CN109089362B - Method and apparatus for controlling lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting control method and an electronic device using the same are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: receiving pattern information for controlling lighting; generating lighting control information including luminance level information corresponding to the operation time information based on the received pattern information; and transmitting the lighting control information.

Description

Method and apparatus for controlling lighting

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controlling lighting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controlling lighting by using dimming patterns.

Background

The lighting device is a device that illuminates a dark place to allow a human sight line to recognize an object, and a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, and the like are mainly used as the lighting device. Generally, in the lighting device, each lamp is individually connected to the switching unit and controlled to be turned on/off, or a plurality of lamps are connected by one wire and controlled to be turned on/off.

However, with recent technological advances, research on a technology for controlling color temperature is actively ongoing with respect to development of an LED lighting device as an environmentally friendly material, development of a technology for controlling lighting, and research and learning effects of a dimming technology for controlling brightness of a lamp. In addition, research into a technology for automatically controlling lighting devices in the entire building and a digital control technology for controlling lighting linked with a smart home system in the building in real time is being conducted.

Such development has led to the development of lighting control systems that can control lighting environments differently by users according to lighting use environments, and techniques for controlling lighting devices in consideration of user convenience. For example, a technology for individually controlling the illumination of a plurality of lamps, a technology for controlling dimming by configuring the brightness of a plurality of lamps to a specific level, and a technology for controlling the color temperature or color of a lamp by a user according to the user environment are being studied.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for controlling lighting by using dimming patterns.

The above information is presented merely as background information to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No determination is made, nor is an assertion made, as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art to the present disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide for an improved lighting control method and apparatus.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of configuring a dimming pattern or a drawing pattern of a lighting device corresponding to a life style, such as waking up or sleeping, in order to deliver information through interworking having a multimedia function, and a method and apparatus for controlling and managing the lighting device.

Solution to the problem

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling lighting using an electronic device is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving pattern information for controlling lighting; generating lighting control information including luminance level information corresponding to the operation time information based on the received pattern information; and transmitting the lighting control information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device for controlling lighting is provided. The electronic device includes: a communication unit configured to transmit/receive data for controlling lighting; and a lighting controller configured to control to receive pattern information for controlling lighting, generate lighting control information including luminance level information corresponding to operation time information based on the received pattern information, and transmit the lighting control information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device for controlling lighting is provided. The method comprises the following steps: configuring one or more electronic devices, status information of the electronic devices, and mapping information of lighting devices corresponding to the status information; receiving a status notification message from the one or more electronic devices; identifying status information of the electronic device based on the status notification message; and transmitting the lighting control information selected based on the identified state information and the mapping information to the lighting device corresponding to the identified state information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus in which a server controls lighting through a link with an electronic device. The apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with one or more lighting devices and an electronic device; and a controller configured to control to: configuring one or more electronic devices, status information of the electronic devices, and mapping information of lighting devices corresponding to the status information; receiving a status notification message from the one or more electronic devices; identifying status information of the electronic device based on the status notification message; and transmitting the lighting control information selected based on the identified state information and the mapping information to the lighting device corresponding to the identified state information.

The invention has the advantages of

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method and an apparatus may be provided in which a user can effectively control and manage a lighting device.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user may easily configure various patterns to control lighting. In addition, user convenience can be increased through interworking with the smart home system.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, lighting control information may be generated using sound information and lighting may be intuitively controlled using the sound information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, various patterns can be easily drawn and used for the purpose of a scheduling function (e.g., wake-up, sleep, etc.), information notification (e.g., call, Short Message Service (SMS), home appliance operation notification, etc.), and the like based on various situations.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a lighting control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a view illustrating a lighting control information input screen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a lighting control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting pattern information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of generating lighting control information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining an operation switching point when generating lighting control information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a protocol corresponding to lighting control information, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating a time sampling method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining an operating switch point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a lighting control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of inputting speech information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 14 illustrates a method of inputting sound information and generating lighting control information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 15 illustrates a method of generating lighting control information based on sound type information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 16A and 16B illustrate a method of generating lighting control information based on textual information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 illustrates a method of connecting and controlling a home appliance and a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 18 illustrates a mapping relationship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used to illustrate the same or similar elements, features and structures.

Detailed Description

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Embodiments of the present disclosure include various specific details to facilitate a thorough understanding, but these embodiments should be considered exemplary only. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the written sense, but are used only by the inventors to achieve a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents.

It is understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more such surfaces.

The term "substantially" means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations in quantity may occur that do not preclude the effect that the characteristic is intended to provide, including for example tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a lighting control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, the lighting control system 10 may include a lighting control device 110 for transmitting a lighting control command to the lighting device 170 and the lighting device 170 for supplying lighting light. In addition, the lighting control system 10 may further include bridges 130 and 150 interworked between the lighting control apparatus 110 and the lighting apparatus 170 through an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

The lighting control device 110 may include an electronic terminal such as a smart phone, a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) terminal, a notepad, a Wibro terminal, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), and the like. In addition, the lighting control apparatus 110 may be a home appliance supporting wireless communication, such as a refrigerator, a Television (TV), or a washing machine. Hereinafter, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a smartphone will be described as one example of a lighting control apparatus.

The lighting control device and the lighting device may be connected by wireless communication. The wireless communication may include a short-range wireless communication scheme. Short-range wireless communication schemes may include bluetooth, Zigbee, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Android beam, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), infrared communication, and the like.

The lighting control device 110 and the lighting device 170 may be connected by a direct wireless communication method. When the lighting control apparatus 110 and the lighting apparatus 170 directly communicate with each other, the lighting control system 10 may be configured using the lighting control apparatus 110 and the lighting apparatus 170 without using a bridge. Further, the lighting control system 10 may include one or more bridges. When the lighting control system 10 includes a bridge, the lighting control device 110 and the lighting device 170 may communicate through the bridge. The communication includes a wireless communication scheme, which may include a short-range wireless communication scheme.

