Patent Description:
The invention further relates to a method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode.

To create a more immersive experience for a user who is listening to a song being played by an audio rendering device, a lighting device can be controlled to render light effects while the audio rendering device plays the song. In this way, the user can create an experience at home which somewhat resembles the experience of a club or concert, at least in terms of lighting. These light effects are also referred to as entertainment light effects. Entertainment light effects may also be rendered to accompany video content.

Entertainment light effects may be rendered, for example, by using the Hue Sync app and Hue lighting devices. In the Hue app, lighting devices can be added to an entertainment zone/area and their locations in a room can be specified in order to render spatial entertainment light effects when the entertainment mode is active. The Hue app can also be used to define light scenes. The user is able to assign lighting devices to rooms/groups and after selecting one of the rooms/groups, the user is able to select a user-specified or predefined color palette and one or more lighting devices of the selected room/group to create the light scene. <CIT> also discloses a user interface for creating a light scene.

Often, people listen to music when indoor or on the move (e.g., when driving a car). However, in some situations, people also listen to music when outdoor in the garden, for example when having a barbecue party or a family dinner, or when simply relaxing outside. Thus, it might be beneficial to be able to use entertainment lighting outdoor and or use light scenes for the garden. However, it is less likely for people to have colored light in the garden, which impacts the created light experience in the garden.

<CIT> discloses a lighting system manager. The lighting system offers a user options to create a map of a set of interfaces, lights, groups and layouts A given set of light interfaces can, for example, be mapped in different ways. For example, in a stage lighting environment, the lights on two different sides of the stage could be made part of the same map, or they could be mapped as separate maps, or zones, so that the user can author shows for the two zones together, separately, or both, depending on the situation. By clicking the group view menu on the interface, the user is offered a menu button by which the user can choose to add a group. Using the interface, a user can discover lighting systems or interfaces for lighting systems, map the layout of lighting units associated with the lighting system, and create groups of lighting units within the mapping, to facilitate authoring of shows or effects across groups of lights, rather than just individual lights. The grouping of lighting units dramatically simplifies the authoring of complex shows for certain configurations of lighting units.

It is a first object of the invention to provide a system, which is able to enhance a light experience in certain spatial areas.

It is a second object of the invention to provide a method, which can be used to enhance a light experience in certain spatial areas.

The invention is defined by a system for controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode, as defined in claim <NUM>, and by a method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode, as defined in claim <NUM>.

In a first aspect of the invention, a system for controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode comprises a user interface, at least one transmitter, and at least one processor configured to receive, via said user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area, add one or more lighting devices located in said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode based on said user input, receive, via said user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode, said group being represented as a single light source in said user interface, and add said group of lighting devices to said first light scene or mode.

The at least one processor is further configured to, upon activation of said first light scene or mode, control, via said at least one transmitter, said one or more lighting devices as individual lighting devices and said group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode, different lighting devices of said group being controlled according to light settings, wherein said light settings are the same light settings or have differences within a predefined range, and upon activation of a second light scene or mode for said group of lighting devices located in said second spatial area, control, via said at least one transmitter, one or more lighting devices of said group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to said second light scene or mode.

By controlling lighting devices in the second spatial area as a group when the light scene or mode for the first spatial area is activated, the lighting devices in the second spatial area can be used to enhance the light scene or mode activated in the first spatial area. For example, when listening to music in the garden, the lighting devices which are located indoor close to the windows may also be controlled to render entertainment light effects such that the windows serve as virtual light sources. By representing this group in the user interface as a single light source, the user is able to decide whether this group should be controlled to render light effects.

The lighting devices in the group may be controlled to render the exact same light effects or there may be some minor deviations, where the size of said deviations can be limited by some set maximum value (i.e. the predefined range). When the lighting devices are controlled as individual lighting devices, there may be large deviations between their rendered light effects. The lighting devices in the second spatial area can be controlled individually when a light scene for the second spatial area is activated.

Said at least one processor may be configured to receive, via said user interface, additional user input indicative of locations of said one or more lighting devices located in said first spatial area and of a further location of said group of lighting devices as a whole, and determine said first light effects based on said locations and said further location. This makes it possible to render spatial light effects, e.g. spatial entertainment light effects in which a lighting device renders light effects determined based on a corresponding spatial region of the video content and/or a corresponding audio channel of the audio content.

Said first light scene or mode may be a new light scene and said at least one processor may be configured to receive input indicative of a color palette for said new light scene, add said color palette to said new light scene, and control, upon said activation of said new light scene, said one or more lighting devices and said group of lighting devices according to one or more colors selected from said color palette. In this way, the lighting devices in the second spatial area can be used to enhance the light scene activated in the first spatial area. The new light scene may be a static light scene or a dynamic light scene.

Said first light scene or mode may be an entertainment mode, said first light effects may be entertainment light effects relating to audio and/or video content, and said at least one processor may be configured to control said one or more lighting devices and said group of lighting devices to render said entertainment light effects while said audio and/or video content is being rendered by a rendering device. In this way, the lighting devices in the second spatial area can be used to enhance the entertainment mode activated in the first spatial area.

Said at least one processor may be configured to determine whether said first spatial area is an indoor or an outdoor spatial area and said at least one processor may be configured to represent said group as a single light source in said user interface only if said first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area. If said first spatial area is not an outdoor spatial area, said at least one processor may represent (e.g. render or show on said user interface) the lighting devices of said group as individual light sources in said user interface, for example. Controlling lighting devices in the second spatial area as a group when the light scene or mode for the first spatial area is activated is most likely to be beneficial when the first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area.

Said at least one processor may be configured to obtain location information about relative locations of said first and second spatial areas, and to determine if said second spatial area is adjacent to said first spatial area based on said location information, and said at least one processor may be configured to represent said group as a single light source in said user interface only if said second spatial area is adjacent to said first spatial area. If said second spatial area is not adjacent to said first spatial area, said at least one processor may represent (e.g. render or show on said user interface) the lighting devices of said group as individual light sources in said user interface, for example. Controlling lighting devices in the second spatial area as a group when the light scene or mode for the first spatial area is activated is typically only beneficial if the second spatial area is adjacent to the first spatial area. By representing less groups (i.e. only the groups in adjacent spatial areas) as single light sources, the user is less likely to select inappropriate groups inadvertently.

Said at least one processor may be configured to receive, via said user interface, other user input indicative of an addition of another group of lighting devices located in a third spatial area to said first light scene or mode, said other group being represented as another single light source in said user interface, add said other group of lighting devices to said first light scene or mode, and upon activation of said first light scene or mode, further control, via said at least one transmitter, said other group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode, different lighting devices of said other group being controlled according to further light settings, wherein said further light settings are the same light settings or have differences within a predefined range.

For example, when rendering light effects to accompany music, the lighting devices that contribute to a visibility of a light effect shining through the first window may automatically be grouped and be represented and controlled as a single virtual light source, and a different group of lighting devices contributing to a second window may also be grouped but be represented and controlled differently from the first group. Selecting and grouping may be done automatically based on the room and/or zones defined in a light control application, for example.

Said at least one processor may be configured to stop controlling said group of lighting devices to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode upon activation of said second light scene or mode. Thus, when lighting devices are needed to render light effects in their own spatial area, this has priority. Said at least one processor may be configured to activate said second light scene or mode based on an input signal from at least one of: a presence sensor, a timer, a light switch, and a user device, for example. For example, the system may be connected to a presence sensor and temporally stop entertainment light effects from being rendered in rooms where presence is detected.

