Optical Burst Detection for Indoor Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern indoor lighting systems face challenges in determining the contribution of various light sources, both artificial and natural, to the overall lighting environment, leading to inefficient energy usage and inconsistent lighting levels.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing light sensors and controllers to detect optical burst patterns in light fixtures, allowing for the determination of lighting contributions and adjustment of optical outputs to achieve target light levels, thereby optimizing energy usage and lighting consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional lighting control methods are used without optical burst detection, then the system is simpler and easier to implement, but the ability to determine individual fixture contributions and optimize energy usage is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic optical bursts emitted by individual light fixtures at specific time intervals. These periodic signals allow the control system to distinguish contributions from different fixtures by detecting the timing and pattern of bursts, enabling energy optimization without requiring complex individual fixture identification hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses light sensors to detect optical bursts from fixtures and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller processes the burst detection data to determine individual fixture contributions to overall lighting levels, then adjusts fixture operation accordingly to optimize energy usage while maintaining required illumination.
2Measurement precision
If the system attempts to determine lighting contributions from multiple light sources without optical burst patterns, then the approach is simpler, but measurement precision and ability to distinguish individual source contributions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Individual light fixtures emit periodic optical bursts at distinct time intervals that are detectable by light sensors. This periodic signaling enables the system to precisely measure and distinguish the contribution of each fixture to the overall lighting environment by correlating detected bursts with specific fixture identification data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes variations in optical characteristics of light fixtures, including color temperature and spectral properties, in combination with temporal burst patterns. These optical variations provide additional dimensions for distinguishing and measuring individual fixture contributions to the mixed lighting environment.
3Measurement precision
If optical burst patterns are used to identify light fixtures, then individual fixture contributions can be determined accurately, but the system becomes more complex and the burst patterns may be perceptible to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
Optical bursts are designed with specific duration, intensity, and timing characteristics that enable reliable detection by sensors while remaining below the threshold of human perception. The bursts occur at frequencies and intensities that are imperceptible to occupants but sufficient for sensor detection and fixture identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy or representation of fixture identification data through the burst patterns. Rather than requiring direct sensor proximity to each fixture, the burst patterns encode fixture identity information that can be detected and decoded remotely, enabling precise identification without physical intervention.
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
This approach enables more efficient use of lighting resources by accurately assessing and adjusting the contributions of different light sources, reducing energy consumption and maintaining consistent lighting levels.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor 820... The light sensor generates light level data based on measured light levels
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems herein provide for determining lighting contributions of light fixtures to an environment. In one embodiment, a system includes a light sensor and a controller. The light sensor generates light level data based on measured light levels. The controller determines a nominal light level based on the light level data, and identifies an optical burst pattern in the light level data generated by a light fixture. The controller then determines a lighting contribution of the light fixture based on the optical burst pattern and the nominal light level.