Apparatus, method, and system for visually indicating perceived glare thresholds
First Claim
1. A method of visualizing glare in an existing lighting system based on user perception comprising:
- a. producing a digital image of at least a portion of the lighting system at a selectable dynamic range with a photographic imaging device having variable aperture and shutter speed settings and adapted to measure luminance;
b. defining one or more glare thresholds based, at least in part, on the selected dynamic range, said glare thresholds indicating severity of perceived glare and wherein at least one of said one or more glare thresholds indicates discomfort glare;
c. assigning one or more colors or other indicia to different portions of the dynamic range in accordance with the one or more glare thresholds;
d. displaying the digital image on a display;
e. modifying the pixels of the digital image to produce an overlay such that;
i. corresponding pixels of measured luminances below the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated as separate from the lighting system;
ii. corresponding pixels of measured luminances above the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated as exceeding the most severe glare threshold; and
iii. corresponding pixels of measured luminances within the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated in accordance with the one or more glare thresholds; and
f. modifying the portion of the overlay corresponding to luminances within the selected dynamic ranges based on user evaluation.
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Abstract
Discussed herein is the adequate lighting of a target area as viewed from one or more vantage points to one or more specifications for one or more situations, and in a manner that addresses glare; in particular, glare perception. Various apparatuses, methods, and systems are presented herein whereby glare thresholds are visually indicated. Said glare-indicating apparatus, methods, and/or systems are readily implemented using existing lighting design tools, adaptable in accordance with advances in glare science, and either avoid or overcome limitations of existing glare models. Said apparatuses, methods, and systems can be adapted for real-time evaluation of glare so to, for example, aid a lighting designer in vetting generated (i.e., virtual) lighting designs and identify retrofit options for existing lighting systems.
36 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of visualizing glare in an existing lighting system based on user perception comprising:
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a. producing a digital image of at least a portion of the lighting system at a selectable dynamic range with a photographic imaging device having variable aperture and shutter speed settings and adapted to measure luminance; b. defining one or more glare thresholds based, at least in part, on the selected dynamic range, said glare thresholds indicating severity of perceived glare and wherein at least one of said one or more glare thresholds indicates discomfort glare; c. assigning one or more colors or other indicia to different portions of the dynamic range in accordance with the one or more glare thresholds; d. displaying the digital image on a display; e. modifying the pixels of the digital image to produce an overlay such that; i. corresponding pixels of measured luminances below the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated as separate from the lighting system; ii. corresponding pixels of measured luminances above the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated as exceeding the most severe glare threshold; and iii. corresponding pixels of measured luminances within the selected dynamic range are colored or otherwise visually indicated in accordance with the one or more glare thresholds; and f. modifying the portion of the overlay corresponding to luminances within the selected dynamic ranges based on user evaluation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21)
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8. A method of visualizing glare in a virtual lighting system based on user perception comprising:
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a. generating an image of at least a portion of the virtual lighting system and a virtual target area with a software-based lighting design program adapted for input and including display of; i. at least one boundary condition of the virtual target area; ii. at least one pole location; iii. aiming of at least one virtual lighting fixture; and iv. photometric data of said virtual lighting fixture; b. defining one or more glare thresholds based, at least in part, on (i) the boundary conditions of the virtual target area and (ii) illumination-related values; c. assigning one or more colors or other indicia to different portions of the generated image in accordance with the one or more glare thresholds; d. displaying the generated image on a display; e. modifying the generated image to produce a visual indication of the one or more glare thresholds or violation or the one or more glare thresholds; and f. modifying the virtual lighting system or glare thresholds based on user evaluation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22)
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15. A system for visualizing glare relative to illuminating an actual target area with a lighting system comprising a plurality of light sources comprising:
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a. a digital processor; b. a digital display operatively connected to the digital processor; c. a source for digital data for generating in the digital processor a digital target area representative of; i. the actual target area; and ii. illumination of the actual target area; iii. the digital target area representation including digital data from which an estimated illumination-related value from at least one vantage point can be derived for the digital target area representation; d. software associated with the digital processor configured to; i. compare at least one selected estimated illumination-related value of said digital data to at least one threshold value correlated to potential glare wherein the at least one threshold value includes a threshold correlated to discomfort glare; ii. generate on the digital display; 1. the digital target area representation; and 2. a visual representation of glare for any portion of the digital target area representation where the selected estimated illumination-related value exceeds the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification