WO2012168871A1

WO2012168871A1 - Method of controlling a scene creation system

Info

Publication number: WO2012168871A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Winfried Antonius Henricus Berkvens; Roel Peter Geert Cuppen; Marjolein HARTOG
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-06-10
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2012-12-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a scene creation system (100), comprising the steps of providing (S1) a first and a second control feature, each of said first and second lighting control features having a predefined control range, selecting (S2) a first control parameter within the predefined control range of the first control feature, adjusting (S3) the predefined control range of the second control feature, selecting (S4) a second control parameter within the adjusted control range of the second control feature, and controlling (S5) the scene creation system (100), based on at least the first and the second control parameters, wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule. The invention allows for simplified creation of an appealing scene, such as a lighting scene, by guiding a user in making the "right" choice when creating the lighting scene.

Description

Method of controlling a scene creation system

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in relation to the creation of complex ambience scenes, specifically to a method of, and a corresponding control device for, controlling a scene creation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, much progress has been made in increasing the brightness of light emitting diodes (LEDs). As a result, LEDs have become sufficiently bright and inexpensive to serve as a light source in for example lighting arrangements such as lamps with adjustable color. By mixing differently colored LEDs, any number of colors can be generated, e.g. white. An adjustable-color lighting system is typically constructed by using a number of primary colors, and in one example, the three primaries red, green and blue are used. The color of the generated light is determined by the LEDs that are used, as well as by the mixing ratios. To generate "white", all three LEDs have to be turned on. By using LEDs it is possible to decrease the energy consumption, which is a requirement that is well in line with the current environmental trend.

As a consequence of the possibility to provide bright light of different colors, a number of different illumination devices have been proposed which give a user the option to change the color to suit the current psychological mood or for creating a specific illumination design. Philips LivingColors is a commercially available example of such an illumination device.

In relation to the Philips LivingColors illumination device, there is provided a user interface in the form of a remote control for allowing the user to change the color, the saturation and the intensity of the light emitted by the illumination device. However, in relation to larger illumination systems comprising a plurality of illumination devices, there is a desire to provide a more comprehensive user interface that allows for overall control of the different illumination devices for creating and adjusting the common illumination pattern created jointly by the different illumination devices. An example of a large illumination system having improved controllability is disclosed in US 2010/0277106 Al, assigned to the current applicant and fully incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, US 2010/0277106 Al relates to a lighting system comprising a plurality of light sources and a controller. The controller is in turn configured to divide the light sources into different groups, the different groups being used for supporting a main light effect in a certain area of e.g. a room. A user is provided with a control device, including e.g. a display, enabling the user to select e.g. an illumination level for one of the different groups. Based on the selected illumination level, the illumination levels for the remaining groups are automatically adjusted, thus simplifying the overall control of the disclosed lighting system.

However, even though the lighting system of US 2010/0277106 Al provides at least some relief in terms of simplified control of a complex lighting system, it may be desirable to provide even more intuitively adapted control of the system, e.g. for creating an appealing and possibly dynamically changing ambience scene as experienced by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, the above is at least partly met by a method of controlling a scene creation system, comprising the steps of providing a first and a second control feature, said first and said second control feature each having a predefined control range, selecting a first control parameter within the predefined control range of the first control feature, adjusting the predefined control range of the second control feature, selecting a second control parameter within the adjusted control range of the second control feature, and controlling the scene creation system, based on at least the first and the second control parameters, wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule.

By means of the invention, a plurality of control features (e.g. first and second) are provided/presented to a user, and as soon as the user selects a first control value within a predefined range of one of the control features (e.g. the first), the predefined control ranges of the other (e.g. second) control features are adjusted. The adjustment is generally done by taking into account the first control feature as well as at least one predefined scene rule. Advantages obtained with the invention include for example the possibility to simplify the creation of an appealing "ambience scene" within a space, such as a room, by guiding a user to make the "right" choice when creating the ambience scene. According to the invention, this is accomplished by taking into account a first choice of the user and, based on this first choice and at least one predefined scene rule, adjusting a control range from which the user is supposed to make a second choice e.g. by presenting an updated user interface where the selection possibilities for making the second choice have been limited as compared to what was initially presented to the user. Accordingly, by guiding the user in this way, the eventually created ambience scene may be found to be appealing and less time-consuming to the user, while, at the same time, the user feels satisfied in being involved in the ambience scene creation.

Preferably, the first and the second control features are lighting control features that correspond to different controllable light parameters for creating a dynamic lighting scene, comprising for example adjustable color (i.e. hue and/or saturation) and intensity, temporal as well as spatial light adjustment. Within the context of this invention, temporal light adjustment includes e.g. parameters such as speed and/or amplitude of changes, direction of change (hue, saturation, brightness). Similarly, spatial light adjustment includes e.g. synchronous and/or asynchronous light adjustment over different light sources comprised within the scene creation system.

In an embodiment, the predefined scene rule takes into account previously selected first and second control parameters, i.e. historical control parameters selected by for example a user controlling the scene creation system. Accordingly, the predefined scene rule may influence the adaptation of the predefined control range of the second control feature such that the user is guided to select a scene similar to an earlier/previously selected scene, of course also depending on the selection of the first control parameter.

Alternatively, the predefined scene rule may be arranged to take into account a predefined light scene for example defined by e.g. a professional light scene creator. As will be understood, it may of course be possible to adapt the predefined scene rule to take into account historical selections in combination with predefined light scenes. Accordingly, the predefined scene rule may be updated over time, in regard to both subsequently created scenes and updated light scenes e.g. provided by the professional light scene creator.

It should be noted that the invention is not in any way limited to only a first and a second control feature. Rather, the invention may be applied to a plurality of control features, e.g. three, wherein a predefined control range for the third control feature may be adapted in a similar manner, based on the selected first and second control parameter as well as on one or more predefined scene selection rules.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control device for controlling a scene creation system, the control device comprising a user interface comprising a first and a second control interface portion configured to allow a user to provide a first and a second control parameter, respectively, each of the first and the second control interface portions having a predefined control range, and a control unit connected to the user interface, wherein the control unit is further configured to receive the first control parameter from the user interface, adjust the predefined control range of the second control feature, receive the second control parameter from the user interface, and control the scene creation system, based on at least the first and the second control parameters, and wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule. This aspect of the invention provides similar advantages as discussed above in relation to the previous aspects of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the control device further comprises a display unit, including e.g. an LCD, OLED or any other suitable display, for providing the user interface. In such an embodiment, it may be possible to dynamically update, in accordance with the invention, the appearance of the second control interface portion, based on the adjusted predefined control range, as soon as the first control parameter is selected by the user.

It should however be noted that it is not necessary according to the invention to visually adjust the control interface portion. Specifically, it may be possible according to the invention to adjust the predefined control range for the second control parameter without actually illustrating the adjustment to the user. Additionally, the user may not be limited to selecting the second control parameter within the adjusted predefined control range for the second control parameter. Rather, the user interface may be equipped with means for disregarding or changing the adjusted predefined control range for the second control parameter. Accordingly, activation of such means may also be taken into account when adapting the predefined scene rule.

Additionally, the control device may further comprise wireless communication means for controlling the scene creation system. Such a control device may for example take the form of a handheld remote control for controlling the scene creation system. The control device preferably comprises storage means, such as a computer memory for storing one or a plurality of predefined scene selection rules. The storage means may also be used for storing historical control parameter selections as discussed above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control device is provided as a part of a scene creation system, further comprising a plurality of controllable light sources.

Additionally, the scene creation system may also comprise an atmosphere generating device. The atmosphere generating device may for example be at least one of a luminaire, a loudspeaker, a heater, an air-con, a fragrance generating device. Accordingly, the scene creation may be adapted to control a combination of different devices to exert a joint influence on the atmosphere in the space.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium embodying a computer program product, the computer program product, when executed by a processor configured to provide a user interface, comprising a first and a second control interface portion configured to allow a user to provide a first and a second control parameter, respectively, each of the first and the second control interface portions having a predefined control range, and receive the first control parameter from the user interface, adjust the predefined control range of the second control feature, receive the second control parameter from the user interface, and control a scene creation system based on at least the first and the second control parameters, wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule. This aspect of the invention provides similar advantages as discussed above in relation to the previous aspects of the invention.

The processor may preferably be integrated in e.g. a handheld device such as a remote control, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc., and the computer readable medium may be one of a removable non-volatile random access memory, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk, a CD- ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, an SD memory card, or a similar computer readable medium known in the art.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled addressee realizes that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a conceptual scene creation system according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2a-b schematically illustrate an adjustable user interface for a remote control; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating the inventive method of controlling the scene creation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. la in particular, there is depicted a conceptual scene creation system 100 arranged within a living room according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention. The scene creation system 100 comprises two directional light sources 102, 104, each having individually controllable light parameters, for example in relation to color, saturation, intensity, speed of change and direction of emitted light. The scene creation system 100 further comprises a standing light source 106 similarly adapted to provide differently colored light at different saturation and intensity levels.

