Remote Control Unit for Lighting Systems Using Image Color Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems face challenges such as complexity, error-proneness, and scalability issues, particularly when dealing with individually controllable light sources where location mapping is difficult, and require a more intuitive and flexible control method.
Innovation Solution
A remote control unit that utilizes mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, or electronic photo frames to allow users to interact with lighting systems by selecting color information from images, enabling easy mapping between image areas and light sources through graphical representations, allowing for seamless control of light sources without requiring precise localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate remote control unit is provided for each individual light source, then each light source can be controlled independently, but the process becomes tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control of multiple individual light sources into a single remote control unit that can manage a group of lights simultaneously. The control unit receives a group identifier and transmits control signals to multiple light sources belonging to that group, eliminating the need for separate remote controls for each light source while maintaining individual controllability through group management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control unit is designed with universal functionality to control multiple light sources across different groups. It can store multiple group identifiers, switch between different groups, and provide consistent control operations for various light sources, making a single device sufficient for managing an entire lighting system rather than requiring dedicated controls for each source.
2Ease of operation
If wall-mounted control units are installed at commissioning time, then each unit can control individual or group light sources with optimized controls, but the system does not scale well
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static wall-mounted control units fixed at commissioning to a dynamic portable remote control unit that can be moved and reconfigured as needed. The remote control can adapt to different lighting scenarios by receiving different group identifiers and controlling different sets of light sources, allowing the system to scale and reconfigure without installing new physical control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the lighting system, using wireless communication to transmit control signals to light sources. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for hard-wired connections and physical installation of control units at specific locations, enabling easy system expansion and reconfiguration by simply adding or removing light sources from controlled groups.
3Measurement precision
If location mapping from image to lighting elements is performed, then precise control is achieved, but it becomes difficult when location of lighting elements is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location mapping requirement from the control process. Instead of requiring precise spatial mapping between image coordinates and light source positions, the system allows users to select light sources based on group identifiers or visual feedback without needing to know their exact physical locations. The control unit manages the mapping complexity internally through group management rather than requiring user-level spatial awareness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system comprises a set of light sources and a remote control unit. The remote control unit comprises a user interface through which a user may identify an area in an image and a light source. The identified image area is linked with the light source and color information of the identified image area is transmitted to the light source. The light source is thereby enabled to adapt its light output to the color information. A user is thereby enabled to pick the color to be outputted by a light source by selecting an area in an image displayed on the remote control unit. The remote control unit may be part of a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, an electronic photo frame, or a television screen.