LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A VISIBLE LIGHT SENSOR

• US 20180168019A1
• Filed: 12/11/2017
• Published: 06/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Baker, Rhodes B., Casey, Craig Alan, Knode, Galen Edgar, Protzman, Brent, Shearer, Thomas M., Steiner, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,660,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/30 Artificial light
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10004 Still image; Photographic image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20224 Image subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30196 Human being; Person
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/20 using local operators
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/246 using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/10 Image acquisition document image scanning and transmission H04N1/00; control of digital cameras H04N23/60
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/141 Control of illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/235 : based on user input or interaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 : Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40012 : Conversion of colour to monochrome
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 : Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 : Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 : using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 : in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 : by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 : by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a sensor that is mounted in a space to record images of the space, the method comprising:

recording an image of the space;

processing the image to determine a location of at least one object within the space; and

based on the location of the at least one object within the space, automatically configuring an operation of the sensor in response to an environmental characteristic of the space identified in the image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor comprises automatically configuring a first mask for identifying a first unmasked portion of the image to be processed to sense the environmental characteristic of the space.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor comprises automatically configuring the sensor to process the first unmasked portion of the image to detect movement in the space.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one object comprises a task surface, and the first mask identifies an area outside of and at least partially surrounding the task surface as the first unmasked portion of the image to process to detect movement in the space.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

based on the location of a second object within the space, automatically configuring a second mask for identifying a second unmasked portion of the image to be processed to detect movement in the space.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second object comprises a keyboard on the task surface, and the second mask identifies an area around and including the keyboard as the second unmasked portion of the image to process to detect movement in the space.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor further comprises automatically determining a first sensitivity for detecting movement in the first unmasked portion of the image and a second sensitivity for detecting movement in the second unmasked portion of the image.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

based on the location of a second object within the space, automatically configuring the first mask to identify a masked portion of the image that will not be processed to detect movement in the space.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the second object comprises a doorway, a window, or other transparent object, and the first mask identifies the doorway, the window, or the other transparent object as the masked portion of the first mask to prevent false indications of occupancy based on objects outside of the doorway, the window, or the other transparent object.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor comprises automatically configuring the sensor to process the first unmasked portion of the image to measure a lighting level in the space.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one object comprises a task surface, and the first mask identifies an area outside of and at last partially surrounding the task surface as the first unmasked portion of the image to be processed to sense the environmental characteristic.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

based on the location of a second object within the space, automatically configuring the first mask to identify a masked portion of the image that will not be processed to measure the lighting level in the space.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second object is located on the task surface, and the masked portion is located inside of the first unmasked portion.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor comprises automatically determining a target light level for the task surface.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically configuring the operation of the sensor comprises automatically configuring the sensor to process the first unmasked portion of the image to prevent daylight glare or a sunlight penetration distance from reaching the location of the at least one object.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of the sensor is configured during a configuration procedure executed prior to the operation of sensor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the operation of the sensor is configured dynamically after the configuration procedure.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the configuration of the sensor is in response to a movement of the location of the at least one object within the space.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is automatically configured to control a lighting load using at least one sensor mode and at least one control parameter during the operation of the sensor, wherein the at least one sensor mode comprises at least one of a daylighting sensor mode, a daylight glare sensor mode, a color sensor mode, an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, or an occupant count mode, and wherein the at least one control parameter comprise at least one of a light sensitivity, a light gain, or a color temperature.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects comprises at least one of a window, a door, an occupant, a task surface, task surface objects, or another device.

21. A method of configuring a sensor that is mounted in a space to record images of the space, the method comprising:

recording an image of the space;

processing the image to determine a location of at least one object within the space; and

automatically creating a lighting zone comprising at least one lighting control device configured to control a lighting load that affects lighting in the location of the at least one object, wherein lighting control devices in the lighting zone are controlled collectively in response to control instructions.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one object comprises at least one of a lighting fixture, a window, a task area of a user, or a presentation area.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one object comprises a plurality of decorative lighting fixtures that are grouped together in the lighting zone based on the location of each of the plurality of decorative lighting fixtures.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one lighting control device comprises a plurality of lighting control devices within respective functional lighting fixtures, wherein the plurality of functional lighting fixtures are grouped together in the lighting zone based on the location of each of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures, wherein the location of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures indicates an intended function of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the location of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures is within a predetermined distance to at least one window in the space, wherein the lighting zone comprises a daylighting zone, and wherein the intended function of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures is for daylighting control.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving the control instructions based on a lighting level in the space measured by the sensor to control a lighting intensity of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures in the daylighting zone; and

controlling the lighting intensity of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures in the daylighting zone in response to the measured lighting level.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the location of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures is determined by identifying that the plurality of functional lighting fixtures illuminate a presentation area, and wherein the intended function of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures is for illuminating the presentation area.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

receiving control instructions from a remote control device to increase or decrease the lighting intensity of the plurality of functional lighting fixtures zoned for illuminating the presentation area; and

controlling the lighting intensity of the plurality of lighting fixtures zoned for illuminating the presentation area in response to the control instructions.

29. A method of configuring a sensor that is mounted in a space to record images of the space, the method comprising:

controlling a plurality of lighting control devices to cause respective lighting loads to illuminate respective portions of the space;

recording an image of the space;

processing the image to determine locations of the illuminated portions of the space; and

automatically creating a lighting zone comprising one or more of the lighting control devices based on the locations of the illuminated portions of the space.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

processing the image to determine types of the lighting loads based on the illuminated portions of the space in the image;

wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping together one or more of the lighting control devices based on the determined types of the lighting loads.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein types of the lighting loads comprise task lighting and decorative lighting, and wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping together one or more of the lighting loads that are the decorative lighting type.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping together one or more of the lighting loads that are the decorative lighting type that are located near each other.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping together one or more of the lighting control devices that control the lighting loads that illuminate the illuminated portions of the space adjacent to a window.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping the one or more of the lighting control devices that control the lighting loads that illuminate the illuminated portions of the space adjacent to the window together in a daylighting zone, and wherein the lighting control devices in the daylighting zone will be controlled in response to a daylight sensor.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping together one or more of the lighting control devices that control the lighting loads that illuminate the illuminated portions of the space adjacent to a presentation area.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein automatically creating the lighting zone further comprises grouping the one or more of the lighting control devices that control the lighting loads that illuminate the illuminated portions of the space adjacent to the window together in a control zone, and wherein the lighting control devices in the control zone will be controlled in response to a remote control device.