WO2009093161A1

WO2009093161A1 - Remote control device for lighting systems

Info

Publication number: WO2009093161A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo Feri; Paulus H. A. Damink; Sel B. Colak; Kyriakos Mama; Clive Vanheerden; Vincentius P. Buil
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-01-24
Filing date: 2009-01-19
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Also published as: TW201004474A

Abstract

Proposed is a remote control device (100) operable in an illumination system (1). This system comprises a plurality of light arrangements (10) capable of creating a light effect. The remote control device comprises communication means (200) allowing interaction with the illumination system (1) by pointing to a location (40) around which the light effect is to be controlled. The communication means (200) comprises an assembly (300) allowing adjustment of a light effect control area (50) around the location (40) over which the light effect is controlled. For this purpose the assembly may comprise an optical tool (310), such as for instance an adjustable beam stop, an adjustable lens, or a cylinder with a controllable length. This is especially advantageous as a user may, for instance, select an adjustable group of light arrangements simultaneously.

Description

Remote control device for lighting systems

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a remote control device arranged to be operable in an illumination system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

WO2006111927 describes a remote control device (RCD) for the control of light effects in an illumination system comprising light arrangements designed to emit modulated light incorporating light arrangement identification codes. The RCD incorporates an optical detector to collect light and a user interface allowing a user to interact with the system by pointing the RCD at a lighting arrangement or a location. Furthermore, it incorporates processing means (such as a microcontroller and a storage medium) allowing the control of the light effect - as created by the illumination system - falling within the viewing field of the optical detector. Alternatively, the RCD incorporates communication means (such as a wireless transceiver) allowing the exchange of light effect related data (intensity, color, etc) with a central controller of the illumination system. The central controller then uses its processing means to control and adjust the light emitted by the light arrangements in the system. As an example of light effect control, WO2006111927 describes "copy-paste" functionality, wherein the RCD measures the light effect (f.i. the color) in a first location - "copy" - and subsequently allowing a user to "paste" the light effect in a second location by having the RCD (directly or via the central controller) adjust the light emitted from light arrangements there.

US6655817 discloses a remote control modular lighting system allowing users to select individual light arrangements for adjustment by momentarily pointing the RCD at the light arrangement to be adjusted. Selection of the light arrangement takes place (i) through directionally transmitting an optical signal (modulated IR or visible LED/laser pointer) from the RCD to the light arrangement to be selected, the latter having an omnidirectional optical detector, or (ii) through transmitting individual coded signals via omnidirectional optical transmitters in the light arrangements and selecting a light arrangement by pointing the RCD having a highly directionally sensitive optical detector. Once a light arrangement has been selected a wireless link between the RCD and the light arrangement allows controlling the latter' s light effect (f.i. aiming the light emitted, switching on/off, dimming, control spot size or color, etc).

A user applying the prior art remote control devices will do so in vastly varying environments. Some of these will have only a few installed light arrangements, while others will have many. Moreover, a user may apply the remote control device by measuring the light emitted directly (i.e. pointing the RCD towards the light arrangement(s)). Alternatively, that user may apply the remote control device by pointing it to an object/location/area for controlling the light effect thereon/in. The prior art remote control devices are ill-suited to cope with vastly varying circumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a remote control device of the kind set forth which has more flexibility and more versatile functionality. This objective is achieved with the remote control device according to a first aspect of the invention as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the communication means comprise an assembly allowing adjustment of a light effect control area around the location over which the light effect is controlled. The invention beneficially provides a RCD that allows adjustment of the size of the area over which it controls the light effect. Advantageously, a user may apply different light effects from adjacent light arrangements or on adjacent objects/areas using the inventive RCD. Moreover, a user may select an adjustable group of light arrangements simultaneously.

In an embodiment, the communication means comprises a light sensor arranged to detect light originating from the light arrangements and the assembly comprises an optical tool arranged to adjust the light effect control area through an adjustment of the viewing field of the light sensor.

In an embodiment, the communication means comprises a radiation source arranged to provide a control signal for the light arrangements and the assembly comprises an optical tool arranged to allow adjustment of the viewing field of the radiation source. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical tool comprises an adjustable lens. This may be a single lens or a lens combination positioned in front of the light sensor allowing the control of the space angle from which the sensor may detect light. In another embodiment the lens (combination) is positioned in front of the radiation source allowing the control of the space angle over which the source may transmit its radiation. In another embodiment, the optical tool comprises an adjustable beam-stop, such as an iris adjustable in diameter. Alternatively, a hollow cylinder with a controllable (effective) length in front of/ around the light sensor may function as the optical tool to adjust the field of view.

