Remote color control device and lighting system

A device is disclosed for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system. The lighting system comprises signal receiving means and means for adjusting the color of light emitted from at least one lighting element, in response to a received color control signal from the device. The device for wireless control comprises means for—generating color information data, said data being indicative of a desired color of light to be emitted by the lighting system, means for modulating a first carrier signal in accordance with the color information data, and means for transmitting said color control signal in the form of a beam of said first modulated carrier signal to the lighting system.

The present invention relates to a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system, as well as a lighting system.

Light sources that are capable of producing a very large part of the spectrum of colored light have become more and more commonplace, both in private households and in commercial entities such as retail shops, pleasure grounds and discotheques. There is a desire, from a private household perspective, to be able to create essentially any color or atmosphere in the living room, bedroom etc. From the perspective of a commercial enterprise, the desire is to provide attractive colored displaying options for products and to provide an attractive atmosphere, e.g. in combination with music in a discotheque. Moreover, there is typically a desire to be able to quickly and intuitively change the color of the light output by such lighting systems.

What is lacking in the technical field of lighting systems at the moment are such devices that provide easy and intuitive ways to control the colors of the light sources in a lighting system. This is a problem, not least with regard to environments where large numbers of light sources are to be controlled.

Until now, essentially the only way in which lighting systems are controlled is to switch the light source(s) in the systems on or off, or possibly also dimming the light sources. One example of a prior art device for controlling light sources is disclosed in “Remote control unit using visible light”, by Hans-Peter Herzig in Motorola Technical Developments, September 1998. A light beam is modulated with one or more AC frequencies. Aiming the light beam at a light source equipped with a decoding detector changes the status of a flip-flop, whereby the light source is either switched on or off. However, this device is not capable of controlling the color of the emitted light to be any desired color.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide an easy and intuitive way of controlling the light of a lighting system to be any desired color.

The object is achieved in different aspects as a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system and a lighting system according to the appended claims.

Hence, in a first aspect, the invention provides a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system. The lighting system comprises signal receiving means and means for adjusting the color of light emitted from at least one lighting element, in response to a received color control signal from the device. The device for wireless control comprises means for:generating color information data, said data being indicative of a desired color of light to be emitted by the lighting system,modulating a first carrier signal in accordance with the color information data, andtransmitting said color control signal in the form of a beam of said first modulated carrier signal to the lighting system.

The means for transmitting a beam are preferably configured to adjust the angular extent of the beam, thereby enabling simultaneous control of a plurality of lighting systems located at different locations as well as controlling a single lighting system in an environment where a plurality of lighting systems are arranged close to each other.

Preferably, the device comprises means for displaying the desired color, in such a manner that it is perceivable by a user of the device. This is an advantageous feedback feature that makes the device user-friendlier.

By incorporating means for storing the color information data, the device may be used to control a plurality of different lighting systems that are located at different sites. That is, a desired color may be “picked up” and transferred (“pasted”) to a multitude of systems in an intuitive manner.

By also incorporating intensity control, the inventive device is even more useful in controlling a lighting environment to be as desired. Hence, the device may further comprise means for:generating intensity information data, said data being indicative of a desired intensity of light to be emitted by the lighting system, andmodulating said first carrier signal also in accordance with the intensity information data.

Alternatively, a second carrier signal may be modulated in accordance with the intensity information data, and transmitted as a beam to the lighting system.

In a preferred embodiment of a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system, the device utilizes light as a carrier for color information. Hence:said means for generating color information data and said means for modulating a first carrier signal comprise color setting means configured to be set to said desired color and a color light unit configured to emit light of said desired color set by said color setting means, andsaid means for transmitting a beam of said first modulated carrier signal comprises optical focusing means configured to focus said light emitted by said color light unit.

The emission of the desired light by the device is advantageous in that it provides an immediate feedback to a user, thereby making the use of the device simple and intuitive.

The device may also, or alternatively, be equipped with color detection means in such a manner that:said means for generating color information data and said means for modulating a first carrier signal comprise color detection means and a color light unit configured to emit light of a color detected by said color detection means.

This is advantageous in that it enables a user to copy a desired color from a light source or a surface or object having the desired color.

Additionally, said means for modulating said first carrier signal also in accordance with the intensity information data might be configured to modulate the first carrier signal by a frequency, said frequency being indicative of said intensity information data.

