WO2012131544A1

WO2012131544A1 - Device for communicating light effect possibilities

Info

Publication number: WO2012131544A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/051358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Valentinus René ENGELEN
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-03-29
Filing date: 2012-03-22
Publication date: 2012-10-04

Abstract

The invention provides a display-based light control user interface for controlling settings of a light source in a space. The user interface is configured to display on a display of the user interface a view of the space; to allow a first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation; to display in the view one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable (as desired in the first selection); to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection; and to control the settings of the light source (300) as function of the first selection and second selection.

Description

DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATING LIGHT EFFECT POSSIBILITIES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a display-based light control user interface for controlling settings of a light source in a space and a method for controlling settings of such light source in such space. Further, the invention relates to a computer program and/or record carrier enabled to carry out such method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Control of lighting is known in the art. For instance, WO2009004531 describes a light control system with a user interface (UI) for interactively changing settings in a lighting system, particularly a user interface enabling easy and comfortable interactive changes of light scenes created by a lighting system. A basic idea of WO2009004531 is to graphically represent a scenery to be lit such as a shop with furnishings and several targets for lighting effects such as mannequins and clothing racks with a user interface, and to offer a user to activate locations and targets of interest and to select lighting effects for a selected location or target of the scenery to be lit. In an embodiment of WO2009004531 , the user interface is adapted to graphically represent a scenery to be lit and to allow selection of locations and targets of the scenery to be lit and lighting effects for a selected location or target. A basic idea of WO2009004531 is to graphically represent a scenery to be lit such as a shop with furnishings and several targets for lighting effects such as mannequins and clothing racks with a user interface, and to offer a user to activate locations and targets of interest and to select lighting effects for a selected location or target of the scenery to be lit. For example, the user interface of WO2009004531 may graphically represent a certain shop in a two- dimensional view like an architectural drawing, and the shop's inner interior like clothing racks at the different locations. A user may then interactively select certain areas of the shop in order to create a special lighting in the areas. In WO2009004531 the user may select these areas with an input device such as a mouse, keyboard, pen or any other input means, and then selects the desired lighting effect for the selected areas particularly from a collection of lighting effects with the user interface. Thus, users are able to comfortably design lighting scenes in an interactive way. Furthermore, users may not know any special technical details of a certain lighting system, but can design lighting effects themselves, without requiring in- depth knowledge of the related lamps and the possible adjustments. WO2009004531 states to be particularly suitable for inhomogeneous lamp installations like in normal shops due to the graphical representation of sceneries to be lit and the possibility to select locations and targets and desired lighting effects with the user interface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Current and possibly future lighting systems may consist of a versatile set of different lamps (such as of a lighting system), which can even be individually controllable. This may imply that their lighting capabilities can be very different (like for instance colored scene setting light or white task light or dynamic settings, etc.). Also the location of lighting effects may be an important property of the lighting system.

Current lighting control software may only be control driven. Light scene creation is done by finding values for lamps, but the effect of the lamp on the environment may not be taken into account. Also the overlap of effects, such as the overlap of a bluish colored wallwash and a warm white ambient light may not be taken into account: the warm light may shift the blue color to a warmer white, and this might need some compensation by increasing the intensity of the blue component, to maintain the bluish color point.

Sometimes, a user may desire a change of the current lighting situation at a certain location. What may happen is that the user looks for a luminaire which can fulfill this desire, and then looks for a way to change the output of the lamp. This can be a very difficult task, for instance, if the lighting infrastructure consists of a large amount of individually controllable light points, there will be not such a thing as a simple slider that controls every light point. Further, when the desired effect is the result of the combined effect of different light points, the user has to tweak every light point, such that this desired effect is obtained.

Hence, trying to control the lamps, or group of lamps, on an individual base, may become a difficult and boring task for large and diverse lighting infrastructures.

Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative user interface (UI) for controlling a plurality of light sources, a method for controlling (settings) of a plurality of light sources, as well as a computer program and/or record carrier, which preferably further at least partly obviate one or more of above-described drawbacks.

In this invention, a way to change the light setting without looking for

(individual) lamps themselves is described. The invention describes a user interaction method. The UI is for instance capable of showing a 2D view of a space, such as the environment (of the user), for instance as described in WO/2010/004488, which is herein incorporated by reference. Together with the view, one or more user input means or selectors, such as buttons, are provided, where the user can communicate a desired change in the lighting situation.

