Patent Publication Number: US-2023146188-A1

Title: Controlling a lighting device associated with a light segment of an array

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a system for controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. 
     The invention further relates to a method of controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. 
     The invention also relates to a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform such a method. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the introduction of LED technology, it has become possible to produce light strips to illuminate houses and offices. An advantage of light strips is that they can illuminate a large width space relatively uniformly. Initially, all LEDs of a light strip were only able to emit one color, e.g. white. Later, certain light strips allowed a user to change the color emitted by the LEDs, but all LEDs still emitted the same color. The next advance in light strips was the pixelated light strip. Pixelated light strips comprise multiple individually controllable segments, each such segment generally referred to as a ‘pixel’ of which e.g. the color and/or intensity of light emitted may be controlled. Each segment comprises one LED or multiple LEDs of the same or different colors. 
     A pixelated light strip enables new use cases for lighting and entertainment e.g. gradients, dynamic scenes and/or animations. Typically, multiple devices of a lighting system are used to render immersive light effects. If these multiple devices include one or more pixeled lighting devices, the quantity of individually addressable light sources in the lighting system is relatively large and therefore, the quantity of light settings that needs to be determined is relatively large. It is sometimes possible to provide a higher-level light effect description without specifying the individual light settings of light segments or of other light sources. An example of this is disclosed in WO 2018/224390 A1. However, it is not always possible or desirable to provide such a higher-level light effect description. 
     WO 2019/002012 A1 discloses a device comprising: an array of individually controllable LED light sources; data lines for interconnecting successive LED light sources to obtain a daisy-chain of successive LED light sources in said array and for rippling control data through the daisy-chain to a particular LED light source in said array, wherein the particular LED light source in said array is arranged for removing one or more bits from the control data and for providing resulting control data downstream in the daisy-chain; a feedback line for feeding back the resulting control data; a touchpad for connecting, when in use touched, one of the data lines and the feedback line; a controller comprising (i) an output for sending the control data over said data lines to the particular LED light source, and (ii) an input for receiving the resulting control data over the feedback line when the touchpad is touched; and the controller being arranged for (i) comparing said sent control data with said received resulting control da-ta for associating the touchpad, when in use touched, with a position in the array of individually controllable LED light sources of the particular LED light source, and (ii) providing a control signal for controlling the load based on said position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a first object of the invention to provide a system, which makes it easier to create immersive light effects without requiring a higher-level light description. 
     It is a second object of the invention to provide a method, which makes it easier to create immersive light effects without requiring a higher-level light description. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, a system for controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. The system comprises at least one input interface, at least one output interface, and at least one processor configured to display, via said at least one output interface, a first representation of said array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of said further lighting device on a display, receive user input via said at least one input interface, wherein said user input is indicative of an association between said second representation of said further lighting device and at least one of said individually addressable light segments of said first representation of said array, associate, based on said user input, said further lighting device with said at least one individually addressable light segment of said array, and store said association in a memory. 
     Said at least one processor is further configured to receive, via said at least one input interface, a command for controlling said array of individually addressable light segments, said command comprising at least one light setting for said at least one individually addressable light segment, determine a further light setting for said further lighting device based on said association and said at least one light setting, control, via said at least one output interface, said array of individually addressable light segments based on said command, and control, via said at least one output interface, said further lighting device based on said further light setting. 
     In other words, the user is able to (virtually) link/associate (the representation of) the further lighting device to at least one segment of an array of individually addressable light segments (also referred to as pixels), e.g. a pixelated light strip, using a displayed representation of the array. This makes it easier for the user to create immersive effects without requiring a higher-level light description. The further lighting device may the copy the effect of the pixel(s) it is linked to (i.e. render the same color and (relative) intensity) or provide a related effect, e.g. dim the effect it is currently rendering and adapt it to the effect which is ‘passing by’ on the array. 