This is advantageous in that the carrier signal is used efficiently, carrying both color information as well as encoded, i.e. modulated, intensity information.

In a preferred embodiment of a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system, the device utilizes infrared (IR) radiation as a carrier for color information. Hence:said means for generating color information data comprise color detection means configured to detect said desired color,said means for modulating a first carrier signal comprise means for digital modulation of an IR-beam, andsaid means for transmitting a beam of said first modulated carrier signal comprises optical focusing means configured to focus said IR-beam.

Preferably, the device further comprises means for generating a collimated light beam having a beam direction parallel to said IR-beam. This is advantageous in that it facilitates when pointing the (invisible) IR beam towards an intended target lighting system. The collimated beam may be any kind of light that is capable of reproducing a visible indication on a surface on which it is incident, such as a laser beam.

The color detection means may be configured to detect the desired color from a surface. In order to facilitate detecting from a surface, the color detection means may comprise a source of auxiliary light configured to illuminate said surface. The auxiliary light may be white light or any combination of more or less monochromatic light sources utilized, e.g., in a scanning fashion.

The means for generating color information data may be configured to perform a first color detection while said source of auxiliary light is active and a second color detection while said source of auxiliary light is inactive, and perform a comparison of results from said two color detections, said comparison yielding a determination of whether said first and second detections are of light emanating from a surface or not.

By such a configuration, the device will be able to establish whether or not to use a previous color detection for copying to a lighting system or to copy lamp settings to use a new color detection from a reference surface to control the color of the lighting system.

This is advantageous in a case where the device forms part of, e.g., an RC5 controlled lighting environment, where the device may be used in a simple manner to copy a color from a first lighting system to a second lighting system.

Said means for generating intensity information data may comprise rotation-sensing means configured to sense a rotational movement of the device and to quantify the sensed rotational movement into intensity information data.

In another preferred embodiment of a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by a lighting system, the device further comprises means for:generating and transmitting a beam of a selection signal, said selection signal for selecting a specific lighting element to receive said color control signal,receiving said system color information data from said selected lighting element, and where said means for displaying the desired color is configured to display the system color information.

That is, such a device is operable in combination with a lighting system that further comprises means for transmitting system color information data indicative of the color of light emitted from at least one lighting element and which is capable of receiving and responding to a selection signal from the device.

Preferably, the means for generating and transmitting a beam of a selection signal is further configured to transmit a beam of a de-selection signal for de-selecting said specific lighting element.

In a case where the lighting system further comprises means for transmitting system intensity information data indicative of the intensity of light emitted from at least one of said at least one lighting element, said device may further comprise means for:detecting a user action indicating that intensity information data is to be transmitted between the device and the system, and means forreceiving said system intensity information data, and where said means for displaying the desired color is further configured to display the system intensity information.

Toggling may be facilitated in that the means for detecting a user action indicating that intensity information data is to be transmitted between the device and the system is further configured to detect a user action indicating that color information data is once more to be transmitted between the device and the system.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lighting system comprising means for adjusting the color of light emitted from at least one lighting element, in response to a control signal received from a device for wireless control of color of light emitted by the system as discussed above.

The system preferably comprises a plurality of lighting elements and at least one detector for detecting a minimum relative distance between the device for wireless control and respective lighting elements, and where said means for adjusting the color of light is configured to adjust a specific lighting element, said specific lighting element being determined by said determined minimum distance.

The system may be configured to adjust the color of at least two lighting elements in response to said received color control signal and also to adjust said color of light emitted from at least one lighting element gradually during a predetermined time period.

As the person skilled in the art will realize, a term commonly used for a device for wireless control is “remote control unit” or in an even shorter form as “remote control”. These terms are to be understood as having the same meaning and hence being interchangeable throughout the detailed description to follow. Typically, the remote control devices to be discussed in the examples that follow are handheld, or at least portable, devices.

Before turning to detailed descriptions of embodiments of remote control devices, a few configurations of lighting systems and remote control devices will be discussed, illustrating, for example, that lighting systems may comprise any number of lighting elements and that communication channels between remote control devices and lighting systems may be unidirectional as well as bidirectional. The remote control devices that are illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4may be any of the devices for wireless control that will be described inFIGS. 5 to 7.