The user may first select a desired change (e.g. brighten the light). The device then displays the locations where this change is possible. These possibilities may for instance be represented as a color or grayscale distribution over the (2D) view (for instance, in an embodiment to use white areas as areas where the lighting level can still be increased).

Thereafter, the user may indicate on the view which areas/locations need to be changed. The lighting effect may then (gradually) change. For instance, as long as the user is in contact with the UI (especially the user input means or selector), the lighting effect moves in the desired situation.

Hence, in a first aspect, the invention provides a display-based light control user interface (further also indicated as "UI" or "user interface") for controlling settings of a (or at least one) light source in a space wherein the user interface is configured:

to display on a display of the user interface a view of the space; - to allow a first selection for a change (adaptation) in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation;

to display in the view one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable (in the desired direction of the first selection, whereby the desired change was indicated);

to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection; and

to control the settings of the light source (or the at least one light source) as function of the first selection and second selection. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, the space is not part of the UI, but the UI is configured to control the settings of the light source(s) in a (predetermined) space.

The UI may for instance provide an advantage when a complex lighting infrastructure is used, where user needs go beyond the known scene and task lighting. The UI may give access to lighting possibilities at different locations. Hence, it can for instance be used in different domains, like shops, especially in situations where the lighting has to be changed by a creative person (visual merchandiser) to create or adapt atmosphere lighting; in offices where multiple persons work in the same area (people can then ask for changing light at their workplace. The UI can pop up at their laptop, and can be limited to changing the lighting at their workplace.); in homes, as a simple UI that provides an overview where lighting can be increased/decreased, etc.

However, the UI may also be applied in factories, plants, shopping malls, hospitality areas, like hospitals, nursery homes, etc. Hence, the term "space" may herein relate to a shop, a shopping mall, a department store, an office (especially with a plurality of rooms), a factory, a plant, a house, a hospitality area, such as a restaurant, a hotel, a hostel, a motel, a restaurants, a bar, a pub, a public house, a hospital, a nursery home, etc.

The whole of light properties of the light source(s) in the space are herein indicated as settings of the light source(s).

As indicated above, the UI is a display-based UI. This implies that the UI comprises a device to display something (especially the space), like a monitor, a LCD-based display, a LED-based display etc. In principle, the display-based UI might also include a projector, to project the view. For instance, the user interface may comprise a touch screen.

The user interface is configured to allow some actions. To that end, the user interface may comprise one or more selectors, in general a plurality of selectors. A selector may be a button, a switch, a touch screen (element), etc. Hence, the user interface may comprise a first selector to allow a first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation and a second selector, to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection. As will be elaborated below, the user interface may comprise a plurality of selectors for all kind of (light) properties.

In an embodiment, the light properties, for instance beam width and/or beam direction (see also below) may be adaptable by a touch path operation. In this way, by moving a finger tip over the screen, beams directions may for instance be changed. Further, for instance by varying the distance of two fingers, such as the thumb and the index finger, the beam width may be varied.

Especially, the UI is configured to provide a 3D or 2D view of the space. Especially a 2D view may be provided. This may especially be a top view of the space, with optionally also displaying borders in the space or surrounding the space, especially borders such as walls. A method to do so is for instance described in WO/2010/004488, which is herein incorporated by reference. In WO/2010/004488, a single room view is specified, where locations in a two dimensional (2D) view can be mapped to locations in a real room. This document describes how the desired light distribution can be mapped into a 2 dimensional plane. It combines the effects on measurable surfaces (walls, objects) with the effect on modeled surfaces (virtual work planes). This is called the single room view, because the concept is most applicable for every room apart. In this 2D view, the location of light effects of the real lighting infrastructure can be indicated, using for instance the methods of WO/2008/001259 (measurement), which is also herein incorporated by reference and WO/2008/104927 (modeling), which is herein incorporated by reference. The relation between the light control values, the location of the effect in the 2D view and the properties of the effect (CIE XYZ values, color temperature or intensity value in Lux) is called the "2D effect location model". WO/2008/001259 describes a system where the effect on the lighting infrastructure is measured, and where a desired light setting is obtained by giving a light distribution to the system. This system can derive the colorimetric luminance distribution on the measured surfaces, when the dimming values and RGB values of the lamps are known. It can also be used in the opposite way: given a possible colorimetric distribution, it calculates the combination of lamp effects to make this possible. When the desired distribution is not possible, it tries to approach this target. WO/2008/104927 describes a system where the effect on the lighting infrastructure is modeled, and where a desired light setting is obtained by giving a light distribution to the system. Dialux is a tool that calculates the light distribution on work planes for a given light scene on a modeled infrastructure. If the single effect of every lamp is known, the calculation can also be made backwards: given the desired distribution for a modeled infrastructure, the light scene (dimming values) can be calculated.

As indicated above, the user interface may control one light source (i.e. at least one light source). Especially, however, the user interface is configured to control settings of a plurality of light sources. Hence, in an embodiment the UI is configured to control setting of a plurality of light sources. The light sources may be individually addressable or subsets of two or more light sources of the plurality of light sources may be individually addressable. The term "plurality of light sources" implies that two or more (subsets of) light sources are configured to provide light in the space. For instance, this may be four or more different (subsets of) controllable light sources, but the plurality of light sources may also relate to 10 or more (subsets) or even 50 or more (subsets of) light sources. The plurality of light sources may relate to substantially identical light sources, but may also relate to a plurality of different types of light sources, such as light sources for general lighting, for target lighting, for sphere lighting, for wall washing, etc. Hence, in an embodiment, the user interface is configured to individually control at least five different light sources, more especially at least 10 different light sources. Hence, in a further embodiment, the user interface is configured to individually control at least five different subsets of light sources, more especially at least 10 different subsets of light sources.

As indicated above, the user interface is configured to display on a display of the user interface a view of the space. For instance, this may be done conform

WO/2010/004488. The space may be predetermined and the UI may receive its information of the space from a library with data on the space. It may also be possible that the UI comprises one or more sensors to map the space. For instance, based on DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) or other communication protocols, such as DMX (Digital MulitpleXed), the UI may detect one or more light sources, and map the space. DALI, DMX or other communication protocols, may also be used to control controllable properties.

Hence, in an embodiment, the user interface may further be configured to receive sensor information and to process the sensor information for creating or adapting the view. In another embodiment, which may be combined with the former, the UI is configured to control the light source(s) with DALI, DMX and/or another communication protocol.

Alternatively or additionally, darkroom calibration and/or clear room calibration may be applied to map one or more of (1) the location of the individual (subsets of) light source(s) and (2) the properties of individual (subsets of) the light source(s). In this way, the UI may in an embodiment be dedicated to a specific space, and may optionally even be attached to a wall of such space. In another embodiment, the UI is configured to be manually programmed to learn the space. In yet a further embodiment, the UI is configured to perceive ("map") the space and to detect the controllable (subset(s) of) light source(s) and their controllable settings.

The controllable settings at least include one or more of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation. Hence, the UI is configured to allow a first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation. In an embodiment two or more of such light properties may be chosen in the first selection. The first selection of the light properties is for the user a possibility to choose whatever has to be changed. To this end, the user interface may comprise one or more, especially a plurality of selectors.

As indicated above, the first selection at least includes the first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from the first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation. However, in an embodiment, the light properties may be selected from the first group of light properties (as indicated above) and from a further group of light properties. In an embodiment, the further group comprises a second group of light properties consisting of color component, hue and contrast (of which one or more may be selectable). In an embodiment, which may be alternative or additional to the second group, the further group comprises a third group of light properties consisting of beam shape and beam direction (of which one or more may be selectable). In an embodiment, which may be alternative or additional to one or more of the second group and third group, the further group comprises a fourth group of light properties consisting of lighting dynamics. In an embodiment, which may be alternative or additional to one or more of the 2^nd - 4^th group, the further group comprises a fifth group of lighting scenes. In an embodiment, which may be alternative or additional to one or more of the 2^nd - 5^th group, the further group comprises a 6th group of energy consumption. In yet a further embodiment, the further group comprises one or more light properties selected from the group consisting of beam shape, beam direction, lighting dynamics, lighting scenes, and energy consumption.

Especially, the selection may include a selection like "more" or "less", or "+" or or "increase" or "decrease" (examples of the above indicated "change"). As indicated above, the user interface comprises to this end one or more selectors, configured to allow the first selection. For instance, the user may indicate the desire to increase or decrease the intensity, and/or to increase or decrease the color temperature, and/or to increase or decrease the color saturation. In addition to one or more of those choices, the user may also make one or more other choices, like for instance a change in one or more light properties selected from the group consisting of beam shape, beam direction, lighting dynamics, lighting scenes, and energy consumption.

The first selection may in an embodiment first include a selection for a property and then a selection for a desired change therein, but may in an embodiment also "only" include the selection for a desired change in a property.

This does not exclude that the UI may be configured for all kind of other user input. For instance, the user interface may further be configured to control one or more light properties while maintaining the settings of one or more other light properties. Assume for instance the following: the user desires to increase the light intensity, while maintaining the color temperature. Or assume for instance that the user desires to keep the color point fixed, but the total energy consumption be reduced.

The fact that the invention focuses on a first and a second choice (see further below), does not exclude the possibilities of further choices. The user interface and the method of the invention (see also below) may for instance also include the embodiment wherein the UI is configured to allow a plurality of first choices and/or a plurality of second choices. Further choices are thus not excluded.

After having made the first choice, the UI indicates in the view where the first choice in the space can be effected. Hence, the user interface is further configured to interactively display in the view one or more locations wherein the one or more light properties are adaptable (i.e. in the desired direction of first selection / first choice). For instance by gray-scaling, color scaling, contours, pointers, etc., it may be shown on the display where the desired first choice can be made. It may be possible that there is only one location where the light properties can be changed, but it may also be a plurality of locations in the space where the light properties may be adapted. In principle, the user choice may also be non executable (for instance when choosing in a first choice increasing intensity, when all light source(s) are at maximum intensity). In such instance, the view may display no location in the space where the light property or the light properties are adaptable (this may optionally for instance be done by gray scaling, color scaling, etc.). Optionally, the UI may be configured to provide in such instance a message, for instance in the form of a written message and/or a sound, etc.

As indicated above, the display displays in the view one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable (not counting the above indicated exception). Knowing where the desired light property change may be effected, now the user may choose the location or locations where the desired light property change is to be effected. Hence, the UI is configured to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection. The second selection is thus a selection for a location where the light property is changed. In this way, the setting of the light source(s) can be changed according to the desires of the user. To this end, the user interface may comprise (further) selectors, to allow the second choice of the location. Especially, the display is a touch screen display. The touch screen may comprise different touch screen sections (selectors), to allow the second choice of the location(s) displayed in the view.

The change may in an embodiment be processed in the view. In this way, the user may interactively adapt the light properties until the desired level. For instance, based on DALI, DMX or other communication protocols, the UI may control and follow one or more light sources and their controllable properties. Optionally, the information on the properties may be received from one or more sensors. Hence, in an embodiment, the user interface may further be configured to receive sensor information and to process the sensor information for creating or adapting the view (see also above).

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for controlling settings of a light source in a space with a user interface:

- displaying on a display of the user interface a view of the space;

selecting in a first selection a change ("adaptation") in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation;

displaying in the view one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable (thus especially where the desired adaptation of the first selection is possible);

selecting in a second selection one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection; and

- controlling the settings of the light source as function of the first selection and second selection.

For this method, especially the display-based light control user interface as described above may be applied.

As indicated above, such UI and such method are especially suitable for complex lighting configurations, i.e. with a plurality of (different) light sources. Hence, in a specific embodiment, the invention provides a method for controlling settings of a plurality of light sources in a space with a user interface, the method comprising (1) displaying on a display of the user interface a view of the space, (2) selecting in a first selection a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation, (3) displaying in the view one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable, (4) selecting in a second selection one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection, and (5) controlling the settings of the plurality of light sources as function of the first selection and second selection.

The invention further provides a computer program enabled to carry out the method as defined herein, for instance when loaded on a computer. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a record carrier (or data carrier, such as a USB stick, a CD, etc.) storing a computer program according to claim. Hence, the computer program product, when running on a computer or loaded into a computer, brings about, or is capable of bringing about, the method as described herein.

In yet a further aspect, the invention also provides space, which comprises a light source and a display-based light control user interface as defined herein for controlling settings of the light source. Especially, the invention provides such space, wherein the space comprises a plurality of light sources and wherein the user interface is configured to control settings of the plurality of light sources. Some examples of spaces are given above.

