KR20110118783A - Intelligent controllable lighting networks and schemata therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems, networks, devices, and methods are disclosed for deploying, implementing, and sharing a lighting scheme between controllable lighting networks. Networks 101, 601, 701, 801, 808 in accordance with the present invention store the lighting scheme deployed for the network in remote data storage 802. Other networks 301 access the remote data storage device to select an existing schema for implementation. Also disclosed are systems, networks, devices and methods for sharing user preferences between controllable lighting networks. Networks in accordance with the present invention can access a shared remote data storage 112 to determine the user's preferences upon detection of the user's presence by sensors in the network. As such, individual lighting networks may use known user preferences or learned behaviors and environmental conditions to more effectively adapt themselves to these behaviors, preferences or conditions.

Description

INTELLIGENT CONTROLLABLE LIGHTING NETWORKS AND SCHEMATA THEREFORE}

The present invention relates generally to lighting systems and networks. More specifically, the various methods, systems, and apparatus disclosed herein relate to developing and implementing a schema within controllable lighting networks and to sharing a schema between controllable lighting networks. will be.

Digital lighting technologies, ie lighting based on semiconductor light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), provide a viable alternative to traditional fluorescent, HID and incandescent lamps. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, low operating costs and many others. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient and robust full-spectrum light sources that enable various lighting effects in many applications. Some of the facilities embodying these sources are for example to generate various colors and color changing lighting effects, as described in detail in US Pat. Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626, which are incorporated herein by reference. A lighting module comprising one or more LEDs capable of producing different colors, for example red, green and blue, as well as a processor for independently controlling the output of the LEDs.

Providing personal lighting control to office workers has been shown to enhance office workers' satisfaction while providing sufficient energy savings. Recent developments in digital lighting technologies, such as LED-based lighting systems, allow for the precise control of digital or solid state lighting. Thus, programmed light based systems are currently used to respond to specific events or to implement a user's input preferences.

From the user's point of view, the disclosed systems and techniques for implementing lighting control often provide slightly more lamp dimming according to pre-input preferences. For example, in the disclosed systems and techniques, the user's lighting preferences for a particular environment can be programmed by the building manager. The system can then control the lights of the environment to implement the user's preferred lighting arrangement. In this way, an office worker who prefers his or her workspace to be brighter or alternatively dimly lit may have a system programmed accordingly by the manager. Similarly, administrators can schedule "on" and "off" time periods according to a user's work schedule to save energy.

As a further example, one known system features direct-indirect fluorescent luminaires with integral occupancy and daylight sensors that communicate with a central controller via an RS-485 wired network. The central controller then communicates with the desktop computers via a local area network (LAN). The system allows office workers to illuminate job (direct) and ambient (indirect) lights through their workstations and turn on and turn off job and ambient light using personal light control software installed on their computers. do. The system also enables the office manager to assign control to individual lighting fixtures, groups, areas and the entire lighting network, to enable and disable lighting daylight sensors, and to enable lighting occupancy sensors. Enable and disable, enable the specification of occupancy sensor delay times, enable independent assignment of task and ambient ramp control, enable and disable load shedding, and detailed energy Enables you to generate consumption reports and schedules daily, weekly, monthly and yearly events. In this concept, this system and similar conventional products can also be considered as extensions of building management systems that manage HVAC and security subsystems.

Lighting systems are disclosed that enable lighting controllers to execute a command or set of instructions, often called lighting script, according to predetermined time sequences or upon detection of the occurrence of an event. For example, one disclosed system includes software that enables a lighting designer to create a lighting script by specifying a change in color and intensity of a number of lighting fixtures over time and a memory storing the lighting script for later execution. I use it. Lighting controllers for theater and entertainment facilities enable lighting designers to record and edit time sequences for hundreds or thousands of lighting fixtures. Lighting systems are also disclosed that include the ability to execute pre-recorded lighting scripts in response to external events such as, for example, switch closures, analog signals, and network commands. One disclosed system activates or adjusts lights upon receipt of an email, reception of a telephone call, or detection of an alert occurrence. Another disclosed system activates lights using voice or word recognition, and another implements a light pattern upon detection of the person performing the action. A lighting controller in such a system may include simple logic functions or conditions, such as a logic function that executes a lighting script only when two events or conditions occur simultaneously. For example, an illumination script can be executed if the proximity switch is triggered and the light sensor indicates that it is after sunset. However, these lighting scripts do not change after they are recorded unless the lighting designer changes them manually.

Lighting systems are also disclosed in which a person can enter his or her lighting preferences for a particular location and the central controller can command LEDs or other light sources and execute a lighting script to implement the human's preferences. In one disclosed system, lighting systems receive inputs that indicate the presence of a person or the duration of a person's presence or identify a particular person or the person's presence within a location, for example by self-reading or biometric assessment of a nameplate. can do. The disclosed systems may then implement different lighting scripts depending on whether a person exists, how long a person exists and which one exists. These systems can also select different lighting scripts depending on the number of people in the room or the direction the person is facing. In one disclosed system, lighting devices and other energy sources are turned on or off in accordance with information in a person's electronic calendar.

Some disclosed lighting systems may receive information about a person's presence or a person's preferences from a device carried by the user. For example, in some disclosed systems, the card reader can detect the presence of a card carried by the user, which in turn allows the system to turn on the light, for example when the user enters the room and the user You can turn off the lights when you leave the room. In other disclosed lighting systems, the user's preferences are stored on a mobile device or card. As the user moves, the data is under their control over stored preferences (eg, dimming the lights or changing their color) through automatic detection of the card or by inserting the card into the card reader in other systems. It may be communicated to devices and systems capable of matching parameters.

However, in various disclosed systems that implement user preferences or implement lighting scripts upon the occurrence of an event, the preferences or scripts are (1) specific to a particular location and not executable at a different location or (2) at different locations. Or is necessarily transmitted by the user to be implemented in different networks. As such, there are no systems that allow the user's preferences or lighting script to be implemented in a system other than those in which the user's preferences are programmed unless the user carries a device that stores his or her preferences.

Moreover, lighting systems are disclosed that can monitor the user's activities and sensed environmental parameters to learn the user's preferences for a particular environment. For example, some systems may monitor how a user maintains or selects settings in a given environment over a period of time to generate user preferences for that environment. In other known systems, devices can follow an illumination script if a particular action is not detected. Other systems can monitor how the user reacts to a given set of environmental situations and creates rules for future implementations in that environment. One disclosed lighting control system has both automatic control and event based control. This system is disclosed as implementing a fuzzy control system, where rules in a rule-based decision system are output based on the occurrence of fuzzy inputs or events. However, there is currently no way in which systems take advantage of the preferences learned by other systems, not by a user carrying a device that maintains his or her preferences at remote locations.

As such, there are drawbacks associated with known systems. For example, known systems generally relate to self-contained, self-contained systems for controlling lighting or other devices. In order for the user's preferences to be implemented in another environment or for the learned parameters to be implemented in another environment, the user must carry a device that stores his or her preferences. As such, one disadvantage of these disclosed systems is the inability to share learned parameters with other systems, including learned information by monitoring individual and system operations.

Thus, systems capable of integrating, learning, interpreting, and controlling such systems and user preferences, rules or schemas and sharing these preferences, rules or schemas between controllable lighting networks, systems and users. Methods and apparatus are required in the art.

The present invention relates to inventive methods and apparatus for learning and / or applying a system, group and / or user preferences, rules or schema in controllable lighting networks. Such systems and methods may be referred to as interactive deformation immersion (IMI) systems and / or networks. The invention also relates to inventive methods and apparatus for sharing such preferences and rules or schema between controllable lighting networks and systems.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a lighting management system comprising a first memory and a network. The first memory stores personal preference data corresponding to the plurality of users, the personal preference data corresponding to each of the plurality of users including at least one personalized lighting parameter for each user. The network is at a location remote from the first memory and includes at least one light source having a controllable output setting and a second memory for storing the schema, the schema comprising at least one standard lighting parameter. The network also includes a sensor system that detects the identity of the current user and an execution module in communication with the at least one light source, the second memory and the sensor system. The execution module includes a controller and receives the identity of the current user from the sensor system. The execution module communicates with the first memory to determine personal preference data corresponding to the current user.

In one embodiment, the execution module modifies the schema to match the current user's personalized lighting parameters, and the execution module converts the modified schema into instructions for controlling the output setting of the light source. In some versions of this embodiment, the execution module converts the modified schema into instructions by interpreting the modified schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source. In some versions of this embodiment, the execution module stores the modified schema in the second memory. In another embodiment, the sensor system detects the absence of the current user, the execution module corrects the modified schema to match the standard lighting parameters, and the execution module stores the corrected schema in the second memory.

According to some embodiments, the sensor system detects the identity of an additional user. The execution module receives the identity of the additional user from the sensor system, communicates with the first memory to determine personal preference data corresponding to the additional user, generates a shared personalized lighting parameter, and shares the shared personalized lighting parameter. Revise the schema to conform to, and convert the revised schema into commands to control the output settings of the light source. In some versions of this embodiment, the execution module creates a shared personalized lighting parameter by averaging the current user's personalized lighting parameters and the additional user's personalized lighting parameters. In other versions of this embodiment, the execution module creates a shared personalized lighting parameter by selecting one of the current user's personalized lighting parameter and the additional user's personalized lighting parameter.

The sensor system, in one embodiment, detects the identity of the current user by detecting a radio frequency identification card carried by the current user. In another embodiment, the sensor system detects the identity of the current user by detecting biometric data corresponding to the current user.

In some embodiments, the sensor system detects environmental data and behavior data, and the execution module modifies the schema according to at least one of the environmental data and the behavior data.

In other embodiments, the second memory stores a plurality of schemas. The execution module selects one of the plurality of schemas depending on the personal preference data of the current user, and the execution module converts the selected schema into instructions for controlling the output setting of the light source. In other embodiments, the sensor system detects light source output data indicating an operating error in the at least one light source, and the execution module provides a correction signal to the light source to correct the operating error.

According to some embodiments, the network includes a schematizer for generating a schema. In other embodiments, the at least one light source is a light fixture. In other embodiments, the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources in communication with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link. In some embodiments, at least one light source comprises at least one illuminance light source and at least one luminance light source. In other embodiments, the network also includes an agent module, and the execution module communicates with the second memory via communications with the agent module.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a light management system comprising a sensor system for observing system parameters, at least one light source, and an execution module. At least one light source communicates with the sensor system via a network, and the at least one light source has controllable output settings. The execution module communicates with the sensor system and the at least one light source via a network and with a remote memory that stores at least one schema via a communication link. The execution module includes a controller and receives the system parameters observed from the sensors, sends a request for the schema to the remote memory, and the request includes information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters. The execution module receives the schema from the remote database and converts the schema into instructions for controlling the output settings of the at least one light source.

In one embodiment, the at least one light source comprises at least one lighting fixture. In another embodiment, the observed system parameters relate to one or more people. In this embodiment, the observed system parameters include the presence of one or more people, the identity of one or more people, the location of one or more people, the time of the presence of one or more people, the gestures of one or more people, the actions of one or more people, At least one of one or more people's faces, and sound emitted by one or more people. In another embodiment, the observed system parameters include at least one of the output from at least one light source, the level of ambient lighting, the amount of sunlight, motion, temperature, humidity level, weather and noise.

According to one embodiment of this aspect, the execution module is located in one of the at least one light sources. In a further embodiment, the execution module is distributed across the plurality of light sources. In versions of this embodiment, the plurality of light sources communicate with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link.

According to other embodiments, an execution module includes an interface for facilitating communication with at least one of a controller, a memory, a light source and a sensor, and an interface for facilitating communication with a remote memory via a communication link. . In another embodiment, the communication link is one of a wireless communication link and a wired communication link.

In some embodiments of this system, the execution module converts the schema into instructions by interpreting the schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for implementing a light management system. The method includes receiving an observed parameter from a sensor system in an execution module including a controller. The method also includes sending a request for a schema to the data storage device, wherein the request also includes information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters, where the data storage device is spaced apart from the execution module. Is located in. In addition, the method includes receiving, at an execution module, a schema from a data storage device, and converting, by the execution module, the schema into instructions for controlling output settings of at least one light source.

In some embodiments of the method, receiving the observed system parameters includes receiving an identity of the current user. In this embodiment, the transmitted request includes information indicating the identity of the current user, and the received schema includes lighting parameters according to the preferences of the current user. In other embodiments, the method includes storing the received schema in local memory. In another embodiment, the converting step includes, by the execution module, interpreting the schema according to the output settings of the at least one light source.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an execution module for use in a light management system. The execution module includes a sensor interface, a light source interface, a schematizer interface, a memory, and a controller. The sensor interface is for receiving system parameters observed from the sensor system. The light source interface is for transmitting control parameters to at least one light source. The schematizer interface is for sending a request for a schema to a remote schematizer, where the request includes information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters. The schematizer interface is also for receiving schemas from a remote schematizer. The memory stores the observed system parameters and schema. The controller converts the schema into instructions for controlling the output settings of the at least one light source.

