Tilting Planar Photodetector for Accurate Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In lighting systems, especially in retail environments, accurate and intuitive control of light sources is hindered by the need for precise alignment of planar photodetectors, which is often inaccurate when used by untrained users, leading to unreliable measurements and poor control of light properties like color and intensity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a planar photodetector mounted to maintain a preferred orientation, either passively through mechanical joints or actively with gyroscopes, to ensure accurate light property measurements, with optional correction for orientation deviations and prioritization of measurements from optimally aligned photodetectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar photodetector is used for measuring light sources, then the device structure is simple and cost-effective, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to directional sensitivity and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The photodetector is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation to maintain optimal alignment with the light source. This is achieved through a gimbal mechanism that enables the photodetector to tilt and rotate, transforming a static directional sensor into a dynamic one that can adapt to different viewing angles and maintain measurement accuracy regardless of device orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the measured light intensity is used to adjust the photodetector's orientation or the interpretation of measurements. The control system processes the directional sensitivity information and compensates for misalignment effects, allowing the simple planar photodetector to achieve accurate measurements through active correction based on real-time feedback.
2Ease of operation
If a portable user device is used for measurements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to user misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device incorporates a movable photodetector with gimbal mounting that can dynamically adjust its orientation during use. This allows the device to maintain optimal alignment with ceiling light sources even when held at different angles by the user, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while preserving measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to monitor and adjust for misalignment effects. The control unit processes measurement data in conjunction with orientation information to compensate for angular deviations, ensuring that measurements taken at various angles by untrained users remain reliable and consistent.
3Measurement precision
If the photodetector is fixed in a preferred orientation, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the adaptability to different device orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The photodetector is mounted on a gimbal mechanism that enables it to change orientation dynamically. This mechanical自由度 allows the photodetector to maintain its preferred alignment with the light source regardless of how the portable device is held or positioned, providing both measurement accuracy and adaptability to different device orientations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational and tilting degrees of freedom to the photodetector mounting, moving from a fixed two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensionally adjustable configuration. This dimensional enhancement allows the photodetector to maintain optimal orientation in space while the device itself can be positioned in various orientations by the user.
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 robust and accurate control of light properties by ensuring the photodetector remains aligned, providing reliable feedback for controlling light sources, even when used by untrained users, thereby maintaining consistent and desired lighting atmospheres.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a planar photodetector, modulated light emitted by said at least one light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a physical property of light emitted from a light source. In particular, the invention can be applied to a lighting system for atmosphere creation. The measurements needed for feedback control are made at a portable user device comprising a planar photodetector. More or less all industrially available photodetectors are of the planar type, but planarity is in fact a necessary feature to achieve faithful relative measurements. Since the user device is portable, variations in the orientation of the photodetector can introduce large and unpredictable measurement errors, making effective control of the light source impossible. According to one embodiment of the invention, the orientation-dependent errors are eliminated by measuring the actual orientation of the photodetector and processing the detection signal appropriately. According to a second embodiment, the photodetector is movably mounted in the user device in order to retain its preferred orientation irrespective of the orientation of the user device. In a third embodiment, the emitted light is monitored by a plurality of photodetectors; knowing the actual orientation of the user device, the control device can give priority to the measurements coming from the best oriented photodetector at every instant.