Each of bridges 130 and 150 may support the same type of communication system or different types of communication systems. For example, referring to fig. 1, the lighting control device 110 and the bridge 130 may be connected using Wi-Fi communication, and the bridge 150 and the lighting device 170 may be connected using Zigbee communication. Each of the bridges 130 and 150 may be connected through an ethernet connection or may be directly connected through a wired scheme. This connection scheme is one example of connecting the lighting device control apparatus 110 and the lighting device 170 using different communication schemes, but the connection scheme of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Further, when using the smart home system and when the home appliances connected to the bridge are changed, the lighting control system 10 may be configured to operate the lighting device 170 according to the configuration of the wireless lighting control device 110. In the smart home system, the bridges 130 and 150 may operate as servers of the smart home system. Furthermore, a separate server for executing the smart home system may exist independently of the bridge. For example, the server may receive lighting control information from the lighting control apparatus 110, store the received lighting control information, and map the lighting control information with the lighting apparatus 170. The server may store a mapping relationship between the home appliance and the lighting device 170. Further, the server may store a mapping relationship between one or more states of the home appliance and the lighting device 170. The lighting control information may additionally be mapped.

The server may receive a status notification message from the home appliance when the status of the home appliance is changed. The server may determine the state of the home appliance based on the received state notification message. The server may transmit lighting control information corresponding to the information on the recognized state of the home appliance to the mapped lighting device. The lighting device may receive lighting control information and operate based on the received lighting control information. The user may receive a notification of the state of the mapped home appliance based on the operation of the lighting device 170.

The lighting control apparatus 110 may act as a server. At this time, the lighting control device may connect the home appliance and the lighting device, receive status information of the home appliance, and transmit corresponding lighting control information to the lighting device.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 2, the lighting control device 200 may include a communication unit 210, a controller 230, and a display unit 250.

The communication unit 210 may perform data communication through a wireless connection with a neighboring network node. The communication unit 210 may transmit/receive data in order to control network nodes (e.g., WLAN Access Points (APs), bridges, etc.) and lighting devices. The communication unit 210 may perform a short-range communication function and may be connected to a network node through short-range communication.

The controller 230 may control the general operation of the lighting control device. The controller may also include a lighting controller 231.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lighting controller 231 may be configured to control so as to receive lighting control pattern information, determine an operation switching point corresponding to the received lighting control pattern information, generate lighting control information by using coordinate information of the determined operation switching point, and transmit the generated lighting control information.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the illumination controller 231 may be configured to control so as to receive pattern information for controlling illumination, generate illumination control information including luminance level information corresponding to the operation time information based on the received pattern information, and transmit the illumination control information.

In addition, the illumination controller 231 may be configured to control so as to generate a two-dimensional input area configured to have an illumination operation time and an illumination luminance level, and receive pattern information in the generated input area. When the illumination controller 231 receives pattern information on a plurality of luminance levels at the same point of time, the illumination controller 231 may control so as to output error information.

Further, the illumination controller 231 may be configured to control so as to determine operation switching points based on slope information of the pattern information, and generate illumination control information based on a time difference and a luminance level difference between the operation switching points. In addition, the illumination controller 231 may be configured to control so as to sample pattern information within a set time unit, and generate illumination control information based on time information and a luminance level at each sampling point.

The illumination controller 231 may be configured to control to generate illumination control information on an on/off operation time based on a time of the touch input area.

The lighting controller 231 may be configured to control to generate lighting control information based on the presence or absence of sound information. When sound information is input, the lighting controller 231 may be configured to control so as to recognize sound input within a set sound magnitude range as an input signal for controlling lighting, thereby distinguishing the sound information from noise.

Further, the lighting controller 231 may be configured to control so as to recognize the set sound type information. The sound type information indicates on/off of lighting, dimming level control, and the like. The lighting controller 231 may be configured to control to generate lighting control information based on the recognized sound type information. Further, the lighting controller 231 may be configured to recognize the size or frequency information of the sound information and control the dimming level based on the recognition.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pattern information includes sound information, and the lighting controller 231 may be configured to control the lighting control information based on the sound information. The lighting controller 231 may be configured to control so as to recognize sound type information for identifying sound information, determine whether set sound type information is included in the sound information, and generate lighting control information based on input interval information of the sound type information included in the sound information.

Further, the lighting controller 231 may be configured to control to generate lighting control information based on the text input.

The function and operation of the lighting controller 231 has been described. However, the function and operation of the lighting controller 231 are not limited thereto, and it is apparent that the lighting controller 231 performs the operation according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described below through fig. 4 to 18.

The display unit 250 may output the user data output by the controller 230. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display unit 250 may display a state of the lighting device, display a control state of the lighting device, and display an input region for receiving a lighting control command. In addition, the display unit 250 may display a control pattern controlled by the controller.

The input unit 260 may receive a control command for general control of the lighting control apparatus 200. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, pattern information for controlling the lighting device may be received through the input unit. When the display unit 250 is used as a touch screen, the display unit 250 may be used as the input unit 260.

Meanwhile, the lighting control device 200 has been described in blocks. However, the divided blocks are for convenience of description, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 3, the lighting device 300 includes a communication unit 310, a controller 330, a light output unit 350, and a memory 370.

The communication unit 310 may perform data communication with a neighboring network node. The communication unit 310 may include a communication module for performing short-range communication. The lighting device 300 may form a network with the lighting control device through the short-range communication network of the communication unit 310 and transmit/receive data. The communication unit 310 may communicate with the lighting control device through the bridge.

The controller 330 may control the general operation of the lighting device 300. The controller 330 may control the lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. At this time, the controller 330 may communicate with the lighting control device by controlling the lighting communication unit 310. For example, the controller 330 may be configured to control to receive dimming control information and operation time control information from the lighting control device. Further, the controller 330 may be configured to control to perform a blinking operation by controlling the light output unit 350 based on the received dimming control information and the operation time control information.

The light output unit 350 generates light. At this time, the light output unit 350 may output light by performing a blinking operation. The light output unit 350 may output light during the output time interval and then may repeat the operation of blocking the light, without outputting the light during the light blocking interval. For example, the light output unit 350 may include a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as a light source. However, LEDs are one embodiment of light sources, which are not limited to LEDs.

The memory 370 may be configured by a program memory and a data memory. The program memory may store a program for controlling the general operation of the lighting device 300. At this time, the program memory may store a program for performing a lighting control operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The data memory may store data generated during execution of the program.

Meanwhile, the lighting device 300 has been described in blocks. However, the divided blocks are for convenience of description, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a lighting control information input screen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 4, a configuration of a display unit 400 for receiving lighting control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. In fig. 4, the display unit 400 may perform a function of displaying an application for controlling lighting, and also function as an input unit for receiving lighting control information. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the screen of the display unit 400 is in a state for controlling the application of the lighting device.

The screen that controls the application of the lighting device based on the pattern information may include a pattern display area 410, a pattern input area 430, and a period configuration area 450.