The term "substantially" herein, such as in "substantially all emission" or in "substantially consists", will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term

"substantially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term "substantially" may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figs. la-lc schematically depict some embodiments of the display-based user interface;

Figs 2a-2c schematically depict some possible configurations of spaces with a plurality of light sources; fig. 2d schematically depicts how the space of Fig. 2b might by way of example be displayed on the display-based user interface;

Figs 3a-3d schematically depict an embodiment of a process how the display- based user interface may be used;

Fig. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment with wall lighting effects;

Fig. 5 schematically depicts a further example;

Figs 6a-6c schematically depict an embodiment of a process how the display- based user interface may be used; and

Fig. 7 schematically depicts an embodiment of the display-based user interface.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. la schematically depicts an embodiment of a display-based light control user interface 100 for controlling settings of a light source (see below) in a space (see also below). The user interface 100 is configured to display on a display 110 of the user interface 100 a view (see below) of the space.

The user interface 100 is configured to allow a first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation. This is for instance indicated with references 210-212, wherein for instance reference 210 may indicate a light property such as intensity, and wherein for instance references 211 and 212 may be selectors, such as buttons or touch screen functions, to indicate a desire to decrease (here by way of example indicated with arrows) or increase the light property, respectively. Reference 150 herein indicates that the user interface 100 comprises a touch screen, with display 110 and touch screen buttons (i.e. here references 211 and 212 thus refer to touch screen buttons).

By way of example, all user interfaces 100 are herein displays as having touch screens 150. However, as will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to touch screen-based UFs. All kind of user interface - user interactions, even including speech, may be used to make the first and second selection.

Figure la shows a schematic version of the user interface 100, with, by way of example, only one light property to be selected in a first selection to change. However, further light properties may in other embodiments of course also be options, as schematically depicted in figures lb and lc. Here references 220-222, 230-232, 240-242, 250-252, and 260- 262 may all refer to light properties that may be varied, but some of them may optionally also refer to selection of settings or a selection to memorize a setting, etc. Further selectors are not excluded (see for instance also fig. 7).

Reference 270 is used as other light setting selection, for instance for controlling one or more redirectional light sources (if any). For instance beam width or beam location may be adaptable. After pressing/touching this touch button (first selection), one may in an embodiment (in a second selection) for instance be able to narrow by hand the beam width of one or more light sources to be selected (see below) and/or the direction on the one or more locations where such properties may be changed. The beam direction might for instance be changed by "dragging" the beam of a light source on the display to a desired location.

The first selection may in an embodiment first include a selection for a property and then a selection for a desired change therein, but may in an embodiment also "only" include the selection for a desired change in a property. For instance, referring for illustration purposes to fig. lc, in the former embodiment, the user may for instance first address one of selectors 210, 220, 230, 240, etc., and then address one of selectors 211/212. 221/222. 231/232, 241/242, etc. When again referring for illustration purposes to fig. lc, in the latter embodiment, the user "immediately" chooses one of selectors 211/212. 221/222. 231/232, 241/242, etc.

Reference 120 by way of example refers to an antenna, that may be used to communicate with (and control) the one or more light sources (see below). Figures 2a-2c schematically depict some options of a space 10 wherein/wherefore the user interface 100 may be used. Fig. 2a schematically depicts a top view of a room, with tables and chairs (indicated with furniture 15), and some light sources 300. Fig. 2b schematically depicts a side view of the same room 10. Some of the exemplary light sources 300 are visible, for instance a hanging table lamp, a ceiling lamp and a lamp attached to a wall.

All kind of spaces 100 may be served with the user interface 100. Fig. 2c schematically depicts a space with rooms and a hallway 16, for instance a (part of a) hotel, a hospital or an office, etc. By way of example, the user interface 100 is a dedicated user interface and is attached to a wall. Of course, the user interface 100 may also be arranged much more remote, for instance at a front desk (of a hotel, a hospital or an office, etc.).

Fig. 2d then schematically depicts again an embodiment of the user interface 100, wherein the display 110 displays a view 11 of a specific space 10, such as for instance the space 10 of fig. 2a. Here, as will be in general the case, the view shows a schematic 2D top view of the space 10.