Additionally, the scene creation system 100 comprises a plurality of ceiling -mounted spot lights 108, each being individually controllable to emit differently colored light at different saturation and intensity levels as well as being able to be individually controlled over time, and a television set 110 comprising means for providing back and/or side emitting light of different colors at different saturation and intensity levels, possibly in different directions in relation to the television set 110.

For controlling the scene creation system 100, the scene creation system comprises a user interface, such as a remote control 200. The remote control 200 is connected to the light sources 102, 104, 106, 108 and the television set 110 for allowing the light sources 102, 104, 106, 108 and the television set 110 to provide jointly an adjustable light scene within the living room comprising dynamically changing light patterns changing e.g. in color, intensity, saturation, and/or directionality of light over time. Advantageously, the connection between the remote control 200 and the light sources 102, 104, 106, 108 and the television set 110 is established by means of a wireless connection, even though for example a wall-mounted user interface having wired connections is possible also. The wireless communication functionality may include for example light (e.g. IR) and/or RF transmission of control data for controlling the light sources 102, 104, 106, 108 and the television set 110. The remote control 200 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable digital signal processor or other programmable device. The remote control 200 may also, or alternatively, include an application-specific integrated circuit, a

programmable gate array or programmable array logic, a programmable logic device, or a digital signal processor. In those cases where the remote control 200 includes a

programmable device such as the microprocessor, microcontroller or programmable digital signal processor mentioned above, the processor may further include a computer-executable code that controls operation of the programmable device.

Referring, in parallel, to Figs 2a-b and Fig. 3, said figures illustrate two different "states" of a graphical user interface (GUI) of the remote control 200 as well as the operation of the scene creation system 100, respectively. The GUI 202 is provided, SI, with a plurality of control interface portions 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 for receiving a plurality of inputs from a user for controlling different control parameters, such as different light parameters. The different light parameters that may be selected by the remote control 200 may for example include color, saturation, intensity, temporal light adjustment, and spatial light adjustments (e.g. synchronous or asynchronous using different light sources/devices) as discussed above. Further light parameters are of course possible and within the scope of the invention.

In the first state shown in Fig. 2a, the GUI is in an initial configuration where input has not yet been provided by the user. Each of the control interface portions 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 has a light parameter-specific predefined control range. The predefined control range for example in relation to the light parameter "color" may be defined by the number of colors that possibly may be generated by the scene creation system 100. Similarly, the predefined control range for the light parameter "intensity" may be defined by the maximum and the minimum light output (i.e. dimming level) that may be provided by the scene creation system 100. A similar definition of the control ranges is of course applicable to the remaining light parameters.

The moment the user selects, S2, a value for a first one 204 of the light parameters and, as shown in Fig. 2b, the predefined control ranges for all the other light parameters are automatically updated, S3, to control the most appreciated ranges, based on the first selection made by the user in combination with at least one predefined scene selection rule for the components (e.g. the light sources 102, 104, 106, 108 and the television set 110) of the scene creation system 100 and their respective position within the living room. In the GUI 202 this is illustrated by also adjusting the visible ranges for each of the light parameters. An automatic "pre-selection" may be provided for each of the remaining light parameters 206, 208, 210, 212. Accordingly, a user will be "guided" to select values for the remaining light parameters 206, 208, 210, 212 that will provide an appreciated light scene generated by the scene creation system 100. The adapted visible ranges of the GUI 202 for the light parameters help the user, if he wants to change one of the remaining light parameters 206, 208, 210, 212, to stay at least in the proximity of the automatically preselected light parameter. However, if a user wants to select a value that is not within the shown ranges, this may of course still be possible.

As discussed above, the at least one predefined scene selection rule may be defined by a professional scene creation designer, or may be based on historical selections made by the user, or may be based on scene selection rules shared among users in an online forum, etc., or a combination thereof. When the scene selection rules are based on historical input from the user, the historical mean value for each parameter may for example be used for making the pre-selection of a specific light parameter. Likewise, the standard deviation of the historical selection for each light parameter may be used for defining the predefined control range for each of the light parameters.

