MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONTROL OF LIGHTING PARAMETERS

• US 20120194095A1
• Filed: 09/28/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting BV (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ashdown, Ian, Loveland, Damien, York, Allan Brent, Ketelaars, Aloysius Cornelis Arnoldus Maria, Berkvens, Winfried Antonius Henricus, Marinus, Antonius Adrianus Maria, Van De Sluis, Bartel, Vermeulen, A.J.W.A., Cuppen, Roel Peter Geert
• Granted Patent: US 8,963,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/292
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall preset parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A lighting control system for controlling multiple parameters of a light source, the lighting control system comprising:

an input device configured to detect motion in a plurality of dimensions including a first, a second and a third dimension to create a respective first input, second input and third input;

a controller for electronically receiving said first input, said second input and said third input,

wherein said controller maps said first input to a first lighting parameter, said second input to a second lighting parameter, said third input to a third lighting parameter;

wherein said controller is in electronic communication with a light controller, said controller transferring said first, second and third lighting parameters to said light controller to modify corresponding light output to at least one light, said corresponding light output modified to correspond to said first, second and third lighting parameters and controlled by said plurality of dimension inputs from said input device.

22. The lighting control system of claim 21, further including a light within said input device and further in communication with said light controller, said light controller operable to apply said first, second and third lighting parameters to said light within said input device.

23. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein said controller and said light controller are contained within said input device.

24. The lighting, control system of claim 21, wherein said controller and said light controller are separated.

25. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein said controller and said light controller are contained within said input device and utilize a first processor.

27. The lighting control system of claim 21, further including at least one switch in said input device actuatable to reassign said first, second and third input to varying lighting parameters.

28. The lighting control of claim 21, wherein said input device is a rotational track ball having at least one sensor for detecting movement in said first, second and third dimension.

29. A method of controlling a lighting system, comprising:

moving an input device in a first, second and third dimension of motion;

translating said first, second and third motion into a first, second and third input;

mapping said first, second and third input to a first, second and third lighting parameter;

transmitting said first, second and third lighting parameters to a lighting controller;

modifying light output of a first light, a second light and a third light by said lighting controller according to said first, second and third parameters.

30. The method of claim 29, further including restricting by use of least one feedback element the motion of said input device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said restricting includes preventing the movement of said input device in one of said first, second or third dimension of motion.

32. The method of claim 31, further including:

applying a set of rules associated with said lighting parameters;

restricting the motion of said input device according to said rules.

33. The method of claim 32, further including actuating at least one of said feedback elements on said input device to restrict said movement.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said moving, step further includes rotating a track bail in a housing allowing for first, second and third directions of rotatable movements.

35. The method of claim 29, further including adjusting the light output of a light element within said input device based upon said mapping step.