Dynamic lighting based on activity type

• US 9,137,878 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2012
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Thompson, Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Brandon S
• Application Number:
  US13/425,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 315/20, 315149-160, 315360-362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Dynamic lighting techniques are disclosed that consider activity within a given area so as to provide lighting to that area with a high degree of context awareness. In some embodiments, the techniques not only consider physical activity within a given area, but further consider emotional activity within that area, and provide lighting geared toward or otherwise appropriate for such specific activity. In some embodiments, physical activity is divided into general activity and specific activity; emotional activity may be subdivided in a similar fashion. Other factors may be considered as well, including the layout of the area being illuminated and/or any user provided lighting preferences. In some embodiments, user preferences can be used to override general physical and/or emotional activity, and specific physical and/or emotional activity can override the user preferences. Numerous variations and lighting systems will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

an activity interpreter module for receiving sensor data from one or more activity sensors, the sensor data reflecting an activity occurring in a space to be illuminated, the activity interpreter module further configured for identifying the activity reflected in the sensor data;

a lighting control module for generating a lighting control signal based on the identified activity in the sensor data, wherein the lighting control signal is for dynamically adjusting at least one of the direction and color of light to be applied to the space further wherein the activity interpreter module labels the identified activity and the lighting control module comprises a look-up table that lists a plurality of lighting control signals indexed by activity, thereby allowing an appropriate lighting control signal to be generated based on the identified activity; and

a context-aware experience sampling application running on a mobile, user device wherein in response to the identified activity, prompts the user on feedback to the adjusting at least one of the direction and color of light applied to the space.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more cameras for providing sensor data.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more microphones for providing sensor data.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more range finders for providing sensor data.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a database of lighting preferences associated with users of the space.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a user interface for allowing a user to enter lighting preferences into the database.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the activity interpreter and lighting control modules are included in a computer vision system.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the computer vision system further includes one or more sensors for providing the sensor data.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lighting controller configured to receive the lighting control signal and to apply that signal to one or more lighting fixtures.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more lighting fixtures.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one lighting fixture is configured with a sensor for providing the sensor data.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one lighting fixture comprises a light emitting diode element.

13. A lighting system, comprising:

a camera for providing image data of an area to be illuminated;

an activity interpreter module for receiving image data from the camera, the image data reflecting an activity occurring in a space to be illuminated, the activity interpreter module further configured for identifying the activity reflected in the image data;

a lighting control module for generating a lighting control signal based on the identified activity in the image data, wherein the lighting control signal is for dynamically adjusting at least one of the direction and color of light to be applied to the space; and

a context-aware experience sampling application on a user device wherein in response to the activity, prompts a user on feedback to the adjusting at least one of the direction and color of light applied to the space.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising at least one of a microphone and/or a range finder for providing sensor data to supplement the image data.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a database of lighting preferences associated with users of the space; and

a user interface for allowing a user to enter lighting preferences into the database.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a lighting fixture having a plurality of light emitting diode elements; and

a lighting controller configured to receive the lighting control signal and to apply that signal to the lighting fixture.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the lighting fixture is configured with a sensor for providing image data.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the activity interpreter module labels the identified activity and the lighting control module comprises a look-up table that lists a plurality of lighting control signals indexed by activity, thereby allowing an appropriate lighting control signal to be generated based on the identified activity.

19. A lighting system, comprising:

a lighting fixture for illuminating an area;

a sensor in physical contact with and operatively coupled to the lighting fixture and for providing sensor data of the area, the sensor data reflecting both general and specific activity occurring in the area;

wherein the lighting fixture is dynamically adjustable to provide multiple lighting responses based on activity reflected in the sensor data, such that general activity causes a first lighting response involving changes in on/off state and light intensity of the light fixture, and specific activity causes a second lighting response involving changes in light direction of the light fixture;

an activity interpreter module labels the specific activity and the lighting fixture comprises a look-up table that lists a plurality of lighting control signals indexed by the specific activity, thereby allowing a second lighting response to be generated based on the specific activity; and

a context-aware experience sampling application on a mobile, user device wherein in response to the specific activity, prompts a user on feedback to the second lighting response changes in light direction of the light fixture and computationally ranks in the look-up table the second lighting response to the specific activity.