The mode display area 410 is an area for showing a current input mode of an application. For example, the lighting control apparatus may execute various modes for controlling the lighting apparatus, and the mode display area is an area showing attributes of modes for control by the current user among the one or more modes. For example, the current situation in which the phrase "pattern" is displayed in the pattern display area 410 describes that the pattern attribute of the lighting control application is a pattern for configuring the lighting control through pattern input. The page configuration canceling area 411 is an area for inputting a user control command for canceling the configuration of control information based on the pattern information configured in the pattern input area 430. The configuration information regarding the pattern information input into the pattern input area 430 may be reset or canceled according to a control command of the user. Further, the page configuration completion area 413 is an area for inputting a user control command for completing the configuration of control information based on the pattern information configured in the pattern input area 430. Accordingly, configuration information regarding the pattern information input into the pattern input area 430 may be stored according to a control command of the user.

The pattern input area 430 may receive pattern information from a user. The pattern information may be converted into lighting control information for lighting control and transmitted to the lighting device to be controlled. For example, the pattern input area 430 may be displayed as a two-dimensional pattern input area 430 having an x-axis and a y-axis. According to the embodiment of fig. 4, the x-axis of the pattern input area 430 is a time region corresponding to the operating time of the illumination device. For example, the x-axis value corresponds to an operating time and the ratio of the current x-axis value to the overall x-axis length may correspond to the current operating time to the total time. The time value corresponding to the entire x-axis length may be configured as a base value or by a time value corresponding to a selected period in period configuration region 450. For example, when 4 seconds are selected in the current period configuration region 450, the total period of the x-axis may be configured to be 4 seconds. At this time, the configured period may be displayed as indicated by reference numeral 451, or may be displayed to be distinguished from other selection elements within the period configuration area 450. With respect to the configured total x-axis length, a left end portion of the x-axis may be configured as a start point and a right end portion may be configured as an end point of the time axis. The configuration of the x-axis and the method of configuring the x-axis do not limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto.

The y-axis 431 corresponds to a dimming level region corresponding to dimming of the lighting device. For example, the ratio of the current y-axis value to the total y-axis length may be the current dimming level to a 100% dimming level. As shown in fig. 4, dimming level information may be displayed. The dimming level information may be expressed in an explicit number or may be expressed in a color temperature corresponding to the dimming level in order to visually show the dimming level, as shown in fig. 4. When the y-axis is not explicitly shown, the lowest portion of the y-axis may be configured as dimming level 0 and the highest portion of the y-axis may be configured as dimming level 100, depending on the basic setting. The configuration of the y-axis and the method of configuring the y-axis do not limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto. Dimming may be used as a similar meaning of illumination brightness.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may determine the dimming level and the operation time of the lighting device according to the input of the pattern information 437 with respect to the pattern input region 430. The dimming level and the operation time may be operated in real time so as to correspond to each other, or the dimming level corresponding to the point 435 of the pattern may be operated at every set period of time. For example, based on the input of the pattern information 437 described in fig. 4, it can be analyzed that a pattern of completely increasing the dimming level is input according to the passage of time. The pattern information may be pattern information including dots or lines. For example, in fig. 4, although pattern information is input through connection lines, pattern information may be input through dots or disconnected lines. When the pattern information is input through dots or unconnected lines, the lighting control information may be analyzed by subsequently connecting the discontinuous patterns according to a sequence on the time axis. For example, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, lighting may be controlled by customized lighting control information generated based on the needs of a user.

Meanwhile, when there is a point having the same x-axis value in the illumination control pattern input, it indicates that two control commands are simultaneously input. Thus, when an input is made with the same x-axis value, several messages may be displayed to the user. In addition, since the pattern input area 430 has a maximum value and a minimum value of the x-axis, if the current x-coordinate is out of the range of minimum < x-coordinate < maximum, an error message may be displayed. However, when the current x-coordinate is outside the range of x-coordinates available for input, no error message may be generated. In addition, the out-of-range values may not be used to generate control information and the pattern information within the pattern input area 430 may be used to generate control information. Similarly, when the y-axis pattern is out of range of the pattern input area 430, an error message may be generated or pattern information within the pattern input area 430 other than the out-of-range value may be used to generate control information.

The pattern input area 430 may include a cancel command input area 433. When a control command is input into the cancel command input region 433 after the input of the pattern information 437, the generated pattern information 437 may be deleted.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, the lighting control method described below may be performed by a controller of the lighting control apparatus or a lighting controller.

Referring to fig. 5, a lighting control application may first be executed to control lighting. Thereafter, in operation S510, pattern information for controlling illumination may be input into the illumination control apparatus. The pattern information may include a design pattern. For example, the pattern information may be image information including lines or dots.

In operation S530, the lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information. The lighting control information may be control information transmitted for controlling lighting. The lighting control information may be formed based on the input pattern information. The lighting control information may be control information of dimming information corresponding to each piece of time information. Further, the lighting control information may be control information based on each dimming level corresponding to each time point corresponding to the set time profile period.

In operation S550, the lighting device may transmit the generated lighting control information. The lighting control information may be sent directly from the lighting control device to the lamp. Further, lighting control information may be sent to the lamps through the wireless AP or the bridge.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting pattern information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 6, when the lighting control application is first executed to control lighting, a lighting pattern information configuration page may be output. In operation S610, an input region for inputting lighting pattern information may be generated in a configuration page. Meanwhile, although the embodiment of fig. 6 describes that the input regions are generated first, the corresponding input regions may be generated and the dimming levels may be configured after the operation time. When the input area is first formed, the input area may be generated according to a set default value. When there is a configuration change of the operation time or the dimming level or there is an input of the change later, the attributes of the operation time and the dimming level of the input region may be changed to corresponding values.

In operation S630, an operation time of the lighting device may be configured according to the lighting control device. The operation of configuring the operation time may be performed before the operation of generating the input region or after the operation of configuring the dimming level. Further, an operation of configuring the operation time may not be necessary. The operation time may use a set value. When the input area is pre-generated, the attribute information of the operation time of the input area may be changed or reconfigured according to the set operation time. When the input area is not generated, an input area corresponding to the next operation time may be generated.

In operation S650, a dimming level of the lighting device may be configured according to the lighting control device. Similar to the operation of configuring the operation time, the operation of configuring the dimming level may be performed before the operation of generating the input region or after the operation of configuring the operation time. Further, the operation of configuring the dimming level may use a base value. For example, when the y-axis of the input region is used as a reference for the dimming level, the ratio of the current y-axis value to the total y-axis length may be the current dimming level to the dimming level of 100%. When the base value is used by default, the operation of configuring the dimming level may be omitted. In configuring the dimming level, the highest dimming level or the lowest dimming level may be controlled according to a user's request. Generating the input area according to the configuration of the illumination operation time is one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to operations S610 to S650, an input region in which a dimming level and an operation time are configured may be generated. Thereafter, it is assumed that the input area corresponds to a two-dimensional area having an x-axis corresponding to the operation time and a y-axis corresponding to the dimming level. The configuration of the x-axis and the y-axis may be changed according to the user's intention.

In operation S670, pattern information may be input. The lighting control information may be generated based on the pattern information. The pattern information may be input into the generated input area. The pattern information may be pattern information including dots or lines. Further, the pattern information may be input through a touch input. For example, pattern information may be input that causes illumination to be on during touch times and causes illumination to be off during non-touch times in the touch input mode. When information is input by touching time, lighting control information corresponding to intuitive time desired by a user may be generated.

In operation S690, when the pattern information is configured, the pattern information input by the user may be stored.

Meanwhile, a method of inputting new pattern information has been described above. However, the at least one piece of pattern information may be stored in a storage unit of the lighting control device. When the user generates new pattern information, the pattern information may be stored in the storage unit of the lighting device. Further, when the user loads the pattern stored in the storage unit, the stored pattern may be changed and stored through the above-described procedure.

Basically, the lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information corresponding to the operation time and the dimming level of the input pattern information. In this case, lighting control information related to the dimming level corresponding to each operation time may be generated. Meanwhile, when lighting control information related to a dimming level corresponding to an operation time is generated in real time, overload may be generated in the lighting control apparatus and the lighting apparatus. Accordingly, the illumination control information may be generated using an operation switching point, an inflection point, time sampling, or the like. Hereinafter, a method of generating lighting control information using the above method will be described.

A method of generating lighting control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating a method of generating lighting control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 8 is a graph illustrating a method of determining an operation switching point when generating lighting control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 9 is a view illustrating a protocol corresponding to lighting control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 10 is a graph illustrating a time sampling method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 11 is a graph illustrating a method of determining an operation switching point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the input pattern information is pattern information including lines.

Referring to fig. 7, in operation S710, the lighting device may determine a start point and an end point of input pattern information. In the pattern information including lines, a pattern portion corresponding to the lowest level in the time axis may be a start point and a pattern portion corresponding to the highest level in the time axis may be an end point. Referring to fig. 8, a portion indicated by reference numeral 811 of fig. 8 may be extracted as a start point and a portion indicated by reference numeral 815 of fig. 8 may be determined as an end point.

In operation S730, the lighting device may determine an operation switching point. The operation switching point may be a point at which a slope property of the pattern information changes or there is a change larger than a set slope or more. Further, the operation switching point may include a start point and an end point. For example, the slope attribute may include a position where the slope of the pattern information changes from a positive value to a negative value or from a negative value to a positive value. Further, the slope attribute may include a position where the slope value changes from a positive or negative value to 0 or from 0 to a positive or negative value. In addition, a discontinuous position in the slope of the pattern information may be determined as the operation switching point. In addition, when the slope change is greater than or equal to the setting change, the position may be determined as the operation switching point.

Further, in operation S750, the lighting device may generate control information.

Referring to fig. 8, portions indicated by reference numerals 812, 813, and 814 may be determined as operation switching points. Since the reference numeral 812 corresponds to a portion where the slope value changes from a positive value to 0, the portion can be determined as the operation switching point. Since the reference numeral 813 corresponds to a portion where the slope value changes from a negative value to 0, a portion where the slope change is discontinuous, or a portion where there is a slope change greater than or equal to the set reference value, the portion may be determined as the operation switching point. Further, since the reference numeral 814 is a portion in which the slope change is discontinuous or a portion in which there is a slope change greater than or equal to the set reference value, the portion may be determined as the operation switching point.

When the operation switching point is determined, the operation interval may be determined. For example, in fig. 8, an interval between the start point 811 and the first operation switching point 812 may be determined as a first operation interval t811, an interval between the first operation switching point 812 and the second operation switching point 813 may be determined as a second operation interval t812, an interval between the second operation switching point 813 and the third operation switching point 814 may be determined as a third operation interval t813, and an interval between the third operation switching point 814 and the end point 815 may be determined as a fourth operation interval t 814. The first operation interval t811 is an operation interval in which the dimming level increases according to the time lapse, and the second operation interval t812 is an operation interval in which the dimming level decreases according to the time lapse. The third operation interval t813 is an operation interval in which the dimming level is kept constant according to the time lapse, and the fourth operation interval t814 is an operation interval in which the dimming level is increased according to the time lapse.

When the operation switching point is determined, the lighting control information may be generated using information on the start point, the end point, and the operation switching point. The lighting control information may be generated using the determined coordinates of the start point, the end point, and the operation switching point. The lighting control information may be determined for each operating interval.

The value of the starting point on the x-axis may be an offset of the operation time, and the value of the starting point on the y-axis may be a dimming control value. The difference between the values on the x-axis based on the start point, the end point, and the operation switching point may be determined as the operation time of each operation interval. Further, a difference between values on the y-axis in the operation interval may be determined as the dimming level variation in the operation interval. The ratio of the difference between the operation switching points on the x-axis (total operation time × (t operation interval length/x-axis length)) may be determined as the operation time of each operation interval. The y-axis value of each operational switching point may be configured as a dimming value (100 x (d/y-axis length)). With respect to each operation interval, the lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information for changing a dimming value having the same ratio between the start point and the end point of the operation interval from a start dimming value to a final dimming value of the operation interval.

The lighting control information may include lighting control pattern information and lighting control command protocol information. The lighting control device may generate a command protocol using the start point, the end point, the operation switching point, the offset time, the operation interval, and the dimming control value, as shown in fig. 9.

Referring to fig. 9, id denotes pattern identification information. The pattern identification information may be a pattern name for identifying the pattern information. In the embodiment of fig. 9, "pattern 1" may be the name of the pattern. "play" is a length corresponding to the total operation time of the pattern information. In the embodiment of fig. 9, the total operating time of the pattern is 40 seconds (when the time unit is seconds). The following description will be made with reference to fig. 8 and 9 together. In fig. 8, the dimming level of the start point 811 of the first operation interval t811 is 10, the dimming level of the end point 812 of the first operation interval t811 is 90, and the length of the operation interval is 10 seconds. Based on the control information of the first operation interval, the first operation interval starts at the dimming level 10 and reaches the dimming level 90 within 10 seconds. Since the start 812 of the second operation interval t812 corresponds to the end 812 of the first operation interval t811, the dimming level of the start 812 of the second operation interval t812 is 90, the dimming level of the end 813 of the second operation interval t812 is 10, and the length of the operation interval is 10 seconds. Based on the control information of the second operation interval, the second operation interval starts at the dimming level 90 and reaches the dimming level 10 within 10 seconds. By this method, lighting control information corresponding to pattern information can be generated.

Another method of generating lighting control information may include a time sampling method.

Referring to fig. 10, the total operation interval may be sampled at a set time interval T with respect to the total operation time T. In the embodiment of fig. 10, the total operating time T is sampled in sixteen intervals. The lighting control device may extract dimming information corresponding to each sampling position. The lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information including dimming information on a sampling time point using the extracted information.

Another method of generating lighting control information may include a method of determining an operation switching point by using an inflection point.

Referring to fig. 11, when a pattern input is initially received, a slope may be calculated using coordinates of a previous point and a current point. When the difference between the angles of the slopes is greater than or equal to a set threshold, the portion may be determined as an operation switching point. The slope at each time point is continuously calculated from the starting point or the operation switching point. The current slope is compared to the maximum or minimum of the set slope. When the current slope is greater than a ratio of the given weight to the set minimum value, a position having the current slope may be determined as the operation switching point. For example, if the current slope > a × min (1< a <2), the position with the current slope may be determined as the operation switching point. For example, when a is 1.5, a position having a slope 1.5 times larger than the slope at a certain time point may be determined as the operation switching point. Further, when the current slope is smaller than the ratio of the given weight to the set maximum value, a position having the current slope may be determined as the operation switching point. For example, if the current slope < b × max (0< b <1), the position having the current slope may be determined as the operation switching point. For example, when b is 0.5, a position having a slope 0.5 times larger than the slope at the specific time point may be determined as the operation switching point. When the operation switching point is determined, a method of generating lighting control information based on the determined operation switching point is similar to the method described in fig. 7 and 8.

The lighting device control apparatus may control the lighting device by transmitting the lighting control information generated by the above-described method to the lighting device. The lighting control device may directly transmit the lighting control information to the lighting device. Further, the lighting device may transmit the generated control information through the bridge or the wireless AP without directly transmitting the control information to the lighting device. The bridge having received the lighting control information may send the received information to the lighting device. The bridge may store the received lighting control information. The lighting device may operate according to the received lighting control information.

The lighting control device may additionally receive a command requesting lighting control information. The lighting control information may include information requesting a list of lighting control patterns. When receiving the lighting control information request message, the lighting control apparatus may present the stored lighting control information or load and present a pattern list corresponding to each piece of lighting control information. In this case, the lighting control device may present the lighting control information stored in the bridge as well as the lighting control information stored in the lighting control device itself.

The lighting control device may display at least one piece of lighting control information or a pattern corresponding to the lighting control information. Further, a pattern image and an operation time corresponding to each pattern may be displayed. When at least one of the plurality of pieces of lighting control information is selected, a pattern image and an operation time corresponding to the selected lighting control information may be presented.

In addition, the user may modify the stored pattern information. For example, when the user modifies the total operation time, the x-axis ratio value of each operation switching point may be recalculated and the modified lighting control information may be stored. The modified information may be stored in the lighting control arrangement. Further, the modified information may be stored in the bridge.

Hereinafter, a method of inputting lighting control information according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of inputting lighting control information using sound information or a method of inputting lighting control information based on text may be suggested.

A lighting control method using sound information will be described first. The sound information may include user voice information or signals input from other sound sources.

Hereinafter, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, speech information corresponding to one example of sound information will be described.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 12, a lighting control application may be first executed to control lighting. Thereafter, in operation S1210, sound information for controlling lighting may be input into the lighting control apparatus. The sound information may be user voice information or a signal input from another sound source.

In operation S1230, the lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information. The lighting control information may be control information transmitted for controlling lighting. The lighting control information may be formed based on the input voice information. The lighting control information may generate lighting on/off control information, dimming control information, an on/off period, the number of times of on/off, and the like based on the input voice information.

In operation S1250, the lighting device may transmit the generated lighting control information. The lighting control information may be sent directly from the lighting control device to the lamp. Further, lighting control information may be sent to the lamps through the wireless AP or the bridge.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting voice information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 13, when the lighting control application is first executed to control lighting, a sound information input mode may be executed. The lighting control device may turn on the voice recognition module to receive the voice information in the voice information input mode. The voice recognition module may be included in a lighting controller of the lighting control device. Accordingly, the lighting controller may perform the function of the voice recognition module, that is, the lighting controller may initiate the voice information input mode in operation S1310. Meanwhile, the illumination control information input region may be additionally displayed. In the illumination control information input area, the operation time and dimming level of illumination may be configured.

In operation S1330, an operation time of the lighting device may be configured in the lighting control device. The operation of configuring the operation time may be performed before the operation of generating the input region or after the operation of configuring the dimming level. Further, an operation of configuring the operation time may not be necessary. The operation time may use a set value. When the input area is pre-generated, the attribute information of the operation time of the input area may be changed or reconfigured according to the set operation time. When the input area is not generated, an input area corresponding to the next operation time may be generated.

In operation S1350, a dimming level of the lighting device may be configured according to the lighting control device. Similar to the operation of configuring the operation time, the operation of configuring the dimming level may be performed before the operation of generating the input region or after the operation of configuring the operation time. Further, the operation of configuring the dimming level may use a base value. For example, when the y-axis of the input region is used as a reference for the dimming level, the ratio of the current y-axis value to the total y-axis length may be the current dimming level to the dimming level of 100%. When the base value is used by default, the operation of configuring the dimming level may be omitted. In configuring the dimming level, the highest dimming level or the lowest dimming level may be controlled according to a user's request. Generating the input area according to the configuration of the illumination operation time is one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the operation of configuring the operation time and the dimming level may be omitted.

In operation S1370, voice information may be input into the lighting control apparatus. The voice information may be detected by a voice recognition module.

In operation S1390, the lighting control apparatus may generate lighting control information based on voice information input into the lighting control apparatus. The sound information input into the lighting control apparatus and the method of generating the lighting control information will be described with reference to fig. 14.

When the lighting control information is generated, the lighting control information may be stored in the lighting control apparatus. Meanwhile, the lighting device controlling apparatus may match the generated lighting control information with a specific lighting device. For example, the lighting control apparatus may match the generated lighting control information with a specific lighting apparatus to control the matched lighting apparatus. The lighting devices corresponding to the generated lighting control information may be generated before the lighting control information is generated. For example, after a specific lighting device is generated, such a series of processes for selecting the generated lighting device may be performed.

Meanwhile, a method of inputting new voice information has been described above. However, the at least one piece of voice information may be stored in the storage unit of the lighting control apparatus. When the user generates new pattern information, the pattern information may be stored in the storage unit of the lighting device. Further, when the user loads the pattern stored in the storage unit, the stored pattern may be changed and stored through the above-described procedure.

Fig. 14 illustrates a method of inputting sound information and generating lighting control information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The lighting control device may first receive the sound information. The lighting control device may configure the on/off time of the lighting device based on the received sound information. For example, the lighting control device may configure the on/off time of the lighting device based on the presence or absence of the sound information. The lighting control device may configure a time when the sound information is input as an on time of the lighting device and a time when the sound information is not input as an off time of the lighting device.

Referring to fig. 14, the lighting device may generate a sound information input table 1410 based on the received sound information. For example, it is assumed that the lighting device receives sound information during a time interval of 0 to 1 second, does not receive sound information during a time interval of 1 to 3 seconds, receives sound information during a time interval of 3 to 4.5 seconds, and does not receive sound information during a time interval of 4.5 to 8 seconds in the sound information input mode.

In this case, the lighting control apparatus may generate information, such as the sound information input table 1410, based on the received sound information. The sound information input table may correspond to lighting control information. Further, the lighting device may generate lighting control information 1420 having one cycle based on the sound information input table 1410. The lighting control device may generate lighting control information 1420 to turn the lighting device on for 1 second, off for the next 2 seconds, on for the next 1.5 seconds, and off for the next 2.5 seconds. For example, on/off control information of the lighting device may be generated based on the input sound information.

The lighting control information may be one cycle of lighting control devices. For example, the lighting control information 1420 may be lighting control information having a period of 8 seconds. In addition, the number of times the operation is performed during the lighting control information may be configured. The number of times an operation is performed may be one or more. When the number of times of performing the operation is two or more, the lighting control information may be generated for the set number of times. For example, the number of times of performing the operation is configured to be n, and the total operation time of the lighting control information may be 8n seconds. At the same time, the total operating time can be configured. For example, the total operation time may be the operation time configured in operation S1330. The operation time may be pre-configured or may be generated after one period of lighting control information is generated. For example, the operation time may be configured to 32 seconds. In this case, the lighting control information 1420 having a period of 8 seconds to be executed during the 32-second operation time may be generated.

Meanwhile, illumination control information may be generated as the pattern information 1430, and the pattern information 1430 may be displayed by a display unit of the illumination control apparatus. The user intuitively recognizes the lighting on/off operation according to the lighting control information through the pattern information 1430.

Meanwhile, when the voice information for generating the lighting control information is received in the voice input mode, the unintended noise may be recognized as voice information for the lighting information. Thus, the lighting control device may configure the voice information recognition threshold. When sound information within the set range is received, the sound information recognition threshold may be information for recognizing sound information for controlling lighting. The threshold may be the threshold having the lowest value or the threshold having the lowest and highest values. The threshold may be a threshold for sound information size and the unit of sound size may be dB. When sound information having a size not satisfying the threshold range is received, the lighting control apparatus may recognize that the sound information is not control information for lighting control. Therefore, even if the sound information is input, the sound information is not recognized as the lighting control information for turning on the lighting device and is ignored. Therefore, the sound information used to generate the lighting control information can be distinguished from the noise. To exclude noise, sound type information for controlling lighting may be previously configured.

Fig. 15 illustrates a method of generating lighting control information based on sound type information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Sound type information for controlling the operation of the lighting device may be configured in the lighting control device. For example, the sound type information may include sound type information for turning on lighting (first type information), sound type information for turning off lighting (second type information), sound type information for increasing dimming level (third type information), and sound type information for decreasing dimming level (fourth type information). The above-listed sound type information is one embodiment of the sound type information, and examples of the sound type information are not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 15, part (a) of fig. 15 shows an embodiment of generating lighting control information. Although the lighting control information is expressed in the form of a graph in fig. 15, the expression is not limited thereto and may be realized by text or another method. Part (b) of fig. 15 shows the recognition result of the time at which the sound type information is input.

Because the first type information is identified during the time interval 0 to t1, the lighting control device may generate control information for turning on the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval 0 to t 1. When the lighting is turned on with respect to the first type of information, the dimming level of the lighting may be preconfigured. Because the second type of information is identified during the time interval t 1-t 2, the lighting control device may generate control information for turning off the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval t 1-t 2. Because the first type information is identified during the time interval t 2-t 3, the lighting control device may generate control information for turning on the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval t 2-t 3. Because the fourth type of information is identified during the time interval t 3-t 4, the lighting control device may generate control information for reducing the dimming level of the lighting during the time corresponding to the time interval t 3-t 4. At this time, the change of the dimming level during the unit time may be previously configured. Accordingly, the dimming level may be changed based on a change in the dimming level during each unit time and the duration of t3 to t 4.

During the time interval from t4 to t5, sound information for maintaining the dimming level may be identified. Further, when the set sound type information is not recognized, a configuration may be made to maintain the dimming level. For example, when separate sound information is not received during the time interval of t4 to t5, the lighting control device may generate control information for maintaining the dimming level of t4 during a time corresponding to the time interval of t4 to t 5. Because the second type of information is identified during the time interval t 5-t 6, the lighting control device may generate control information for turning off the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval t 5-t 6. Because the third type of information is identified during the time interval t 6-t 7, the lighting control device may generate control information for increasing the dimming level of the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval t 6-t 7. When separate sound information is not received during the time interval of t7 to t8, the lighting control device may generate control information for maintaining the dimming level of t7 during a time corresponding to the time interval of t7 to t 8. Because the second type of information is identified during the time interval t 8-t 9, the lighting control device may generate control information for turning off the lighting during a time corresponding to the time interval t 8-t 9.

