DE102009043168A1 - Control element for selecting colors in e.g. red green blue color space, in light control device in smart residential home environment, has operating element moving over indicator for selecting color of color space - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (SE1) a color selection indicator (FAI1) operatively coupled with an operating element (BE2), which spans a color space (FR1). A color (FV1) of the color space is selected by movement of the operating element over the color selection indicator. The operating element is formed transparent in upper region in which color direction indicators are fitted. The color selection indicator is formed by a vertical straight line, and intersection of straight line with the color space determines the color to be selected.

Description

The invention relates to a control and a light controller for selecting colors in a color space.

Dedicated lighting controls are an integral part of smart residential home environments. These include z. B. Security systems to protect against burglary or thunderstorms, but also intelligent lighting control devices. In addition to the time and demand control play in light control increasingly comfort functions also an important role, such. As the adaptation of the light to certain moods and situations. By suitable colors, the lighting conditions can be set or adjusted very specifically to these moods. Depending on the application, z. As warm, subdued colors, strong colors or bright natural light are desired.

For the realization of color gradients in intelligent living environments today i. d. R. LEDs (LEDs) used. These are usually based on the classic gradient schemes such. B. sRGB (standard red-green-blue color space).

Today there are already a number of products in the trade with color LEDs. These bulbs have timed, predefined color gradients, which, however, usually can not be influenced by an external controller.

Other products offer a color light control of illuminated objects by remote control. Here, the individual red, green and blue parts are controlled separately, or called predefined gradients.

Furthermore, there are products that have a remote control with color ring on which the desired color can be adjusted by a dial, color saturation and brightness are operated by separate button pairs.

In the German patent application DE 102 22 389 A1 is a color gradient module with different-colored bulbs and an electronic equipment for the operation of the bulbs disclosed, the control for an operator but not yet optimal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a control and a light control, which allows a user an intuitive interaction mechanism for the color gradient control of color lamps, wherein all the colors of the color space that can be generated are controllable.

The object is achieved by a control for selecting colors in a color space, the control comprising: a control element which spans the color space (FR1-FR6) and a color selection indicator, operatively coupled to the control element, wherein a movement of the control element via the color selection indicator Color of the color space is selectable. The proposed control allows an intuitive control of color lighting, with a one-hand operation all controllable colors z. B. the RGB color space. For this purpose, the color space can be present both as a 2D or in a 3D representation. Over the gradient, a spherical, possibly only in the upper part transparent control element is laid so that the color cube can be completely traversed by a two-axis control. By tilting the ball in the respective direction of the color selection indicator is moved in the desired direction, so that on the Color cube marked color is sent to the color LED control to drive the color illuminant. For communication with the corresponding lamp or LED control system already common today radio-based technologies can be used.

A first advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the color space is a two-dimensional color space, which is mounted in the median plane between the upper and lower hemisphere of the spherical control element, wherein the color selection indicator is formed by a vertical straight line, with a starting point substantially on North pole of the spherical control element and end point through an intersection of the line with the two-dimensional color space, the intersection of the line with the color space determines the color to be selected. Two-dimensional color spaces are easy to create, controls for controlling two-dimensional color spaces easily realize.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the color space is a three-dimensional color space in cube form, wherein the center of the cube and the center of the spherical control element match, the color selection indicator by a vertical straight line substantially from the center of the color cube in the direction an observer is formed, wherein the color cube is moved by rotational movements of the control element, and wherein the intersection of the straight line with the color cube determines the color to be selected. The gradient can be cube-shaped (cubic) Color gradient of an RGB color space are displayed.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that in the lower part of the spherical control element piezoelectric elements are mounted to generate electricity. For the energy supply of the whole system already available sensors such as piezo or motion sensors are conceivable. At the bottom of the spherical control unit, piezoelectric power generating units can be installed. The pressure generated by the operator on the operating element could be used to generate the power necessary for the control with the aid of these or similar sensors. Thus, the entire system would be self-sufficient and would not have to be additionally supplied with batteries. The use of rechargeable batteries, which are recharged when operated by appropriate sensors again and again, is possible.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the color space is formed according to a color gradient scheme according to sRGB or RGB or LMS or HSV or CMYK. All possible standard or self-made gradient schemes are flexible and interchangeable.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the operating element is rotatably mounted in a receiving device and is mechanically movable by an operator. This allows in particular a simple way of generating electricity by piezoelectric elements that respond to mechanical pressure. On the other hand, such mechanically mounted control element are easy to produce.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the operating element consists of a convex, substantially hemispherical, touch-sensitive element, wherein the color selection indicator can be manipulated and activated by touching the operator on the element. By a touch-sensitive coating (touchpad) of the control element, the movements of the operator are detected and controlled the color selection indicator. This embodiment is very easy to maintain, since no mechanical soiling can occur, which could affect the operation.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the color selection indicator is formed by an optical beam. The optical beam can, for. B. be formed by a laser. Although optical beams require an energy supply, the operating elements can also be used in dark spatial conditions without additional illumination.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that the color selection indicator is formed by a physical heavy line (center of gravity straight line, straight line). This uses the gravity of the physical gravity line to make the color selection.