The scene selection rules as well as historical selections made by the user may for example be stored on memory means (not shown) of the remote control 200. As mentioned, the remote control 200 may comprise wireless and/or wired communication means. Such communication means may also be used for connecting to an externally arranged device such as a computer connected to the Internet. The computer may also be loaded with software for allowing the user to download scene selection rules, add, change and/or edit scene selection rules to be stored on the memory means of the remote control 200.

The moment the user selects, S4, a second 206, third 208, etc. light parameter, the values of the light parameters already set explicitly by the user preferably do not change, however, the control range for these light parameters can still be adapted if relevant. The values and control ranges for the not yet explicitly set light parameters presented to the user will be adapted again, based on the at least one predefined scene selection, using the already explicitly set light parameters as input.

Finally, when a selection has been made for all of the light parameters 204,

206, 208, 210, 212, the remote control 200 sends control data to each of the components 102 - 110 of the scene creation system 100 for controlling, S5, the light scene within the living room, wherein the control data comprises the individually chosen light parameters. In summary, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a scene creation system, comprising the steps of providing a first and a second control feature, each of the first and the second lighting control features having a predefined control range, selecting a first control parameter within the predefined control range of the first control feature, adjusting the predefined control range of the second control feature, selecting a second control parameter within the adjusted control range of the second control feature, and controlling the scene creation system, based on at least the first and the second control parameters, wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule. The invention allows for simplified creation of an appealing e.g. lighting scene by means of guiding a user to make the "right" choice when creating the lighting scene.

Even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. For example, even though the scene creation system has been disclosed in relation to differently colored light sources, further scene creation devices may be included, such as atmosphere generating devices for providing heat/cold, different levels and types of fragrance, or other devices for providing a selected scene. Additionally, the remote control has been illustrated as a separate device, but as understood by the skilled addressee, the functionality of the remote control may be provided by means of for example an app installed on a mobile phone. Furthermore, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of controlling a scene creation system (100), comprising the steps of:

providing (SI) a first and a second control feature, said first and said second control feature each having a predefined control range;

selecting (S2) a first control parameter within the predefined control range of the first control feature;

adjusting (S3) the predefined control range of the second control feature; selecting (S4) a second control parameter within the adjusted control range of the second control feature; and

controlling (S5) the scene creation system (100), based on at least the first and the second control parameters,

wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second control features are lighting control features that correspond to different controllable light parameters.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the controllable light parameters are selected from a group comprising color, saturation, intensity, temporal light adjustment, and spatial light adjustment.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predefined scene selection rule is based on previously selected first and second control parameters.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predefined scene selection rule is based on predefined light scenes.

6. A control device (200) for controlling a scene creation system (100), the control device (200) comprising: a user interface (202) comprising a first (202) and a second (204) control interface portion configured to allow a user to provide a first and a second control parameter, respectively, each of the first (204) and the second (204) control interface portions having a predefined control range; and

- a control unit connected to the user interface (202),

wherein the control unit is further configured to:

receive the first control parameter from the user interface (202), adjust the predefined control range of the second control feature; receive the second control parameter from the user interface (202); and - control the scene creation system (100), based on at least the first and the second control parameters,

7. Control device (200) according to claim 6, wherein the first and the second control features are lighting control features that correspond to different controllable light parameters.

8. Control device (200) according to claim 7, wherein the controllable light parameters are selected from a group comprising color, intensity, temporal light adjustment, and spatial light adjustment.

9. Control device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the predefined scene selection rule is based on previously selected first and second control parameters.

10. Control device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the predefined scene selection rule is based on predefined light scenes.

11. Control device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a display unit for providing the user interface (202).

12. Control device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising wireless communication means for controlling the scene creation system (100).

13. A scene creation system (100) comprising:

a plurality of controllable light sources (102 - 110); and

a control device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

14. Scene creation system (100) according to claim 13, further comprising an atmosphere generating device.

15. A computer readable medium embodying a computer program product, the computer program product when executed by a processor being configured to:

provide a user interface comprising a first and a second control interface portion configured to allow a user to provide a first and a second control parameter, respectively, each of the first and the second control interface portions having a predefined control range; and

- receive the first control parameter from the user interface,

adjust the predefined control range of the second control feature;

receive the second control parameter from the user interface; and control a scene creation system, based on at least the first and the second control parameters,

wherein the predefined control range of the second control feature is adjusted, based on the first selected control parameter and a predefined scene selection rule.