The time length of 0 to t9 may be generated as one period of the illumination control pattern information. As shown in fig. 14, the lighting may be controlled by the control information of one cycle or the number of times the cycle is repeated may be additionally configured. Further, the illumination control information may be generated by configuring a total operation time and applying the illumination control pattern information of the configured period during the pre-configured total operation time.

In the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the first type information may be [ ggam ] of voice information and the second type information may be [ bbak ] of voice information. For example, it is assumed that voice information of [ ggam ] [ bbak ] [ ggam ] [ bbak ] is input to the lighting control apparatus. Control information for turning on the lighting device during the time of recognizing the input of [ ggam ] may be generated, and control information for turning off the lighting device during the time of recognizing the input of [ bbak ] may be generated. For example, a user may input sound information of [ ggam ] [ bbak ] into the lighting control apparatus and then intuitive lighting control information may be generated in response to the user's voice input. For example, when a user desires to turn on a lighting device during a specific time and turn off the lighting device during another specific time, first and second types of information may be generated and the lighting control device may receive the first and second types of information. This method is intuitive and useful for the user because the user can intuitively determine the operation time of the lighting device according to the durations of the first type of information and the second type of information.

Meanwhile, although the third type information and the fourth type information have been described, the dimming level may be controlled using the first type information and the second type information. For example, when the second type information is input after the first type information, lighting control information for turning off lighting by gradually decreasing the dimming level may be generated. In contrast, when the first type information is input after the second type information, the lighting control information for turning on the lighting by gradually increasing the dimming level may be generated.

Further, when the sound information is input, the dimming level may be controlled according to information on the size of the sound information. For example, the operation is described as an example of illumination control information for turning on illumination when sound information is input and turning off illumination when sound information is not input. At this time, when the sound size increases during the time when the sound information is input, control information for increasing the dimming level during the corresponding time may be generated. When the sound size decreases during a specific time interval of the time when the sound information is input, control information for decreasing the dimming level during the corresponding time may be generated.

At this time, the dimming level may be determined based on the basic dimming level. For example, a base dimming level and a maximum dimming level may be configured. At this time, the lighting control information may be generated by: the time point at which the size of the sound information input during the time interval in which the sound information is input is the largest is matched with the highest dimming level and the time point at which the size of the sound information is the smallest is matched with the lowest dimming level. The control information may be generated by identifying information on a time point at which the sound information is input, a time point at which the maximum sound information is input, and a time point at which the minimum sound information is input, and connecting time points at consecutive times.

Further, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the dimming level may be controlled based on pitch information. The pitch information may be associated with the frequency of the sound information. Physically, as the frequency of vibration increases, the pitch becomes higher.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling lighting based on textual information.

Fig. 16A and 16B illustrate a method of generating lighting control information based on textual information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 16A, information for controlling illumination may be input. The input information may be text information. Information about each time interval and information about operations in the time interval may be input. The input information may be in the form of input lighting control information having a period of 0 to t 5.

Information for turning on the lighting is input during a time interval of 0 to t1, information for turning off the lighting is input during a time interval of t1 to t2, and information for turning on the lighting at a dimming level of 50% is input during a time interval of t2 to t 3. Further, no direct information is input during the time interval of t3 to t4 and information for turning off the illumination is input during the time interval of t4 to t 5. When there is no control information input between the on state and the off state (e.g., the time interval of t3 to t4 in fig. 16A), the lighting control information may be analyzed so as to gradually control the dimming level therebetween. For example, because the lighting device is in the on state during t3 and in the off state during t4, the lighting control information for turning off the lighting device during t4 may be generated by gradually decreasing the dimming level while progressing from t3 to t 4.

The input information itself of fig. 16A may be generated as control information. Further, the input information may be generated as the lighting control information in the form of a graph shown in the graph of fig. 16B. When displaying lighting control information in the form of a graph, it is advantageous for a user because the user can intuitively recognize a lighting operation through the graph during a configured period. Referring to the graph of fig. 16B, the user can intuitively recognize the interval of turning on the illumination, the dimming level in the on state, and the time.

Referring to fig. 16B, lighting control information for turning on the lighting during a time period of 0 to t1, turning off the lighting during a time period of t1 to t2, turning on the lighting at a dimming level of 50% during a time period of t2 to t3, decreasing the dimming level during a time period of t3 to t4, and turning off the lighting during a time period of t4 to t5 may be generated.

Hereinafter, a method of connecting and controlling a home appliance and a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a change in the state of the electronic device is detected, a state notification message may be transmitted to the server through various communication methods. The server may detect a state change. The server that has detected the state change may transmit lighting control information for controlling the lighting operation to the lighting device. Each of the electronic devices, the lighting control information, and the lighting devices may be previously configured through a mapping relationship.

When the lighting control information or the mapping relationship is not configured, the mapping relationship may be additionally configured. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an application for transmitting/receiving a control signal between a lighting control apparatus and a server should be configured in advance. Meanwhile, the following embodiments will be described based on a server that receives lighting control information from a lighting control device and stores the received lighting control information, receives a status notification message from an electronic device, and transmits the lighting control information to the lighting device. The server may be provided separately and the lighting control device may act as the server.

The server may include a controller and a communication unit. The communication unit may communicate with at least one of the home appliance, the lighting control device, and the lighting device. The controller may control the general operation of the server.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller of the server may control to configure and store the lighting control information. The controller of the server may control to receive the status notification message from the electronic device and to determine the status of the electronic device based on the status notification message.

The controller of the server may store and update the state of the electronic device and the mapping relationship with the lighting control information and the lighting devices. The controller of the server may control the states of the lighting devices by transmitting lighting control information corresponding to the state in which the change in the state of the electronic device is detected to the lighting devices based on the mapping relationship.

Fig. 17 illustrates a method of connecting and controlling a home appliance and a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 17, the smart home system may include a lighting control device 1710, a server 1720, an electronic device 1730, and a lighting device 1740. Since each entity has been described in fig. 1, reference is made to each entity in fig. 1. Meanwhile, it will be described that the smart home system uses the server 1720, and the server 1720 may be included in the lighting control apparatus. Further, it is assumed that an application for executing the smart home system can be installed in each entity.

In operation S1701, the lighting control device 1710 may transmit lighting control information to the server 1720. The lighting control information may be the lighting control information described in fig. 1 to 16B. Reference is made to the description of various methods of generating lighting control information in fig. 16A and 16B. The server 1720 may store lighting control information.