Moreover, it is to be noted that no detailed description will be given regarding the detailed operation of each specific lighting element. It is to be understood that the lighting elements that form part of the described systems are capable of reproducing visible light having essentially any desired color and intensity. The lighting elements are preferably realized in the form of multi color light emitting diode (LED) devices that, for example, conform to the RGB system of colors. Nevertheless, any other suitable controllable multi color light emitting elements may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, no description will be given of any power supply means, as this is known in the art and would, if included here, only unnecessarily distract the reader and possibly also obscure the details of the invention.

FIG. 1shows a basic configuration of a device101for wireless control of color of light131emitted by a lighting system103. The remote control device101comprises electronic circuitry that is divided, at least in logical terms, into a color information data generator105, a controller107and a signal transmitter109. Moreover, as is known in the art, the different units may be realized in hardware circuitry as well as by means of programmable circuits utilizing appropriate software means.

The signal transmitter109is configured to modulate and transmit a signal117that comprises color information data generated by the color information data generator105. As will be discussed below, the signal117is preferably transmitted as a more or less focused beam of electromagnetic radiation, although some embodiments do not necessarily require a focused beam in order to function according to the invention.

The signal117is received by a receiver111in a lighting system103that also comprises a lighting element115as well as a controller113. As indicated by reference numeral131, light of a desired color is emitted by the system103via the lighting element115.

Turning now toFIG. 2, a remote control device201comprises, similar to the device101inFIG. 1, a color information data generator205, a controller207and a signal transceiver209. The transceiver209is configured to operate a bidirectional communication channel, as indicated by the signal symbol217, together with a corresponding system transceiver211connected to a controller213in a lighting system203. Information regarding desired and emitted color of light and possibly also information regarding desired and emitted intensity of light is exchanged via the bi-directional channel217. In contrast to the system discussed above in connection withFIG. 1, the system203comprises a plurality of lighting elements215a-cthat are individually controllable via the controller213to emit light231a-chaving a desired color and intensity. As the skilled person will understand, the system203may comprise any number of lighting elements arranged in any desired spatial configuration relative to each other, including a rectangular array of elements as well as a more irregular distribution.

The system203may also comprise a position detector212capable of detecting, e.g., a distance between the remote control device201and the lighting elements215of the system203. Such a distance detection may be utilized in the controller213to determine which lighting element is to be controlled, assuming that a user of the remote control device201indicates the desired lighting element by positioning the remote control device201at an appropriate position in relation to the desired lighting device.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a remote control device301is shown that is configured, similar to the devices described above, to communicate via an information channel317with a lighting system303through receivers311a-b. The system303comprises a controller313, connected to the receivers311a-b, which is configured to control the color and intensity of light331a-bemitted by respective lighting elements315a-b. Similar to the device and system discussed above in connection withFIG. 2, relative positions between the device301and the lighting devices315may be determined by the controller313in that each receiver311may be spatially associated with respective lighting element315.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a remote control device401is shown that is configured, similar to the devices described above, to communicate via a bidirectional information channel417with a lighting system403through transceivers411and421. The system403comprises two controllers413and423, connected to respective transceivers411and421. The controllers413,423are configured to control the color and intensity of light431and433emitted by respective lighting elements415and425.

In addition to being configured to communicate with the remote control device401, the transceivers411and421of the system403are configured to communicate with each other, as indicated by a bidirectional system channel435. Such “internal” communication within the system403may be utilized to transfer, via the respective controllers413and423, color and intensity information between lighting elements in the system and thereby provide a “cascading effect” in the sense that a desired color that has been transmitted to one lighting element is automatically provided also to other lighting elements within the system.

It is also to be noted that the controllers of the systems discussed above may be configured to adjust the color of light emitted from the lighting elements gradually during a predetermined time period. Moreover, in a system having several lighting elements, when a first lighting element has obtained a desired color as a result of control by a remote control device, one or several other lighting elements of the system may gradually obtain the same desired color.

Turning now toFIG. 5, a detailed description of a remote control device501according to the present invention will be presented. The remote control device501comprises a controller light source505, which is capable of emitting colored light513under control by a controller507. Preferably, the controller light source505is in the form of a collection of LED sources, as the skilled person will realize. The colored light513from the controller light source505is focused into a beam519of light513′ by an optical focusing device515, which typically is in the form of a collection of lenses, as the skilled person will realize. The emitted light513from the controller light source505is visible to a user of the device501via a window517.

