Patent Description:
LED lighting products can only produce colors within their own actual gamut. Due to manufacturing variation inherent in LED technology, no two LEDs are exactly alike. The color differences can be noticeable, especially between different products and LED manufacturers. As a result, no two LED lights produce exactly the same gamut of colors. For example, two LED lights can produce a particular color point representing white light, but they would produce the color point in a different way because they have different color gamuts.

Despite these differences, it is desirable to be able to specify exact colors of light, especially white light. One typical solution to this problem involves restricting all LED products to a small color gamut that is common to all of them. This is beneficial because it standardizes the way that color points are communicated to the products. Using a small common color gamut enables different LED fixtures to target colors within the small common color gamut precisely. Unfortunately, as the number of LED products increases in lighting systems, the size of the color gamut that is common to all of the products decreases. The small size of a common color gamut means that the products can only produce white and pastel colors, but not saturated colors. Thus, while different LED fixtures can precisely target colors within the small common color gamut, they lose the ability to produce saturated colors located at the exteriors of their gamuts. Other solutions sacrifice on consistency between LED fixtures for the widest possible color gamut (i.e., the most saturated colors). Switching between providing accurate white points to providing fully saturated colors requires changing settings or reconfiguring an LED lighting installation.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for LED lighting systems and methods configured to provide accurate white points and saturated colors without having to change settings or reconfigure the lighting installation. The systems and methods described herein also exhibit consistent behavior with respect to DMX values and temperature changes.

The present disclosure is directed to inventive systems and methods for controlling one or more LED lighting products to provide accurate white/pastel color points and saturated color points without requiring settings to be changed or reconfiguration of a lighting installation. Systems disclosed herein include at least one lighting product including a plurality of light sources, preferably, LED-based light sources. The systems further include a controller configured to designate a central portion of an operating gamut as an accurate region for targeting white/pastel colors accurately and the outer portions of the operating gamut as a saturated region for targeting saturated colors. The controller is further configured to blend between the central portion and the outer portions based on the color point requested by the user.

Generally, in one aspect a method of driving a plurality of LED-based light sources at a selectable target chromaticity in a color space is provided according to claim <NUM>.

In example embodiments, the method further includes calculating the light fixture gamut where the light fixture gamut at least partially encloses the global common gamut, and the step of calculating the light fixture gamut includes determining or receiving colorimetric data indicative of colorimetric properties of light emitted by the plurality of LED-based light sources, wherein the colorimetric properties define the light fixture gamut.

In example embodiments, the light fixture gamut fully encloses the global common gamut.

In example embodiments, the step of defining the inner region includes defining a global gamut center by calculating an average of chromaticity values for color points at the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; extending a line between the global gamut center and each of the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; and positioning a second plurality of vertices such that each vertex of the second plurality of vertices intersects one of the lines extending between the global gamut center and each of the first plurality of vertices and the transition boundary connects the second plurality of vertices.

In example embodiments, the step of defining the inner region includes defining a global gamut center by calculating an average of chromaticity values for color points at the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; positioning a second plurality of vertices such that each vertex of the second plurality of vertices is between the global gamut center and a respective vertex of the first plurality of vertices; and connecting the transition boundary between the second plurality of vertices; wherein the first and second plurality of vertices are not collinear with the global gamut center.

In example embodiments, the step of determining that the selectable target chromaticity is between two adjacent vertices of the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut includes defining a global gamut center by calculating an average of chromaticity values for color points at the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; extending a line between the global gamut center and each of the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; and determining that the selectable target chromaticity is between two adjacent lines extending between the global gamut center and the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut by calculating third and fourth directed distances between the selectable target chromaticity and the lines extending between the global gamut center and the two adjacent vertices of the of the global common gamut.

In example embodiments, the step of calculating the first and second directed distances includes defining a global gamut center by calculating an average of chromaticity values for color points at the first plurality of vertices of the global common gamut; extending a line between the global gamut center and the selectable target chromaticity; projecting the line onto the global common gamut; and calculating the first directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and a first point where the line intersects the transition boundary of the inner region and the second directed distance between the selectable target chromaticity and a second point where the line intersects the straight side of the global common gamut between the two adjacent vertices.

