Lighting Control via Virtual Reality Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems for professional and semi-professional applications lack flexibility in adjusting lighting parameters such as color, directionality, and brightness in synchronization with audio/video events, limiting creative and artistic usage, especially in environments like theaters, homes, and virtual reality settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a control device and server-based repository to manage lighting sequences through time-coded data sets, allowing users to calibrate and control lighting fixtures remotely, synchronizing lighting effects with audio/video events via a computer program product, enabling flexible and synchronized lighting adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If audio sensors are employed to detect audio characteristics and control lighting sources, then lighting can be automatically adjusted to match audio programs, but the possible light combinations and creative/artistic usage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual reality device as an intermediary between the user and the lighting control system. This device provides a graphical user interface that enables users to manually select and customize lighting parameters, thereby overcoming the limitations of automatic audio-based control while still allowing automated modes when desired. The VR device acts as a mediator that bridges automated control and manual creativity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between automated lighting control based on audio detection and manual control through the VR device interface. The control mode is not fixed but adapts based on user needs, allowing the system to be both automated when convenient and manually adjustable when creative flexibility is required.
2Device complexity
If lighting parameters are fixed in current applications, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to modify lighting features during shows or media playback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple lighting sequences with associated time code data sets that can be automatically executed. These pre-programmed sequences reduce the need for complex real-time control while still providing extensive lighting modification capabilities. Users can select from pre-defined sequences or customize them through the VR interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic changes in lighting parameters including color temperature, intensity, and timing by associating different time code data sets with lighting sequences. The system can modify multiple lighting parameters simultaneously based on the selected sequence and time codes, providing extensive adaptability without requiring complex manual adjustment of each parameter individually.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual control of lighting is required for every adjustment, then creative control is maximized, but ease of operation and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting control system is segmented into multiple independent lighting sources, each with its own controllable parameters and sequences. This segmentation allows users to control individual lighting fixtures or groups through the VR device interface, making complex lighting designs more manageable and easier to operate than controlling a monolithic lighting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses time code data sets as digital copies of lighting sequences that can be stored, retrieved, and executed automatically. These digital representations of lighting programs eliminate the need for manual real-time adjustment while preserving the creative intent of the original lighting design.
4Measurement precision
If lighting sequences are pre-programmed with time code data sets, then synchronization with audio/video events is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual synchronization methods with digital time code data sets that are automatically processed by the control system. The time codes provide precise temporal information that enables accurate synchronization with audio and video events without requiring complex mechanical coordination or manual timing adjustments.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
Lighting sources (1, 2, ..., n) having at least one operating parameter which is controllable in at least one lighting sequence as a function of a time code data set coupled with said sequence, are controlled in cooperation with at least one virtual/augmented reality device (E), by: - providing a repository (SP) of operating data files for the sources, coupled with the lighting sources (1, 2, ..., n), with each data file including at least one time code data set for at least one lighting sequence for a source among said lighting sources (1, 2, ..., n), - retrieving in said data repository (SP) at least one operating data file coupled with a selected one of said lighting sources (1, 2, ..., n), and - detecting a virtual/augmented reality signal from said at least one virtual/augmented reality device (E), indicative of the fact that said virtual/augmented reality device (E) is gazing at and/or is recognizing said selected lighting source, and - operating the selected lighting source by controlling (LC) said at least one operating parameter as a function of the operating data included in the operating data file retrieved and of said virtual/augmented reality signal.