Selection of a desired color to be emitted by the remote control device501is enabled by means of a color selection input unit509. The color selection input unit509is typically realized by a collection of buttons and/or dials, connected to the control unit507. By user manipulation of the input unit509, a desired color is generated and emitted by an interaction between the controller507and the controller light source505, via the optical focusing device515.

Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device501is configured to detect a desired color by means of a color detection unit511connected to the controller507. The color detection unit511is typically realized by means of one or more photo detectors that are capable of detecting light511reflected from a color reference surface521or directly from a light-emitting source, possibly via additional optical means (not shown). A user is thus enabled to select a desired color by using the remote control device501to detect a color from, e.g., an object or a lamp reflecting and emitting light, respectively, of the desired color.

The detection unit511may also be in the form of a color camera capable of detecting two-dimensional images containing color patterns from which a desired color or a pattern of colors may be selected, more or less automatically, and transmitted to one or more lighting element in a system such as the system shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5also shows a simple representation of a lighting system503that is controlled to emit light535of the desired color. The lighting system comprises a light detector531, which typically includes a set of color filters (not shown) and one or more photo detectors connected to color determination circuitry527. The color determination circuitry is capable of recognizing the received light513′ beamed from the remote control device501and to provide signals to driving circuitry529that drives a lighting element533. The lighting element533is preferably realized by means of LED sources, as the skilled person will realize.

In addition to controlling the color of light535emitted by the lighting system502, the remote control device501is preferably configured to also control the intensity of the emitted light535. This is achieved by modulating the intensity of the light513emitted by the controller light source505with an AC frequency, the frequency being the carrier of intensity level information, e.g. encoded using any known standard within the field such as RC5. Selection of intensity level is performed, as for the selection of a desired color, by means of the input unit509and the controller507. When received by the detector531of the lighting system503, the AC modulated light513′ is high frequency filtered in the detector531and the color determination circuitry527, whereupon the driving circuitry529drives the lighting element533to emit the desired intensity of light as well as the desired color of light. By using a high frequency modulation, i.e. >>50 Hz, any undesired effects from ambient artificial light might be avoided.

Although only one lighting system503having one lighting element533is shown inFIG. 5, any number of systems similar to the system503may be used, i.e. controlled by the remote control device501, when realizing the invention. By pointing the beam519of light towards individual lighting systems, a user is able to select desired colors for different lighting systems. Moreover, by changing the focusing properties of the beam, i.e. de-focusing via additional focus manipulation means on the input unit509or by direct manipulation of the focusing device515, a wider beam may be obtained which can be pointed in a general direction towards a plurality of lighting systems and thereby enabling simultaneous color and intensity control of a large number of lighting elements.

Turning now toFIG. 6, another embodiment of a remote control device601will be described. Similar to the description above in relation toFIG. 5, the device601is configured to control a lighting system630. However, in contrast to the situation inFIG. 5, the remote control device601and the system630is configured to operate using beamed611infrared (IR) radiation607′ as information carrier for color and intensity information data.

As in the previous example, the remote control device601comprises a controller603that controls all operation of the device601. To the controller603are a number of operation means connected: a copy color switch621, a paste color switch623, a color detector617, an auxiliary light source627, a laser beam generator613and an infrared radiation (IR) source605. As in the previous example, optical focusing means609are arranged to focus radiation607emitted by the IR source into a focused beam611of IR radiation607′ that is incident on an IR detector631in the lighting system630. The device controller603encodes color information data representing a desired color, and possibly also a desired intensity, into a signal (not shown) that is modulated, using e.g. the well known RC5 protocol, and transmitted by the IR source605. The laser beam generator613is typically controlled to emit a beam615that results in a visible spot or pattern on a surface onto which the laser beam615is incident. Moreover, the visible spot or pattern generated by the laser beam615is preferably such that it corresponds to the IR beam611.

A controller632in the system630decodes the color information data carried by the detected IR radiation607′ and controls a lighting element633in the system to emit light635of a desired color and intensity, in a similar manner to the example discussed above in connection withFIG. 1.