The object is further achieved by a light control for controlling lighting means, comprising a control according to the invention. The control element of the control element selects a desired color gradient, and the associated light illumination activates the corresponding color illumination means (eg LEDs) (eg in a room, a wall). For communication with the corresponding lamp or LED control system, it is advantageously possible to use conventional radio-based technologies, but also infrared or Bluetooth.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the claims.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained below.

Showing:

1 a first exemplary control element for controlling a color gradient,

2 a second exemplary control element for controlling a color gradient,

3a - 3b Examples of cubic color gradients of an RGB color space,

4 an example of a hemispherical control over a color cube,

5a - 5b Examples of cubic color gradients of an RGB color space, each installed in a transparent control element, and

6 an example of a light control for driving bulbs, comprising an inventive control element.

1 shows a first exemplary control element BE1 for controlling a color gradient by the hand of an operator B. For smart residental home environments is for the normal everyday user B an intuitive and logical interaction method for the color gradient control desirable, which can control all colors of the color space can be generated.

By the proposed method, an intuitive control of color lighting is made possible with a one-hand operation BE1 all controllable colors z. B. the RGB color space allows. For this purpose, the color space can be present both as a 2D or in a 3D representation. About the color gradient is a spherical, possibly only in the upper part transparent control BE1 placed so that a two-axis control of the color space can be completely traversed. Due to the inclination of the sphere in the respective direction, a color selection indicator (FAI1; 2 ) is moved in the desired direction R1-R3, so that the color space (FR1; 2 ) marked or selected color is sent to the color LED control.

The inclination can be determined by acceleration sensors (eg, an acceleration sensor can be mounted per axis in 3D space). About the rotation about the virtual vertical axis (the axis, which always runs vertically from above to the center of the earth, regardless of the position of the control element), measured by the spin, the brightness is controlled. Thus, the 2D color space with the various rotational and tilting movements can be completely traversed. The switching on and off can be done by a vertical pressure on the hemispheric control BE1.

2 shows a second exemplary control element BE2 as part of a control SE1 for controlling a color gradient FV1 in a color space FR1. The color space FR1 in 2 is represented as a two-dimensional RGB (red-green-blue) color space. In principle, however, the illustrated method also works with three-dimensional color spaces. The presented method is not limited to the selection of color gradients in the RGB color space, but in principle applicable to all possible color spaces, such. SRGB, LMS, HSV or CMYK.

If the color space FR1 is present as a 2D representation, the color value FV1 to be set in each case can always be determined vertically from the line FAI1 "virtual center at the top of the device" (virtual north pole) N1 and the opposite intersection point FV1 that reliably results with the 2D plane become. For the realization of the color selection indicator FAI1 different mechanisms are available. The color selection indicator FAI1 may e.g. B. by an optical beam (eg., Laser, focused light) are formed. However, the color selection indicator FAI1 can also be formed by a physical heavy line (center of gravity straight line, straight line). Here, the gravity of the physical heavy line is used to hit the color selection FV1 in the color space FR1.

The north pole N1 is determined to be the farthest point of a plane 1 (eg, table plane) on which the controller SE2 is parked or mounted.

The operating element BE2 can be mounted mechanically rotatably in a receiving device of the control element SE1 and can be moved by an operator (B; 1 ) are mechanically moved or rotated. This allows in particular a simple possibility of self-sufficient power generation by piezoelectric elements that respond to mechanical pressure. On the other hand, such mechanically mounted controls BE2 are easy to produce. Such a mechanical operating element BE2 corresponds in principle and in the mode of operation to a trackball which is completely or substantially transparent in the direction of view detected by the operator.

In a further embodiment, the operating element BE2 can consist of a convex, essentially hemispherical, touch-sensitive element, wherein the color selection indicator FAI1 can be manipulated and activated by touching the operator on the element BE2. By a touch-sensitive coating (touchpad) of the control element BE2 the movements of the operator are detected and the color selection indicator FAI1 driven. This embodiment is very easy to maintain, since no mechanical soiling can occur, which could affect the operation.

The 3a and 3b show examples of cubic color gradients of an RGB color space (red-green-blue) FR2 or FR3. 3a shows a rear view of an RGB color space FR2, 3b shows the associated front view of this RGB color space FR3. The RGB color space FR2, FR3 is shown on the surface of the cube.

4 shows an example of a hemispheric control BE3 via a color cube FR5. The hemispheric control BE3 of 4 is z. B. part of a control SE2 for selection and control of colors. If the color space is present as a 3D representation, it can be a cube-shaped course (see 3a - 3b ) being represented. In the case of 3D, one would not then have a virtual north pole at the top of the device, as in the case of the 2D representation, but a virtual center as the starting point for the intersection calculation for determining the color value to be set. This would result in the desired color value z. B. from the intersection of the line starting in the center of the cube, always perpendicular to the top, with an outer surface of the cube.

For the energy supply of the whole system are already available sensors such as Piezos (piezo elements) conceivable. If the energy that can be generated with such sensors is insufficient, 2D could be used below the color space, in the case of 3D in the cube itself, with built-in batteries. Piezo elements can also be used in the context of this invention for signaling a direction request or a movement of the operating element.

In particular, in the case of a 2D color space, piezoelectric elements for power generation can be attached to the lower part of the spherical control device. The pressure generated by the operator on the operating element could be used to generate the power necessary for the control with the aid of these or similar sensors. Thus, the entire system would be self-sufficient and would not have to be additionally supplied with batteries. The use of rechargeable batteries, which are always recharged when operated by appropriate sensors, is conceivable in this case.

5a and 5b show examples of cubic color gradients of an RGB color space FR5, FR6, each installed in a transparent control BE4, BE5. The color selection indicators FAI3 and FAI4 are each formed by a vertical straight line substantially from the center of the color cube FR5, FR6, wherein the color cube is moved by rotational movements of the control element, and wherein the intersection of the line FAI1, FAI2 with the color cube FR5, FR6 to be selected Color determined.

The proposed method describes an intuitive, single-handed color light control. The previous conventional light and dimmer controls are being extended by two additional axes of the color control, which allow a complete color light control as a whole.

The novel hemispherical control element for controlling the color gradient allows a pleasant control with one hand and can be used for both 2D and 3D color spaces or for partial color spaces. Ideally, the tennis ball-sized hemisphere fits snugly in the hand and allows a fine granular control of the desired color gradient.

In principle, non-transparent operating elements which can actively display the color directions (eg by means of an LED film surface) on the surface thereof (eg blue arrow on the control element for more blue content when pressed to the left) usable.

• • Nichtlineare Steuerung des Farbverlaufes, d. h. auch bei kleinen Bewegungen werden nach einer definierten Zeit größere Farbverlaufsstrecken abgefahren.
• • Statt des transparenten hemisphärischen Bedienelements über dem Farbkubus wird das Bedienelement selbst eingefärbt und zeigt die jeweiligen Farbspektren entsprechend der zu steuernden Richtung an.
• • Ein Farbauswahlindikator kann dazu verwendet werden, um die aktuelle Position im Farbraum auf dem transparenten, hemisphärischen Bedienelement anzuzeigen. Dies könnte z. B. als piezo-spiegelgesteuerte Lichtquelle implementiert werden, die im Farbwürfel verborgen ist. Hierdurch bekommt der Benutzer ein direkt dargestelltes Feedback auf der Farbkugel, nicht nur das indirekte über die angesteuerten LEDs.
• • Die Ansteuerung an funkgesteuerte Farbleuchtelemente kann unter bzw. im Farbkubus verborgen bzw. integriert werden

Further embodiments are possible for the described control or the described method:

• • Nonlinear control of the color gradient, ie even with small movements larger color gradients are traversed after a defined time.
• Instead of the transparent hemispherical control element above the color cube, the control element itself is colored and displays the respective color spectra according to the direction to be controlled.
• • A color selection indicator can be used to display the current position in the color space on the transparent hemispheric control. This could be z. B. be implemented as a piezo-mirror-controlled light source, which is hidden in the color cube. As a result, the user gets a directly displayed feedback on the color ball, not just the indirect on the driven LEDs.
• • The control of radio-controlled color light elements can be concealed or integrated under or in the color cube

6 shows an example of a light control LS for driving LED bulbs, comprising a control SE3 according to the invention. For communication V between control SE3 with the corresponding lamp or LED control system LS are wireless, z. B. radio-based technologies (eg Bluetooth) or infrared based technologies can be used. However, the control element SE3 can be connected to the light control LS by a cable connection or integrated into it. In principle, all types of LED bulbs can be used to reproduce a selected color gradient, such. As LEDs, fluorescent tubes, incandescent or energy-saving lamps.

The arithmetic unit (eg a microprocessor) required for the light control LS (eg a microprocessor) for calculating the respective necessary intersection points and thus the color value to be set, etc.) can be integrated in the control element SE3 or in the associated control element , B. transmitted by radio link V to the light control unit LS. However, a more complex computing unit (eg PC or programmable logic controller) of an existing home or office infrastructure could also be used. This more complex arithmetic unit communicates (eg via radio or wired) with the light control unit LS for controlling the light-emitting means LED to reproduce a selected color progression. The control element SE3 or the associated operating element transmit determined sensor values z. B. by radio, Bluetooth or IR to the complex computing unit of the infrastructure.

Control for the selection of colors in a two- or three-dimensional color space (eg sRGB color space), with intuitive interaction mechanism for the color gradient control of color lamps, wherein a spherical, in the upper area substantially transparent, control element that spans the color space, and a color selection indicator is operatively coupled to the operating element, wherein a color of the color space for an operator can be selected with one hand by movements of the operating element via the color selection indicator.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

SE1, SE2

control

BE1-BE5

operating element

R1-R3

movement direction

B

operator

N1, N2

North Pole

e

table level

FR1-FR6

color space

FAI1-FAI4

Color selection indicator

FV1, FV2

color gradient

D1, D2

axis of rotation

LED

Lamp

V

connection

LS

lighting control

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10222389 A1 [0007]

Claims (17)

Control (SE1, SE2) for selecting colors in a color space, the control (SE1, SE2) comprising: an operation element (BE1-BE5) spanning the color space (FR1-FR6); and a color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) operatively coupled to the control element, wherein a color (FV1, FV2) of the color space (FR1-FR6) is determined by movements (R1-R3) of the control element (BE1-BE5) via the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) ) is selectable. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element (BE1-BE5) is substantially spherical, semi-ellipsoidal or formed in a hand-shaped form. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (BE1-BE5) is formed substantially transparent in its upper region. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that color direction indicators are mounted in the upper region of the operating element (BE1-BE5). Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color space is a two-dimensional color space (FR1-FR6) which is mounted substantially in a median plane between the upper and lower regions of the operating element (BE1-BE5) is, wherein the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is formed by a vertical plumb line, starting point of the uppermost farthest point of the control element (BE1-BE5) from the center plane and end point by the intersection of the plumb lines with the two-dimensional color space the intersection of the perpendicular lines with the color space (FR1-FR6) determines the color (FV1, FV2) to be selected. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color space is a two-dimensional color space (FR1-FR6) which lies in the median plane between the upper and lower hemispheres of a substantially spherical operating element (BE1-BE5). is attached, wherein the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is formed by a vertical straight line, with a point of origin substantially at the north pole (N1, N2) of the spherical control element (BE1-BE5) and end point through the intersection of the line with the two-dimensional color space the intersection of the line with the color space (FR1-FR6) determines the color to be selected (FV1, FV2). Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the color space is a three-dimensional color space body (FR1-FR6) in cube, hemispherical or free-field form, the center of the color space body and the center of the color space Operating element (BE1-BE5) are substantially identical, wherein the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is formed by a vertical Lotgerade substantially from the center of the color space body (FR1-FR6) in the direction of a viewer (B), wherein by rotational movements (R1-R3 ) of the control element (BE1-BE5) of the color space body (FR1-FR6) is moved, and wherein the intersection of the plumb line with the color space body (FR1-FR6) determines the color to be selected (FV1, FV2). Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the color space is a three-dimensional color space body in cube, hemispherical or freeform shape, the center of the color space body and the center of a substantially spherical operating element ( BE1-BE5) are substantially identical, wherein the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is defined by a vertical line substantially from the center of the color space body (FR1-FR6) in the direction of the north pole (N1, N2) of the substantially spherical control element (BE1-BE5). is formed, wherein the color cube (FR1-FR6) is moved by rotational movements (R1-R3) of the operating element (BE1-BE5), and wherein the intersection of the line with the color space body (FR1-FR6) to select the color (FV1, FV2) certainly. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the lower part of the spherical control element (BE1-BE5) piezoelectric elements are mounted to signal the direction of rotation. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color space (FR1-FR6) is formed according to a squaring scheme according to sRGB or RGB or LMS or HSV or CMYK. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the color space (FR1-FR6) is formed by a sub-color space or sub-color space of a color gradient scheme Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (BE1-BE5) is rotatable in one Receiving device is stored and by an operator (B) is mechanically movable. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (BE1-BE5) consists of a convex, substantially hemispherical, touch-sensitive element (BE1-BE5), the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) being touched of the operator (B) can be manipulated and activated on the element. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is formed by an optical beam. Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color selection indicator (FAI1-FAI4) is formed by a physical line of gravity (center of gravity straight line). Control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising input means for controlling color brightness and color saturation. Light control (LS) for controlling lighting means (such as monochrome and multicolor LED), comprising a control element (SE1, SE2) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

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