In example embodiments, the method further includes determining not to modify the selectable target chromaticity when the selectable target chromaticity is within the inner region.

In example embodiments, the method further includes determining to modify the selectable target chromaticity when the selectable target chromaticity is outward of the inner region.

In example embodiments, the method further includes modifying the selectable target chromaticity to the modified target chromaticity within the light fixture gamut and outside the global common gamut based at least in part on a relationship between the calculated first and second directed distances.

In example embodiments, the method further includes calculating the light fixture gamut where the light fixture gamut at least partially encloses the global common gamut and the light fixture gamut comprises a third plurality of vertices; and modifying a first color space area to a second color space area, where the first color space area is defined by the straight side of the global common gamut, the transition boundary of the inner region and lines extending between endpoints of the straight side and the transition boundary and the second color space area is defined by the transition boundary of the inner region and two adjacent vertices of the third plurality of vertices of the light fixture gamut.

Generally, in another aspect, a system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In example embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate another activation signal for driving the plurality of LED-based light sources based on the modified target chromaticity.

In example embodiments, the light fixture gamut at least partially encloses the global common gamut and the light fixture gamut is defined by colorimetric properties of light emitted by the plurality of LED-based light sources.

In example embodiments, the modified target chromaticity is outside the global common gamut.

Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and methods for controlling one or more LED-based lighting products to provide accurate white/pastel color points and saturated color points without requiring settings to be changed or reconfiguration of a lighting installation. Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide accurate shades of white and fully saturated colors within the same system with no reconfiguration required. A particular goal of utilization of certain embodiments of the present disclosure is to define an inner region of an operating gamut to target white/pastel colors accurately while maintaining access to the entire gamut of the lighting fixture to provide saturated colors as well.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic block diagram depicting a color lighting system <NUM> according to the present disclosure is illustrated including light-sources 102A-C. Light sources 102A-C are three narrow-banded, essentially mono-color light-sources, for example, red, green, and blue light sources. Color lighting system <NUM> also includes a light source interface <NUM>, a controller <NUM> including a microprocessor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and an external interface <NUM>. Color lighting system <NUM> can be powered via an external power connection <NUM> or an internal power supply, such as a battery, can be used. Light sources 102A-C shown in <FIG> can be mounted in a single lighting fixture. However, it should be appreciated that any number of light sources and corresponding light fixtures can be included in color lighting system <NUM>. Microprocessor <NUM> of controller <NUM> is configured to receive a request for a selectable target chromaticity via external interface <NUM> and, following processing, outputs one or more control signals to drive light sources 102A-C via the light source interface <NUM>. Light sources 102A-C are intensity controllable (dimmable) and may be controlled to output light of their respective colors at relative intensities from <NUM>-<NUM>%.

Although <FIG> shows red, blue, and green light sources 102A-C, it should be appreciated that any source colors can be used. Additionally, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of light sources can be used, for example, additional or fewer light sources can be used. To illustrate the color generation capability of a lighting fixture including light sources 102A-C, <FIG> shows a CIE chromaticity diagram, or a color space or a color system, including a triangular lighting fixture gamut <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, the lighting fixture gamut can have different shapes (e.g., polygonal shapes). The lighting fixture including light sources 102A-C is configured to generate and mix red light, green light, and blue light in various combinations and proportions to create different temperatures of light. The light emitted by each light source exhibits unique colorimetric properties and these colorimetric properties can be mapped to a corresponding point <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with x and y chromaticity coordinates on the CIE chromaticity diagram. The x and y chromaticity coordinates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of light sources 102A-C define a unique gamut of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture gamut <NUM> specifies all of the possible colors (or color temperatures) that may be generated by the lighting fixture via additive mixing. The x and y chromaticity coordinates depend only on hue and saturation, and are independent of the amount of luminous energy. While the x and y chromaticity coordinates near the boundaries of the lighting fixture gamut <NUM> are more saturated, as one moves from the boundaries toward a center point of the lighting fixture gamut <NUM> the colors become less saturated.

