Visible Light Glare Sensing for Motorized Shade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems for managing motorized window treatments require complex configurations and advanced controllers to prevent glare, often relying on estimated sun positions and light conditions, which can be inefficient and prone to errors, especially on cloudy or extremely bright days.
Innovation Solution
A visible light sensor processes images to determine the position of a glare source and controls motorized window treatments by calculating the profile angle to prevent glare, simplifying the detection process by starting from the bottom row of pixels and ceasing processing once a glare condition is identified, and adjusting the shade level accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If prior art load control systems use estimated sun positions and light conditions to control motorized window treatments, then the system can operate automatically throughout the day, but the system requires complicated configuration procedure and advanced system controller
Solution Approach 1:
The visible light sensor automatically detects glare conditions and provides data for control decisions without requiring manual configuration or complex system controller processing. The sensor performs self-service by directly measuring light conditions and enabling automatic adjustment of window treatments based on actual detected glare rather than estimated parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex estimation-based control systems with a simple optical detection system. Instead of using advanced controllers that calculate estimated sun positions and light conditions, the system substitutes a direct optical measurement approach using a visible light sensor that physically detects glare conditions, simplifying the control mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If prior art systems process entire images to detect glare conditions, then comprehensive glare detection is achieved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of image processing for glare detection. Instead of processing entire images comprehensively, the system selectively processes only relevant pixel data needed to detect glare conditions, removing unnecessary processing steps while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial image processing by focusing only on the specific regions and pixel characteristics that indicate glare conditions. Rather than exhaustively analyzing all image data, the patent applies partial action by processing only the minimum necessary data to achieve accurate glare detection, reducing computational overhead.
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
This approach simplifies glare detection and prevention, reducing processing complexity and improving accuracy by directly addressing glare conditions through image processing and motorized window treatment control, enhancing occupant comfort without the need for intricate system configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor (e.g., a visible light sensor) and/or a system controller may process the pixels of the image to determine whether a glare condition exists. The sensor and/or system controller may begin processing a pixel at a portion of the image (e.g., the bottom or top of the image). The sensor and/or system controller may begin processing pixels at a bottom or top row of pixels in an image and compare the luminance of the pixels to one or more thresholds
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor may detect glare from a recorded image and a shade position of a motorized window treatment may be controlled based on the position of the detected glare in the image. A luminance of a pixel may be calculated in an image and a glare condition may be detected based on the luminance of the pixel. For example, the sensor may start at a first pixel in a bottom row of pixels and step through each of the pixels on the bottom row before moving to a next row of pixels. When the sensor detects a glare condition, the sensor may cease processing the remaining pixels of the image. The sensor may calculate a background luminance of the image by reordering the pixels of the image from darkest to lightest and calculating the luminance of a pixel that is a predetermined percentage from the darkest pixel.