Said at least one processor may be configured to determine a usefulness of each of said lighting devices in said group to said first light scene or mode, select a subset of said group based on said usefulness of each of said lighting devices, and control said subset of lighting devices when controlling said group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode. For example, said at least one processor may be configured to determine said usefulness of each of said lighting devices in said group to said first light scene or mode by determining a noticeability of each of said lighting devices in said group from said first spatial area. In this way, lighting devices that are not useful/noticeable, do not need to be controlled. This may be used to save energy, for example.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area, adding one or more lighting devices located in said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode based on said user input, receiving, via said user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode, said group being represented as a single light source in said user interface, and adding said group of lighting devices to said first light scene or mode.

Said method further comprises, upon activation of said first light scene or mode, controlling said one or more lighting devices as individual lighting devices and said group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode, different lighting devices of said group being controlled according to light settings, wherein said light settings are the same light settings or have a differences within a predefined range, and upon activation of a second light scene or mode for said group of lighting devices located in said second spatial area, controlling one or more lighting devices of said group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to said second light scene or mode. Said method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. This software may be provided as a computer program product.

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 lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode.

The executable operations comprise receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area, adding one or more lighting devices located in said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode based on said user input, receiving, via said user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside said first spatial area to said first light scene or mode, said group being represented as a single light source in said user interface, and adding said group of lighting devices to said first light scene or mode.

The executable operations further comprise upon activation of said first light scene or mode, controlling said one or more lighting devices as individual lighting devices and said group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode, different lighting devices of said group being controlled according to light settings, wherein said light settings are the same light settings or have differences within a predefined range, and upon activation of a second light scene or mode for said group of lighting devices located in said second spatial area, controlling one or more lighting devices of said group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to said second light scene or mode.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of the system for controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode. In this first embodiment, the system is a mobile device <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> may be a smart phone or a tablet, for example. Lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> can be controlled by the mobile device <NUM> via the bridge <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> communicates with lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM>, e.g., using Zigbee technology. The bridge <NUM> may be a Hue bridge, for example.

The mobile device <NUM>, the bridge <NUM>, and an audio rendering device <NUM> are connected to the wireless LAN access point <NUM>, e.g., via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The wireless LAN access point <NUM> is connected to the Internet <NUM>. An Internet server <NUM> is also connected to the Internet <NUM>. Audio and/or video content and/or light scripts may be stored on the Internet server <NUM>, for example. One or more of the lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> may be controlled to render entertainment light effects relating to audio content, e.g. specified in a light script, while the audio rendering device <NUM> renders the audio content.

The lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> have been assigned by a user to groups which correspond to the spatial areas in which the lighting devices are located, e.g. using an app on mobile device <NUM>. Lighting devices <NUM> and <NUM> have been assigned to a group <NUM> which corresponds to the living room. Lighting device <NUM> has been assigned to a group <NUM> which corresponds to the bathroom. Lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> have been assigned to a group <NUM> which corresponds to the backyard. Lighting device <NUM> has been assigned to a group <NUM> which corresponds to bedroom <NUM>. Lighting devices <NUM> and <NUM> have been assigned a group <NUM> which corresponds to bedroom <NUM>.

The mobile device <NUM> comprises a receiver <NUM> a transmitter <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a touchscreen display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to receive, via a user interface displayed on touchscreen display <NUM>, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area, add one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode based on the user input, receive, via the user interface displayed on touchscreen display <NUM>, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode, and add the group of lighting devices to the first light scene or mode. The group is represented as a single light source in the user interface.

The first spatial area may be the backyard, for example, and one or more of the lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> may be added to the first light scene or mode. One or more of the groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of lighting devices may then also be added to the first light scene or mode. As an example, group <NUM> is added to the first light scene or mode.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to, upon activation of the first light scene or mode, control, via the transmitter <NUM>, the one or more lighting devices as individual lighting devices and the group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Different lighting devices of the group are controlled according to the same light settings or according to light settings having differences within a predefined range. The processor <NUM> is further configured to, upon activation of a second light scene or mode for the group of lighting devices located in the second spatial area, control, via the transmitter <NUM>, one or more lighting devices of the group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to the second light scene or mode.