As discussed above, due to manufacturing variation inherent in LED technology, no two LEDs are exactly alike; thus, another lighting fixture including red, green, and blue light sources would have a different lighting fixture gamut. <FIG> shows the CIE chromaticity diagram of <FIG> including two unique lighting fixture gamuts <NUM> and <NUM>.

Applicants have recognized and appreciated that multiple lighting units, each configured to generate variable color light or variable color temperature white light based on additive mixing of multiple light sources, may not be capable of generating substantially the same range of colors or color temperatures of light even though the lighting units employ generally similar light sources. If two or more such lighting units receive instructions (e.g. lighting commands) intended to cause the generation of the same color (or color temperature) of light from multiple units, each lighting unit may in fact generate a perceivably different color (or color temperature) of light, based at least in part on their respective different gamuts (e.g., as determined by the different chromaticity coordinates of their respective "same color" sources). If two or more such lighting units are deployed together, for example, as components of a lighting system (e.g., to provide general purpose illumination or other types of lighting in tandem in a given environment), inconsistent, unpredictable, and generally undesirable artifacts may result in the generation of variable color light or variable color temperature white light.

In order to generate variable color light or variable color temperature white light consistently and predictably amongst multiple lighting units, the light sources of the multiple lighting units can be controlled with reference to a global common gamut <NUM> and an inner region <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. Global common gamut <NUM> can include all of the color points in a color space that are common to two or more lighting units. As shown in <FIG>, global common gamut <NUM> can be completely enclosed within each fixture gamut within a lighting system installation. As shown in <FIG>, global common gamut <NUM> can alternatively not be completely enclosed within each fixture gamut within a lighting system installation. In <FIG>, although vertices 125A and 125B are inward of gamut <NUM>, vertex 125C is outward of gamut <NUM>. Global common gamut <NUM> can be generated in any suitable way. One example method of generating the global common gamut <NUM> involves determining a gamut that falls within each fixture gamut within a lighting system installation whether the gamut is a three-sided polygon, a four-sided polygon or some other shape. For purposes of explaining the present disclosure, we use a triangular global common gamut as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> but any shape can be used. Global common gamut <NUM> is a polygon formed by a plurality of straight sides S1-S3 and a plurality of vertices 125A-C. Each vertex 125A-C of global common gamut <NUM> is arranged where two adjacent straight sides of the plurality of straight sides meet.

As shown in <FIG>, a smaller inner region <NUM> is generated within the global common gamut <NUM> to target white points accurately. Inner region <NUM> is defined by the same number of vertices that is used to define the global common gamut and a boundary connecting those vertices. In <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, global common gamut <NUM> has three vertices 125A-C and, as shown in <FIG>, inner region <NUM> also has three vertices 127A-C. However, it should be appreciated that both could have additional vertices. In example embodiments, each vertex of inner region <NUM> is collinear with a center of global common gamut <NUM> and a vertex of global common gamut <NUM> as shown in <FIG> shows lines L1-L3 figuratively emanating from the center and through the vertices 127A-C of inner region <NUM> and ending at the vertices 125A-C of global common gamut <NUM> to illustrate this collinearity.

In other example embodiments, each vertex of inner region <NUM> need not have the same collinearity as shown in <FIG> and as discussed above. For example, in <FIG>, inner region <NUM> is defined by vertices 227A-C and a boundary connecting vertices 227A-C. Inner region <NUM> has the same number of vertices that is used to define global common gamut <NUM>. However, the vertices of global common gamut <NUM> and inner region <NUM> are not collinear with the center of global common gamut <NUM>. Line L4 extends from vertex 225A of global common gamut <NUM> and through vertex 227A of inner region <NUM> to the ends of lines L5 and L6. As shown in <FIG>, line L5 ends at line L4 at a point that is closer to vertices 227A and 225A than the point at which line L6 ends at line L4. However, in alternate embodiments, line L5 could end at line L4 at a point that is farther from vertices 227A and 225A than the point at which line L6 ends at line L4. Line L5 extends from vertex 225B of global common gamut <NUM> and through vertex 227B of inner region <NUM> to a point along line L4. In alternate embodiments, line L5 could end at an end point of line L4. Line L6 extends from vertex 225C of global common gamut <NUM> and through vertex 227C of inner region <NUM> to an end point of line L4 however, in alternate embodiments, line L6 could end at a point along line L4. In <FIG>, none of lines L4-<NUM> extend through or to the center of global common gamut <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that any other suitable configuration is contemplated as long as vertices 225A and 227A are connected along line L4, vertices 225B and 227B are connected along line L5, and vertices 225C and 227C are connected along line L6. The portions of lines L4-<NUM> that are between the global common gamut <NUM> and the inner region <NUM> define the color space areas discussed below.