     This makes it possible to strengthen the effects rendered by the array with, or extend them to, further lighting devices near the array. For example, an effect rendered on a pixelated light strip can be extended at the outer ends of the light-strip by (virtually) linking regular connected lights (e.g. a Philips Hue bulb) to the pixels at the edges of the light strip. The array may be a pixelated light strip or a pixelated floor lamp, for example. 
     Said at least one individually addressable light segment may comprise one individually addressable light segment and said at least one light setting may comprise a light setting for said one individually addressable light segment. In this case, for example, said further light setting may be identical to said light setting, e.g. to strengthen a light effect, or said at least one processor may be configured to determine said further light setting based on an extrapolation of said light setting, e.g. to extend a light effect. 
     Said at least one individually addressable light segment may comprise a plurality of individually addressable light segments and said at least one light setting may comprise a plurality of light settings for said plurality of individually addressable light segments. In this case, for example, said at least one processor may be configured to determine said further light setting based on an interpolation of said plurality of light settings, e.g. to strengthen a light effect in an enhanced manner. 
     Said at least one processor may be configured to allow a user to link said further lighting device with said at least one individually addressable light segment in said representation of said array, and wherein said association is based on said linking. By letting the user change the displayed representation, the user may be able to link the further lighting device with light segment(s) in an intuitive manner. 
     Said at least one processor may be configured to allow said user to link said further lighting device with one or more light elements of said at least one individually addressable light segment in said representation of said array. If the user is not able to distinguish different segments from each other, but only different light elements, e.g. when the array is turned off, it may be more intuitive to allow the user to link the further lighting device with at least one light element instead of directly with at least one segment. The light segment(s) corresponding to the linked light element(s) can then be automatically associated with the further lighting device, as each light segment belongs to only one light segment. 
     Said at least one processor may be configured to allow said user to link said further lighting device with said at least one individually addressable light segment in said representation of said array by allowing said user to position a virtual light segment on said representation of said array. For example, a pixelated light strip may be extended with additional (virtual) pixels and these virtual pixels may be used, for example, to strengthen the light effects for this array. 
     Said at least one processor may be configured to receive, via said at least one input interface, an current command for controlling said further lighting device, said current command comprising an current light setting, and determine said further light setting for said further lighting device based on said association, said at least one light setting, and said current light setting. For example, the further lighting device may dim the effect it is currently rendering and adapt it to the effect which is ‘passing by’ on the pixelated light strip 
     In a second aspect of the invention, a method of controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device, comprises displaying a first representation of said array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of said further lighting device on a display, receiving user input, wherein said user input is indicative of an association between said and a second representation of said further lighting device and at least one of said individually addressable light segments of said first representation of said array, associating, based on said user input, said further lighting device with said at least one individually addressable light segment of said array, and storing said association in a memory. 
     Said method further comprises receiving a command for controlling said array of individually addressable light segments, said command comprising at least one light setting for said at least one individually addressable light segment, determining a further light setting for said further lighting device based on said association and said at least one light setting, controlling said array of individually addressable light segments based on said command, and controlling said further lighting device based on said further light setting. Said method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. This software may be provided as a computer program product. 
     Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage-medium storing the computer program are provided. A computer program may, for example, be downloaded by or uploaded to an existing device or be stored upon manufacturing of these systems. 
     A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores at least one software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform executable operations for controlling a lighting system, said lighting system comprising an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. 
     The executable operations comprise displaying a representation of said array of individually addressable light segments on a display, receiving user input, wherein said user input is indicative of an association between said further lighting device and at least one of said individually addressable light segments of said array, associating, based on said user input, said further lighting device with said at least one individually addressable light segment of said array, and storing said association in a memory. 
