METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF ILLUMINATION IN AN INTERIOR SPACE

• US 20140292206A1
• Filed: 10/09/2012
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Lashina, Tatiana Aleksandrovna, Van De Sluis, Bartel Marinus, Wagenaar Cacciola, Giovanna, Meerbeek, Berent Willem, Van De Meulenhof, Dennis, Broeksteeg, Gerardus Henricus Adrianus Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 9,674,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/149
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

Methods and apparatus related to controlling illumination in a space. The method may include determining a heading of a daylight blocking element and/or a lighting fixture (301) and automatically adjusting at least one characteristic of the daylight blocking element and/or the lighting fixture based at least in part on the determined heading (305). The method may additionally or alternatively include proactively determining likely daylight conditions at a future time and beginning to adjust at least one characteristic of a daylight blocking element and/or a lighting fixture prior to the future time (202/203). Daylight blocking elements and/or lighting fixtures are also provided that may facilitate one or more aspect of the methods of controlling illumination.

Claims

1. A method of controlling illumination in a space, comprising:

determining an orientation relative to the Earth'"'"'s magnetic poles or about a nadir axis of a lighting fixture;

determining a geographic location of said lighting fixture;

determining at least one climate-related parameter for said geographic location; and

adjusting at least one light output characteristic of said lighting fixture based on said orientation and said climate-related parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one light output characteristic includes at least one of a light output direction and a light distribution shape of said lighting fixture.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said orientation relative to the Earth'"'"'s magnetic poles or about a nadir axis is determined via an orientation sensor on said lighting fixture.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said climate-related parameter includes short-term weather-based information.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising proactively determining, based on said short-term weather-based information, likely daylight conditions in an exterior space relative to said space at a future time;

and wherein said at least one light output characteristic of said lighting fixture is adjusted in correspondence with said likely daylight conditions prior to said future time.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one of a pitch and a yaw of lighting fixture and wherein said at least one of a light output characteristic of said lighting fixture is adjusted in correspondence with said at least one of said pitch and said yaw.

10. A method of controlling illumination in a space according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving short-term weather-based information;

proactively determining, based on said short-term weather-based information, likely daylight conditions in an exterior space relative to said space at a future time; and

beginning to adjust at least one of a light output characteristic of a lighting fixture in correspondence with said likely daylight conditions prior to said future time.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said short-term weather-based information includes daylight level related information from a location near said exterior space, wind strength, wind direction and cloud cover.

27. The method of claim 8, wherein said adjusting step includes beginning to adjust said at least one light output characteristic of said lighting fixture at least thirty seconds prior to said future time.

28. The system for controlling the illumination in a space of claim 10, further comprising;

a daylight blocking element,

wherein said controller further alters at least one light blocking characteristic of said daylight blocking element based at least in part on said orientation data and said climate-related parameter.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

14-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A system for controlling the illumination in a space, comprising:

an orientation sensor generating orientation data of at least one lighting fixture relative to the Earth'"'"'s magnetic poles or about a nadir axis;

geographic location source providing geographic location data;

a controller, said controller receiving at least one climate-related parameter for said geographic location;

a light source generating a light output;

said controller alters at least one of a light output characteristic of said at least one lighting fixture based at least in part on said orientation data and said climate-related parameter.

20. The system for controlling the illumination in a space of claim 19, wherein said at least one light output characteristic includes a light output direction and/or light output shape.

21. The system for controlling the illumination in a space of claim 19, wherein said climate-related parameter includes short-term weather-based information.

22. The system for controlling the illumination in a space of claim 19, wherein said orientation sensor is a three axis electronic sensor also generating at least one of pitch and yaw data.

23-26. -26. (canceled)