Inner region <NUM> must be fully enveloped by global common gamut <NUM> but it also should be large enough to enclose all white points that are desired to be targeted accurately. The center of global common gamut <NUM> is obtained by averaging the x and y chromaticity coordinates of the vertices 125A-C of global common gamut <NUM>. Any selectable target chromaticity within inner region <NUM> that is received by microprocessor <NUM> of controller <NUM> is targeted accurately. In other words, any such selectable target chromaticity that is within inner region <NUM> is used as-is and the microprocessor <NUM> as further described below ceases further processing. In example embodiments, lighting commands received by multiple lighting units may be appropriately processed in each lighting unit, based on a predetermined relationship between the lighting commands and the inner region <NUM>.

In order to generate saturated colors as well amongst multiple lighting units, light sources 102A-C can be controlled with reference to the individual fixture gamut(s) as well as global common gamut <NUM> and inner region <NUM> as further described below. As used herein, the term "saturated" refers to the amount of saturation in any of the colors that are within the individual fixture gamut(s) <NUM> and outside inner region <NUM>. These colors that are outside of the inner region <NUM> are more saturated (i.e., have less white) than the colors that are within the inner region <NUM>. The term "saturated" refers to all of the colors including those that are on the boundary of the individual fixture gamut(s) and those that are inside the boundary but outside the boundary of inner region <NUM>. The term "fully-saturated" is used to refer to those that are on the boundary of the global common gamut <NUM> or the light fixture gamut(s) <NUM> in the appropriate context. In other words, a color point specified on the boundary of the global common gamut <NUM> before the microprocessor <NUM> performs any modification according to the present disclosure can be considered a "fully-saturated" point. After the microprocessor <NUM> performs a modification according to the present disclosure, a color point that is on the boundary of the light fixture gamut <NUM> can be considered a "fully-saturated" point.

As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term "LED" should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection/junction-based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, electroluminescent strips, and the like. The term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately <NUM> nanometers to approximately <NUM> nanometers).

It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different spectra of radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element (e.g., a diffusing lens), etc..

The term "light source" should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources (e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers.

The terms "lighting unit" and "lighting fixture" as used herein refer to an apparatus including one or more light sources of the same or different types. A given lighting fixture may have any suitable mounting arrangement for the light sources, enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting fixture can also include, be coupled to, and/or packaged with other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of the light source(s). An "LED-based lighting fixture" refers to a lighting fixture unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-based light sources.

The term "controller" as used herein refers to various apparatus relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented with dedicated hardware, using one or more microprocessors that are programmed using software to perform the various functions discussed herein, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments in the present application include, but are not limited to, microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FGPAs).

In various embodiments, a controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as "memory," e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present invention discussed herein.

The process used to target colors for accurate white points and saturated colors with color lighting system <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. It is to be understood that various embodiments may not include each of the steps described with reference to <FIG> and the order of the steps is not limiting. That is, in other embodiments, the process may be performed in an order different than that described without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Before the controller <NUM> of the color light system <NUM> can determine whether to output one or more control signals to drive light sources 102A-C via the light source interface <NUM>, the lighting fixture gamut <NUM>, the global common gamut <NUM> and the inner region <NUM> must be defined at step S602.

