Variable Color Lighting Gamut Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable color lighting systems are unable to emit colors outside their color gamut, leading to potential unsatisfactory handling of user requests and variations due to changes in light sources or environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that convert target color requests into lighting system control parameters, determining if the color is within the gamut, and if not, calculating an approximation set of control parameters to produce an output color within the gamut, using a correction factor and duty cycles to ensure all values are non-negative, thereby approximating the requested color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting system attempts to emit a requested color outside its color gamut, then the system can satisfy user color requests, but the system cannot actually produce the requested color due to hardware limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates a correction factor based on the difference between the requested color and the closest achievable color within the gamut. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to hardware limitations while providing the best possible approximation of the requested color, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters (duty cycles) of the light sources based on the calculated correction factor. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can operate within its hardware constraints while still providing varied and adaptable color output, resolving the contradiction between color range and color accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the lighting system uses fixed control parameters for color output, then the system is simple to control, but the system cannot adapt to variations in light sources or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates correction factors and stores them for different color requests. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly adapt to variations without complex real-time calculations, maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability to environmental changes and light source variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from sensors that detect actual color output and environmental conditions. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust control parameters to compensate for variations in light sources or environmental factors, maintaining both simplicity and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the lighting system saturates when a color request is received, then the system protects against out-of-gamut errors, but the user becomes aware that the requested color cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of color saturation (which indicates failure) into a beneficial approximation mechanism. By calculating correction factors and providing the closest achievable color, the system transforms an error condition into a satisfactory user experience, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction factor acts as an intermediary between the requested color and the actual output color. This intermediary mechanism smoothly transitions from the ideal requested color to the achievable approximation, preventing harsh saturation effects while maintaining user satisfaction and system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, for controlling color output of a variable color lighting system (1) capable of emitting light within a color gamut, comprising the steps of receiving (10) a request for a target color (T), converting the target color (T) to a set of lighting system control parameters, and applying (15) the set of lighting system control parameters, thereby controlling the color output of the lighting system (1). The step of converting comprises the steps of determining (11) a target set (DT) of lighting system control parameters corresponding to the target color (T), evaluating (12) the target set (Dτ) of lighting system control parameters with respect to a range of allowable control parameters, thereby determining whether the target color (T) is outside the color gamut, and, when the target color (T) is outside the color gamut, determining (14) an approximation set (DA) of control parameters, the approximation set corresponding to an output color (A1; A2) within the color gamut, the output color (A1; A2) being an approximation of the target color (T).