As further elaborated below, the user interface 100 is further configured to display in the view 11 one or more locations in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable, and to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations of the second selection, and to control the settings of the light source 300 as function of the first selection and second selection. Hence, the user first selects a desired change (e.g. brighten the light). The user interface 100 then displays the locations where this change is possible. These possibilities may for instance be represented as a color or grayscale distribution over the 2D view. (E.g. white areas are areas where the lighting level can still be increased). After that, the user may indicate on this view which areas/locations need to be changed. The lighting effect may then for instance gradually change. For instance, as long as the user is in contact with the user interface 100, the lighting effect may move in the desired situation. See for a more detailed description below.

Figs 3a-3d show an example of a possible implementation.

Assume that the user enters an office environment, where a default lighting situation is activated. The user would like to have more light on his desk or at a table. For instance, beside the door, a touch panel as user interface is present, with a few buttons.

In fig. 3a, the user interface 100 shows an office or room environment, where a default lighting situation is activated. For instance, the user would like to have more light on his desk. Then, in fig. 3b, the user presses on the arrow button (selector) above the intensity button. This means that the user indicates the desire to increase the intensity.

Subsequently, see fig. 3c, the user interface 100 (i.e. a lighting control system) may react on this request by showing a distribution over the space. For controlling intensity, a grayscale distribution may for instance be taken. The border of the distribution shows the average intensity in the room. In areas which are whiter or lighter than this average, the intensity can be increased. In this way, locations where the property can be adapted are displayed.

Then, in fig. 3d, the user may indicate the location(s) where the user would like to have more light. In the example, more light is needed at the desk location

(reference 50 on the left part of view 11). For instance, the user touches this location, and as long as the finger touches the location, the intensity may be increased in small or larger steps

(here the display contains touch selectors). This process can be repeated for other locations.

The grayscale distribution and the border may (interactively) be adapted to the new light setting. When the average intensity increases in the room, the gray of the border becomes lighter. When the maximum intensity is reached at a certain location, the gray level at that location is the same as the gray level of the border.

For adapting the light situation, the user interface may offer a set of possible desires (like changing intensity, color temperature, color saturation). The user has to select a desire, the system responds with a color distribution, indicating the location where this desire can be fulfilled.

For a single lamp, the location of the effect can be visualized. Consider the simple case that a lamp produces white light, with a color temperature of 2700K (warm light) and is currently driven to 50% of its maximum output. The system can then easily derive from the 2D effect location model, that at the effect location of the lamp, the intensity can be increased. The light effect might also move into a warmer light setting or a lower intensity, but this is also dependent on other overlapping lighting effects. The 2D effect location model can be used to give feedback on the influence of the single lamp. The same representation can be done for colored lighting, on walls. Fig. 4 is an illustration of this. In this case, the effect of a single colored lamp is visualized in the environment. (In this case the effect is not created on the furniture, only on walls and work planes.) The furniture and other room elements like doors and windows are drawn as a reference for the user. In this figure, the effect of a single colored lamp is visualized in the environment. The proposed user interface 100 may be a combination of (a) a display to display a space view, such as a single room view (on the environment), for one or more properties an increase and decrease selector, such as a button, and optionally one or more selectors to recall a property distribution in this view. Properties that may be controlled may for instance be one or more of intensity, color temperature, color component (e.g. redness), hue, saturation, contrast possibilities (availability of small spots in the location), dynamic possibilities, presence of redirectional lighting (especially location of light source and effect), and energy consumption. However, further properties or settings are conceivable.

When addressing a property (change) selector, the 2D view may show a distribution of the property. For the main properties, the distribution may for instance be rendered as follows:

intensity: intensity values are mapped on a gray scale: bright locations are shown in light gray, dark locations in dark gray. A border around the distribution shows the average intensity. If the max intensity is reached for all lamps, the border is white. Locations where the maximum intensity is reached get the color of the border.

color temperature: warm and cold colored locations may be represented by the colors on the planckian locus in the CIE diagram (see also below).

Fig. 5 schematically shows a possible user interface 100 for including some of the main possible properties (for this schematic embodiment):

When pressing the "redirectional spot" property button (here indicated with reference 270), the redirectional spots are shown, together with the location and size of their spotlight effect.

When pressing the property button for (a change in the) intensity or color temperature, the distribution is shown in the view. The property button may indicate which property was the last selected (and which distribution is shown).