The at least one lighting fixture gamut <NUM> can be predefined and preprogrammed by the manufacturer of the lighting fixture and stored in memory <NUM>. Alternatively, the lighting fixture gamut can be calculated using any suitable tool to measure the chromaticity of the light sources of the lighting fixture and stored in memory <NUM>. For example, the spectral power distribution of the light sources can be measured and mapped to a color space, such as the CIE chromaticity diagram. Such data can then be stored in memory <NUM>. In some embodiments, the fixture gamut depends on temperature, so it can be calculated and re-calculated as needed.

The global common gamut <NUM> for a lighting fixture or a system including a plurality of lighting fixtures can also be predefined and preprogrammed by the manufacturer and stored in memory <NUM>. Alternatively, a professional lighting installer or another user can define a gamut that contains the color points in common with all of the lighting fixtures in a system and store it in memory <NUM>. In example embodiments, a global common gamut can contain most but not all color points in common with all of the lighting fixtures in a system. In a particular case where the global common gamut is not fully contained within a light fixture's gamut, any suitable region mapping can be used to modify color points selected in the global common gamut and outside of the light fixture gamut. In other embodiments, a computer program product can be configured to determine a gamut that contains the color points in common with all or most of the lighting fixtures in a system and store it in memory <NUM>. The center of the global common gamut <NUM> can be defined as well either by the manufacturer or otherwise as described herein and stored in memory <NUM>.

The inner region <NUM> of the global common gamut <NUM> can be predefined and preprogrammed by the manufacturer and stored in memory <NUM>. Otherwise, a professional lighting installer or some other user can define the inner region <NUM> to customize all the white points that are to be accurately targeted. In other embodiments, a computer program product can be configured to determine inner region <NUM> based on input(s) of all the white points that are to be accurately targeted and stored in memory <NUM>.

Once the lighting fixture gamut <NUM>, the global common gamut <NUM> and the inner region <NUM> are defined, a user selectable target chromaticity can be received or set via external interface <NUM> at step S604. For example, a user can input via the external interface a target chromaticity in the form of red, green, and blue values as numbers varying from <NUM> to <NUM> and such values can be processed according to the DMX-<NUM> protocol (in which eight bits are employed to specify the relative strength of each light source; i.e., <NUM>-bit color control). It should be appreciated, however, that virtually any scale may be employed, in any of a variety of lighting command formats, to specify the relative amounts of the respective sources in a given lighting unit to generate a resulting color or color temperature of light. In example embodiments, the DMX values can be weighted values and may employ a dimming curve.

After the user selectable target chromaticity is received by the microprocessor <NUM>, it is determined that the target chromaticity is between two adjacent vertices of global common gamut <NUM> at step S606. For example, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the microprocessor <NUM> can divide global common gamut <NUM> into three regions based on the number of vertices of the global common gamut and determine in which region the target chromaticity is located. Since global common gamut <NUM> has red, green, and blue points, global common gamut <NUM> can be divided into regions RG, GB, and BR as shown in <FIG> using lines L1-L3 discussed above. A user selectable target chromaticity can be in any of the three regions. In order to determine in which region a target chromaticity is located, an equation for each of lines L1-L3 can be derived and a directed distance can be calculated between the target chromaticity and each line to determine whether the target chromaticity is above or below each line (or outward or inward of each line relative to a center point). Since these lines do not change, they can be calculated when global common gamut <NUM> is defined and stored in memory <NUM>. The following equations can be used to define each line: <MAT> <MAT><MAT> where a represents slope and b represents the y-intercept. With reference to <FIG>, equation (<NUM>) above defines line L2, equation (<NUM>) above defines line L1, and equation (<NUM>) above defines the line L3.

Once the microprocessor <NUM> determines in which region the target chromaticity is located, the microprocessor <NUM> can ignore the other regions at step S608. With reference to <FIG>, in an example embodiment target chromaticity point P1 is in the GB region, between the center-green line (e.g., line L1) and the center-blue line (e.g., line L3) and microprocessor <NUM> focuses on this region. Microprocessor <NUM> can then define transition boundary <NUM> of the inner region <NUM> between vertices 127A and 127C and boundary <NUM> of the global common gamut <NUM> between vertices 125A and 125C using equation y=ax+b.