     The executable operations further comprise receiving a command for controlling said array of individually addressable light segments, said command comprising at least one light setting for said at least one individually addressable light segment, determining a further light setting for said further lighting device based on said association and said at least one light setting, controlling said array of individually addressable light segments based on said command, and controlling said further lighting device based on said further light setting. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a device, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit”, “module” or “system.” Functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a processor/microprocessor of a computer. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied, e.g., stored, thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of the present invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor, in particular a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the system; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the system 
         FIG.  3    shows an example of lighting devices being linked to light segments of an array; 
         FIG.  4    shows an example of lighting devices being linked to light elements of an array; 
         FIG.  5    is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method; 
         FIG.  6    is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of the method; 
         FIG.  7    is a flow diagram of a third embodiment of the method; and 
         FIG.  8    is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the method of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numeral. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    shows a first embodiment of the system for controlling a lighting system: a bridge  21 . The lighting system comprises an array of individually addressable light segments  11 - 19  and further lighting devices  35 - 37 . In the example of  FIG.  1   , this array is a light strip  1 . 
     Each of the individually addressable segments  11 - 19  of the light strip  1  comprises one or more light elements. The light strip  1  is connected to a controller  9  via cable  3 . The controller  9  comprises a receiver, e.g. a Zigbee receiver, and a power converter for converting power received from the power mains to a lower voltage and providing the converted power to the light strip  1 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , each of the segments  11 - 19  comprises a single light element, e.g. a direct emitting or phosphor converted LED. Alternatively, one or more of the segments may comprise multiple light elements. The light strip  1  comprises nine individually controllable segments. Nine light elements per light strip will in practice be a relatively low quantity of light elements per light strip, but this quantity has been chosen for the purpose of illustration. 
     The bridge  21  controls the light strip  1  via the light strip controller  9 , e.g. using Zigbee technology. The bridge  21  also controls the further lighting devices  35 - 37 . The bridge  21  may be a Philips Hue bridge, for example. The bridge  21  is connected to the wireless LAN access point  31 , e.g. via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. A mobile device  33  is also connected to the wireless LAN access point  23 , e.g. via Wi-Fi. Mobile device  33  may be a mobile phone, a tablet or a smart watch, for example. A user may be able to use an app running on mobile device  33  to control further lighting devices  35 - 37  via the wireless LAN access point  31  and the bridge  21  and control light strip  1  via the wireless LAN access point  31 , the bridge  21  and the light strip controller  9 . 
     The bridge  21  comprises a receiver  23 , a transmitter  24 , a processor  25 , and memory  27 . The processor  25  is configured to display, via the transmitter  24 , a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. the light strip  1 , and a second representation of the further lighting device on a display of the mobile device  33 , and receive user input (from mobile device  33 ) via the receiver  23 , wherein the user input is indicative of an association between one or more of the further lighting devices  35 - 37  and at least one of the individually addressable light segments  11 - 19  of the array. The user input may be indicative of one association or of multiple associations. 
     The processor  25  is further configured to associate, based on the user input, the representations of one or more further lighting devices with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the representation of the array and store the association in memory  27 . If the user input was indicative of multiple associations, these multiple associations are stored in memory  27 . The processor  25  is further configured to receive, via the receiver  23 , a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. the light strip  1 , e.g. from mobile device  33 . The command comprises at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment. Each light setting may comprise a color component and/or an intensity component, for example. 
     The processor  25  is further configured to determine a further light setting for the one or more further lighting devices based on the association and the at least one light setting, control, via the transmitter  24 , the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. light strip  1 , based on the command, and control, via the transmitter  24 , the one or more further lighting device, i.e. one or more of lighting devices  35 - 37 , based on the further light setting. This processor  25  is configured to do this for other stored associations as well. 
     The further light setting may be the same as light setting of the light segment with which it is associated, for example. In this case, the further lighting device could copy the behavior of the associated light segment continuously or only if the intensity component of the light setting exceeds a certain threshold. The further light setting may also be based on light settings for multiple segments, e.g. an interpolation or an extrapolation of these multiple light settings. The further light setting may be based on an interpolation of the multiple light settings if the further lighting device has been associated with multiple segments. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  1   , the mobile device  33  creates a higher-level light command for the light strip  1 , e.g. based on the selection of a scene by a user of the mobile device  33 . The mobile device  33  has access to information, e.g. obtained when commissioning the light strip  1 , that indicates that the light strip  1  has nine individually controllable segments and creates light settings for each of these nine segments or a subset thereof. When the bridge  21  receives the higher-level light command from the mobile device  33 , it derives a lower-level light command for the light strip  1  from this higher-level light command and it derives one or more lower-level light commands for the one or more further lighting devices associated with one or more segments of the light strip  1  from this higher level-light command. The bridge  21  then transmits these lower-level light commands to their destination. 
     In the embodiment of the bridge  21  shown in  FIG.  1   , the bridge  21  comprises one processor  25 . In an alternative embodiment, the bridge  21  comprises multiple processors. The processor  25  of the bridge  21  may be a general-purpose processor, e.g. ARM-based, or an application-specific processor. The processor  25  of the bridge  21  may run a Unix-based operating system for example. The memory  27  may comprise one or more memory units. The memory  27  may comprise one or more hard disks and/or solid-state memory, for example. 
     The receiver  23  and the transmitter  24  may use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies such as Zigbee to communicate with the light strip controller  9  and further lighting devices  35 - 37  and Ethernet to communicate with the wireless LAN access point  31 , for example. In an alternative embodiment, multiple receivers and/or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver  23  and the transmitter  24  are combined into a transceiver. The bridge  21  may comprise other components typical for a bridge such as a power connector. The invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  1   , the system of the invention is a bridge. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the invention is a different device, e.g. an HDMI module or a mobile device. In the embodiment of  FIG.  1   , the system of the invention comprises a single device. In an alternative embodiment, the system of the invention comprises a plurality of devices. 
       FIG.  2    shows a second embodiment of the of the system for controlling a lighting system: a mobile device  51 . The lighting system comprises an array of individually addressable light segments  11 - 19  and further lighting devices  35 - 37 . In the example of  FIG.  2   , this array is a light strip  1 . 
     The mobile device  51  may be a mobile phone, a tablet or a smart watch, for example. A user may be able to use an app running on mobile device  51  to control further lighting devices  35 - 37  via the wireless LAN access point  31  and a bridge  39  and control light strip  1  via the wireless LAN access point  31 , the bridge  39  and the light strip controller  9 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the light strip  1  and the further lighting devices  35 - 37  are controlled via the bridge  39 . In an alternative embodiment, the light strip  1  and/or one or more of the further lighting devices  35 - 37  are controlled without a bridge, e.g. a direct Bluetooth connection may be setup between the mobile device  51  and the light strip controller  9 . 
     The mobile device  51  comprises a receiver  53 , a transmitter  54 , a processor  55 , a memory  57 , and a touchscreen display  59 . The processor  55  is configured to display, via the display  59  and an interface to the display  59 , a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. the light strip  1 , and a second representation of the further lighting device on the display  59 , and receive user input via the (touchscreen) display  59 , wherein the user input is indicative of an association between one or more of the representations of the further lighting devices  35 - 37  and at least one of the individually addressable light segments  11 - 19  of the representation of the array. The user input may be indicative of one association or of multiple associations. 
     The processor  55  is further configured to associate, based on the user input, the one or more further lighting devices with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array and store the association in memory  57 . If the user input was indicative of multiple associations, these multiple associations are stored in the memory  57 . The processor  55  is further configured to receive, via the (touchscreen) display  59 , a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. the light strip  1 . The command comprises at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment. For example, the user of the mobile device  51  may use the (touchscreen) display  59  to select a light scene with which one or more light settings, including the at least one light setting, are associated. 
     The processor  55  is further configured to determine a further light setting for the one or more further lighting devices based on the association and the at least one light setting, control, via the transmitter  54 , the array of individually addressable light segments, i.e. light strip  1 , based on the command, and control, via the transmitter  54 , the one or more further lighting devices, i.e. one or more of lighting devices  35 - 37 , based on the further light setting. This processor  55  is configured to do this for other stored associations as well. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the mobile device  51  creates a higher-level light command for the light strip  1 , e.g. based on the selection of a scene by a user of the mobile device  51 . The mobile device  51  has access to information, e.g. obtained when commissioning the light strip  1 , that indicates that the light strip  1  has nine individually controllable segments and determined light settings for each of these nine segments or a subset thereof. The mobile device  51  has also stored associations between one or more of the further lighting devices  35 - 37  and one or more of the segments  11 - 19  of the light strip  1 . The mobile device  51  therefore also creates one or more higher-level light commands for the further lighting device(s) associated with one or more segments of the light strip  1  based on the light setting(s) determined for the associated one or more segments. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the mobile device  51  then transmits the higher-level light commands to the bridge  39 . The bridge  39  then derives lower-light light command for the light strip  1  and the further lighting device(s) from the higher-level light commands and transmits them to their destination. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device  51  transmits the higher-level light commands directly to their destination. 
     In the embodiment of the mobile device  51  shown in  FIG.  2   , the mobile device  51  comprises one processor  55 . In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device  51  comprises multiple processors. The processor  55  of the mobile device  51  may be a general-purpose processor, e.g. from ARM or Qualcomm or an application-specific processor. The processor  55  of the mobile device  51  may run an Android or iOS operating system for example. The display  59  may comprise an LCD or OLED display panel, for example. In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the display  59  is a touch screen display. In an alternative embodiment, user input may be provided with physical keys, for example. The memory  57  may comprise one or more memory units. The memory  57  may comprise solid state memory, for example. 
     The receiver  53  and the transmitter  54  may use one or more wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point  31 , for example. In an alternative embodiment, multiple receivers and/or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver  53  and the transmitter  54  are combined into a transceiver. The mobile device  51  may further comprise a camera (not shown). This camera may comprise a CMOS or CCD sensor, for example. The mobile device  51  may comprise other components typical for a mobile device such as a battery and a power connector. The invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    provide examples of a how a user might be allowed to link/associate a representation of a further lighting device with at least one individually addressable light segment or at least one light element in a representation of an array of individually addressable light segments (also referred to as pixels).  FIG.  3    shows an example of lighting devices being linked to light segments of an array. In the example of  FIG.  3   , a user can position a virtual light segment on a representation of a pixelated light strip. 
     The pixelated light strip is visually presented as a sequence of controllable pixels, e.g. in a smartphone app. Three further lighting devices, e.g. of the type Hue Go, are represented by virtual pixels  81 - 83 . The user can move each virtual pixel in the sequence of controllable pixels to the location where he/she wants to strengthen or extend the light strip. 
     In representation  71 , the light strip has nine real pixels  11 - 19  which each correspond to a real segment of the light strip. A user then drags virtual pixel  81  between real pixels  13  and  14  of the light strip. As a result, the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel  81  becomes the fourth pixel of the new representation  72  of the light strip. This new representation  72  has nine real pixels  11 - 19  and one virtual pixel  81 . 
     Next, a user drags virtual pixel  82  to one end of the light strip. As a result, the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel  82  becomes the eleventh pixel of the new representation  73  of the light strip. This new representation  73  has nine real pixels  11 - 19  and two virtual pixels  81  and  82 . 
     Next, a user drags virtual pixel  83  to the other end of the light strip. As a result, the further lighting device corresponding to the virtual pixel  83  becomes the first pixel of the new representation  74  of the light strip. This new representation  74  has nine real pixels  11 - 19  and three virtual pixels  81  and  82 . In the new representation  74 , the virtual pixel  82  is the twelfth pixel. 
     When a command is transmitted with a light effect for the light strip, virtual pixels  82  and  83  extend the light effect beyond the light strip using the further lighting devices corresponding to the virtual pixels  82  and  83 . This extension may be linear, for example. For instance, during an explosion, a linearly extended strip would extend the light effect from inward to outward and continue to the sides. Depending on the effect required, the intensity of the pixels may be regulated for brightness. For example, if the further lighting devices corresponding to virtual pixels  82  and  83  have a large lumen output, their brightness will normally need to be dimmed. 
     If a virtual pixel is positioned in the middle of the light strip and a command to render a sunrise effect is transmitted to the light strip, the intensity of the further lighting device corresponding to this virtual pixel may be larger than the intensity of the real pixels/segments and may not need to be dimmed or not need to be dimmed as much, thereby simulating the effect a real sunrise has. 
     In the example of  FIG.  4   , a user can link a further lighting device with one or more light elements of at least one individually addressable light segment in a representation of a pixelated light strip. In representation  90 , the light strip has three segments  11 - 13  with three light elements per segment. The light strip has nine light elements  91 - 99  in total. Light elements  91 - 93  can only be controlled as a group. The same applies to light elements  94 - 96  and light elements  97 - 99 , respectively. 
     In the example of  FIG.  4   , three further lighting devices  35 - 37  can be linked with the light elements  91 - 99  of the light strip. For example, further lighting devices  35 - 37  may stand on a desk and the light strip may be placed along the edge of the desk. Further lighting device  36  is on the desk close to the center of the pixelated light strip and the light element  95  is therefore linked by the user to the further lighting device  36  to strengthen the center light element. Alternatively, the light elements  94 - 96  or any (non-empty) subset of these three light elements could be linked to the further lighting device  36 , as light elements  94 - 96  are part of the same segment  12  and therefore render the same light effect. 
     Further lighting devices  35  and  37  are standing at each end of the pixelate light strip. Further lighting device  35  is linked by the user to the left edge of the light strip and therefore to light element  91 . Linking a further lighting device to an edge of the light strip automatically links the further lighting device to the corresponding edge light element. If the further lighting device  35  would only be linked to light element  91 , the further lighting device  35  would render the same color as the light element  91 . Since the further lighting device  35  has been linked to the left edge of the light strip, the color for the further lighting device  35  is extrapolated based on the color of the light elements  91  and  92 . 
     Further lighting device  37  is linked by the user to the right edge of the light strip and therefore to light element  99 . If the further lighting device  37  would only be linked to light element  99 , the further lighting device  37  would render the same color as the light element  99 . Since the further lighting device  37  has been linked to the right edge of the light strip, the color for the further lighting device  37  is extrapolated based on the color of the light elements  98  and  99 . 
     Since further lighting device  35  has been linked to the light element  91 , the further lighting device  35  is associated with light segment  11  to which light element  91  belongs. Since further lighting device  36  has been linked to the light element  95 , the further lighting device  36  is associated with light segment  12  to which light element  95  belongs. Since further lighting device  37  has been linked to the light element  99 , the further lighting device  37  is associated with light segment  13  to which light element  99  belongs. 
     A first embodiment of the method of controlling a lighting system is shown in  FIG.  5   . The lighting system comprises an array of individually addressable light segments and a further lighting device. A step  101  comprises displaying a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device on a display. A step  103  comprises receiving user input, wherein the user input is indicative of an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array. A step  105  comprises associating, based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array. A step  107  comprises storing the association in a memory. 
     Later, a step  111  is performed. Step  111  comprises receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments. The command comprises at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment. A step  113  comprises determining a further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association and the at least one light setting. A step  115  comprises controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command. A step  117  comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting. Step  111  is repeated after steps  115  and  117  have been performed, after which the method proceeds as shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     A second embodiment of the method of controlling a lighting system is shown in  FIG.  6   . Step  101  comprises displaying a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device on a display. Step  103  comprises receiving user input, wherein the user input is indicative of an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array. 
     Next, a step  131  comprises determining whether the user input is indicative of an association between the further lighting device and a single light segment or between the further lighting device and multiple light segments, and if the user input is indicative of an association with a single light segment, whether the user input is further indicative of an association between the further lighting device and an edge of the array. Step  105  is performed after step  131 . Step  105  comprises associating, based on the user input received in step  103 , the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array. In the embodiment of  FIG.  6   , one of steps  133 ,  135  and  137  is performed in each iteration of step  105 . 
     If it is determined in step  131  that the user input is indicative of an association between the further lighting device and both an edge of the array and a single light segment, i.e. an edge light segment, step  133  is performed. Step  133  comprises associating the further lighting device with this edge and this edge light segment. By associating the further lighting device with a single light segment, it can later be determined that no interpolation needs to be performed. This is not a requirement that only a light setting of the single light segment is later used. 
     If it is determined in step  131  that the user input is indicative of an association between the further lighting device and only a single light segment, step  135  is performed. Step  135  comprises associating the further lighting device with this single light segment. The single light segment may be an edge light segment, for example. In this case, the further lighting device has not been associated with an edge of the array. 
     If it is determined in step  131  that the user input is indicative of an association between the further lighting device and multiple light segments, step  137  is performed. Step  137  comprises associating the further lighting device with these multiple light segments. Step  107  comprises storing the association determined in step  105  in a memory. Steps  103 ,  131 ,  105  and  107  may be repeated for one or more additional further lighting devices after step  107  has been performed for the current further lighting device. 
     Later, step  111  is performed. Step  111  comprises receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments. Steps  115  and  140  are performed after step  111 . Step  115  comprises controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command received in step  111 . 
     Step  140  comprises determining, based on the associations stored in the memory, which one or more further lighting devices have been associated with at least one light segment of the array. Step  141  is performed for each further lighting device which has been associated with at least one light segment of the array. First, step  141  is performed for the first further lighting device. Step  141  comprises determining for a further lighting device with which light segment(s) of the array it has been associated and if the further lighting device has been associated with a single light segment, whether the further lighting device has also been associated with an edge of the array. 
     Step  113  is performed after step  141 . Step  113  comprises determining a further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association and the at least one light setting. In the embodiment of  FIG.  6   , one of steps  143 ,  145  and  147  is performed in each iteration of step  113 . 
     If it is determined in step  141  that the further lighting device has been associated with a single light segment and an edge of the array, step  143  is performed. In step  143 , the light setting associated with this single light segment is obtained from the command received in step  111 . If the further lighting device has been associated with the left edge of the array, then one or more light settings of one or more light segments to the right of the left-edge light segment are obtained. 
     If the further lighting device has been associated with the right edge of the array, then one or more light settings of one or more light segments to the left of the right-edge light segment are obtained. The further light setting for the further lighting device is determined based on an extrapolation of these obtained light settings, e.g. such that the difference between the further light setting and the light setting of the edge light segment is the same as or similar to the difference between the light setting of the edge light segment and the light setting of the light segment next to it. 
     If it is determined in step  141  that the further lighting device has been associated with only a single light segment, step  145  is performed. In step  145 , the light setting associated with this single light segment is obtained from the command received in step  111  and this light setting is used as further light setting. Thus, the further light setting is identical to the obtained light setting. 
     If it is determined in step  141  that the further lighting device has been associated with two light segments, step  147  is performed. In step  147 , the light settings associated with these two light segments are obtained from the command received in step  111 . The further light setting is determined based on an interpolation of these light settings. For example, the average of these light settings may be used as further light setting. 
     Step  117  comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting determined in step  143 , step  145  or step  147 . If step  141  has not been performed for all further lighting devices identified in step  140  yet, steps  141 ,  113  and  117  are repeated for the next further lighting device after step  117  has been performed for the current further lighting device. Step  111  is repeated after step  115  has been performed and step  117  has been performed for all further lighting devices identified in step  140 , after which the method proceeds as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     A third embodiment of the method of controlling a lighting system is shown in  FIG.  7   . Step  101  comprises displaying a first representation of the array of individually addressable light segments and a second representation of the further lighting device on a display. Step  103  comprises receiving user input, wherein the user input is indicative of an association between the second representation of the further lighting device and at least one of the individually addressable light segments of the first representation of the array. Step  105  comprises associating, based on the user input, the further lighting device with the at least one individually addressable light segment of the array. Step  107  comprises storing the association in a memory. 
     Later, a step  161  is performed. Step  161  comprises receiving an current command for controlling the further lighting device. The current command comprises an current light setting. Next, step  163  comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the current light setting. 
     Even later, step  111  is performed. Step  111  comprises receiving a command for controlling the array of individually addressable light segments. The command comprises at least one light setting for the at least one individually addressable light segment. Step  113  comprises determining a further light setting for the further lighting device. In the embodiment of  FIG.  7   , step  113  is implemented by a step  165 . Step  165  comprises determining the further light setting for the further lighting device based on the association stored in step  107 , the at least one light setting received in step  111 , and the current light setting received in step  161 . 
     Step  115  comprises controlling the array of individually addressable light segments based on the command received in step  111 . Step  117  comprises controlling the further lighting device based on the further light setting determined in step  165 . Step  111  is repeated after steps  115  and  117  have been performed, after which the method proceeds as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     The embodiments of  FIGS.  5  to  7    differ from each other in multiple aspects, i.e. multiple steps have been added or replaced. In variations on these embodiments, only a subset of these steps is added or replaced and/or one or more steps is omitted. For example, steps  133  and  143  and/or steps  137  and  147  may be omitted from the embodiment of  FIG.  6    and/or steps  161 ,  163  and  165  of  FIG.  7    may be added to the embodiment of  FIG.  6   . 
       FIG.  8    depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may perform the method as described with reference to  FIGS.  5  to  7   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , the data processing system  300  may include at least one processor  302  coupled to memory elements  304  through a system bus  306 . As such, the data processing system may store program code within memory elements  304 . Further, the processor  302  may execute the program code accessed from the memory elements  304  via a system bus  306 . In one aspect, the data processing system may be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and/or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the data processing system  300  may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory that is capable of performing the functions described within this specification. 
     The memory elements  304  may include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory  308  and one or more bulk storage devices  310 . The local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system  300  may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the quantity of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device  310  during execution. The processing system  300  may also be able to use memory elements of another processing system, e.g. if the processing system  300  is part of a cloud-computing platform. 
     Input/output (I/O) devices depicted as an input device  312  and an output device  314  optionally can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a microphone (e.g. for voice and/or speech recognition), or the like. Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or a display, speakers, or the like. Input and/or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. 
     In an embodiment, the input and the output devices may be implemented as a combined input/output device (illustrated in  FIG.  8    with a dashed line surrounding the input device  312  and the output device  314 ). An example of such a combined device is a touch sensitive display, also sometimes referred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen”. In such an embodiment, input to the device may be provided by a movement of a physical object, such as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a user, on or near the touch screen display. 
     A network adapter  316  may also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and/or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by said systems, devices and/or networks to the data processing system  300 , and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system  300  to said systems, devices and/or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter that may be used with the data processing system  300 . 
     As pictured in  FIG.  8   , the memory elements  304  may store an application  318 . In various embodiments, the application  318  may be stored in the local memory  308 , the one or more bulk storage devices  310 , or separate from the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system  300  may further execute an operating system (not shown in  FIG.  8   ) that can facilitate execution of the application  318 . The application  318 , being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by the data processing system  300 , e.g., by the processor  302 . Responsive to executing the application, the data processing system  300  may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein. 
       FIG.  8    shows the input device  312  and the output device  314  as being separate from the network adapter  316 . However, additionally or alternatively, input may be received via the network adapter  316  and output be transmitted via the network adapter  316 . For example, the data processing system  300  may be a cloud server. In this case, the input may be received from and the output may be transmitted to a user device that acts as a terminal. 
     Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein). In one embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computer readable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. In another embodiment, the program(s) can be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor  302  described herein. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and some practical applications of the present invention, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.