According to an embodiment the RCD comprises a light source arranged to demark the light effect control area. Advantageously, this allows a visible feedback to a user enabling him to judge applying the correct viewing field for the task at hand.

In an embodiment of the remote control device according to the invention the assembly is controlled to address a light effect control area having a predetermined size. Advantageously, an auto-focus function helps ensure that the RCD controls the light effect with a fixed sized area, irrespective of the distance between the RCD and the area to be illuminated.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method to control a light effect, comprising the steps (i) providing an illumination system comprising a plurality of light arrangements capable of creating the light effect, (ii) providing a remote control device comprising communication means allowing interaction with the illumination system, (iii) pointing the remote control device to a location around which the light effect is to be controlled, (iv) adjusting a light effect control area around the location using an assembly comprised in the communication means.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, features and advantages of the invention are disclosed in the following description of exemplary and preferred embodiments in connection with the drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of the invention Fig. 2 schematically shows the creation of a light effect using the invention Fig. 3 schematically shows the creation of another light effect using the invention Fig. 4 schematically shows a second embodiment of the invention

Fig. 5 schematically shows a third embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 schematically shows an illumination system 1 comprising a plurality of light arrangements 10. The latter comprise one or more lamps 15 (f.i. gas discharge bulbs or LEDs) for emitting any color light (white included) allowed by the primary color light sources comprised in the lamps 15. The light arrangements 10 emit modulated light comprising light arrangement identification codes, allowing a detector to determine from which light arrangement 10 the light it detects originates. Fig. 1 furthermore shows a remote control device (RCD) 100 comprising communication means 200 allowing it to interact with the illumination system 1 and control the light effect created. For instance, a user may turn the light on/off using the RCD 100. Alternatively, a user may control the intensity, the hue and/or the spot size of the light effect using the RCD 100. For this purpose the communication means 200 comprise a light sensor 400 arranged to detect light originating from the light arrangements 10. The light sensor 400 detects the identification codes in the light entering its field of view 410, thus allowing the selection of the light arrangements 10 to be controlled in order to create a light effect on (and adjacent to) a location 40. After selecting the light arrangements 10, the RCD 100 may exchange control commands or control data - including the ID of the light arrangements selected and the light effect (hue, intensity, saturation) desired - with a central controller (not shown) of the illumination system 1. Preferably the communication means 200 comprises a wireless transceiver and a user interface (both not shown) for this purpose. Especially when the illumination system 1 comprises of a plurality of

(densely) packed light arrangements 10, the invention provides a versatile method of selecting a desirable number of light arrangements. Whereas with prior art devices the light arrangements 10 need to be selected individually, the invention allows selecting a group of light arrangements simultaneously by operating an assembly 300 comprised in the communication means 200 arranged to adjust the light effect control area 50 around a location 40 to which the RCD 100 is pointing.

In an embodiment, the assembly 300 comprises an optical tool 310 arranged to adjust the light effect control area 50 through an adjustment of the viewing field 410 of the light sensor 400. In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, this optical tool 310 comprises a hollow cylinder in which the light sensor is located. Moving it up and down along the cylinder (either manually using a slider or controlled via the user interface, or automatically using an actuator) effectively changes the sensor-depth to cylinder-diameter ratio. This ratio essentially determines the viewing field 410. In another embodiment, the optical tool 310 comprises an adjustable lens 340 focussing the light 20 originating from the light arrangements 10 on the light sensor 400 (see Fig. 4 - note that the light source 320 and beam splitter 330 are optional in the embodiment shown). This may be a single lens or a lens combination positioned in front of the light sensor 400 allowing the control of the space angle (i.e. the sensor's viewing field 410) from which the sensor may detect light. Again, the adjustment may be done manually or automatically. In an embodiment, the lens 340 comprises an electrowetting lens. Advantageously, this allows adjusting the viewing field 410 electronically by actuating the surface/shape of a droplet comprising an electrolyte through the application of a voltage. In an embodiment, the optical tool 310 comprises an adjustable beam stop.

Adjusting the diameter of the beam stop changes the field of view 410 of the light sensor 400. Advantageously, this allows adjusting the light effect control area 50 and thus the number of light arrangements 10 to be controlled.

In summary, the invention allows a user to point the RCD 100 in the direction of the light arrangements 10 of the illumination system 1 to a location 40 and allows (i) to "select" a single light arrangement 10 (or simultaneously a group adjustable in size if so desired) and (ii) to control their light emitted to create a desired light effect in an area 50 around/adjacent to the location 40.

