Sensor Arrangement for Spatially Resolved Photometric Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems lack the ability to provide spatially resolved photometric data that includes color or color temperature information, requiring multiple sensors for complex lighting control and struggling to differentiate between artificial and natural light sources accurately.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement with a shutter matrix controlling direction-dependent light incidence on a single sensor element, combined with multiple sensor segments equipped with different color and polarization filters, and optionally a spectrometer, to obtain spatially resolved photometric data, including brightness, color, and spectral composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single photodiode is used for brightness sensing, then the sensor can be produced inexpensively and simply, but it cannot provide color or color temperature information
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor divides the detection function into multiple segments: a photodiode for brightness detection and a camera module for color and spatial information. Each segment performs a specific function, and their data is fused in the control unit to provide comprehensive photometric data including brightness, color, and color temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes brightness data from the photodiode, color data from the camera, fuses these data sources, and generates control signals for the light source. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each measurement type.
2Loss of information
If multiple individual brightness sensors are used to monitor different locations, then spatially resolved brightness information can be obtained, but the system complexity and sensor quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures spatially resolved brightness information across the entire field of view, detects color information, and provides spatial mapping. This single device replaces what would otherwise require multiple individual brightness sensors positioned at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from point-based brightness measurement (single photodiode) to area-based measurement (camera sensor array). The camera captures brightness information across a two-dimensional spatial plane, providing spatially resolved data without requiring multiple discrete sensors at each location.
3Device complexity
If image sensor systems are used for spatially resolved measurement, then one sensor unit can replace many individual brightness sensors, but the determination of white point and color information becomes imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different detection characteristics to different data sources: the photodiode provides accurate overall brightness measurement with human-eye-adapted perception, while the camera module provides spatially and chromatically resolved information. The control unit fuses these complementary data sources to achieve both precision and completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes and fuses data from both the photodiode and camera module. It combines the accurate brightness measurement from the photodiode with the spatial and color information from the camera, producing precise photometric data including corrected white point and color temperature.
4Loss of information
If fixed color filters are assigned to each pixel in camera sensors, then color information can be captured, but the possibility of changing filters is limited or not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the color filtering function from the sensor array. Instead of having fixed filters attached to each pixel, the camera module captures full-color information and allows the control unit to apply different filter curves digitally during processing. This enables flexible adaptation to different lighting conditions and measurement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the filter characteristics dynamically through software control rather than physical filter changes. The control unit can apply different filter curves to the camera data depending on the measurement task, enabling adaptation to various lighting conditions, color temperature ranges, and measurement standards without physical filter replacement.
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
Enables accurate and efficient lighting control by providing comprehensive photometric data, improving color temperature measurement and differentiating between light sources, while reducing the number of required sensors and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit with at least two sensor segments, in each case with different combinations of color filters and/or polarization filters assigned
Implementation Method 2
three different color filters are provided, which are designed in strips and each cover a row or a column of the sensor segments arranged in a matrix-like manner
Implementation Method 3
a first polarization filter and a second polarization filter are assigned to a third sensor segment, with the two polarization filters being oriented perpendicularly to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor assembly (1) for capturing spatially resolved photometric data comprising a sensor unit (10), a controllable shutter assembly (20), which is arranged in front of the sensor unit (10) and by means of which an incidence of light on the sensor unit (10) can be controlled in dependence on direction, and an evaluating unit (30) for evaluating the information output by the sensor unit (10) and calculating spatially resolved brightness information, wherein the sensor unit (10) has at least two sensor segments (11), with which different combinations of color and polarization filters (12, 13) or spectrometers are associated, and wherein the evaluating unit (30) is designed to supplement the brightness information with additional photometric data on the basis of the signals output by the various sensor segments (11).