Visible Light Sensor Integration for Multi-Mode Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control systems are inefficient due to the use of multiple input devices, which can lead to inaccurate control of electrical loads. Specifically, sensors like glare sensors, daylight sensors, and occupancy/vacancy sensors often rely on prediction algorithms or passive infrared technology, resulting in unreliable performance.
Innovation Solution
A load control system equipped with a visible light sensor that records images of a space and uses a control circuit to detect occupancy or vacancy conditions, measure light levels, and adjust lighting fixtures to achieve predefined light profiles across surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple input devices and sensors are used in load control systems, then the system can gather more information about the environment, but the system complexity increases and control accuracy decreases due to reliance on prediction algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (daylight sensor, color temperature sensor, occupancy sensor, glare sensor) into a single integrated load control system that processes all inputs through a unified control algorithm, eliminating the need for separate prediction algorithms for each sensor type and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from multiple sensors to continuously adjust lighting loads, replacing prediction algorithms with actual measured data from the environment, thereby improving control accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized processing
2Reliability
If prediction algorithms are used to reduce glare based on sensor input, then the system attempts to control glare, but the control reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses direct feedback from the glare sensor to control lighting loads, replacing prediction algorithms with real-time measured data, thereby improving both reliability and accuracy of glare control
Solution Approach 2:
The load control system uses its own sensor inputs directly to control its outputs, eliminating the need for external prediction algorithms and improving self-reliability and control accuracy
3Measurement precision
If occupancy sensors use passive infrared technology, then the system can detect occupancy, but the detection accuracy decreases when users are stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive infrared occupancy sensing with active visible light imaging to create a hybrid detection system that maintains accuracy for stationary users while managing energy consumption through intelligent sensor activation and processing
4Measurement precision
If daylight sensors rely on location accuracy for detecting light intensity, then the system can measure light levels, but the measurement accuracy decreases when sensor location is not precisely known
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the visible light sensor to calibrate and correct measurements from the daylight sensor, eliminating the need for precise location data and improving measurement accuracy without increasing positioning complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The visible light sensor acts as an intermediary that provides reference measurements to calibrate the daylight sensor, allowing accurate light intensity measurement without requiring precise knowledge of sensor location
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 more accurate control of lighting and occupancy conditions, reducing energy consumption and improving user comfort by dynamically adjusting lighting based on actual occupancy and light levels.
Implementation Method 1
a visible light sensor that records images of a space and uses a control circuit to detect occupancy or vacancy conditions
Implementation Method 2
measure light levels, and adjust lighting fixtures to achieve predefined light profiles
Data Source
AI summary
A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.