When pressing the increase or decrease button (i.e. for instance indicated with references 212/211 and 222/221, respectively) of the last selected property, the distribution shows the locations in the 2D view, where the property can be increased or decreased.

For decreasing the intensity, similar steps may be taken as for increasing. The areas where the intensity can be decreased may be indicated in darker gray. The darker the gray, the more the intensity can be decreased at that location (e.g. when the light comes from a local string spot). Other options may of course be possible.

For other properties, a distribution can also be represented. For color distribution, the CIE xy representation of the effect may be shown in the view. The distribution may be translated to an RGB distribution for the screen, using known methods of color conversion. For the presence of a color component the user may first have to select a color in terms of hue and saturation. Then a distribution may be made and the presence of the color component may then be indicated in the view by varying the intensity of the color. With respect to hue, the hue component of the colored light may be shown (in the view). If the color is not very saturated, a gray value may for instance be shown. Considering saturation, also a grayscale may be used. Light gray (or white) may for instance indicate higher (highest) saturation. For contrast possibilities (availability of small spots in the location) a grayscale may be used. For instance, light gray may indicate highest contrast. With respect to dynamic possibilities (is a property of the lamp) these may be indicated with a grayscale. When high dynamics are possible light gray may for instance be used to indicate and when low dynamics are possible, for instance dark gray may be used to indicate and where no dynamics are possible, this may be for instance indicated with black.

For some properties, a button to ask more or less of the property may be present in the user interface 100. For instance for color (variation of yellow) or color component (e.g. redness), first the user may have to select a color or color component. Then the user can ask for the locations where the contribution of the color can be increased or decreased. For saturation, a grayscale can be used. If the user wants to increase the saturation, the UI may show the locations where the saturation can be increased in lighter gray. If the user wants to decrease the saturation, locations where the saturation can be decreased are shown in darker gray. For contrast possibilities also a grayscale may be used. If the user wants to increase the contrast, the UI may show the locations where the contrast can be increased in lighter gray. If the user wants to decrease the contrast, locations where the contrast can be decreased are shown in darker gray. In case of dynamic possibilities a grayscale may be used. If the user wants to increase the dynamics, the UI may shows the locations where the dynamics can be increased in lighter gray. If the user wants to decrease the dynamics, locations where the dynamics can be decreased are shown in darker gray.

If the user would like to decrease the energy consumption, locations where most energy can be saved are shown in darker gray. For instance, these locations may be locations that are lit by less energy efficient lamps.

For some properties, it may be difficult to give a representation how the property can be changed. For instance, for hue there may be no intuitive representation for increasing or decreasing the hue. Hence, there are no buttons for asking the increase or decrease the hue. For moving the situation to a certain color, the color or color component has to be shown.

With this UI, it may also be possible to change a setting, while keeping another one constant. Some luminaires are able to generate cold and warm lighting, by combining both types of light sources. Warm lighting is then generated by driving the light source of warm lighting, and keeping the source for cold light dimmed. When the warm light is at 100%, it is still possible to increase the intensity, but then the color temperature of the light becomes less warm. Hence, if the user would like to have more light and does not care about the color temperature, the user may just have to press the increase intensity button, and the UI shows the possibilities (also where cold light sources have their effect). But if the user wants to have more light, but with the same color temperature, the interaction may be as schematically shown in figures 6a-6c.

Fig. 6a schematically shows that the user first presses the color temperature property button. The system may for instance return a color temperature distribution (like blue/cyan indicating a cold area, yellow/orange indicating an area with warm light). Then, fig. 6b, the user presses the increase intensity button. The system shows the locations where more light can be given, without affecting the color temperature at the location. In fig. 6c then the user then can touch the locations, and the light level may gradually go up, without affecting the color temperature.

In these examples, a touch screen interaction is described. The user interface 100 is not limited to this type of interaction, it is also possible to implement this interaction on a normal display, and use an input method like mouse, remote control with arrows, a touchpad, a pen, a microphone for speech (including speech recognition abilities for the user interface 100) or any other input device, used in combination with computers).

The system can be combined with a system for scene setting. Buttons can be added to recall a scene, change the scene and save the light situation again as a scene. The user can change the scene, by first recalling the scene (pressing the scene button). Then the lighting situation is changed. When pressing the "save scene" button, the scene is saved.

The system can be combined with a system for setting task lighting. Task lighting is used to support the activities in a room, like reading. A typical property of task lighting is that it remains on, even if another scene is activated by the user. By toggling the task light buttons, the task lighting is turned on/off. The user can change the task lighting in the same way as the scene lighting can be changed. A possible implementation of such a combined UI is shown in fig. 7. Herein, the references may have the following meanings:

The color selector may for instance be used to indicate a desired color. The display may show the locations where the desired color may be provided. The energy selector may for instance be used to indicate locations where energy can be saved. It may in another embodiment also be used to set for instance the energy used (condition), when changing other settings.

For instance, if the user has altered the light situation after a lighting scene is activated, a difference between saved and actual light setting can be calculated. If the user activates a new scene, the user has the option to apply this difference (apply delta) again, on top of the newly activated scene.

The possibilities can also be limited by a policy. For instance, when the energy consumption is too high, the brighten possibilities can be limited, although there are still lamps that can increase their intensities. When multiple users are working in the same place, it is possible to limit the location possibilities to their workplace, so they cannot change the overall light level, or the light situation at their colleague's desks.

The user interface 100 can be used in a creational mode but also in an operational mode. Creational means that a light setting is created for a scene or task lighting. After creation, the light situations can be modified and saved (fine tuning). Operational means that the user alters the light situation to fulfill some immediate lighting needs.

The user interface 100 may provide an advantage when a complex lighting infrastructure is used, where user needs go beyond the known scene and task lighting. The UI gives access to lighting possibilities at different locations. Hence, it can be used in different domains, (a) shops, certainly in situations where the lighting has to be changed by a creative person (visual merchandiser) to create or adapt atmosphere lighting, (b) offices where multiple persons work in the same area (People can then ask for changing light at their workplace. The UI can pop up at their computer, such as a laptop, and can be limited to changing the lighting at their workplace.), (c) homes, as a (simple user interface 100) that provides an overview where lighting can be increased/decreased, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display-based light control user interface (100) for controlling settings of a light source (300) in a space (10), wherein the user interface is configured:

to display on a display (110) of the user interface (100) a view (11) of the space (10);

- to allow a first selection for a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation;

to display in the view (11) one or more locations (50) in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable;

- to allow a second selection for one or more of said one or more locations (50) for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations (50) of the second selection; and

to control the settings of the light source (300) as function of the first selection and second selection.

2. The user interface (100) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (100) is further configured to interactively display in the view (11) one or more locations wherein the one or more light properties are adaptable.

3. The user interface (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface (100) is further configured to control one or more light properties while maintaining the settings of one or more other light properties.

4. The user interface (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light properties are selected from the first group of light properties and from a further group of light properties.

5. The user interface (100) according to claim 4, wherein the further group comprises one or more light properties selected from the group consisting of beam shape, beam direction, lighting dynamics, lighting scenes, and energy consumption.

6. The user interface (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface (100) comprises a touch screen (150).

7. The user interface (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface (100) is configured to control settings of a plurality of light sources (300).

8. A method for controlling settings of a light source (300) in a space (10) with a user interface (100):

displaying on a display (110) of the user interface (100) a view (11) of the space (10);

- selecting in a first selection a change in one or more light properties selected from a first group of light properties consisting of light intensity, color temperature and color saturation;

displaying in the view (11) one or more locations (50) in the space where the one or more light properties are adaptable;

- selecting in a second selection one or more of said one or more locations (50) for adapting the one or more light properties according to first selection at those one or more locations (50) of the second selection; and

controlling the settings of the plurality of light sources (300) as function of the first selection and second selection.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the display-based light control user interface (100) according to any one of claims 1-7 is applied.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein the space (10) comprises a plurality of light sources (300) and wherein the user interface (100) is configured to control settings of the plurality of light sources (300).

11. A computer program enabled to carry out the method according to any one of claims 8-10.

12. A record carrier storing a computer program according to claim 11.

13. A space (10), comprise a light source (300) and a display-based light control user interface (100) according to any one of claims 1-7 for controlling settings of the light source (300).

14. The space (10 according to claim 13, wherein the space (10) comprises a plurality of light sources (300) and wherein the user interface (100) is configured to control settings of the plurality of light sources (300).