Microprocessor <NUM> can then calculate directed distances between the target chromaticity point P1 and each of the boundaries <NUM> and <NUM> at step S610. For example, microprocessor <NUM> can calculate dP-b1 representing the distance between the target chromaticity point P1 and boundary <NUM> (or b <NUM>) and dP-b2 representing the distance between the target chromaticity point P1 and boundary <NUM> (or b2). These distances can be defined as the shortest distances between the target chromaticity point and the respective boundary. Although the boundaries <NUM> and <NUM> are not necessarily parallel, in all practical applications they will be nearly parallel. The use of the shortest distance is a way of treating them as equally valid slopes that may or may not be parallel. These boundaries <NUM> and <NUM> would not be vertical in practical implementations. The following equations can be used to calculate the directed distances as discussed above: <MAT> <MAT> <MAT> Since K is a function of a (e.g., a cosine function) it should be appreciated that there are six possible values of K, namely, two for boundaries <NUM> and <NUM> as discussed herein, two more for the boundaries of the global common gamut and the inner region between vertices 125A and 127A and vertices 125B and 127B (e.g., within region RG), and two more for the boundaries of the global common gamut and the inner region between vertices 125B and 127B and vertices 125C and 127C (e.g., within region BR). Thus, the calculations for dP-b1 and dP-b2 use two different values of K, namely, one for b1 and another for b2. Since K is a scale factor that is known in advance and can be precalculated as a factory setting, it can be stored in memory <NUM>. It should also be appreciated that the "±" used in the equation for K is there to signify that one should choose the sign that represents the desired direction so that a positive directed distance is oriented away/further from the center <NUM> and a negative directed distance is oriented toward/closer to the center <NUM>. For example, for bluish-green colors or yellow colors, a positive distance directs outward from the center, but for purple colors a positive distance directs inward toward the center. The proper sign should be used such that a positive directed distance is oriented away/further from the center <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the directed distances can also be determined in other ways. For example, a line can be drawn joining the center of the global common gamut as discussed herein to the target chromaticity point P1. The line from the center to point P1 can be projected onto the global common gamut. The distances dP-b1 and dP-b2 can be calculated using the single projection line. This can be particularly well suited for when the global common gamut and the inner region are parallel or substantially parallel.

Based on the directed distances, microprocessor <NUM> can determine whether the target chromaticity point P1 is within transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> or between transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> and boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM> at step S612. If the target chromaticity point P1 is inside transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) then the user has selected a white point that can be accurately targeted. In that case, the directed distances dP-b1 and dP-b2 would both be negative since the target chromaticity point P1 is inward of both b1 and b2 relative to the center. In other words, when the directed distances dP-b1 and dP-b2 are both negative, both boundaries b1 and b2 are outward of the target chromaticity point P1 relative to the center of the global common gamut. When the directed distances are both negative, microprocessor <NUM> uses the input values as-is for outputting control signals to light sources 102A-C at step S614A. In other words, the final target chromaticity is the requested target chromaticity. No further processing is necessary when the target chromaticity point is inside transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the input DMX values for R, G, and B using global common gamut <NUM> represent point P1 which is inside both global common gamut <NUM> and inner region <NUM>. Thus, the color lighting system <NUM> is optimized for accuracy using the control parameters of inner region <NUM>.

On the other hand, if the target chromaticity point is between transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> and boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM>, microprocessor <NUM> can output modified control signals to light sources 102A-C as described further below. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the input DMX values for R, G, and Busing global common gamut <NUM> can represent point P2 which is between transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> and boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM>. Since point P2 is outside of inner region <NUM>, the user is expressing an intent for a more saturated color and microprocessor <NUM> can stretch the point to a modified target chromaticity. Based on the values of point P2 represented in <FIG> and <FIG>, directed distance dP-b1 would be positive and directed distance dP-b2 would be negative. This is because point P2 is outward of (or above) transition boundary <NUM> but inward of (or below) boundary <NUM> with reference to the center point <NUM>. In other words, the target point P2 is above transition boundary <NUM> and below boundary <NUM>. When at least one directed distance is positive, microprocessor <NUM> determines that the input values must be modified in an outward direction toward the boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM> and the lighting fixture gamut <NUM> at step S614B. An input value that is modified in an outward direction specifies a more saturated color than initially requested.