In one embodiment, the sensor interface is for receiving additional observed system parameters and the processor is also for modifying the schema to compensate for the additional observed system parameters. In another embodiment, the controller is also for interpreting the schema according to the output settings of the at least one light source.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a light management system. The system includes a first memory and a network. The first memory stores personal preference data corresponding to the plurality of users, the personal preference data corresponding to each of the plurality of users including at least one personalized lighting parameter for each user. The network includes at least one light source at a location remote from the first memory and having a controllable output setting. The network also includes a sensor system that detects the identity of the current user, and an execution module in communication with the at least one light source, the second memory, and the sensor system. The execution module includes a controller and a second memory that stores at least one standard lighting parameter. The execution module receives the identity of the current user from the sensor system, communicates with the first memory to determine personal preference data corresponding to the current user, and modifies the standard lighting parameters to match the current user's personalized lighting parameters. . The execution module converts the personalized lighting parameter into instructions for controlling the output setting of the light source.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for implementing a light management system. The method includes receiving, at an execution module comprising a controller, the observed system parameters from a sensor system indicating the identity of the current user. The method also includes sending a request to the data storage device for personal lighting preference data corresponding to the current user, where the data storage device is located at a location spaced apart from the execution module. The method includes receiving, at an execution module, personal lighting preference data corresponding to a current user from a data storage device, and converting received personal lighting preference data with instructions for controlling an output setting of at least one lighting fixture. It also includes.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a lighting management system comprising a sensor system for receiving an environmental input comprising at least one user identifier. The lighting management system also includes at least one light source having controllable output settings and a schema data storage device for storing the schema, the schema comprising one or more of a user specific schema, a group schema, a system specific schema, and a shared system schema. Include. Each stored schema includes at least one rule for controlling the output setting of the light source. The lighting management system also includes a schematizer in communication with the sensor system and the schema data store, the schematizer determining which schema in the schema data store is applicable in terms of environmental inputs and setting the output of at least one light source. Create a set of applicable rules for controlling The lighting management system also includes an execution module in communication with at least one light source and schematizer. The execution module includes a controller, the execution module receiving a set of applicable rules from the schematizer and converting at least one rule in the applicable set of rules with instructions for controlling the output setting of the light source.

In some embodiments, the schema data storage device is located at a location spaced from at least one light source. According to some embodiments, the schematizer continuously monitors environmental inputs to determine which schemas in the schema data store are applicable. In some embodiments, the schematizer generates a set of applicable rules by averaging the output settings of the rules of the applicable schema, and in some embodiments the schematizer generates the applicable rules by prioritizing the rules of the applicable schema. Create a set of fields.

According to some embodiments, the set of applicable rules constitutes a revised system specific schema. In another embodiment, the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources in communication with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link. In other embodiments, the execution module converts the at least one rule into instructions by interpreting the at least one rule according to the output setting of the at least one light source.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for implementing a light management system. The method includes receiving an environment input comprising at least one user identifier and accessing a schema data store to retrieve at least one applicable schema in view of the environment input, wherein the at least one applicable The schema includes rules for controlling the output setting of at least one light source. The method comprises mediating inconsistency rules in at least one applicable schema to determine a set of working rules for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source, and instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source. And converting the work rules.

According to some embodiments, the schema data storage device is located at a location spaced from at least one light source. In some embodiments, the method further includes continuously monitoring environmental data to determine which schema is applicable. In some embodiments, the mediation step includes averaging the output settings of the rules of the applicable schema to determine the set of work rules. In other embodiments, the mediation step includes prioritizing the rules of the applicable schema to determine the set of work rules.

According to some embodiments of the method, the set of work rules constitutes a revised system schema. In another embodiment, the converting step includes interpreting the working rules according to the output setting of the at least one light source.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for implementing a light management system. The method includes receiving, at an execution module comprising a controller, system parameters sensed from a sensor system indicating the identity of a current user, and sending a request to a data storage device for a schema corresponding to the current user; , Where the data storage device is located at a location remote from the execution module. The method also includes receiving, at an execution module, a schema corresponding to the current user from the data storage device, and converting the received schema into instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one lighting fixture.

In some embodiments, the received schema is personalized for the current user. In some embodiments, the received schema is personalized for a group of users, and the group of users includes the current user. In other embodiments, the converting step includes interpreting the received schema according to the output setting of the at least one lighting fixture.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a lighting management system comprising a memory for storing a schema each containing at least one rule. The system also includes a network at a location remote from the memory. The network includes at least one light source having controllable output settings, a sensor system that detects the identity of the current user, and an execution module. The execution module is in communication with at least one light source and sensor system. The execution module receives the identity of the current user from the sensor system, communicates with the memory to receive the schema corresponding to the current user, and converts the received schema into instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source.

In some embodiments, the received schema is personalized for the current user. In other embodiments, the received schema is personalized for a group of users, and the group of users includes the current user. In other embodiments, the execution module transforms the received schema by interpreting the received schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source.

It is to be understood that all combinations of the above concepts and further concepts described in greater detail below (unless these concepts are inconsistent with each other) are considered to be part of the subject matter of the present invention disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of the claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this specification are considered to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the terminology used explicitly herein, which may also appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference, should be given the meaning that is most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein.

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which emphasis is generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary interactive transformed immersion (IMI) system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which user preference data, rules, and / or schemas are stored in a remote database.
2 is a block diagram of a lighting network in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which a schema is used.
3 is a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which user rules or user preference data may be shared between lighting networks.
4 is a block diagram of an exemplary personal identifier in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram of an exemplary execution module in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of an exemplary lighting network in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which a schema is used.
7 is a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which a schema may be used and user rules or preferences data may be shared.
8A is a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which schema and preference data may be shared.
8B is a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which schema and preference data may be shared and an agent is used to communicate with remote resources.
9A is a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention wherein the execution module is part of a light source.
9B is a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with an execution module distributed among light sources.
9C is a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention wherein each light source includes an execution module.
9D is a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which the light sources are in optical communication.
9E is a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which light sources communicate using various protocols.
10 is a block diagram of a lighting network layout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of a system schema in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
12 is a flow diagram illustrating an implementation of a user preferences or schema from a remote database in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention that considers preferences or schemas for more than one user.
13 is a flow diagram illustrating an implementation of a user preferences or schema from a remote database in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Reference is now made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Various implementations of the technology of the present invention and related inventive concepts, including specific implementations relating to interactive lighting networks that are aware of their environments, are described below. These networks are, among other uses, pubs, restaurants, stadiums, exhibition halls, museums, shops, shopping centers, night clubs, ballrooms, public transport, waiting areas, transit spaces It is particularly suitable for intelligent lighting in airports. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation manner, and the various embodiments explicitly described herein are primarily for the purpose of description.

The technology disclosed herein relates to lighting networks that can operate independently of each other and have access to common data that defines personal lighting preferences. The illumination and / or luminance produced by these networks is controlled by an illumination scheme, which is one or more rules of operation of light sources and sensors specific to the user, group of users, system or set of systems. The system according to the invention can intelligently learn preferences, rules and schemas, and share them among lighting networks.

Previous lighting control systems are generally self-contained systems. In order for the user's preferences to be implemented in another environment or for the learned parameters to be implemented in another environment, the user will have to carry a device that stores his or her preferences. Previous systems and networks are also unable to effectively share learned parameters with other systems and networks, including learned information by monitoring individual and system operations.

Applicant has recognized and understood that it may be advantageous to enable sharing of schema based on preference data among lighting networks implementing lighting control systems and methods. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention relate to the sharing of a schema or rules between lighting networks and areas of lighting networks. Individual lighting networks applying these aspects may then use pre-confirmed schemas or pre-confirmed rules to more effectively adapt themselves to behavior, preferences or conditions. Such systems and methods may be referred to as interactive deformation immersion (IMI) systems and / or networks. Individual IMI systems can also interpret schemas or rules according to the system's configuration, components, and capabilities.

1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which user preference data, rules, and / or schemas are stored in the preference data storage 112. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the IMI system includes an exemplary lighting network 101 that includes a lighting system 102, a sensor system 104, and an execution module 106. The term "network" as used herein transmits information (eg, for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and / or between multiple coupled devices. Refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or processors) that facilitate. As can be readily appreciated, various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices include any of a variety of network topologies and can use any of a variety of communication protocols. In addition, in various networks according to the present invention, any one connection between two devices may represent a dedicated connection or alternatively a non-dedicated connection between two systems. In addition to conveying information intended for two devices, this non-dedicated connection may convey information that is not necessarily intended for either of the two devices (eg, an open network connection). Moreover, it should be readily understood that various networks of devices as described herein may use one or more wireless, wired / cable and / or optical fiber links to facilitate information transmission throughout the lighting network 101. do.

Illumination system 102 may be any system that affects the environment of a space, including a system for providing one or more of illuminance, luminance, or a combination of illuminance and luminance. In one embodiment, lighting system 102 affects the environment of a space including, but not limited to, a system for providing one or more of direction, heating, ventilation, cooling, television, background music, and / or sound. Affecting system may further comprise. Lighting system 102 may include one or more light sources, such as one or more LEDs or lighting fixtures, in communication via lighting network 101. In one embodiment, lighting system 102 includes at least one light source having a controllable output setting. For example, lighting system 102 may include a luminaire configured to provide light distribution patterns or light fixtures configured to change its light output. One or more of the light sources of the lighting system may also have one or more passive controls, such as on / off switches or dimmers. Any adjustment of these manual controls by the user and the context for any such adjustments can be monitored by the execution module 106, and the patterns and preferences of the users within the coverage area of the lighting network 101. Can be used as input for learning them.

The term "light source" includes, but is not limited to, LED based sources (including one or more LEDs as described above), incandescent sources (eg, filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, Phosphorescent sources, high intensity discharge sources (eg sodium vapor, mercury vapor and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (eg , Flames), candle-emitting sources (eg gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (eg gas discharge sources), cathode ray using electron saturation Luminescent sources, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermal luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sound waves Sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent It is to be understood that the term refers to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including escent sources and light emitting polymers.

A given light source can be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within the visible light spectrum, outside the visible light spectrum, or a combination of both. Thus, the terms "light" and "radiation" are used interchangeably herein. In addition, the light source can include one or more filters (eg, color filters), lenses, or other optical components as an integral component. In addition, it is to be understood that the light sources may be configured for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, indication, indication, and / or illumination. An "illuminance light source" is a light source specifically configured to produce radiation with sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this regard, “sufficient intensity” is a space for providing ambient illumination (ie, light that can be indirectly perceived, for example, can be reflected from one or more of the various intervening surfaces before being perceived in whole or in part). Or sufficient radiation power in the visible light spectrum generated in the environment (unit “lumen” is often used to represent the total light output from the light source in all directions in terms of reflected line power or “beam”).

The term "lighting fixture" or "lighting fixture" is used herein in particular to refer to an implementation or arrangement of one or more lighting units in a form factor, assembly or package. The term "lighting unit" is used herein to refer to an apparatus comprising one or more light sources of the same or different types. A given illumination unit can have any one of a variety of mounting devices for light source (s), enclosure / housing devices and shapes and / or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. In addition, a given lighting unit may optionally be associated with (eg, include, and / or are coupled with) various other components (eg, control circuits) related to the operation of the light source (s). Combined or packaged with them). "LED-based illumination unit" refers to an illumination unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as described above, alone or in combination with other non-LED-based light sources. A "multi-channel" illumination unit refers to an LED-based or non-LED-based illumination unit comprising at least two light sources each configured to produce different spectra of radiation, where each source spectrum is referred to as the "channel" of the multi-channel illumination unit. Can be.

There are a number of known intelligent light sources and lighting fixtures that can be used as part of the lighting system 102 in the lighting network 101. In one embodiment, lighting system 102 includes lighting fixtures that include solid state light emitting elements. Any such luminaire has individually controllable illuminance of one or more of its component wavelengths so that a wide range of colors, brightness levels and color temperatures can be produced. For example, an LED luminaire may include red, green and blue LEDs. Other types of lighting, such as fluorescent or incandescent lighting, may also be integrated in the network. Some examples of such light sources are Royal Philips Electronics N. Lexel LED DLM systems and COLORBLAST / iW blast lighting fixtures available from Royal Philips Electronics, N.V.

As mentioned above, the term "light emitting element" is a region of the electromagnetic spectrum such as, for example, the visible region, the infrared and / or ultraviolet region, when activated by, for example, applying a potential difference across it or passing a current through it. Combination of or any device that emits radiation in any area. Thus, the light emitting device can have monochromatic, pseudo-monochromatic, polychromatic or broadband spectral emission characteristics. Examples of light emitting devices are readily understood by those skilled in the art, including semiconductor, organic or polymer / polymer light emitting diodes, blue or UV pumped phosphorus coated light emitting diodes, optically pumped nanocrystalline light emitting diodes, laser diodes or those skilled in the art. Any other similar light emitting devices as may be included. Moreover, the term light emitting element is used to define a particular device that emits radiation, such as, for example, an LED die, and is equally equal in defining a specific device or combination of devices that emit radiation with a housing or package in which the devices are disposed. Can be used.

As used herein for the purposes of the present invention, the term "LED" should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection / junction based system capable of generating radiation in response to an electrical signal. do. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the term LED is any and all that can be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the various portions of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum and visible light spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from about 400 nanometers to about 700 nanometers). Types of light emitting diodes (including semiconductor and organic light emitting diodes) are referred to. Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs. (More described below). The LEDs are configured to generate radiation having various bandwidths (eg full width at half maximum or FWHM) for a given spectrum (eg narrow bandwidth, wide bandwidth) and various dominant wavelengths within a given general color classification. It should also be understood that it can be configured or controlled.

For example, one implementation of an LED (eg, a white LED) that is configured to produce essentially white light may include multiple dies each emitting different spectra of electroluminescence that are combined to form essentially white light. have. In another implementation, the white light LED may be associated with a phosphorous material that converts electroluminescence with a first spectrum into a different second spectrum. In one example of this implementation, electroluminescence with a relatively short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum "pumps" the phosphor material, which then emits longer wavelength radiation with a somewhat broader spectrum.

It should also be understood that the term LED is not limited to the physical and / or electrical package type of the LED. For example, as described above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies each configured to emit a different spectrum of radiation (eg, may or may not be individually controllable). have. In addition, the LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (eg, certain types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED refers to packaged LEDs, unpackaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mounted LEDs, radial package LEDs, power Package LEDs, certain types of boxes, and / or LEDs including optical elements (eg, diffusion lenses), and the like.

Lighting system 102 may be controlled using a communication protocol such as DALI, DMX, or Zigbee, or using other lighting or device control protocols. As described above, the lighting network 101 may communicate via wireless and / or wired connections. Wireless connections may be, for example, radio frequency (RF), such as Bluetooth, or they may be modulated optical signals superimposed on the illumination light output of the illumination system 102. Lighting system 102 may be designed to provide illumination of spaces, to provide architectural features with luminescence, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the lighting system 102 is connected to the sensor system 104 via the lighting network 101. The sensor system 104 may sense one or more system parameters, including, for example, parameters, behavioral parameters or data relating to people for the lighting system 102, environmental parameters or data and feedback parameters or data. Can be. Although not an exclusive list, the sensor system 104 may include the following parameters: the presence of one or more people, the identity of one or more people, the physical characteristics of one or more people, such as blood vessel patterns within the body of a person, the location of one or more people. At least one of time of presence of one or more people, gestures of one or more people, actions of one or more people, faces of one or more people, sounds emitted by one or more people or from other sources, light sources Any combination of one of the output from, the level of ambient light, the amount of daylight, the movement, the temperature, the humidity level, the weather and the noise can be detected. Sensor system 104 includes, for example, a thermometer, a hygrometer for measuring humidity, a wind turbine for measuring air velocity, a diaphragm for measuring noise levels, an illuminometer for measuring illuminance values, CO ₂ or CO concentration. And one or more of an external weather sensor, such as a gas probe for measuring the concentration of certain chemicals, such as a detector for detecting daylight, and a rain detector.

In one embodiment, sensor system 104 may detect the identity of the user by detecting biometric data, such as fingerprint data or iris data corresponding to user 108. In another embodiment, the sensor system may include a video camera using facial recognition software to identify facial features of the user 108. In another embodiment, the sensor system detects the identity of the user by detecting the personal identifier 110 carried by the user 108. In one embodiment, the personal identifier is a device or portable device equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) card, badge or barcode. In some embodiments, the personal identifier is not part of the network but is detectable by the sensor system. In some embodiments, the personal identifier stores preference data, rules, and / or schema for the user. Sensor system 104 may also detect the presence and number of people who do not carry personal identifiers 110 or whose ability of their personal identifiers to be detected by lighting network 101 is switched off.

The execution module or execution unit 106 is connected to the lighting system 102 and the sensor system 104 via the lighting network 101, so that the execution module 106, the sensor system 104 and the lighting system 102 are It may be said to form part of the lighting network 101. Execution module 106 may be implemented in a number of ways (eg, having dedicated hardware) to carry out the various functions described herein. In one example, an execution module includes one or more microprocessors that can be programmed using software (eg, microcode) to carry out the various functions described herein. In another example, an execution module includes a combination of dedicated hardware for executing some functions and a controller or processor (eg, one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) for executing other functions. Examples of execution module 106 components that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention are, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific semiconductors (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). ).

The execution module 106 operates one or more of the light sources of the lighting system 102 of the lighting network 101 in accordance with the schema in response to conditions detected by the sensor system 104 in some embodiments. For example, the execution module may apply the first rule or group of rules in the schema when there is no person in the space covered by the lighting network 101, and the unidentifiable people in the coverage of the lighting network 101. When present, the second rule or group of rules in the schema can be applied. In another example, the executing module may execute the third rule or group of rules in the second schema to operate one or more of the light sources in the lighting system 102 in response to the personal identifier 110 detected in the scope of the lighting network 101. Can be applied. In another example, when sensor system 104 detects that one or more light sources within illumination system 102 are not aged or functioning properly, the execution module may be improperly functioning to correct the ineffectiveness of the failed light source. Control signals can be sent to

The execution module 106 may adjust the operation of the lighting system 102 in response to input from the sensor system 104. The execution module may further receive input from the sensor system that allows for selecting or changing the schema and thereby providing user interactivity. In one embodiment described in more detail below, execution module 106 may implement and update a schema or rules that make up the schema.

The schema is a set of one or more rules of operation of light sources and sensors. As used herein, a rule may include a precondition declaration that allows inference of other result information when satisfied. As such, execution module 106 may be considered as an expert system that includes or configures an inference engine, which may infer information based on sensed or determined conditions. The format for these rules may be as follows.

IF <premise> THEN <result>

Prerequisites may be determined via input provided by sensor system 104. Execution module 106 may examine existing facts or conditions to infer new facts or result information, for example,

IF <rain detector detects .01 oz liquid rainfall> THEN <weather = rain>

to be.

Inference of the result information may satisfy different conditions depending on user or system preferences, for example,

IF <Weather = Rain> THEN <Background Color = Red>

IF <background color = red> THEN <highlight color = cyan>

to be.

These rules may trigger execution module 106 to issue a command to lighting system 102 to set the background color as red and set the highlight color as cyan when sensor system 104 detects rain. .

Rules and / or schemas may be established when multiple IMI users exist in the lighting network 101. For example, one such rule may be as follows.

IF <number of users> ≥ 2 THEN <highlight color = average user highlight color>

When more than one rule may be applied and the implementation of the applicable rules result in conflicting result information, execution module 106 may execute conflict resolution to determine which rule is implemented. Certain rules may be assigned a higher priority than other rules. For example, an IMI user can have his / her own schema, a group of IMI users can have a shared schema, and an IMI schema can have its own schema. Priorities may be assigned such that schemas shared between groups of IMI users take priority over individual schemas of users, but only implemented when multiple members of a group exist within lighting system 101.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rules may be configured as requiring multiple conditions or requiring satisfaction of one or more condition options before inferring the information, and likewise of the one or more conditions. It may consist of inferring multiple parts of information upon satisfaction. For example, example rules may be described,

IF <number of group members> ≥ 3 OR <group leader does not exist> THEN <highlight color = average user highlight color>

IF <number of group members> ≥ 2 AND <background color = red> THEN <do nothing>

IF <number of users> ≥ (<number of group members> + 5)> THEN <background color = red> AND <highlight color = average user highlight color>

The lighting rules and / or schema may be modified by, for example, the execution module 106 or the user interface. The lighting rules and / or schema can be adaptable and thus can be modified by the execution module without further input from the user, lighting designer or external processing device. The term “user interface” as used herein refers to an interface between one or more devices and a human user or operator that enables communication between a user and the device (s). Examples of user interfaces that may be used in various implementations of the invention are not limited to these, but are not limited to switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, mouse, keyboard, keypad, various types of game controllers. (E.g., joysticks), trackballs, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touchscreens, microphones and some form of human-generated stimulus in response to and generating a signal And other types of sensors that can.

The lighting scheme may generate an implementation of the lighting script upon detection of the condition. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rules may be defined and modified in many other ways.

One or more components of the lighting system 102 may be preprogrammed with a set of default rules that define default behavior for one or more light sources. These default rules may be overridden or modified by the rules indicated with the higher priority specified by the lighting designer. Default rules can also be modified or replaced by rules that the system develops on its own as it learns about its environment and users.

IMI system 100 itself may have its own schema, which may be deployed or obtained from a schema data store or from another IMI system. The IMI system can be influenced by rules for rules, often referred to as metarules, to determine whether rules of certain classifications have limited priorities or are not allowed in certain situations. For example, it is easy to say that "general rules are invalidated by emergency rules" rather than individually identifying each and every rule that should be invalidated during a fire evacuation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a schema can also be overridden or modified by a higher priority schema and governed by metarules.

The collective rules of the schema can include a rule base that the execution module 106 can access sequentially to determine which rules should be fired. In one embodiment, multiple execution modules may access the rule base as IMI users move within and between buildings.

When it is possible for the system to rewrite rules and schemas according to past experiences and current situations, programs can be created that can examine the current situation and generate appropriate new rules in terms of user preferences and history. The artificial intelligence inherent in these programs makes them much more valuable than simple rule sets.

IMI system 100 is designed to synthesize new information from a number of possibly heterogeneous sensors within sensor system 104. For example, data from the occupancy sensor may be combined with data from the RFID sensor to determine if a person previously identified via the personal identifier 110 enters the space with the occupancy sensor. In this example, if there is only one person in the building, that identity is detected upon entry. At different places in the building, there may be occupancy sensors that do not detect the identity, but the execution module 106 checks the entire correspondence of the signals from the sensors in the sensor system 104 to infer the identity of the detected occupant. can do. Another example is that when there are two people in a building, both identities are detected by the system. If they are at different locations, the signals from neighboring, non-identifying occupancy sensors can be stringed together by the executive to keep track of the occupant's identity and thus provide preferences. Another example may be that one person leaves a common room, possibly from a group without a personal identifier 110. In this case, the system can gather clues about a person's identity from the speed he walks, the direction he's going on, and the wall switches he can adjust.

Lighting network 101 is in one embodiment in communication with a preference data storage device or memory 112 located at a location remote from lighting network 101. In one embodiment, preference data storage 112 stores personal preference data corresponding to a plurality of users, the personal preference data comprising a plurality of users including at least one personalized lighting parameter for each user. Corresponds to each. Personal preference data stored in the preference data storage 112 may be encoded as one or more rules within the IMI user's personal schema, within the group's schema and / or within the schema of the IMI system. As such, preference data storage 112 may be considered to be a rules database.

The preference data storage device 112 may be a database, register or other data storage element. The preference data storage 112 may be in a server connected to the Internet and may store multiple preferences and / or rules for multiple people. In one embodiment, the lighting network 101 can access but cannot control the preference data storage device. In one embodiment, the user 108 has access to the preference data storage 112 and can change the user's preference data and / or rules, including, for example, the user's personalized lighting parameters by the user interface. have.

For example, user 108 can access preference data storage 112 over the Internet. Table 1 lists example personal preference data that may include personalized lighting parameters that a user may enter and may be stored in a preference data storage device. Exemplary personalized lighting parameters include, but are not limited to, preferred lighting color, preferred brightness level, or preferred volume.

In different embodiments, the user's preference data can range from a single parameter to multiple parameters. For example, in some embodiments, the user's preference data may consist of an illumination level with respect to the desired brightness of the lights, or as indicated in Table 1, the user designated by the identifier (ID) may have the user's preferred illumination intensity (level). And spectrum or color, wherein the preferred color is encoded as a hexadecimal number, the first two numbers correspond to the level of red, the second two numbers correspond to the level of blue, and a third pair The numbers in correspond to the green levels. As shown in Table 1, the preference data may include start and stop times for the implementation of the preference parameters. Such preference data may be considered to be a set of rules for a user who controls the system's response or outputs to a particular condition or system input. Execution module 106 may use the rules to determine how to respond to a particular situation. For example, when the execution module 106 receives an instruction from the sensor system 104 that the user specified by ID 298 enters the lighting network 101, the execution module 106 causes the user 298 to have 06:00. You can access a rule specifying that lighting of color FF9966 is preferred at level 77 between 17:00 and 17:00, and preferably lighting of color EEEEFF at level 100 between 17:00 and 21:00.

The term “spectrum” should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation generated by one or more light sources. Thus, the term “spectrum” refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) in the visible range, as well as frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet and other regions of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Furthermore, a given spectrum can have a relatively narrow bandwidth (eg, FWHM with essentially fewer frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide bandwidth (multiple frequency or wavelength components with various relative intensities). It should also be understood that a given spectrum may be the result of a blend of two or more different spectra (eg, a blend of radiation emitted from multiple light sources, respectively).

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "color" is used interchangeably with the term "spectrum". However, the term "color" is generally used to refer primarily to the properties of radiation perceivable by an observer (this use is not intended to limit the scope of this term). Thus, the term “different colors” implicitly refers to multiple spectra having different wavelength components and / or bandwidths. It should also be understood that the term "color" can be used in connection with both white and non-white light.

The term "color temperature" is generally used herein in reference to white light, but this use is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers to a particular color content or shade of white light (eg reddish, bluish). The color temperature of a given radiation sample is typically characterized according to the temperature in Kelvin (K) of the black body emitter emitting essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample of interest. The black body emitter color temperature is generally in the range of approximately 700 K (usually considered to be first visible to the human eye) to more than 10,000 K, and white light is generally perceived at color temperatures of 1500 to more than 2000 K. .

Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light with a more significant red component or "feel warmer", while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light with a more significant blue component or "cold feel". As an example, the flame has a color temperature of approximately 1,800 K, a typical incandescent bulb has a color temperature of approximately 2848 K, early morning sunlight has a color temperature of approximately 3,000 K, and a cloudy noon sky is approximately 10,000 K. Has a color temperature. The color image viewed under white light with a color temperature of approximately 3,000 K has a relatively reddish hue, while the same color image viewed under white light with a color temperature of approximately 10,000 K has a relatively bluish hue.

Appendix A is illustrative of personalized lighting parameters that may be entered by the user and stored in the preference data storage 112 or in the personal identifier 110 and may be encoded as one or more rules in the user's personal schema. Enumerate personal preference data. As shown in Appendix A, example personal preference data may include personalized parameters for environmental control of devices other than light sources. For example, preference data may include preferences for devices that provide environmental effects such as, but not limited to, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, television, background music, and orientation. Preference data includes the following non-limiting list: preferred temperatures, preferred percentages of daylight, preferences regarding opening or closing of windows, the extent to which the internal temperature should track external temperature, preferred scents, public or private Preferred audio level, preferred humidity, preferred genre of background music, preferred type of television channel or program for use in hotels, waiting rooms or pubs, preferred songs or audio clips for sound systems playing music in the environment A list of preferred musicians, singers or groups, a preferred language, a YouTube or other video playlist, a set of keywords that may relate to YouTube or similar video clips or song themes, of favorite video clips List, Desirable Radio Moderators List, like the list of those things you do not like and can include one or more of the products that do not interest or concern.

Preferences and / or rules may be linked to a particular time of day, a particular type of place, certain places, or general geographic locations. These may be linked to a particular type of weather or any other sensed parameter. For example, bright cheerful music may be desirable on rainy days, while any choice may be acceptable on sunny days.

As shown in Appendix A, user preference data may include data other than data relating to environmental control of the environment. This information can facilitate the user's experience in various places. For example, the preferred type of room may be stored so that guests arriving at the hotel can recognize that the receptionist is notified by the network when the guest enters the hotel. These preferences may include preferred exercise equipment in the gym for automated scheduling, preferred or favorite food or meal, favorite beverage, and the like. User preference data may also include personal data such as, but not limited to, age, gender, and weight. In one embodiment, the data stored in the data storage device 112 is based on the following classifications: preferences that are what the user enjoys or preferred ways of expression, activities that are data about actual activities, state of physical and mental It can be considered to fall into one or more of the capability data, which is data about the biometrics / physical data and the capabilities of the user.

The user's preference data, rules, or personal schema may also be more abstract than those listed in Table 1 and Appendix A. For example, rather than a particular color or brightness or combination thereof, preferences, rules or schemas may be, for example, "bright", "animated", "subtle", "comforting", "rich", " It may be selected as one or more of "random", "economical", "wild", "amazing", "weird", "natural" and the like. It is up to the lighting designer to define specific color / brightness / timing responses and / or constraints that can be triggered by the detection of the user defining one of the above as preferences. This can simplify the data entry required for the user to define his preferences and allow an administrator or designer in the illuminated space to interpret the preferences, rules or schemas over the illuminated space specified (by a certain degree) by the preference owner. Can be. Occasionally, preferences, rules or schemas may be altered such that tasks and interpretations of different lighting managers or designers may appear.

In addition, individual IMI systems may interpret schemas or rules according to the system's configuration, components, and capabilities. For example, if the user's preferences indicate that the user's favorite colors are red and yellow, then the IMI system composed of white light sources can infer that the user prefers "warm" colors and that color temperature is accordingly. I can adjust it.

Table 1 and Appendix A show example user preference data stored in the tables, but the user preference data may be stored in different formats to improve efficiency and facilitate programming and access to the preference data. In one embodiment, the preference data is divided into a number of tables in the relational database.

Users who set their preferences can set to turn on certain desk lights from time to time. In one embodiment, the user may set the user's preferences in terms of zones that may be personal body zones (eg, overhead, eye level, low level, floor, front and back zones), It may or may not be based, and may or may not be time dependent. In one embodiment, the user may define intermediate distance zones and remote zones that execute light sources located at predefined distances away from the user 108 and / or the user's personal identifier 110. In one embodiment, the user can set room areas where the illumination is not sensitive to the user's exact location in the room. Preference zones are then mapped to defined zones within the network, and an algorithm is used to best provide the desired illumination according to the preferences. The algorithm solves the inverse problem of determining lighting settings to match user preferences, finds a suitable or optimal one if there are multiple solutions, and finds a fast or real time way to find a solution that can be satisfied without the proper solution. Can be used for If the solution cannot be found quickly, the solution can be implemented gradually. In one embodiment, IMI system 100 may choose to implement user preferences progressively and intentionally. In determining the lighting settings that match the user preferences, a corresponding rule for implementing the lighting settings upon satisfaction of the condition may be encoded.

In one embodiment, when an individual detects a change in preference in preference data storage 112, for example, via a manual control, the preference and any corresponding schema or rule may be automatically updated in the database. It may be updated intelligently, taking into account the pattern of time, frequency and similar requests, stored for approval by the preference owner, or ignored. In some embodiments, multiple individuals may store preference data in preference data storage 112 and intelligent updaters may be attracted from similar changes requested by the selection of other users or possibly other similar users. Can be. Because its ability to detect large amounts of data intelligently responds to data, updates and implements schemas, and integrates user preference data, IMI system 100 is aware of the environment.

2 shows a block diagram of a lighting network 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a schema is used. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the lighting system 102, the sensor system 104, and the execution module 106, the lighting network 101 may be configured with a local data storage device for storing user preferences or user schema. 202). These user preferences and / or schema may be downloaded from any storage medium, such as preference data storage 112, before being stored in local data storage 202. In one embodiment, lighting network 101 may also include a schematizer 204 configured to deliver the schema or schema files stored within schema data storage 206. In one embodiment, instead of or in addition to local data storage 202, user preferences and / or user schema may be stored in storage 208 in schema data storage 206 accessed by schematizer 204. Stored within).

In one embodiment, the schema is considered to be a list of constraints on what the lighting system 102 is capable of, how to respond to a particular input from the sensor system 104 or upon occurrence of an event. And lighting system 102 to operate in that environment. For example, the schema may cause the execution module 106 to operate using the default lighting script but deviate from the script when appropriate. In one embodiment, the lighting schema is a set of rules that can be modified to incorporate personal preferences when the presence and identity of a preference owner is detected. In general, the less constraints of the schema are provided, the more likely the lighting system 102, sensor system 104, and execution module 106 may be adapted to operate in that environment. Lighting network 101 may continue to track past events, including past sensor data and past outputs, from lighting system 102 to determine appropriate responses to specific events or scenarios. Moreover, lighting network 101 may detect conditions using sensor system 104. The administrator of the lighting network 101 can specify which schema is implemented by the lighting network 101.

In one embodiment, markup languages such as XML or similar languages may be used to generate the schema. The language used to create the schema may incorporate SQL instructions for accessing preference data storage 112 that stores user preferences. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other programming languages may be used to generate schemas such as, but not limited to, Visual Basic, C ++, and the like.

In one embodiment, schematizer 204 determines which schema or schemas are currently active and organizes a working set of rules in which execution module 106 is accessed and implemented. Schemaizer 204 may determine which schema or schemas are active by receiving an indication of which IMI users are in the space. Schemaizer 204 may wirelessly connect to execution module 106 to upload a set of work rules in memory within execution module 106. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that schematizer 204 may also be connected to execution module 106 via a wired or other communication link. In one embodiment, schematizer 204 is a hardware module, and in other embodiments, schematizer 204 is an executable program. Alternatively or in addition to schematizer 204, lighting network 101 may include a schema data storage device 206 for storing the schema. Schema data storage 206 may communicate with schematizer 204, and schematizer 204 may store a schema that creates or modifies schema data storage 206. Execution module 106 may also or alternatively download or receive schemas from other remote sources, such as from other networks or servers that may be accessed through the Internet, and store schemas within schema data storage 206. Can be. Schema data storage 206 may also store a schema that has been modified to incorporate the user's personal preferences. In addition, the schema data storage 206 may store a number of schemas from which the execution module 106 may select a schema to implement. Execution module 106 may select a particular schema for implementation depending on the user's personal preferences or other system parameters observed by sensor system 104.

Execution module 106 mediates inputs received from sensor system 104, mediates user preference data stored in local data storage 202, selects a schema from schema data storage 206, or alternatively. May be provided with a set of work rules from a schematizer, and may convert a set or work set of work rules into control instructions that enable the lighting system 102 to implement the schema and / or work rules. .

Schemaizer 204 allows a lighting designer, administrator, or other person to set device defaults such as default lighting for lighting fixtures and interactive behavior for lighting network 101. For example, the schema may define limits at which the device (eg, luminaire) output may vary (eg, in terms of chromaticity, intensity, or sequence of different outputs). The schema can work with the user's preferences and / or can be modified to implement the user's preferences. For example, the schema may specify the limits at which the device output may change, but the device output may be identified by the user being within the coverage area of the lighting network 101 and detected, for example, by the personal identifier 110. When present, it may be set within the limits set by the schema according to the user's 108 preferences, and the user's preferences are retrieved, for example, from the preference data storage 112 or from the personal identifier 110. Schemaizer 204 may be used to define and / or allow tolerances for execution module 106 and lighting system 102 to operate.

In some embodiments, schematizer 204 is a laptop, palmtop or other computer with a Bluetooth output or other suitable protocol. The schematizer may be temporarily or permanently connected to the lighting network 101. In one embodiment, the schematizer 204 may be located away from the lighting network 101. In this embodiment, the schematizer is connected to the lighting network 101 via the Internet or via a telecommunications network. In one embodiment, lighting network 101 may include one or more schematizers 202 and / or may communicate with one or more remote schematizers via the Internet or via a telecommunications network.

Schemaizer 204 and / or schema data storage 206 may be, for example, within the coverage area of lighting network 101 where user 180 having pre-stored preference data corresponding to the schema implements this schema. When present, a plurality of schemas may be stored that are uploaded to the lighting network 101 on demand. As such, schematizer 204 and / or schema data storage 206 may be considered to be rule databases.

In one embodiment, one or more of schematizer 204, schema data storage 206, and execution module 106 may be combined into the same components. In one embodiment, schematizer 204 and execution module 106 may reside in software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. Schemaizer 204 may be a pop-up utility program. In one embodiment, schematizer 204 identifies the presence of IMI system 100 and lighting network 101 and determines that it is able to control lighting system 102 and queries the remote database to determine the lighting system ( 102 is a web browser plug-in that dynamically determines code in a compatible programming language to determine an appropriate communication protocol for communicating with 102 and to display controls for lighting system 102. For example, many computers have sensors that can be programmed in JavaScript ^TM , and after detecting the lighting fixtures in the lighting system 102, the schematizer 204 can control the lighting fixtures in the lighting system 102. JavaScript ^TM code can be generated to indicate the dimmer control for the user. As discussed above, schematizer 204 can be located on a remote server connected to network 101 via the Internet, and the browser simplifies any environmental control opportunities available through its current wired or wireless connection. Can be programmed to find.

As such, in one embodiment, schematizer 204 is one or more physical hardware devices, and in another embodiment, schematizer 204 is one or more software programs. In another embodiment, a schematizer may be considered to be a service available to a user with components distributed throughout the worldwide web. In addition to creating a schema, schematizer 204 can be used by user 108 to set a user's personal preferences.

In one embodiment, schematizer 204 is lighting system 101 or lighting system 102 such as, for example, luminance and luminance systems that include data on the layout and types of light sources within lighting network 101. Receive the CAD file. In another embodiment, the layout of the light sources is created in the schematizer and the CAD file is sent to the building architect, lighting designer and / or device installer. The lighting designer or others can create scenarios for the operation of the light sources. For example, a lighting designer may create a scenario that outlines one or more of dimming levels, chromaticity settings, and beam angles for each light source within a constant lighting network 101 that vary over time. The schema may be considered to be a combination of scenarios for the lighting system 102, but the schema may be a scenario for a single light source within the lighting system 102. Moreover, scenarios for one or more light sources within lighting system 102 may be governed by a schema that may itself include multiple auxiliary schemas.

Different schemas may be created for different conditions or predefined events. For example, a particular schema may be generated for the celebrity's entry into the hotel lobby, or if the Down Jones Index falls below a certain threshold. In one embodiment, the schema preferably specifies a condition intended, for example, to be "famous" for the schema created for the celebrity's position, or "Dow-Jones_fall" for the schema when the Dow Jones Index goes down. It may be represented and referred to using meaningful words or words. These schema names may be downloaded when the associated schema is downloaded to execution module 106 and stored in schema data storage 206.

One feature of the IMI system is the translation of signals or signals from the sensor system 104, such as sensors monitoring the Internet, into words or signals that may be associated with schema names. For example, the sensor system 104 can be monitored for values of the Dow-Jones index and has an analysis option with an analysis option that can send the meaningful word "Dow-Jones_fall" to the execution module 106. It may include. Upon receipt of the meaningful word, the execution module 106 begins executing the "Dow-Jones_Down" stored in the schema data storage 206.

In a similar manner, a sensor for detecting personal identifier 110 may include a unit for delivering meaningful words to a receiver (eg, WLAN or RFID), an interpretation unit, and an execution module. Upon receipt of an RFID-signal from the celebrity's personal identifier, the sensor for detecting the personal identifier delivers a meaningful word "celebrity" to the execution module, which is stored in the schema data storage 206. Start executing the schema "celebrity". If other schemas are applicable, execution module 106 may mediate between schemas and / or schematizer 204 may provide a set of work rules to execution module 106 that considers both schemas.

In another embodiment, sensor system 104 may include a rain sensor and an extension that translates the detected ratio into a meaningful word "ratio". Upon receipt of the meaningful word "rain", execution module 106 may be named, for example, from schema data storage device 206 that allows certain light sources in lighting system 102 to be turned on or off. You can run non-schema. In one embodiment, the execution module may also control other devices in the lighting system 102 that provide audio effects, for example, in the network, and executing a schema “ratio” means that these devices are in the network 101. Can be used to emit sounds such as simulated rain sounds. As such, occupants in the lighting network 101 located in a room without a window may be aware of rain outside, and the occupants may experience a simulated rain experience.

3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which user rules or user preference data may be shared between networks. Lighting network 101 and lighting network 301 may implement the same or different schemas. As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting network 301 includes a lighting system 302, a sensor system 304, and an execution module 306. In one embodiment, the lighting network may comprise a set of sub-networks, such as lighting networks 101, 301 in the same or different buildings. For example, a company with a geographically distributed set of offices may have each of the lighting networks connected for centralized control or monitoring.

In some embodiments, both lighting network 101 and lighting network 301 have access to data in preference data storage 112 that may be part of a remote data storage for the schema. As such, when the user 108 moves to a location served by the lighting network 301, the execution module 306 may access the preference data storage device (or the personal data schema) to access the user's 108 lighting preferences and / or personal schema. 112). In these embodiments, user 108 may enter the user's preferences in preference data storage 112, after which multiple networks may access preference data storage 112 to obtain the user's preferences. Can be. For example, user 108 may set a user's preferences and / or personal schema within preference data storage 112 and the user's preferences, including the user's personalized lighting parameters, may be considered. A coverage area of 101 may be entered. The user 108 may then move to the coverage area of the lighting network 301, where the user's preferences and / or schema, including the user's personalized lighting parameters, may also be considered. As such, the user 108 may only need to enter preference data and / or illuminate personalized lighting parameters once and may do so before entering the coverage area of a particular network. Thus, regardless of whether the lighting network 101 and the lighting network 301 implement a different system schema, the user's preferences and personal schema can be considered within each lighting network. In some embodiments, only selected networks will recognize the user or the user's personal identifier.

In addition to storing preferences in preference data storage 112, in some embodiments, a user may store lighting preferences and / or a user's personal schema in personal identifier 110. In these embodiments, each user that effectively interacts with the network has its own mini data storage device. The collection of mini data storage devices is effectively equivalent to a remotely distributed database such as data storage 112. In this embodiment, the lighting network 301 may obtain the user's preference data including the user's personalized lighting parameters and / or the user's personal schema from the personal identifier 110. In another embodiment, lighting network 301 may obtain a user's preference data or schema from a previous network visited by user 108, such as lighting network 101.

, 아이폰, 개인 휴대용 정보 단말기(PDA), 호출기, 랩탑, 스마트폰 또는 전력을 프로세싱하고 통신하는 능력을 갖는 임의의 다른 전자 디바이스와 같은 모바일 전자 통신 디바이스이다. 도 4에 도시된 바와 같이, 개인 식별자는 제어기, 또는 마이크로제어기, 또는 프로세서(402), 위치 인식 회로(404), 인터페이스(406), 메모리(408), 선호도 데이터 메모리(410) 및 RFID 태그(412)를 포함할 수 있다. 이용자(108)와 같은 이용자가 이용자 인터페이스일 수 있는 인터페이스(406)를 경유하여 이용자의 조명 선호도들과 같은 그 또는 그녀의 개인 디바이스 선호도들을 입력할 수 있다.4 shows a block diagram of an example personal identifier 110 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the personal identifier is a mobile phone, a satellite phone, a BlackBerry.

Mobile electronic communication device, such as an iPhone, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager, laptop, smartphone, or any other electronic device having the ability to process and communicate power. As shown in FIG. 4, the personal identifier may be a controller or microcontroller or processor 402, location aware circuit 404, interface 406, memory 408, preference data memory 410 and RFID tag ( 412). A user, such as user 108, may enter his or her personal device preferences, such as the user's lighting preferences, via interface 406, which may be a user interface.

The location aware circuit 404 in the personal identifier 110 may be a global location service (GPS) circuit. The positioning circuit 404 may be operated using an assisted GPS and the location in the triangulation or personal identifier 110 from WiFi or other RF signals may be calculated from the signals from the accelerometers, or the personal identifier. The location of 110 can be determined based on a combination of these methods.

In some embodiments, the preference data and / or the user's schema are stored in memory 408 and preferences when needed, such as when user 108 enters a location with IMI system 100. It is loaded into the data memory 410. The RFID tag 412 may be detected by the sensor system 104 and / or may broadcast an identification signal in response to the network 101 or not required. The RFID tag 412 may communicate with the preference data memory 410 to access preference data and / or schema stored within the preference data memory, and the RFID tag 412 may transmit the preference data to the network 101. have. In some embodiments, personal identifier 110 is configured to transmit preference data to the network even when personal identifier 110 is turned off by the user. In one embodiment, preference data 410 and / or preference data stored in memory 408 may not be altered by lighting network 101.

RFID tag 412 or alternatively personal identifier 110 is centralized (or possibly distributed) in communication with a building management system for HVAC control and power average distribution information (obtained from a local power utility company). It can be managed by a security system that provides that data to an IMI system consisting of a data and event logging system. The IMI system communicates with each light source in the lighting system 102 but does not directly control it, which may have their own sensors and dimming / switching controls, respectively. Decisions about how each device is controlled are then shared responsibility as the device responds to sensor system 104, but can be overridden by the event logging system when power average distribution is desired. Similarly, the security system may invalidate all other commands during emergency situations.

In some embodiments, a user may have preferences and / or schema for use only in certain circumstances. For example, a user may not have any device preferences during work days or at shopping, but may have preferences such as lighting preferences when visiting a nightclub. For this user, the personal identifier 110 is programmed such that the preference data memory 410 maintains no data when the location recognition circuitry 404 detects that the personal identifier 110 is located at work or in a shopping mall. . When the location aware circuit 404 determines that the personal identifier 110 is in a nightclub, the preference data memory 410 connected to the RFID tag 412 is occupied by the human's lighting preference data. Similarly, when user preferences are stored in data storage 112, data storage 112 may only include preference data when user 108 is located in a particular environment.

In one embodiment, the user's preference data can be separated into different permission levels such that different networks can only access certain preference parameters. For example, lighting network 101 may be allowed to access only certain aspects of the user's 108 preference data, and lighting network 301 may be allowed to access all user 108's preference data. have. As another example, the user's lighting preferences can include color and brightness. A wider permission level can be provided for the brightness data, which may be appropriate for some people, for example in a business, shopping or museum setting. Narrower permission levels can be applied to the color preference data so that only night clubs, pubs and restaurants have access to it. Upon querying data storage 112, the network identifies its type, and data storage 112 only provides preference data that is allowed to be accessed by this network.

5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary execution module 106 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the execution module 106 includes a controller or microprocessor or processor 502, a memory 504, and interfaces 506A, 506B, 506C. In one embodiment, the memory 504 is configured to control the output of one or more of the light sources in the lighting system 102 in accordance with user preferences, one or more schemas, lighting scripts, or in response to parameters detected by the sensor system 104. Maintain computer readable instructions for the controller 502 to process them. For example, the execution module 106 may control the output of the light sources according to the preference data, such as the user's personalized schema stored in the preference data storage 112. In one embodiment, execution module 106 mediates between different inputs, eg, different inputs from various sensors in sensor system 104. In another embodiment, memory 504 may serve as temporary or long term storage for one or more of default parameters, learned behavior, user preferences, and one or more schemas. As shown in FIG. 5, the execution module 106 has three interfaces: an interface 506A, 506B, shown as wired interfaces, and an interface 506C, shown as a wireless interface.

Execution module 106 may be implemented via a personal or laptop computer, or it may be a standalone electronic module. In one embodiment, execution module 106 is distributed across multiple devices.

6 shows a block diagram of an exemplary lighting network 601 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which a schema is used. As shown in FIG. 6, lighting system 102 may include one or more light sources 603 connected to a power line 605 for their power source. In one embodiment, one or more of the light sources 603 may be powered individually, such as through a separate solar panel or by a battery. The light sources 603 may also be connected to the network control line 607 and may be in communication with the execution module 606 via the interface 506B. The light sources 603 may include drivers for converting the power input into a format suitable for supplying current to the light emitting elements. Sensor system 104 may include one or more sensors 610 connected to execution module 606 via network control line 612 and interface 506A. Although sensor system 604 is shown as using a separate interface from lighting system 602, sensor system 604 and lighting system 602 may share an interface with execution module 606. Furthermore, network control lines 607, 612 to light sources 603 and sensors 610 are shown as wired connections, but they may be wireless. 6 illustrates an execution module 606 that connects to schematizer 204 via a wireless communication link via interface 506C. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other communication links, such as a wired communication link, can be used to communicate with the schematizer 204.

7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system 700 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which a schema may be used and shared. As shown in FIG. 7, the user and / or system schema is stored remotely in a server or data storage 112 that can be connected to the execution module 706 via the Internet 702 via the interface 704. Can be. Execution module 706 in network 701 may generally execute a system schema, but upon detection of the presence of personal identifier 110 in its coverage area, access the user's personal schema stored in data storage 112. And use the identity of personal identifier 110 to retrieve. Depending on the particular network or schema in which more than one schema is available to the IMI system 701, the user's schema as downloaded from the data storage 112 may be used in different ranges.

As shown in FIG. 7, components of sensor system 104, such as sensors 705, may share control line 607 with components of illumination system 102, such as light sources 603. have.

8A shows a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system 800 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which schema and preference data may be shared. As shown in FIG. 8A, a schema may be created or stored in a schematizer 204 connected to the execution module 706. In addition, the schema may be stored remotely in the remote schema storage 802, which may be accessible to the lighting network 801 via the Internet 702 and may be centrally accessible to one or more networks. The remote data schema storage device 802 may be considered to be a rules database. In one embodiment, the remote schema storage device is a schematizer. In some embodiments, the execution module 706 downloads the schema from the remote schema storage device 802 for implementation in the IMI system 800. The execution module 706 may download the schema from the remote schema storage 802 in the direction of the manager, lighting designer or operator of the network 801. The schema may then be downloaded into schema data storage 206. Although shown as being stored in separate data storage devices in FIG. 8, the user's personal schema and system schema may be stored on the same server, separate servers, or distributed servers. In one embodiment, a fee may be collected from the download of the schema to reward the owner or creator of the schema. The schema may be recorded such that they are auto adaptable or independent of the size and number of devices in lighting system 102 and sensors in sensor system 104 in lighting system 801.

In one embodiment, the schema is passed to the remote schema storage device 802 after proceeding through a learning process to adapt to the preferences of the lighting network 801 and / or occupants of the building within the IMI system 800 located in a particular building. Can be uploaded. By making this schema available to other networks in similar buildings, by occupants doing similar kinds of work, the initial parameters are better suited to occupants than simply set by a ready-made schema or building manager. There's a lot more possibilities.

In addition, IMI system 800 may find that the behavior of occupants in a building changes or has more than usual. The IMI system 800 can then proceed with these changes and switch to a new schema or store a remote schema that can be compromised with the existing schema to obtain a set of work rules towards the new schema via data fusion. May be stored within the device 802. In one embodiment, privacy issues are taken into account when the schema is shared such that user preferences and / or schema may not be shared, or may only be shared to the extent determined by the permission level.

For example, referring to FIG. 3, lighting networks 101, 301 can be located in similar buildings, and lighting systems 102, 302 are daylight sensors in sensor systems 104, 304. Because of the varying inputs of the light source, each of the daylight control systems designed to minimize energy consumption over the years by varying the light output of the light sources within the lighting systems 102, 302 can be included. While a large number of parameters should typically be considered to generate control signals for the lighting systems 102 and 302 to implement such daylight control systems, using IMI techniques they can learn the best lighting solution through trial and error. It may be possible. Moreover, they may be able to communicate with each other and with other networks in other buildings to see their solutions. In this embodiment, the schema may be said to correspond to the buildings from which they are learned.

8B shows a block diagram of an exemplary IMI system 803 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which schema and preference data may be shared and an agent is used to communicate with remote resources. As shown in FIG. 8B, the illumination system 102 includes two types of lights, illuminant light sources 804 and luminance light sources 806. The lighting system 102 can include one or more illuminant light sources 804 and one or more luminance light sources 806. Execution module 106 is schematizer 204 based on inputs from personal identifier 110 or sensor system 104 or based on inputs from preference data storage 112 via the Internet 702. You can retrieve different schemas from.

Network 808 includes an agent 810. In one embodiment, agent 810 acts on behalf of a monitoring center having a central database of schemas, such as, for example, remote schema storage 802. Agent 810 monitors network 808 and passes behavior or newly developed schemas to remote schema storage 802. The agent can operate automatically, sending information only when there is something to send or triggered by a request from the schematizer 204 or remote schema storage 802. The agent may be recorded to be installed in new networks as part of software or firmware or may be recorded to be installed in existing networks as a software or firmware upgrade. When installed in one or more independent networks, one or more agents 810 may be controlled by a central monitoring center to download more appropriate and efficient lighting schemes from the remote schema storage device 802 according to comprehensively obtained knowledge. have.

9A shows a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which the execution module is part of a light source. The light sources 902A, 902B also include sensors for use in the lighting network 101. As such, the light sources 902A, 902B are part of the illumination system 102 and also part of the sensor system 104. Light sources 902A, 902B each include a sensor 904 and communicate over network line 906. In one embodiment, the light source 902A includes an execution module 908. As memory networks such as lighting network 101 evolve, or as more complex light schemas are implemented and / or as more users with personal preferences are within the coverage area of lighting network 101, additional memory. May be required or advantageous. Thus, in one embodiment, the light sources 902B each include memory modules 910. The memory modules 910 may be of different sizes or capacities to optimize the manufacturing chain and the supply chain of the light sources 902B.

9B shows a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which an execution module is distributed between light sources. In FIG. 9B, exemplary light sources 902C, 902B include sensors 904 for use in the network 101, and the execution module is distributed across multiple light sources. For example, in FIG. 9B light source 902C includes a controller or microcontroller 901 and light sources 902B include memory modules 910. This embodiment is not essential, but may be used in systems in which the user's schema is stored in the personal identifier 110. The light source 902C may be considered to be part of the illumination system 102 and also part of the sensor system 104.

9C shows a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention wherein each light source includes an execution module. The light sources 914A through 914C are identical and may communicate wirelessly, for example, via RF. The light sources 914 include execution modules 908 and sensors 904. The light sources 914 may be considered to be part of the lighting system 102 and also part of the sensor system 104. This embodiment can simplify the supply chain for the light sources 902A because the light sources 902A shown in FIG. 9C can be the same. In one embodiment, one of the light sources 914, such as the light source 914A, can be designed as having a master execution module, and processing power of other light sources 914B, 914C in the network as needed and when needed. And memories. In large networks, where there are multiple zones to be controlled with different lighting effects, multiple master execution modules can be designed that are all assisted by the grandmaster that controls the overall lighting effects in the space. For example, different groups of people in a bar or restaurant may have lighting of very different colors through their own personal preferences setting. Due to energy saving challenges, situations caused by the need to signal the VIP's entry or close of closing time, the overall lighting level can be dimmed or brightened while still maintaining the color preferences of individuals and groups. This embodiment may use a fixed layer of dedicated lighting controllers. Since the light sources 914 include the sensors 904, the light sources 914 can be considered to be part of the illumination system 102 and also part of the sensor system 104.

9D shows a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which the light sources are in optical communication. The light sources 916 may be lighting fixtures in which light emitted from one light source 916 is modulated by communication signals. This light is detected by adjacent light sources in the environment that are reflected from the surface 918 and configured to extract the communication signal from the entire detected light signal. As the light sources 916, like the light sources 914, 902A-902C, include the sensors 904, the light sources 916 are part of the illumination system 102 and also part of the sensor system 104. May be considered to be.

9E shows a block diagram of light sources for use in an exemplary IMI system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention in which light sources 920A through 920D communicate using various protocols. For example, light source 920A may optically communicate with light source 920B through reflection from surface 918, light source 920B may wirelessly communicate with light source 920C, and light source 920C ) May communicate with the light source 920D via a wired connection.

In one embodiment, the light sources 902A, 902B. 914A through 914C, 916, 920A through 920D may be wired to a power line, and in another embodiment the light sources 902A, 902B, 914A through 914C, 916, 920A 920D) are individually powered through individual solar panels or via a battery.

10 shows a block diagram of a network layout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Network 1002 includes a plurality of regions 1004A through 1004D having a plurality of light sources 1008 controlled by a distributed arrangement of controllers 1006A through 1006E that can reside within light sources 1008. do. For example, area 1004A can represent an office, area 1004B can represent a corridor, area 1004C can represent a waiting room, and area 1004D can represent a reception area. In one embodiment, each region 1004A to 1004D may constitute a separate network.

The term “controller” is used herein to describe various devices that generally relate to the operation of one or more lights. The controller may be implemented in a number of ways (eg, with dedicated hardware) to carry out the various functions described herein. A “processor” is an example of a controller that uses one or more microprocessors that can be programmed using software (eg, microcode) to carry out the various functions described herein. The controller may be implemented with or without a processor, or as a combination of dedicated hardware for executing some functions and a processor for executing other functions (eg, one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits). Can be. Examples of controller components that can be used in various embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific semiconductors (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

In one network implementation, one or more devices coupled to the network (eg, generally a light or light source, a lighting unit or fixture, a controller or processor associated with one or more light sources or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.). May serve as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network (eg, in a master / slave relationship). In another implementation, the networked environment may include one or more dedicated controllers configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. In general, multiple devices coupled to a network may each have access to communication media or data residing on the media, but a given device may, for example, have one or more specific identifiers assigned thereto (eg, "Addressable" in that it is configured to selectively exchange data (i.e., receive data from and / or send data to and from the network) based on " addresses ".

The term “addressable” is used herein to refer to a device configured to receive information (eg, data) intended for a number of devices including itself and to selectively respond to specific information intended for it. The term "addressable" is often used in connection with a networked environment in which multiple devices are coupled together via some communication medium or media.

In various implementations, the processor or controller may include one or more storage media (eg, volatile and nonvolatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). As generally referred to herein as "memory". In some implementations, the storage medium can be encoded into one or more programs that execute at least some of the functions described herein when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers. Various storage media may be secured or transportable within a processor or controller such that one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into the processor or controller to implement various aspects of the invention described herein. The term “program” or “computer program” is used herein in the general concept to refer to any type of computer code (eg, software or microcode) that can be used to program one or more processors or controllers. .

Each of regions 1004A through 1004D includes light sources 1008, which may be light sources 902A, 902B, 914A through 914C, 916, 920A through 920D in one embodiment. Region 1004A is shown as having twelve light sources 1008, region 1004B is shown as having four light sources 1008, and region 1004C is eight light sources 1008. Although shown as having, region 1004D is shown as having six light sources 1008, the region may have only one light source. The light sources 1008 can communicate with each other via a number of control paths, including optical, wired or wireless communication paths.

One or more of the light sources 1008 may have a processor and / or a memory. In some embodiments, light sources 1008 having a processor, such as controllers 1006A through 1006D, operate the schema for light sources 1008 in a given area. For example, controller 1006C may operate a schema for waiting area 1004C. In one embodiment, one of the light sources with a processor may be designed as a “master” processor or controller that monitors signals from other processors to ensure proper system operation. The master processor may also operate the schema for specific regions 1004A through 1004D. For example, controller 1006D may operate a schema for region 1004D and may also act as a master processor for network 1002. If the master processor detects a problem in the processor in the light source, the master processor may designate a spare processor in the network to be responsible for executing the schema for the region. If master controller 1006D detects a problem in a processor in a light source, such as controller 1006A, for example, master controller 1006D may, for example, be responsible for executing the schema for region 1004A. For example, it is possible to designate a preliminary process in the network, such as controller 1006E. Memory modules 1012 may store information such as schema and user preferences. In one embodiment, the memory modules 1012 each store the same information. If the controller cannot retrieve information from one memory module, it can retrieve the same information from other memory modules that can communicate with it. In another embodiment, one or more of the memory modules 1012 store different information from other memory modules.

In one embodiment, if one or more regions 1004A through 1004D or a section of the region does not have a controller 1006, the devices in regions 1004A through 1004D can receive commands therefrom, and the sensors can receive commands from other regions 1004A through 1004A. Parameters observed at 1004D).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, memory modules 1012 are distributed across a network. In this embodiment, subsystems or regions within the network may submit data to other subsystems or regions that use the information to modify localized databases. For example, a particular set of behaviors can be set in region 1004A, and preferences are stored locally in memory module 1012 located in region 1004A. In area 1004D, there may or may not be a set behavior, but if sensors detect some kind of different behavior there, controller 1006D may poll memory modules 1012 in the network and area 1004D We can find the closest match and copy across preferences or schema parameters to the local database / memory. In one embodiment, controller 1006D may also poll remote data storage devices to find the closest match and copy across preferences or schema parameters. The principle of transferring or copying lighting behavior from one area of the network to another can also be done using a database central to the network.

In one embodiment, the lighting system 102 is an existing device, such as Color Kinetics iPlayer or illumivision Pharos. These lighting systems rely on standard lighting network communication protocols such as Dali, DMX, and Zigbee. As such, lighting system 102 allows these protocols or other open standards to be used and thus enables lighting network 101 to communicate using existing lighting protocols.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of a system schema in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In step 1102, the initial device output is set to a schema stored within schema data storage 206. In one exemplary embodiment, the initial lighting level may be set to 10% when the room is not occupied. In step 1104, the sensor system 102 in the lighting network 101 may determine the user 108 in the lighting network 101 by detecting the presence of the personal identifier 110 or by detecting biometric data. The identity is detected, and at step 1106 execution module 106 retrieves preferences associated with user 108 (or user's personal schema, if any) from data storage 112. If the retrieved personal preferences indicate that the user prefers to change the light source output, for example, that the user prefers the 80% illumination level, then in step 1108 the execution module 106 sets the new light source output and For example, the lighting level can be set to 80%. In this way, the execution module 106 modifies the system schema to match the personal preferences including the current user's personalized device parameters, and instructions for controlling the output setting of one or more light sources in the lighting system 102. Parse the modified schema with When interpreting the schema into instructions, the execution module 106 and / or its controller may interpret the instructions according to the configuration of the lighting network 101. For example, the execution module 106 may interpret a schema that "comes up" according to the capabilities of the lighting system 102. For example, rules in the schema may suggest that light of a particular color is emitted, but the lighting system 102 may not have the ability to output this color. In this situation, the execution module 106 may instruct the lighting system 102 to emit light of similar color. The modified schema can be stored in schema data storage 206. In step 1110, when the sensor system 102 no longer detects the presence of the user 108 in the lighting network 101, the execution module 106 is at an initial lighting level of 10% at step 1102. The light source output in the lighting system 102 in the schema is set again and the calibrated schema is stored in the schema data storage 206.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an implementation of user preferences or schema from a remote database in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention where preferences or schemas for more than one user are considered. In step 1202, the initial device output is set. In step 1204, the sensor system 102 detects the presence of the user, for example by detecting the user's personal identifier 110, and in step 1206 the execution module 106 executes the data storage device 112. Retrieves preferences related to the user from. If the retrieved personal preferences or the user's personal schema indicate that the user may prefer to change the device output, then at step 1208 the execution module 106 sets a new device output. In step 1210, sensor system 104 detects an additional user 116 (see FIG. 3), for example, by detecting personal identifier 114 in the presence of network 101. In step 1212, the execution module 106 retrieves the schema or preferences associated with the second personal identifier 114 from the data storage device 112. In one embodiment, instead of or in addition to receiving preferences from data storage 112, execution module 106 may execute a user such as user 108 and user 116 to obtain the user's current preference data. Poll them. Each user can enter his or her current preferences in his or her personal identifier, which then provides this information to execution module 106.

In step 1214, the execution module 106 uses the preferences from the additional user 116 and the user 108 with the second personal identifier 114 to determine the average or combination, level. This combination may be, but not limited to, a mixture of the preferences of two users, an average of the preferences of the users, and a sequence of the preferences of the users. The preference data of one of the users may include registration data indicating that one of the users has a priority status relative to the other user, in which case the combination of the preferences of the two users is of a higher priority user. A weighted average of the user's preferences, which may be a choice of preference, or which gives a higher weight to the preference level of a user with a higher priority, or a weighted average weighted according to the personal identifier and the corresponding user's length of time, is within the space. It exists. In step 1216, the execution module 106 sets a new level of light output for the light sources of the illumination system 102 as determined in step 1214.

The transition from one output setting to another may be immediate or rapid, or it may be delayed or gradual so as not to facilitate users present in the environment into the new settings. The transition time can vary over a few seconds or minutes and this transition time can be included in the user's preference data.

13 is a flow diagram illustrating an implementation of user preferences or schema from remote databases in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 13, at step 1302, the execution module 106 receives data indicating time from the sensor system 104 or from an internal timing mechanism within the execution module 106. In step 1304, sensor system 104 retrieves ambient sensor inputs such as, but not limited to, weather inputs, temperature inputs, and daylight levels. In step 1306, the sensor system 104 detects one or more users, for example by detecting the personal identifiers 110, and in step 1308 the execution module 106 moves from the data storage device 112. Retrieve preferences related to users, such as their group sharing schema. In step 1310, the execution module 106 adds the retrieved preference data within the local data storage device 202. In step 1312, the execution module 106 inserts the shared preferences, time, and other data retrieved from the sensor system 104 into the system schema. At step 1314, using the modified system schema, execution module 106 determines the control signals to be sent to lighting system 104 for implementation of the schema. In step 1316, the execution module 106 sets up a new output for the light sources within the lighting system 104.

In one embodiment, the network 101 may provide the user with a tailored experience (eg, a tailored music experience) as the user visits various different places during the day. For example, a train station can have a video screen in its vicinity that can be controlled according to the preferences of the users. Those looking for a job can upload a short video clip introducing the type of job they are looking for and their skills, and optionally include a phone number. This clip can be automatically displayed on the screen for viewing by potential employees in the vicinity, facilitating encounters between the two. People who sell automobiles privately, or even if they sell other items, can do the same. The advertisement may be linked to the detected keywords.

While a number of embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various implementations may be made to carry out the functions described herein and / or to obtain one or more of the results and / or advantages. Examples may be considered immediately.

For example, significant energy savings can be achieved in large office buildings by controlling lighting and HVAC facilities for conference rooms. That is, the light sources can darken or turn off when the room is not occupied, and air conditioning can be reduced. An example schema for a conference room is that the following rules, (1) if the conference room is empty, all devices including lights must be turned off; (2) if there is a moving occupant in the room, the room should be illuminated according to the occupant's preference data, but the occupant's preferences should be scaled within a small range focused on white; (3) If there is one occupant in the room stationary and sitting at the table, the system should illuminate the occupant's desk area according to the occupant's preference data and at a reduced level, for example, a brightness of 30% of normal brightness. Illuminate the rest of the room; (4) if there are multiple occupants in the meeting room and all occupants are standing, then the light level of the meeting room should be set to the average of the occupants' preferences; (5) If there are multiple occupants in a meeting room and one occupant is sitting at the table, the light projecting on the occupant's table should be set to occupant's preference and the other room lights should be dark by 5%; (6) If all occupants are sitting at one or more tables, the table lights should be set to the occupants' preferences around the table as much as possible or within specific areas in the room, and room lights not directed at the tables are 30 Should be reduced to% brightness level; (7) if the occupants are sitting and one or more occupants become impatient after a certain time since the occupant is sitting, add a blue tinge to the lights; (8) When the occupant starts to happen, it may include one or more of the rules for lighting the room according to the occupants' preferences, but scaling the light output within a small range focused on white. This schema can be shared with other networks with conference rooms.

In one embodiment, the building management system may control lighting and HVAC facilities, but may alternatively only have knowledge of meeting schedules. The IMI system can assist by monitoring when occupants enter or leave the room, and can notify the building management system of how many people are in the room. Since each person typically generates 100 watts of heat, a set of 20 or more people can have a significant impact on meeting room HVAC requirements.

Lighting requirements in conference rooms often change as meeting activity changes. For example, participants can change between video presentations and whiteboard discussions. Devices such as video projectors may or may not be connected to the device management system, and it may be confusing to allow users to manually control the light sources if general lighting is required during the video presentation. However, the IMI system can determine the person in the meeting from their personal identifiers. Their collective lighting schemes and locations can then be used to determine their most possible lighting preferences for a particular conference room based on past history.

In another example, a network whose coverage area includes a break room may create and / or implement the following schema to respond to identified and unidentified people. The common room schema may include a default mode in which no occupants are detected in the coverage area of the network. In the default mode, the space is illuminated at a low level with slow but continuously changing color or brightness. Each time a person enters the break room, different colors are introduced. The break room schema may also include a mode for when a person is near the entrance of the break room but outside the break room. In this mode, as a person approaches the entrance, the lighting level increases slightly or changes color as a kind of invitation to enter. In one embodiment, either of the doors to the foyer is transparent or there are windows in the vicinity of the door so that the occupant can see a change in illumination level or illumination color. The break room schema may include a mode for occupants to enter the break room and look around. In this mode, the brightness within one specific or randomly selected area is increased or there is a color change in this area. As the occupant's focus shifts to the area, the system tracks the occupant's gaze. The brightness or color change is then further enhanced. In one embodiment, the bright or colored area then begins to move slowly around the room, and the system can keep track of the occupant's gaze. As the occupant follows a bright or colored area, enhanced brightness or color may continue. Otherwise, the bright or colored area may be restarted from the initial zone, possibly trying to derive an occupant along the area with his or her gaze at a slower or faster rate. If the occupant looks at another location, the area the occupant looks at may be brightened or colored, and the process may be retried from this new starting point. In one embodiment, if the occupant starts laughing or verbally confirms a bright or colored area, the entire room may respond to a momentary enhancement of color. In this mode, the room attempts to show the user what he can do as long as the occupant responds positively to it. In one mode, if the occupant points to a particular area within the break room, for example, if the occupant points to a bright or colored area on the guest accompanying him or her, the area the occupant points to may be brightened or enhanced in color, If the occupant enables them or retrieves from the guest's preferences or schema, the color used can be retrieved from the occupant's preferences or schema if the guest enables the preferences or schema. In one embodiment, if the occupant admires the break room and redirects, the occupant may repay with warm incandescent light around her according to a color selected from the occupant's preferences. If there are people in the break room ahead of time, lighting enhancement, color and movement can be minimized in the vicinity of these people so as not to disturb them. The illumination around these people already in the system may be determined by some implementations of a combination of their preferences limited by the full range defined in the schema. This combination is not limited to these, but the mix of occupant's preferences, average of occupant's preferences, selected prioritized occupant's preference, weighted average of occupant's preferences based on occupant priorities and different occupant's preferences. It may be a sequence.

In a break room example, when the occupant enters the break room and heads to a location within the break room, if the occupant is not interested in looking around at any point, for example, the occupant just sits and reads a newspaper or moves to a location (eg, a washroom) In a straight line, the lighting system provides reading lights according to the user's preferences and proceeds in a static lighting mode according to the user's preferences or attempts to determine where the user walks and to the user's preferences. Thus responding by providing extra lighting for it. If there are two or three possible destinations, all are illuminated until the system makes a more accurate determination of where the occupant is going. As the occupant walks toward the destination, a warmer glow may surround the occupant. This may be related to the weather, or may be contrary to the weather, the dominant color or the complementary color of the garment, or may depend on the occupant's seniority or level of priority. In addition, the color or brightness of light along the occupant may be determined by the occupant's preference data. The break room also has a mode for when the occupant enters the break room and finds the activity to be performed. In this mode, local lighting adjusts to the occupant's activity and the occupant's lighting preference for this activity. The remainder of the illumination gradually reduces brightness to save energy, but it is still slightly different each time the gaze of the occupant looks away from the activity by gradually changing the color. As the occupant subsequently begins to look further, the lights may begin to change gradually or quickly.

In another example, a schema can be created for a personal office for a user. This schema is not limited to these, but is not limited to switchable and / or dimmable light sources, personal identifier sensors such as occupancy sensors, motion sensors, RFID tag sensors, and personal identifier location such as RFID tag positioning sensors. It may be implemented in a network having a sensor system having one or more of the confirmation sensors. The network may further include one or more of software modules embodied on a computer readable medium, such as a timer or event scheduling module, a behavior learning capability module, and an energy usage logging and reporting capabilities module. The network can communicate with a building management system.

For example, a user can work in a private office without any windows, and can use an RFID key holder to receive access to the private office building upon arrival at the office, generally from the occupant's front door. You can proceed directly to your private office. During the day, the user may typically remain in the user's office, but sometimes leaves for scheduled meetings for long periods of time, leaving the personal office empty. The user can sometimes work late at night and on weekends, which can occur regularly or randomly. The IMI system may receive a notification from the security system that the user enters the building, which may then turn on the lighting fixtures of the private office. If the user arrives early and the building lighting fixtures are off separately from the security lighting, the IMI system can turn on only those lighting fixtures needed to illuminate the route to the user's personal office. The sensor system may also query the user's RFID tag on a regular basis to determine the user's location within a preset distance, such as, for example, one meter. If the user is in a meeting at a location in the building, the sensor system can detect this and the execution module can turn off the user's office lights according to a predetermined preset delay and turn them on upon return of the user.

The IMI system can also control the intensity of the user's office lighting throughout the day to mimic changes in natural daylight intensity. In addition, if the private office has solid state lighting (SSL) luminaires, the system can also control color temperature and spectral content to signal the user's 24-hour rhythm. Studies of night shift workers (and submarine crews) have shown that changing the lighting in this manner reduces employee stress levels.

The IMI system also recognizes from the user's preferences that the user prefers a significantly higher level of ambient light while a person in an adjacent office may prefer much lower levels of ambient light. When this person visits the user's office, the IMI system may choose to darken the user's office lighting as a compromise. As a primary resident of a private office, a user may be entitled to invalidate this behavior. If the user often negates the darkening of the lights, the IMI system will learn the user's preferences without being explicitly informed of this preference.

The IMI system can also access pyroelectric or ultrasonic occupancy sensors in the user's office. If a user's personal identifier is detected to report that the user is in a personal office but no movement has been detected for a long period of time, the IMI system assumes that the user has left the office but has left or fallen asleep on the user's desk. The lighting system can be dimmed or turned off. Again, the user can negate this behavior, and if it is often sufficiently invalidated, the IMI system can be learned to prolong the occupancy sensor latency and eventually ignore it entirely.

The IMI system can also be connected to the user's personal schedule and other devices, so if a user detects that he is asleep when the appointment time is approaching, it will sound an alarm, play and / or play the user's favorite music Will increase the brightness.

In one embodiment, the building manager has access to the user's daily activities, but these activities may be provided to the building manager anonymously for personal reasons. This may provide the building manager with records of the user's monthly energy consumption. If you make an effort to allow the IMI system to conserve energy (allowing you to turn off the lights in your personal office when not occupied), you may receive a small but notable amount back on his or her salary or some Other incentives may be provided.

The IMI system can also query the building management system to determine the hourly electrical energy cost from the utility company and to perform power average distribution by darkening the luminaires when needed or required.

Another example schema can be created for a personal office for a user. This schema is not limited to these lighting systems, including but not limited to switchable and / or dimmable lighting fixtures, programmable desk lamps with optical receivers, motorized blinks and / or electrochromic windows, and occupancy sensors. Personal identifier sensors such as personal identifier positioning sensors such as motion sensors, RFID tag sensors and RFID tag positioning sensors, luminaire or ceiling mounted daylight sensors, external light sensors, imaging sensors and It can be implemented within a network having a sensor system having one or more of the color temperature sensors. The network may further include one or more of software modules embodied on a computer readable medium, such as a timer or event scheduling module, a behavior learning capability module, an energy usage logging and reporting capabilities module, and an image processing and analysis capability module. . The network may be in communication with a building management system and / or an office computer system.

In this embodiment, the user may have a personal office with west windows. The user may prefer the luminaires to be excited during the morning hours, but in the afternoon there is usually sufficient daylight entry to darken the luminaires or turn them off entirely. However, the sun can be a glare source during late afternoons in summer, so the user can occasionally close the blinds and turn on the lights. You may also prefer to have the luminaire darken when you work with his computer with a desk lamp for work lighting, but you may need more light when you hold meetings in the office. have.

The IMI system can monitor lighting fixtures or ceiling mounted daylight sensors in the room, or it can monitor roof mounted daylight sensors. In the first case, the IMI system can operate the luminaires in closed loop feedback mode to maintain constant desktop lighting in the room. In the second case, the IMI system can operate the luminaires in the open loop mode to achieve the same goal, but it should be assumed that the blinds are open.

As such, the ceiling mounted light sensor can only determine the average amount of reflected light within its field of view. However, in one embodiment, the IMI system can determine from the time and date that the sun is likely to be a potential source of scintillation and close the blinds if they are motorized or equally dark electrochromic windows.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, if the ceiling mounted light sensor is an imaging device, the IMI system may be configured to: a) determine the current desktop lighting, b) detect whether the room is occupied, c) determine the locations of occupants in the room. And d) process the images for a variety of purposes, including performing security functions when the room is not occupied or after working hours. The IMI system can possibly monitor a computer mounted webcam.

In another embodiment, if the user regularly closes the blinds on sunny days during the summer months, the IMI system can learn this behavior and execute this function automatically when appropriate. If this action is not required, a simple "do not make final event" command entered via a desktop computer or mobile phone is sufficient to maintain IMI.

Although many daylight control systems can be easily disrupted by external events such as clouds passing by on a sunny day or reflections from delivery vehicles (real life examples), in one embodiment the IMI system can determine more appropriate responses. The output of the light sensor can be compared with those of other light sensors in the building or other buildings in the vicinity thereof.

The ability to monitor and share information from multiple sensors may be valuable for security in some embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, if the imaging device detects movement in the room at night, it may be an intruder or simple light from a passing vehicle. However, if this subsequently detects movement outside the room, it is likely for an intruder and thus an alarm event is generated in the building management system.

In one embodiment, if the IMI system detects that the user is in the room according to the location of his personal identifier, the overhead lighting fixtures should be dark and the latest desktop computer activity to determine whether the desk lamp should be turned on. The office computer system.

In some embodiments, instead of connecting the desk lamp to the lighting network with its own IP address, it is desirable to mount the desk lamp and other light sources with a photodetector capable of receiving commands generated by overhead lighting fixtures. It can be more economical. The light output of fluorescent or SSL lamps can be modulated with digital commands (similar to infrared remote controls) that cannot be visually perceived by users.

In some embodiments, the IMI system may also be consulted or not notified by the user's meeting scheduler and may change the room lighting in preparation for scheduled meetings, so that the sensitive visual that the meeting is about to begin Provide a queue.

With multicolor SSL luminaires, the IMI system also has the opportunity to monitor the color temperature of daylight entering the room and adjust the luminaire color temperature accordingly.

According to the embodiments described herein, once the schema for the user's personal office is established, the schema adapted towards the user's preferences can be shared with other networks. For example, the schema can be accessed by a network operating within a user's home office, or when the user is working from a satellite office other than that conventional office.

Another example schema can be created for a workspace for a user who is not a private office, such as an open office personal space. Such a work space may have, for example, direct-indirect fluorescent lighting and under-cabinet working lighting.

The IMI system can provide user work in workspace independent control of ambient lighting and work by overhead lighting fixtures directly on his desk. The IMI system can also recognize light distribution throughout the office space in which the workspace is located, thus ensuring that these lighting fixtures do not adversely affect the work and ambient lighting of neighboring workspaces or personal spaces. . For example, the IMI system can quickly learn worker preferences by recording worker responses to changes in ambient lighting and work initiated by their partners. While full satisfaction may not be guaranteed for everyone, the optimal balance can be set quickly. In one embodiment, office workers can be polled upon implementation of an environmental change by a partner, and in another embodiment office worker preferences are learned based on the environmental manual modifications of the workers in response to the partner changes.

In the schema according to this embodiment, the IMI system can save energy by monitoring daylight ingress and darkening overhead lighting fixtures as appropriate. It can also operate electrochromic windows or motorized blinds to minimize visual glare. In some embodiments, an IMI system can have access to multiple sensors, thus forming a better understanding of the distribution of both electric light and daylight throughout the space. Even if you cannot track individuals in space in real time, you can inspect the output from multiple light and imaging sensors to distinguish between changes in light level due to people moving and changing daylight conditions. have.

However, if the IMI system tracks individuals, it can respond to emergency situations requiring building evacuations and direct them through flashing overhead lighting fixtures by calculating optimal exit routes without the risk of congested exits. have. It can also be ensured that everyone evacuates the building and locates people who are unable to do so.

In the schema for the workspace, an imaging sensor mounted on the ceiling or overhead luminaire can monitor the user's location and control the under-cabinet work lighting accordingly. Alternatively, a flush-mounted pyroelectric motion sensor located within the display monitor can be monitored by the IMI system to control both the computer power saving mode and the working light in the personal space.

According to the embodiments described herein, this schema can be shared with other buildings, networks and IMI systems. For example, an IMI system whose coverage area has workspaces may want to use a preset schema to operate within the workspaces.

In some embodiments, the lighting system includes SSL-based lighting fixtures capable of free space visible light communications. SSL-based lighting fixtures do not require any low voltage wiring or conduits for communication cables, which may be helpful in embodiments where an IMI system is retrofitted in offices where installation of new communication wiring and conduits is extremely expensive. have. Systems using SSL-based lighting fixtures can also be inherently fail-safe. All lighting fixtures in each other's line of sight are capable of communicating with any other lighting fixtures in the group. If one lighting fixture or its embedded process fails for any reason, the rest of the network is not affected. Moreover, luminaires that are not in the line of sight of each other can still communicate via one or more luminaires in the line of sight of both luminaires. Moreover, a system using SSL-based lighting fixtures can use visible light communications without regard to radio frequency interference or channel capacity limitations as may occur with wireless communication technologies such as Zigbee or Bluetooth. In addition, no additional power electronics, for example as required by some infrared LEDs or radio frequency transceivers, are required for SSL-based lighting fixtures. Visible light modulators are an integral component of LED drivers.

Other example schemas can be created for use at the hotel. For example, a hotel may implement a schema to use spotlights or wall washers to indicate that an employee is available to serve the next guest. A network in the hotel with a sensor system that can identify guests can guide customers through lighting cues to employees who are prepared in advance to handle their registration.

Lighting and especially color can also be used to identify when tourist group members have to gather in a large hotel lobby or restaurant. Here, RFID-equipped hotel room key cards can function to guide and guide customers in an inconspicuous manner.

In a similar manner, color lighting can be used to support two people locating each other in a large lobby, for example by changing the intensity or color when they are in close proximity. In a similar manner, the IMI system can guide newly arrived guests to their rooms by tracking their RFID-equipped hotel room keys and by increasing the illumination level next to their doors in the long corridor, for example, If they make the wrong turn when they exit the elevator, they flash the light fixture.

The lighting management system may be perceived by customers as a system that responds to and supports them instead of or in addition to a system controlled by the hotel.

In a hotel pool or exercise room, guests may find themselves alone late at night or early in the morning. In this situation, the IMI system may use a camera to track the location of a person in the pool and follow them with color lights (such as LEDs embedded at the edge of the pool) or based on their physical activity level in the exercise room. You can change the intensity of color accent lighting.

In hotel rooms, the IMI system can slowly increase the light level 10 minutes in the morning or before the alarm sounds, providing a body with natural lighting cues that simulate sunrise. Similarly, bathroom lights can be turned on automatically when a guest comes out of bed during the night. At hotel grounds and gardens at night, the IMI system can guide guests along paths by tracking the location of the guest and controlling the landscape lighting accordingly.

According to the embodiments described herein, once a schema is created for a hotel, the schema may be, for example, other hotels, motels, condos that have similar entertainment facilities and lighting systems to the hotel for which the schema is set. It can be shared with other networks and IMI systems such as buildings and apartment complexes.

Another example schema may be created for use in a shopping mall or for individual stores within a shopping mall. Shoppers with personal identifiers indicative of membership in the reward program can be notified by changing the colors of the storefront if there are sales of interests or specific events as they approach the store. For other shoppers, changing the colors can represent a pleasant window display, but for members the change can serve as a notification.

