Pixelated Lighting Transition Control for Visible Step Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pixelated lighting devices with numerous small light sources create visible transition steps, such as brightness steps, which negatively impact user experience, especially when switching to full brightness.
Innovation Solution
A central controller assesses the difference between initial and target light output characteristics and determines whether to apply a direct or stepwise transition based on the target transition duration, user experience impact, and device capabilities, ensuring smooth transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a pixelated lighting device uses a large number of small direct view light sources, then the lighting device can illuminate a large wide space relatively uniformly, but visible transition steps (brightness steps) are created which negatively impact user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of transition steps and their timing based on the detected scene type. For ambient scenes, it uses fewer steps with longer durations, while for dynamic scenes it uses more steps with shorter durations. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain smooth transitions across different usage scenarios without creating visible steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic transition control where the controller adapts the transition behavior based on real-time scene detection. The system switches between different transition strategies (direct vs. stepwise, and varying step counts) depending on whether the scene is ambient or dynamic, making the lighting device responsive to changing conditions.
2Extent of automation
If the lighting device updates all pixels at a limited rate (e.g., 10Hz), then the device can maintain synchronization with audio and video content, but the transition between brightness levels creates noticeable steps that degrade user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transition process into multiple discrete steps rather than applying a single abrupt change. By dividing the brightness transition into several intermediate steps, each step remains within the refresh rate capability while collectively achieving a smooth transition effect that avoids noticeable steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic updates of light output characteristics at the device's refresh rate, strategically timing these updates to create the illusion of smooth transitions. The periodic nature of these updates, combined with intelligent step sequencing, maintains synchronization while avoiding visible step changes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system applies a stepwise transition with multiple brightness steps, then the transition can be made smoother and less noticeable, but the transition duration increases which may affect responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts the number of transition steps and their individual durations based on the scene type and user preferences. For ambient scenes, it uses fewer steps with longer durations for smoothness, while for dynamic scenes it uses more steps with shorter durations to maintain responsiveness. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the trade-off between smoothness and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition strategy is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The controller continuously monitors scene conditions and adjusts the transition parameters in real-time, allowing the system to optimize between smoothness and responsiveness based on current operational context.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling individually controllable lighting units of a pixelated lighting device comprises obtaining (103) an input signal indicating one or more target light output characteristics, ascertaining (101) one or more initial light output characteristics, ascertaining (105) a target transition duration between the initial and target light output characteristics being rendered, determining (107) a difference between the initial and target light output characteristics, determining (109) whether to apply a direct transition or a stepwise transition between the initial and target light output characteristics based on the difference and the target transition duration, determining (111) one or more light settings based on the target light output characteristics and the determined transition, and controlling (113) the lighting units according to the light settings.