In order to determine how far to stretch the target chromaticity point in an outward direction, microprocessor <NUM> can calculate the point's fractional distance between the boundaries <NUM> and <NUM>, represented by ratios R and <NUM>-R at step S616. The ratio R can be expressed as follows using the absolute values of the directed distances: <MAT>.

The ratios R and <NUM>-R when added together equal <NUM> or <NUM>%. The ratio R expresses whether the target chromaticity point is closer to the transition boundary <NUM> of the inner region <NUM> or boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM>. When the point is closer to the transition boundary <NUM>, the ratio R is greater because the distance between the point and boundary <NUM> is greater than the distance between the point and the transition boundary <NUM>. When the point is closer to boundary <NUM>, the ratio R is smaller because the distance between the point and boundary <NUM> is smaller than the distance between the point and transition boundary <NUM>. When the point is closer to transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM>, the weighted average will favor the chromaticity being near the user-targeted color point. In contrast, when the point is closer to boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM>, the weighted average will disfavor the chromaticity being near the user-targeted color point. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, based on the position of point P2, microprocessor <NUM> stretches the point to a modified target chromaticity MP2. In <FIG> and <FIG>, modified target chromaticity MP2 is adjacent to and slightly outward of target chromaticity point P2. Modified target chromaticity MP2 in <FIG> and <FIG> is still within global common gamut <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, based on the position of point P3, microprocessor <NUM> stretches the point to a modified target chromaticity MP3. Modified target chromaticity MP3 in <FIG> is no longer within global common gamut <NUM>. Instead, modified target chromaticity MP3 is stretched outward beyond global common gamut <NUM> and into parts of lighting fixture gamut <NUM> that do not overlap with global common gamut <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, based on the position of point P4, microprocessor <NUM> stretches point P4 to a modified target chromaticity MP4 that is also outward of global common gamut <NUM> and in lighting fixture gamut <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show how a slight difference in saturation in user selected target points (P3 vs. P4) can yield greatly different saturations in modified chromaticity points (MP3 vs. MP4). In other words, since P4 is slightly more saturated than P3, modified point MP4 is greatly more saturated than modified point MP3 due to the stretching performed by microprocessor <NUM> as discussed herein. In example embodiments, the modified target chromaticity can be determined from the input dimming ratios as if they applied to the light fixture's gamut.

If the input values for R, G, and B include one or more values that are equal to zero, that causes the ratio R discussed above to be zero and microprocessor <NUM> targets a fully-saturated color that is limited only by the optical capability of the LEDs of the lighting unit or fixture. On the other hand, if the input values represent a less saturated color, the ratio R is larger and microprocessor blends between the requested color and the most saturated possible color.

In example embodiments, as the user changes DMX input values, the fixture gradually responds to those changes by blending between accurate white/pastel colors and saturated colors.

In example embodiments, microprocessor <NUM> can determine how far to stretch the target chromaticity point in an outward direction alternatively. Instead of using the point's fractional distance between the boundaries <NUM> and <NUM> as discussed above, as shown in <FIG> a line L6 can be drawn connecting the center <NUM> of the global common gamut to the target point P5 and the line can be projected onto the global common gamut <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the target point P5 can represent a weighted average of distances A and B and distances dP-b1 and dP-b2. Distance A is measured between vertex 127A of inner region <NUM> and the point where line L6 intersects transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM>. Distance B is measured between vertex 127C of inner region <NUM> and the point where line L6 intersects transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM>. Microprocessor <NUM> can calculate the stretched target chromaticity (e.g., MP5) as the same ratio A and B but applied to transition boundary <NUM> and fixture gamut line 114A. In other words, the target point P5 is a weighted average of the endpoints of transition boundary <NUM> and the endpoints of boundary <NUM>. The stretched target uses the same weighted average, but applied to the transition boundary <NUM> and the boundary 114A of the fixture gamut.