Alternatively, a user may point the RCD 100 to a location 40 to be illuminated with the light effect. At that location, there may for instance be an object, such as a saleable item in a retail shop. The modulated light emitted by the illumination system 1 will reflect from the object and fall in the viewing field 410 of the light sensor 400. Similarly to the situation described above, the light arrangements 10 contributing to the light effect can be identified, selected, and controlled through the determination of the light arrangements identification codes.

In an embodiment the assembly 300 is controlled to address a light effect control area 50 having a predetermined size. Advantageously, an auto-focus function helps ensure that the RCD 100 controls the light effect with a fixed sized area, irrespective of the distance between the RCD 100 and the area to be illuminated. Fig. 2 show a room 600 with several objects such as a table 610 and a cupboard 620. The room contains an illumination system 1, in this case comprising a multitude of light arrangements 10. A user desires to create a spot light with light rays 20 having a white or possibly non-white color (depending on the possibilities of the installed illumination system 1) on top of the table 610 with a predetermined size. The user addresses that light effect by pointing the RCD 100 to the table 610. Utilizing the RCD's user interface (not shown here), the user enables the "auto-focus" function and chooses the desired light effect control area 50 (i.e. spot size in this case) and light effect (intensity, color, etc). Irrespective of the distance to the table 610 (position I and II in Fig. 2), the "auto-focus" function will secure the correct spot light to be created with the correct size and at the correct position.

Implementing the "auto-focus" function is well known from photo cameras. Both active and passive auto-focus (AF) systems exist. Active AF systems measure distance to an object independently of the optical system, and subsequently adjust the optical system for correct focus. Various ways exist to measure distance, including ultrasonic sound waves and infrared light. In the first case, emitting sound waves and measuring the delay in their reflection allows calculating the distance to the object. The latter case employs infrared light to triangulate the distance to the object. Passive AF systems determine correct focus by performing passive analysis of the image that enters the optical system. They generally do not direct any energy, such as ultrasonic sound or infrared light waves, toward the object. Passive AF systems typically apply phase detection or contrast measurements.

Alternatively to the automatic "auto-focus/predetermined size function", a user may set the viewing field manually. For instance, the user interface (not shown) of the RCD 100 allows the user to vary the size of the light effect control area 50 as shown in Fig. 3 with arrow 55. Although Fig. 2 and 3 indicate the light effect control area 50 as a circle with an adjustable diameter, in principle the light effect control area 50 may have a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, etc, or in fact an arbitrary shape and size.

In the embodiment shown schematically in Fig. 4, the assembly 300

(optionally) further comprises a light source 320 arranged to demark the light effect control area 50 as a visible feedback to a user. The lens 340, in combination with the beam splitter 330, projects the demarking light 350 emitted by light source 320 on the light effect control area 50. Preferably, this feedback illumination totally covers the light effect control area 50. The same optics can then be used both for adjusting the viewing field 410 of the light sensor 400 and for the demarking the light effect control area 50. Alternatively, the light effect control area may be illuminated by the light source 320 only partially. For instance, only a central point (i.e. location 40) is demarked. Or the light effect control area 50 is demarked on its periphery only.

Fig. 5 schematically shows yet another embodiment of the invention. Again the illumination system 1 comprises a plurality of light arrangements 10. Besides the lamps 15 comprised in the light arrangements 10, the latter also comprise omni-directional receivers 16. Moreover, the communication means 200, comprised in the remote control device (RCD) 100, comprise a radiation source 500 - instead of the light sensor 400. In this embodiment, the RCD 100 is arranged to emit modulated radiation (visible light or infra-red) in the direction of the light arrangements 10 and their receivers 16. The modulated radiation emitted comprises commands and/or data selecting and controlling (hue, intensity, saturation) the light arrangements. Known signal encoder and decoder processors can be used to implement such control signal generation and reception.

Similarly to the embodiments described above, the assembly 300 comprises an optical tool 310 arranged - in this case - to allow adjustment of the viewing field 510 of the radiation source 500. Thus, likewise in this embodiment a cylinder with controllable

(effective) length, an adjustable beam stop, and/or an adjustable (electrowetting) lens may be applied to enable adjustment of the viewing field 510 of the radiation source 500. Advantageously, these embodiments allow (i) selection of a single light arrangement 10 (or simultaneously a group controllable in size if so desired) and (ii) to control their light emitted to create a desired light effect in an area 50 around the location 40.

In yet another embodiment, the RCD 100 has a fixed physical viewing field 410, 510 of the light sensor 400 or the radiation source 500, respectively. Preferably the viewing field 410, 510 are small in this embodiment, i.e. the RCD 100 has a high directional sensitivity. The assembly 300 however comprises a tool to vary and adjust the viewing field virtually. Such a tool may comprise a physical slider, knob, rotary dial, rotary ring, etc, on the RCD 100 providing a control signal. Alternatively, it may comprise a virtual viewing field control function operable via a (graphical) user interface of the RCD 100. Once a user sets the virtual viewing field, the RCD provides a virtual viewing field control signal to the illumination system 1. This signal may comprise data modulated onto the radiation emitted by the radiation source 500 and detected by the receivers 16. Alternatively, this signal may comprise data transmitted wirelessly to the central controller of the illumination system 1. The transferred data inform the illumination system about (i) a selected "central" light arrangement 10, and (ii) the extent to which other light arrangements adjacent to the "central" one should be selected. The virtual viewing field control signal defines the extent. In fact, the virtual viewing field control signal may define the light effect to change as a function of the distance to the "central" light arrangement. For instance, the intensity of light emitted may be according to a (reciprocal) function of that distance. Alternatively, the color of the light emitted may be according to a distance dependent function, so that f.i. rings of different colored light can be created. Topographical information about the networked illumination system 1 forms a prerequisite for this embodiment, and should thus be available in the network - either centrally or delocalised.

Although the invention has been elucidated with reference to the embodiments described above, it will be evident that alternative embodiments may be used to achieve the same objective. The scope of the invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described above. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

To illustrate the versitile of the use if the inventive RCD 100, the reader is reminded of the wide spread practise of redecoration and rearrangement of interior spaces (hotels, offices, homes, etc). As lighting norms (such as EN-12464, EN- 15193, & EN-13956) prescribe minimal illumination levels in dependence of the application (e.g. 500 lux for workplaces in offices and 200 lux for corridors), rearrangement of cubicles in larger office spaces implies congruent adjustment of the lighting arrangements 10 in the office space.

Application of the inventive RCD 100 after the rearrangement of the office furniture allows an easy and intuitive adjustment of the illumination (level, color, hue, spot size,etc) by positioning the remote control device at a selected location 40 and adjusting the light effect control area 50 around it.

In summary, proposed is a remote control device 100 operable with an illumination system 1. This system comprises a plurality of light arrangements 10 capable of creating a light effect. The remote control device comprises communication means 200 allowing interaction with the illumination system 1 by pointing to a location 40 around which the light effect is to be controlled. The communication means 200 comprises an assembly

300 allowing adjustment of a light effect control area 50 around the location 40 over which the light effect is controlled. For this purpose the assembly may comprise an optical tool 310, with for instance an adjustable beam stop, an adjustable lens, or a cylinder with a controllable length. This is especially advantageous as a user may, for instance, select an adjustable group of light arrangements simultaneously.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A remote control device (100) arranged to be operable with an illumination system (1) comprising a plurality of light arrangements (10), the remote control device comprising communication means (200) allowing interaction with the illumination system (1) by pointing to a location (40) around which a light effect is to be controlled, characterized in that the communication means (200) comprise an assembly (300) allowing adjustment of a light effect control area (50) around the location (40) over which the light effect is controlled.

2. A remote control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (200) comprises a light sensor (400) arranged to detect light originating from the light arrangements (10) and the assembly (300) comprises an optical tool (310) arranged to adjust the light effect control area (50) through an adjustment of the viewing field (410) of the light sensor (400).

3. A remote control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (200) comprises a radiation source (500) arranged to provide a control signal for the light arrangements (10) and the assembly (300) comprises an optical tool (310) arranged to allow adjustment of the viewing field (510) of the radiation source (500).

4. A remote control device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the optical tool (310) comprises an adjustable lens (340).

5. A remote control device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the optical tool (310) comprises an adjustable beam-stop.

6. A remote control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the assembly (300) is controlled to address a light effect control area (50) having a predetermined size.

7. A remote control device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the optical tool

(310) further comprises a light source (320) arranged to demark the light effect control area (50) as a visible feedback to a user.

8. A method to control a light effect, comprising the steps providing an illumination system (1) comprising a plurality of light arrangements (10) capable of creating the light effect, providing a remote control device (100) comprising communication means (200) allowing interaction with the illumination system (1), - pointing the remote control device (100) to a location (40) around which the light effect is to be controlled, adjusting a light effect control area (50) around the location (40) using an assembly (300) comprised in the communication means (200).