In the above-mentioned example, the second spatial area is the living room and lighting device <NUM> and/or lighting device <NUM> are controlled as individual lighting devices when the second light scene is activated, while they are controlled as a group of lighting devices when the first light scene is activated. The lighting devices in the group may be controlled to render the exact same light effects or there may be some minor deviations, where the size of said deviations can be limited by some set maximum value. When the lighting devices are controlled as individual lighting devices, there may be large deviations between their rendered light effects.

The benefit of the mobile device <NUM> may not only be achieved when the first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area, e.g. a garden, but may also be achieved when the first spatial area is an indoor spatial area. For example, if the building has a (partial) glass door or a (partial) glass wall between a hallway and a living room, lighting devices in the hallway could be treated and represented as a single group since individual lights might not be visible. In other words, the glass door/wall becomes a virtual light source that contributes to the (e.g. entertainment) light effects in the living room.

Thus, the benefit of the mobile device <NUM> may be achieved in a garden or any other room where the light from other rooms will be visible but not directly. For example, the benefit of the mobile device <NUM> may be achieved if the first spatial area is a living room, the second spatial area is a hallway, and these two rooms are separated by the door with some glass parts, but is probably not achieved if the first spatial area is a dining area and the second spatial area is an open kitchen, as all light from both the dining area and the kitchen will be clearly visible.

An(other) advantage of controlling lighting devices as a group is that bandwidth may be saved if all lighting devices of the group render exactly the same light settings. In this case, all lighting devices of a group may be assigned to the same channel/address, for example. If a maximum number of channels can be used, this allows more lighting devices to be controlled. For example, if the first spatial area is a garden and there are four rooms/zones facing the garden - bedroom <NUM>, bedroom <NUM>, bathroom and living room, the system may be able to use four channels to control more than four lighting devices - all lighting devices in the bedroom one will get assigned to the channel one, the bedroom <NUM> to the channel two and so on. The system then sends light values for each channel, effectively creating four virtual lighting devices/windows. The remaining channels may be used to control the lighting devices in the garden individually.

In the embodiment of the mobile device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the mobile device <NUM> comprises one processor <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device <NUM> comprises multiple processors. The processor <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> may be a general-purpose processor, e.g., from ARM or Qualcomm or an application-specific processor. The processor <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> may run an Android or iOS operating system for example. The display <NUM> may comprise an LCD or OLED display panel, for example. The memory <NUM> may comprise one or more memory units. The memory <NUM> may comprise solid state memory, for example.

The receiver <NUM> and the transmitter <NUM> may use one or more wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi (IEEE <NUM>) to communicate with the wireless LAN access point <NUM>, 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>, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver <NUM> and the transmitter <NUM> are combined into a transceiver. The mobile device <NUM> may further comprise a camera (not shown). This camera may comprise a CMOS or CCD sensor, for example. The mobile device <NUM> 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.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> are controlled via the bridge <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> are controlled without a bridge, e.g., directly via Bluetooth. Mobile device <NUM> may be connected to the Internet <NUM> via a mobile communication network, e.g., <NUM>, instead of via the wireless LAN access point <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a second embodiment of the system for controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode. In this second embodiment, the system is a computer <NUM>. The computer <NUM> is connected to the Internet <NUM> and acts as a server. The computer <NUM> may be operated by a lighting company, for example.

The computer <NUM> comprises a receiver <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and storage means <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to receive, via a user interface displayed on mobile device <NUM>, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area, add one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode based on the user input, receive, via the user interface displayed on mobile device <NUM>, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode, and add the group of lighting devices to the first light scene or mode. The group is represented as a single light source in the user interface.

If one or more of the lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> are controlled to render entertainment light effects, the computer <NUM> may determine the entertainment light effects based on characteristics of the audio and/or video content and capture the result in a light script which contains all light control commands that need to be sent over time for the duration of the audio and/or video content. This script is sent to the bridge <NUM> which plays the script in sync with the audio and/or video content that is being played.

