3D Touch Luminaire Control via Spatial Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luminaires with multiple light sources become complex to control, especially when parameters like color, hue, and saturation are involved, making them difficult for users, especially the elderly, to operate intuitively.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire with a three-dimensional touch-sensitive surface allows users to control light sources by touching specific points on the surface, enabling intuitive control of light direction, intensity, color, and other attributes, using a translucent surface that corresponds to the location of LEDs, and detecting touch duration and sequences to adjust operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with multiple operational parameters (color, hue, saturation, intensity) are integrated into one luminaire, then lighting functionality and versatility are improved, but control device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar touch surfaces to a three-dimensional spherical touch surface that mirrors the physical arrangement of light sources. This spatial mapping allows users to control multiple light sources and parameters intuitively by touching locations on the sphere corresponding to desired light directions, eliminating complex control interfaces while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical touch surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the control interface and a visual indicator of light emission directions. The same surface structure enables control of multiple light sources, adjustment of operational parameters, and provides feedback about system state, reducing the need for separate control components.
2Device complexity
If conventional control interfaces (switches, dimming devices) are used for multiple light sources, then device construction remains simple, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By elevating the control interface from 2D to 3D spherical geometry, the patent creates an intuitive spatial mapping between touch locations and light emission directions. Users can naturally associate touching a specific location on the sphere with controlling light in that direction, greatly improving ease of operation while keeping the physical construction relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface copies the spherical geometry and light source arrangement of the luminaire itself. This self-similar structure allows users to control light sources by touching locations that correspond to their physical positions, creating an intuitive and natural user experience without adding mechanical complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of light sources are arranged to provide various lighting functions, then lighting versatility is improved, but difficulty of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical arrangement of light sources in three-dimensional space is directly mirrored by a spherical touch-sensitive control surface. This allows users to control numerous light sources by touching locations on the sphere corresponding to desired light directions, making the control of complex lighting functions as intuitive as pointing in different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the spherical touch surface correspond to different control functions and light sources. By distributing control functionality across the three-dimensional surface area rather than concentrating it, the system maintains simplicity at each local interaction point while providing comprehensive control capabilities overall.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a luminaire comprising a plurality of directed light sources arranged in a surface of a three-dimensional body and a controller for controlling the operational state of the luminaire. The controller comprises a three-dimensional touch-sensitive surface. Each point on the touch-sensitive surface is allocated to a position of the body surface such that an operational state of at least one light source at a position of the body surface is changeable by touching a point on the touch-sensitive surface allocated to this position. A corresponding method for controlling a luminaire comprises the steps of detecting a touch at a point on a three-dimensional touch-sensitive surface and changing an operational state of at least one light source at a position of the body surface allocated to the touch point on the touch-sensitive surface.