In example embodiments, the process of stretching the target chromaticity point in an outward direction involves stretching a color space area <NUM> in the global common gamut <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows inner region <NUM> and the area <NUM> between inner region <NUM> and the exterior of global common gamut <NUM>. As discussed above, since inner region <NUM> remains constant at all times, all fixtures can target points requested in area <NUM> accurately. Points that are requested between the inner region <NUM> and the exterior of global common gamut <NUM> can be stretched as discussed above to produce saturated colors. In example embodiments, color space area <NUM> or parts thereof can be stretched as well.

As shown in <FIG>, area <NUM> can be divided into subareas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In example embodiments, microprocessor <NUM> can divide area <NUM> into three subareas based on the number of vertices of the global common gamut <NUM> and the inner region <NUM>. In examples, this subdivision can be carried out after or at the same time microprocessor <NUM> determines in which region the target chromaticity is located as discussed above. For example, subarea <NUM> is the part of global common gamut <NUM> that does not overlap with inner region <NUM> and is situated between lines L1 and L3 in <FIG>. Similarly, subarea <NUM> is the part of global common gamut <NUM> that does not overlap with inner region <NUM> and is situated between lines L1 and L2 in <FIG>. Subarea <NUM> is also part of global common gamut <NUM> that does not overlap with inner region <NUM> and is situated between lines L2 and L3 in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, subareas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be modified to subareas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. For example, in <FIG> subarea <NUM> which is otherwise termed a color space area in the present disclosure can be modified such that the outer boundary of subarea <NUM> is limited only by the optical capability of the LEDs of the lighting unit or fixture. Subarea <NUM> can be modified to subarea or color space area <NUM> when a target chromaticity point is determined to be within color space area <NUM>. Referring back to <FIG>, color space area <NUM> is defined by transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM>, boundary <NUM> of global common gamut <NUM> and parts of lines L1 and L3 extending between center <NUM> and vertices 125A and 125C of global common gamut <NUM>. Color space area <NUM> in <FIG> is defined by transition boundary <NUM> of inner region <NUM> and two adjacent vertices <NUM> and <NUM> of a plurality of vertices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of lighting fixture gamut <NUM>.

Similarly, color space areas <NUM> and <NUM> can be modified such that their outer boundaries are limited only by the optical capability of the LEDs of the lighting unit or fixture when appropriate. For example, color space area <NUM> in <FIG> can become color space area <NUM> in <FIG> when the target chromaticity point is determined to be within color space area <NUM> and color space area <NUM> in <FIG> can become color space area <NUM> in <FIG> when the target chromaticity point is determined to be within color space area <NUM>. <FIG> shows the modified color space areas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, in combination, relative to the inner region <NUM>.

Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein enable a user to easily select accurate white/pastel color points and saturated colors within a LED-based light system without changing settings or reconfiguring the light installation.

Claim 1:
A method of driving a plurality of LED-based light sources (102A, 102B, 102C) at a selectable target chromaticity (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) in a color space, the method comprising:
receiving or setting (S604) the selectable target chromaticity within a global common gamut (<NUM>) of the color space, wherein the global color gamut (<NUM>) includes one or more color points in the color space that is common to two or more of the plurality of LED-based light sources (102A, 102B, 102C);
determining (S606) that the selectable target chromaticity is between two adjacent vertices of a first plurality of vertices (125A, 125B, 125C) of the global common gamut (<NUM>);
defining (S602), with a transition boundary, an inner region (<NUM>) within the global common gamut (<NUM>);
calculating (S610) a first directed distance (dP-b1) between the selectable target chromaticity and the transition boundary of the inner region and a second directed distance (dP-b2) between the selectable target chromaticity and a straight side (S1, S2, S3) of the global common gamut between the two adjacent vertices; and
modifying the selectable target chromaticityto a modified target chromaticity within a light fixture gamut (<NUM>) based at least in part on the calculated first and second directed distances, the modification being in an outward direction toward a boundary of the global common gamut and the lighting fixture gamut, the light fixture gamut (<NUM>) including color points generated by at least one of the plurality of LED-based light sources (102A, 102B, 102C); or
generating an activation signal for driving the plurality of LED-based light sources based on the selectable target chromaticity as-is, when the selectable target chromaticity is within the inner region.