Store entrance lighting can also instantly change colors as a rewards program when members enter the store (only if they enable this functionality), thereby confirming their presence and welcoming them. It can also serve as an incentive for other customers, especially to consider reward program membership only when they shop with friends.

In its most general concept, the IMI environment disclosed herein is the association of systems that can be combined to perform IMI related functions and networks that do not need to be fixed like this. For example, computers hosting sensors in the sensor system, such as ambient light and occupancy sensors, may not be aware that they are being used for IMI purposes. If they do, computers can affect its operation without an IMI system programmed to monitor and control them. From the standpoint of IMI, computers are simply data sources.

While a number of embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the advantages described herein and / or various other means for obtaining results and / or performing functions. And / or structures may be contemplated immediately, and each of these variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of embodiments of the invention described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art are intended to be illustrative of all parameters, dimensions, materials and configurations described herein, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials and / or configurations may be It will be readily understood that the teachings of TJ will depend on the specific application or examples used. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize or recognize many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein using conventional experiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are presented by way of example only, and that embodiments of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Embodiments of the invention relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods may be such that these features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods Inconsistencies are included within the scope of the invention.

All provisions as defined and used herein are to be understood as governing the dictionary provisions, the provisions of the documents contained by reference and / or the general meaning of the defined terms.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are to be understood as meaning "at least one" unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

The phrase “and / or” as used herein in the description and in the claims, means “one or more of these combined elements, ie, in some instances combined and in other cases separately. Both ". Multiple elements associated with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, ie, "one or more" of the elements so joined. Whether or not related to these elements specifically identified, there may optionally be other elements other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, reference to "A and / or B" may refer only to A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment when used in combination with an open language such as "comprising". And in other embodiments, may only refer to B (optionally including elements other than A), and in still other embodiments, may refer to both of A and B (optionally including other elements).

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as described above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" is inclusive, ie at least one inclusion, as well as more than one and optionally additional enumerations of multiple elements or lists. It should be interpreted as including items that are not. When used in the terms or claims expressly oppositely referred to as "only one of" or "exactly one of", "consisting of" shall refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number of elements or list . In general, the term “or”, when used herein, shall be preceded by exclusive terms such as “only one”, “one of”, “only one of” or “exactly one of”. When interpreting only exclusional alternatives (ie "not both, but one and the other"). “Consisting essentially of” when used in the claims may have their general meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the description and in the claims, the phrase “at least one” refers to at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements of the list of elements when referring to a list of one or more elements, It should be understood that it does not necessarily include at least one of each and every element listed specifically in the list of elements and does not exclude any combination of elements of the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements referred to by the phrase “at least one” whether or not related to those elements specifically identified. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently "at least one of A and / or B") in one embodiment B May refer to at least one optionally containing more than one A in which is not present (optionally including elements other than B), and in other embodiments more than one B in which A is not optionally present (optionally A And at least one, optionally including more than one, optionally more than one, including more than one B (optionally including other elements). At least one may be referred to.

Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, in any of the methods claimed herein including more than one step or operation, the order of the steps or actions of the method is necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or actions of the method are mentioned. It should also be understood.

In the claims, as well as in the foregoing detailed description, "comprising", "comprising", "having", "having", "having", "accommodating", "maintaining", "consisting of" and the like All such transition phrases are to be understood as being open, ie meaning 'including, but not limited to'. The transition phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” may be closed or semi-closed conversion phrases, respectively, as described in the US Patent Office Patent Examination Procedures Handbook, section 2111.03.

Appendix A: Example Registration and Preference Data

101, 301, 701, 601, 801, 808: network 102: light source
104: sensor system 106: execution module
112: first memory 204: schematizer
502: controller 706: execution module
802: remote memory 810: agent module

Claims (48)

In lighting management systems:
A first memory 112 for storing personal preference data corresponding to a plurality of users, the personal preference data corresponding to each of the plurality of users including at least one personalized lighting parameter for each user, The first memory (112); And
A network 101, 301, 601, 701, 801, 808 in a location spaced from the first memory,
The network is:
At least one light source 102 having a controllable output setting,
Second memories 206 and 802 for storing a schema comprising at least one standard lighting parameter,
A sensor system 104 that detects the identity of the current user 108, and
Execution modules 106 and 706 in communication with the at least one light source, the second memory and the sensor system, the execution module including a controller 502, wherein the execution module is a current user from the sensor system. And communicate with the first memory to receive an identity of and to determine personal preference data corresponding to the current user. The method of claim 1,
The execution module modifies the schema to match a personalized lighting parameter of the current user, and the execution module converts the modified schema into instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source. . The method of claim 2,
The execution module converts the modified schema into instructions by interpreting the modified schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source. The method of claim 2,
The execution module stores the modified schema in the second memory. The method of claim 1,
The sensor system detects an absence of a current user, the execution module corrects the modified schema to conform to the standard lighting parameter, and the execution module stores the corrected schema in the second memory. , Lighting management system. The method of claim 1,
The sensor system detects the identity of the additional user 116, and the execution module receives the identity of the additional user from the sensor system and communicates with the first memory to correspond to the additional user. The calibrated schema with instructions for determining preference data, generating a shared personalized lighting parameter, calibrating the schema to match a shared personalized lighting parameter, and controlling the output setting of the at least one light source. To transform, lighting management system. The method according to claim 6,
The execution module generates a shared personalized lighting parameter by averaging the current user's personalized lighting parameters and the additional user's personalized lighting parameters. The method according to claim 6,
The execution module generates a shared personalized lighting parameter by selecting one of the current user's personalized lighting parameters and an additional user's personalized lighting parameters. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the sensor system detects the identity of the current user by detecting a radio frequency identification card (110) carried by the current user. The method of claim 1,
And the sensor system detects the identity of the current user by detecting biometric data corresponding to the current user. The method of claim 1,
The sensor system detects environmental data and behavior data, and the execution module modifies the schema according to at least one of the environmental data and the behavior data. The method of claim 1,
The second memory stores a plurality of schemas, wherein the execution module selects one of the plurality of schemas in dependence on the personal preference data of the current user, and wherein the execution module controls the output setting of the at least one light source. And convert the selected schema into instructions for. The method of claim 1,
The sensor system detects light source output data indicating an operating error in the at least one light source, and the execution module provides a correction signal to the at least one light source to correct the operating error. The method of claim 1,
The network further comprises a schematizer (204) for generating the schema. The method of claim 1,
The at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources 902A to 902C, 914A to 914C, 916, 920A to 920D, which communicate with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link. 1008). The method of claim 1,
The network further comprises an agent module (810), wherein the execution module is in communication with the second memory via communications with the agent module. In lighting management systems:
Sensor system 104 for observing system parameters;
At least one light source 102 in communication with the sensor system via a network 101, 103, 601, 701, 801, 808 and having controllable output settings; And
An execution module (106, 706) in communication with the sensor system and the at least one light source via the network and with a remote memory (802) for storing at least one schema via a communication link (702); The execution module includes a controller 502, receives observed system parameters from sensors, sends a request to the remote memory for a schema that includes information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters, Receiving the schema from a remote database and converting the schema with instructions for controlling output settings of the at least one light source. The method of claim 17,
And the at least one light source comprises at least one lighting fixture. The method of claim 17,
The observed system parameters relate to one or more people, the presence of one or more people, the identity of one or more people, the location of one or more people, the time of the presence of one or more people, the gestures of one or more people, the one or more people At least one of operations, faces of one or more people, and sounds emitted by one or more people. The method of claim 17,
And the observed system parameters include at least one of the output from the at least one light source, the level of ambient lighting, the amount of daylight, the movement, the temperature, the humidity level, the weather and the noise. The method of claim 17,
The execution module is distributed across a plurality of light sources 902 located within the at least one light source or communicating with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link. Lighting management system. The method of claim 17,
The execution module communicates with the remote memory via a memory 504, a first interface to facilitate communication with at least one of the at least one light source and sensors 506A, 506B, and a communication link 506C. And a second interface for facilitating communication. The method of claim 17,
The execution module converts the schema into instructions by interpreting the schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source. In a method for implementing a lighting management system:
At an execution module 106, 706 comprising a controller 502, receiving parameters observed from the sensor system 104;
Sending a request for a schema to a data storage device 802, wherein the request includes information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters, the data storage device being spaced apart from the execution module; Located in the request transmission step for the schema;
Receiving, at the execution module, a schema from the data storage device;
Converting, by the execution module, the schema into instructions for controlling output settings of the at least one light source (102). The method of claim 24,
Receiving the observed system parameters includes receiving an identity of a current user, the transmitted request includes information indicating the identity of the current user, and the received schema is in accordance with the preferences of the current user. A lighting management system implementation method comprising lighting parameters. The method of claim 24,
And storing the received schema in a local memory. The method of claim 24,
And wherein said converting step includes interpreting, by said execution module, said schema according to output settings of said at least one light source. In the execution module for use in the lighting management system:
A sensor interface 506A for receiving system parameters observed from the sensor system;
A light source interface 506B for transmitting control parameters to at least one light source 102;
A schematizer interface 506C for sending a request for a schema to a remote schematizer 204, the request comprising information indicating at least one of the observed system parameters, and the schematizer interface The schematizer interface 506C is also for receiving a schema from the remote schematizer;
Memory (504, 506B) for storing the observed system parameters and the schema; And
A controller 502 for converting the schema into instructions for controlling output settings of the at least one light source and interpreting the schema according to the output settings of the at least one light source. Execution module for 29. The method of claim 28,
The sensor interface is for receiving additional observed system parameters, and the processor is further for modifying the schema to compensate for the additional observed system parameters. In lighting management systems:
A first memory 112 for storing personal preference data corresponding to a plurality of users, the personal preference data corresponding to each of the plurality of users comprising at least one personalized lighting parameter for each user, The first memory (112); And
A network 101, 301, 601, 701, 801, 808 in a location spaced from the first memory,
The network is:
At least one light source 102 having a controllable output setting,
A sensor system 104 that detects the identity of the current user, and
Execution modules 106 and 706 in communication with the at least one light source, the second memory 504 and the sensor system, the execution module storing a controller 502 and at least one standard illumination parameter. A memory, the execution module receiving an identity of the current user from the sensor system, communicating with the first memory to determine personal preference data corresponding to the current user, and matching the current user's personalized lighting parameters Modify the standard lighting parameter, and the execution module converts the personalized lighting parameter into instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source. In lighting management systems:
A sensor system 104 for receiving an environmental input comprising at least one user identifier;
At least one light source 102 having a controllable output setting;
A schema data storage device 802 for storing a schema, wherein the schema includes one or more of a user specific schema, a group schema, a system specific schema, and a shared system schema, each stored schema outputting the at least one light source. The schema data storage device (802) including at least one rule for controlling a setting;
As a schematizer 204 in communication with the sensor system and the schema data storage device, the schematizer determines which schema in the schema data storage device is applicable in view of the environment inputs The schematizer 204 for generating a set of applicable rules for controlling output settings; And
An execution module (106, 706) in communication with the at least one light source and the schematizer, the execution module including a controller (502), the execution module comprising a set of rules applicable from the schematizer And convert at least one rule in the set of rules applicable with instructions for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source. The method of claim 31, wherein
The schema data storage device is located at a location spaced from the at least one light source. The method of claim 31, wherein
Wherein the schematizer continuously monitors the environment input to determine which schema in the schema data store is applicable. The method of claim 31, wherein
Wherein the schematizer generates the set of applicable rules by averaging output settings or by prioritizing the rules of the applicable schema. The method of claim 31, wherein
The set of applicable rules constitutes a calibrated system specific schema. The method of claim 31, wherein
The at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources 902A to 902C, 914A to 914C, 916, 920A to 920D, which communicate with each other using at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, a radio frequency communication link, and an optical communication link. 1008). The method of claim 31, wherein
The execution module converts the at least one rule into instructions by interpreting the at least one rule according to the output setting of the at least one light source. In a method for implementing a lighting management system:
Receiving an environment input comprising at least one user identifier;
Accessing schema data storage 802 to retrieve at least one applicable schema in view of the environment input, wherein the at least one applicable schema controls the output setting of at least one light source 102. Accessing the schema data storage device (802), including rules for;
Mediating inconsistency rules in the at least one applicable schema to determine a set of working rules for controlling the output setting of the at least one light source; And
Converting the work rules into instructions for controlling an output setting of the at least one light source. The method of claim 38,
And the schema data storage device is located at a location spaced from the at least one light source. The method of claim 38,
Continuously monitoring the environmental data to determine which schema is applicable. The method of claim 38,
Wherein said arbitration step comprises (i) averaging output settings of rules of said applicable schema or (ii) prioritizing rules of said applicable schema. The method of claim 38,
Wherein the set of work rules constitute a calibrated system schema. In a method for implementing a lighting management system:
At an execution module (106, 706) comprising a controller (502), receiving sensed system parameters from a sensor system (104) indicating the identity of the current user;
Transmitting a request for a schema corresponding to a current user (108) to a data storage device (802), wherein the data storage device is located at a location remote from the execution module;
Receiving, at the execution module, a schema corresponding to a current user from the data storage device; And
Converting the received schema into instructions for controlling an output setting of at least one lighting fixture (102). The method of claim 43,
Wherein the received schema is personalized for a current user or for a group of users, the group of users comprising a current user. The method of claim 43,
And the converting step includes interpreting the received schema in accordance with an output setting of the at least one lighting fixture. In lighting management systems:
A memory 802 for storing a schema each including at least one rule; And
A network (101, 301, 601, 701, 801, 808) at a location remote from the memory,
The network is:
At least one light source 102 having a controllable output setting,
A sensor system 104 that detects the identity of the current user, and
Execution modules 106 and 706 in communication with the at least one light source and the sensor system, the execution module receiving an identity of a current user from the sensor system and receiving the schema corresponding to the current user. In communication with a memory, the execution module converts the received schema into instructions for controlling an output setting of the at least one light source. The method of claim 46,
Wherein the received schema is personalized for a current user or for a group of users, the group of users comprising a current user. The method of claim 46,
The execution module converts the received schema by interpreting the received schema according to the output setting of the at least one light source.

Images