Smart Light Dimming Controller Spatial Subsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems are unable to generate light scenes with dimming levels lower than the combined minimum dimming levels of luminaires and struggle with creating desired scenes when luminaires have different dimming capabilities, particularly in achieving deep dimming levels.
Innovation Solution
Implementing spatial dimming by selecting a subset of lighting devices based on their dimming capabilities, determining dim level capabilities of each device, and adjusting for environmental factors to achieve specific dimming levels, allowing for deeper dimming than all devices at their highest dim level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If all lighting devices are controlled to achieve deep dimming levels, then the desired light scene can be created, but the system cannot achieve dimming levels lower than the combined minimum dimming levels of the luminaires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into multiple zones or groups, allowing different dimming strategies to be applied to different segments. This enables the system to achieve deeper overall dimming by controlling which segments are active and at what intensity, rather than requiring all luminaires to reach their individual minimum dimming levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different dimming characteristics to different spatial locations or zones within the lighting system. By allowing certain areas to be completely dark or dimmed to different levels than others, the system can achieve an average dimming level that is lower than any individual luminaire's minimum capability while maintaining local lighting quality where needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lighting devices with different dimming capabilities are used, then the lighting system can be more versatile and adaptable, but it becomes difficult to generate the desired light scene uniformly across all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control strategies that adapt to the specific capabilities of each lighting device. The system dynamically adjusts dimming instructions based on real-time feedback about which devices are available and their individual capabilities, allowing uniform scene generation across heterogeneous devices without requiring manual configuration for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from individual luminaire dimming levels to zone-based or group-based intensity control. By transforming the control space and using aggregate parameters rather than device-specific parameters, the system can generate desired light scenes uniformly across devices with different dimming capabilities while preserving adaptability to various device types.
3Illumination intensity
If a subset of lighting devices is selected for spatial dimming, then deeper dimming levels can be achieved, but the complexity of determining and managing the subset increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification and grouping of lighting devices based on their spatial locations and dimming capabilities during system setup. This pre-organization into zones or groups with similar characteristics eliminates the need for complex real-time subset selection, as the system can simply activate or deactivate pre-defined groups to achieve desired dimming levels, significantly reducing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically monitor which lighting devices are active and at what intensity levels. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust the active subset of devices to achieve target dimming levels without requiring complex manual calculation or management of device subsets, reducing control complexity through automated closed-loop control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (10) for a lighting system (1) including a plurality of lighting devices (20) having different dim level capabilities is disclosed. The controller is configured to determine the dim level capability for each of said lighting devices, determine positions of said lighting devices, and create a light scene having a defined dim level with the lighting system by controlling a subset of said lighting devices selected from the plurality of lighting devices based on the determined dim level capabilities and respective positions of the lighting devices relative to a target location. Also disclosed is a lighting system including such a controller, a method of controlling such a lighting system and a computer program product for implementing such a method.