The desired color is determined by a user of the remote control device601by way of triggering color detection by actuating the copy color switch621. The triggering activates the color detector617, which receives light619reflected from a color reference surface or object (not shown), as in the example above, or directly from a light source emitting light of the desired color and provides color information to the controller603in a similar manner as above. By actuation of the paste color switch623, the controller603then controls the IR source to transmit the detected desired color as described above.

An undo-function may be realized by providing an additional undo-switch (not shown) connected to the controller603. The controller603may be configured to distinguish a first activation of the undo-switch for shortly previewing the copied color on the lighting element633, followed by a second activation of the undo-switch for really pasting the color.

In an embodiment where the remote control device603forms part of an RC5 controlled lighting environment, the remote control device603may be used in a simple manner to copy a color from a first lighting system to a second lighting system. This is achieved by performing a first color detection while the source of auxiliary light627is active and a second color detection while the source of auxiliary light627is inactive, and then perform a comparison of results from the two color detections. The comparison yields a determination of whether the first and second detections are of reflected light emanating from a surface or not. That is, when the difference between the two detections is minimal, it means that the remote control device603is not adjacent to a reference surface and it is concluded that the desired action is to copy an already existing color setting of a lighting system in the RC5 environment, whereupon an RC5 “copy lamp” command is transmitted. The following “paste” command will then use the setting.

A desired color may also be detected, as in the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 5, by detecting reflected light from a surface (not shown) that is illuminated by the auxiliary light629.

The source of auxiliary light627may be a source of white light or any combination of more or less monochromatic light sources utilized, e.g., in a scanning fashion.

In addition to controlling the color of light emitted by the lighting system630, the remote control device601is also capable of controlling the intensity of light emitted by the lighting system630. A desired intensity is detected by a motion detector625connected to the controller603. For example, by quickly turning the remote control device603around a longitudinal axis650as indicated by arrow652, the motion detector625detects and quantifies the amount of turning, whereupon the controller603encodes the turning into a desired intensity level increase or decrease. The intensity level increase or decrease is then modulated, as for the color information data, in the IR beam transmitted to the lighting system630.

Turning now toFIG. 7, yet another embodiment of a remote control device701will be described. Similar to the embodiment described above in connection withFIGS. 5 and 6, the device701is configured to control a lighting system730that preferably forms part of an RC5 environment or similar environment utilizing a lighting control protocol. In contrast to the situation inFIGS. 5 and 6, the remote control device701and the system730is configured to operate using short range RF, such as Bluetooth®, as an information carrier channel for color and intensity information data. Nevertheless, it is also feasible to use an IR channel such as described above.

As in the previous example, the remote control device701comprises a controller703that controls all operation of the device701. To the controller703are a number of operation means connected: a selection switch717, a toggle switch718, an adjustment button719, a color light source721, a laser beam generator713and an RF transceiver705with an associated antenna707.

By activation of the selection switch717a laser beam715is generated by the laser beam generator713. When pointed in a direction towards the lighting system730, and in particular onto a laser beam detector737in the system730, the system controller732recognizes this as a triggering signal and establishes an RF communication channel709with the controller703in the remote control device701. Via the RF channel709, color and intensity information data are transmitted to the controller703in the remote control device701, whereupon the color and intensity information is decoded and presented as a colored light emitted by the color light source721in the remote control device701.

A user perceives the light emitted by the color light source721and then operates the adjustment button719to adjust, via the controller703, the light emitted by the color light source721to be that of a desired color. The adjustment to the color is also transmitted by the controller703, after encoding via the RF transceiver705and antenna707to the lighting system730. Adjustment of the desired intensity is performed in a similar manner, for example triggered by the user operating the toggle switch718, by adjustment to a desired intensity by operation of the adjustment button719followed by encoding and transmission to the lighting system as described above with reference to the color information. In other words, the user may thus toggle between color and intensity control as desired by manipulation of the toggle switch718.

The controller732in the system730then receives, via the antenna731and the transceiver730, and decodes the color information data and intensity information data carried by the received RF signal709. The system controller732then uses this encoded information to control a lighting element733in the system to emit light735of the desired color and intensity.

Although the invention has been described by the use of a number of individual exemplifying embodiments, it is foreseen that combinations of features of the different examples may be realized into other embodiments exemplifying the invention, all these additional examples also being within the scope of the appended claims.