Underbed Lighting Control Using Occupant Detection and Adaptive Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bedside lighting solutions are static, excessively bright, and require manual control, failing to adapt to the user's position or pose, and do not automatically adjust lighting conditions based on occupant detection.
Innovation Solution
An underbed illumination system with sensors, lights, and a controller that detects a person's location and adjusts light output accordingly, including direction, brightness, and projection based on their proximity and pose, using RADAR or other sensors to dynamically generate adaptive lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bedside lighting is used, then manual control and activation are required, but the lighting is excessively bright and cannot adapt to user position or pose
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously adjusting light intensity and positioning based on real-time sensor detection of user presence, position, and pose. The controller dynamically modifies lighting parameters to match user needs at different moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides differentiated lighting zones by directing light specifically toward the user's location rather than uniformly illuminating the entire area. Multiple light sources can be independently controlled to create localized illumination patterns matched to user position.
2Extent of automation
If conventional bedside lighting is used, then manual control is required, but the system does not automatically adjust lighting conditions based on occupant detection
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system serves itself by automatically detecting user presence and adjusting illumination without requiring manual user input. The sensor and controller work autonomously to monitor the environment and modify lighting conditions based on detected parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring user position and pose through sensors, then using this information to adjust lighting parameters. The controller receives ongoing data about user state and modifies illumination accordingly to maintain optimal conditions.
3Reliability
If static lighting is used, then the lighting conditions remain constant, but the lighting cannot promote relaxation and sleep onset
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system employs periodic or progressive changes in intensity and timing to support circadian rhythms and sleep onset. Rather than remaining constant, the lighting follows patterns that gradually adjust to promote relaxation and natural sleep transitions.
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
The system provides adaptive lighting that enhances task functionality, promotes relaxation and sleep, differentiates between occupants and objects, and minimizes sleep disruption by automatically adjusting lighting conditions based on user presence and movement.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be a RADAR sensor
Implementation Method 2
The one or more lights may include light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
An underbed illumination system includes a sensor, one or more lights, and a controller. The sensor is mountable to an underside of a bed and has a field of view that extends to left, foot, and right sides of the bed. The one or more lights are configured to mount to the bed and output light downward from the bed. The controller is configured to detect a person with the sensor and operate the lights to output the light according to the detection of the person.