In operation S1703, the server may configure the mapping relationship. The mapping relationship may include a mapping relationship between the electronic device, the lighting device, and the lighting control information. Further, the mapping relationship may include a mapping relationship between a state of the electronic device, the lighting device, and the lighting control information. The mapping relationship will be described with reference to fig. 18.

Fig. 18 illustrates a mapping relationship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mapping relationship will be described with reference to fig. 18.

Describing the table of the mapping relationship with reference to fig. 18, the mapping relationship between the state of the electronic device, the lighting control information, and the lighting device is mapped into the table. The table mapping method is an embodiment of the present disclosure, but the mapping method is not limited to the table mapping method. In fig. 18, the mapping relationship between the electronic device and the lighting device is a necessary configuration, and the status of the electronic device and the lighting control information may be additional options for mapping.

For example, the electronic device may include a washing machine, a refrigerator, and the like. The states of the electronic devices may be different from each other. For example, the washing machine may have a washing state (state 1), a washing completion state (state 2), and a detergent shortage state (state 3) according to the characteristics of the washing machine. The refrigerator may have a door-opened state (state 4) and a state (state 5) in which the capacity of the refrigerator is 90% or more, depending on the characteristics of the refrigerator. The lighting control information describing each state may be mapped. As described above, the lighting control information may have different on-state and off-state times, different dimming levels, and different numbers of repetitions. The same control information may be configured in the corresponding state. Further, lighting devices corresponding to the electronic device or the state of the electronic device may be mapped. For example, in state 1 of the washing machine, control information 1 is transmitted to the lighting device 1, and thus the lighting device 1 may operate according to the control information 1. The user may recognize the state of the electronic device based on the lighting and lighting operational patterns in the configured location.

Referring back to fig. 17, the operation of fig. 17 will be described. When the state of the electronic device 1730 is changed, the electronic device 1730 may transmit a state notification message to the server 1720 in operation S1705. The electronic device 1730 may send a status notification message whenever the status changes, or when the status changes to a set status. Further, after storing the state change information, the electronic device 1730 may send a state notification message for the state change information stored in each configuration period.

In operation S1707, the server 1720 may identify the status of the electronic device 1730 based on the received status notification message.

In operation S1709, the server 1720 may determine whether a mapping relationship corresponding to the state information of the identified electronic device exists. When the mapping relationship exists, the lighting control information corresponding to the mapping relationship may be transmitted to the lighting device 1740 in operation S1711. The mapping relationship may be configured in a plurality of lighting apparatuses. In this case, the control information may be transmitted to a plurality of lighting devices.

When there is no mapping corresponding to the identification information, the server may configure the mapping by itself. Further, the server may send a message requesting that the mapping relationship be configured to the lighting control device 1710 or the user equipment. When the server receives the configuration of the mapping relationship from the lighting control apparatus or the user device, the server may transmit the corresponding lighting control information to the configured lighting apparatus. Meanwhile, when the mapping relationship is not configured, the server determines the state as an error and may transmit lighting control information informing of the error to one or more lighting control apparatuses.

In operation S1713, the lighting device 1740 may control on/off, color, and dimming of lighting based on the received lighting control information. In operation S1715, the lighting device 1740 may additionally send feedback information to the server 1720. For example, when the configured lighting device 1740 is unable to perform the operation indicated by the lighting control information, its feedback information may be sent, and the server may modify or update the mapping relationship based on the feedback information. In addition, the server may notify the user of the feedback information.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (18)

1. A method of controlling lighting with an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a continuous pattern for controlling lighting over a predetermined duration, the continuous pattern being a relationship between a dimming level of a lighting device and a lighting operation time of the lighting device;

receiving a number of repetitions of the continuous pattern;

generating lighting control information based on the operation switching point determined based on the slope information of the line in the received continuous pattern and the number of repetitions; and

continuously controlling the dimming level of the lighting device during the predetermined duration based on the lighting control information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a periodic configuration area is provided to determine the predetermined duration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lighting operation time of the lighting device is determined based on the predetermined duration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the dimming level of the lighting device is performed in real-time corresponding to the receiving of the continuous pattern.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the lighting control information comprises:

determining two or more operational switching points based on slope information of lines in the continuous pattern; and

generating the lighting control information based on a time difference and a dimming level difference between the operation switching points.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the lighting control information comprises:

sampling the continuous pattern in a unit of a set time; and

the lighting control information is generated based on the time information and the dimming level sampled at each point.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous pattern comprises sound information and the lighting control information is generated based on the sound information.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

identifying sound type information for identifying the sound information;

determining whether set sound type information is included in the sound information; and

generating the lighting control information based on input interval information of sound type information included in the sound information.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the lighting control information comprises: determining a dimming level of the lighting device based on at least one of the size information and the frequency information of the sound information.

10. An electronic device to control lighting, the electronic device comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive a continuous pattern for controlling illumination over a predetermined duration; and

a lighting controller configured to:

receiving a number of repetitions of the continuous pattern;

generating lighting control information based on the operation switching point determined based on the slope information of the line in the received continuous pattern and the number of repetitions, an

Continuously controlling a dimming level of a lighting device during the predetermined duration based on the lighting control information

Wherein the continuous pattern is a relationship between a dimming level of a lighting device and a lighting operation time of the lighting device and comprises two or more slope properties.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the communication unit is further configured to: receiving the continuous pattern via a two-dimensional input area, wherein the continuous pattern comprises a lighting operation time of the lighting device and a dimming level of the lighting device.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the lighting operation time of the lighting device is determined based on the predetermined duration.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the lighting controller is further configured to: performing real-time control of a dimming level of the lighting device corresponding to the reception of the continuous pattern.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the lighting controller is further configured to:

determining two or more operational switching points based on slope information of lines in the continuous pattern; and

generating the lighting control information based on a time difference and a dimming level difference between the operation switching points.

15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the lighting controller is further configured to:

sampling the continuous pattern in a unit of a set time; and

the lighting control information is generated based on the time information and the dimming level sampled at each point.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the continuous pattern comprises sound information, an

Wherein the lighting controller is further configured to: generating the lighting control information based on the sound information.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the lighting controller is further configured to:

identifying sound type information for identifying the sound information,

determining whether the set sound type information is included in the sound information, an

Generating the lighting control information based on input interval information of sound type information included in the sound information.

18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the lighting controller is further configured to: determining a dimming level of the lighting device based on at least one of the size information and the frequency information of the sound information.

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