ILLUMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120098436A1
• Filed: 06/14/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Talstra, Johan Cornelis, Penning De Vries, Hendricus Theodorus Gerardus Maria, Yianni, George Frederic, Vinkenvleugel, Lucius Theodorus, Van Leeuwen, Franciscus Wilhelmus Adrianus Alphonsus
• Granted Patent: US 8,917,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1149 Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/199 Commissioning of light sources

Abstract

This invention relates to an illumination system (100) comprising a plurality of luminaires (101a-d). The luminaires are each arranged to transmit in the light emitted an identification code ID. To ensure sufficient detection of the identification codes during selection with a selection device (120), the system further comprises a control unit (130) which is arranged for identification of any luminaire which has a nominal drive value equal to or below a minimum preset value, or equal to or above a maximum preset value. The control unit sets (or instructs a driver to set) the nominal drive value of such identified luminaire to a predetermined value to achieve a corresponding predetermined light output from the luminaire ensuring a sufficient signal for the transmission of the identification code ID.

Claims

1. An illumination system comprising

a plurality of luminaires, each arranged to transmit in the emitted light an identification code ID;

and

a control unit arranged for;

identifying at least one luminaire having a nominal drive value being equal to or below a minimum preset value, or equal to or above a maximum preset value; and

setting the nominal drive value of such identified luminaire to a predetermined value.

2. An illumination system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection device arranged for selecting at least one of said luminaires based on said identification codes.

3. An illumination system according to claim 2, wherein said selection device is arranged to send a first initialization command to the control unit, and wherein upon reception of said first initialization command all luminaires, except said at least one identified luminaire, are arranged to transmit their identification codes.

4. An illumination system according to claim 3, wherein said selection device is arranged to send a second initialization command, wherein said control unit is arranged to perform said step of setting the nominal drive value to the predetermined value of said identified luminaire upon reception of said second initialization command, after which step of setting said at least one identified luminaire is arranged to transmit its identification code.

5. An illumination system according to claim 2, wherein said minimum preset value and said maximum preset value are set prior to said step of selecting.

6. An illumination system according to claim 2, wherein said minimum preset value and said maximum preset value are set during the step of selecting.

7. An illumination system according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined value is arranged to be a fixed percentage value of said minimum preset value or said maximum preset value, respectively.

8. An illumination system according claim 1, wherein said selection unit is arranged to adjust the minimum preset value based on a signal-to-noise ratio for light detected by the selection device.

9. An illumination system according to claim 1, wherein after the step of selecting, the nominal drive value of said identified luminaire is arranged to return to its initial value over a predefined time interval.

10. An illumination system according to claim 1, wherein said nominal drive value corresponds to an average light intensity output.

11. A method for selecting a luminaire from a plurality of luminaires comprising:

identifying at least one luminaire having a nominal drive value being equal to or below a minimum preset value, or equal to or above a maximum preset value,

setting the nominal drive value of such identified luminaire to a predetermined value,

transmitting from each of the plurality of luminaires an identification code in the emitted light,

detecting said identification codes, and

selecting a luminaire based on a detected identification code.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

providing a first initialization command, wherein as a response to said first initialization command said step of transmitting is performed for all luminaires, except said at least one identified luminaire,

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

providing a second initialization command, wherein as a response to said second initialization command said step of setting is performed for said at least one identified luminaire, and said step of transmitting is performed for said at least one identified luminaire.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising, after the step of selecting, the step of:

letting said nominal drive value of said identified luminaire return to its initial value over a predefined time period.