction locally, achieving overall energy efficiency while maintaining system flexibility.
4Measurement precision
If geometry and layout of the room are given as input to lighting CAD tools, then photorealistic visualization can be achieved, but it becomes quite tedious work especially in absence of architectural floor plans or when moveable light fixtures are considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not requiring geometry input to achieve illumination specifications. Instead of using geometry to calculate lighting, the system directly takes illuminance values at work surface points as input and calculates the required luminaire settings, eliminating the need for tedious geometry data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the geometry input requirement from the lighting configuration process. By formulating the problem in terms of direct illuminance specifications rather than geometric calculations, the patent eliminates the need for architectural floor plans and detailed room geometry data, simplifying the input process significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-controlled lighting system which comprises an interface for defining a work surface within the lighting system and a desired illumination of the work surface, at least one luminaire for illuminating the work surface and a processing unit for automatically computing configuration parameters which allow configuring the at least one luminaire such that the desired illumination of the work surface is achievable.