In the embodiment of the computer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the computer <NUM> comprises one processor <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the computer <NUM> comprises multiple processors. The processor <NUM> of the computer <NUM> may be a general-purpose processor, e.g., from Intel or AMD, or an application-specific processor. The processor <NUM> of the computer <NUM> may run a Windows or Unix-based operating system for example. The storage means <NUM> may comprise one or more memory units. The storage means <NUM> may comprise one or more hard disks and/or solid-state memory, for example. The storage means <NUM> may be used to store an operating system, applications and application data, for example.

The receiver <NUM> and the transmitter <NUM> may use one or more wired and/or wireless communication technologies such as Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi (IEEE <NUM>) to communicate with the Internet <NUM>, 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>, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver <NUM> and the transmitter <NUM> are combined into a transceiver. The computer <NUM> may comprise other components typical for a computer 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>, the computer <NUM> transmits data to the lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> via the bridge <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the computer <NUM> transmits data to the lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> without a bridge.

A first embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The method may be performed by the mobile device <NUM> of <FIG> or the (cloud) computer <NUM> of <FIG>, for example.

A step <NUM> comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area. A step <NUM> comprises adding one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode based on the user input.

A step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode. The group is represented as a single light source in the user interface. A step <NUM> comprises adding the group of lighting devices to the first light scene or mode.

A step <NUM> comprises determining whether a light scene or mode has been activated. If it is determined in step <NUM> that a first light scene or mode has been activated, a step <NUM> is performed. If it is determined in step <NUM> that a second light scene or mode for lighting devices in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area has been activated, a step <NUM> is performed. If more than two light scenes or modes have been defined, one or more additional steps similar to step <NUM> and/or one or more additional steps similar to step <NUM> may be present, and step <NUM> may be adapted accordingly.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling the one or more lighting devices as individual lighting devices and the group of lighting devices as a group to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Different lighting devices of the group are controlled according to the same light settings or according to light settings having differences within a predefined range. The predefined range may be indicate of a maximum (allowed) difference between the light settings. The light settigns may be similar to each other (but not exactly the same). The predefined range may be a threshold range. For instance, the light settings may be different shades of a certain color (e.g. different shades of blue) and/or have different intensity values, within the predefined range. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling one or more lighting devices of the group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to the second light scene or mode. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

A second embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The embodiment of <FIG> is an extension of the embodiment of <FIG>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, step <NUM> is implemented by a step <NUM>, a step <NUM> is performed between steps <NUM> and <NUM>, and step <NUM> is implemented by a step <NUM>.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a new light scene for lighting devices located in a first spatial area. This new light scene is referred to as the first light scene. When step <NUM> is performed, the second light scene may already exist or may still need to be configured. In step <NUM>, input is received indicative of a color palette for the new first light scene. This input may be part of the user input, for example. Step <NUM> comprises adding the color palette indicated in the input received in step <NUM> to the new first light scene.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling, upon the activation of the first light scene, the one or more lighting devices and the group of lighting devices according to one or more colors selected from the color palette added to the first light scene.

<FIG> shows an example of a user interface <NUM> of an app which may be used in the method of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a screen that is displayed on a display <NUM> of a mobile device <NUM> when the user selects the spatial area "Backyard" from a list of previously defined spatial areas displayed by the app. One existing scene <NUM> titled "Lily" has already been defined. Existing light scenes are listed under the header <NUM> titled "My scenes". The user is also able to add a new light scene <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the user is adding a new light scene. In this case, the lighting devices assigned to the spatial area "Backyard" are listed under the header <NUM> titled "Real lamps". Icons <NUM>-<NUM> representing three lighting devices (e.g. lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>) are selected by default, but may be de-selected by the user. In the example of <FIG>, two spatial areas other than "Backyard" have previously been defined: "Living Room" and "Bedroom <NUM>". Multiple lighting devices are assigned to each of these two spatial areas, but these lighting devices are not represented as individual light sources in the user interface <NUM>. Instead, each group of lighting devices, i.e. each spatial area, is represented as a single light source: icon <NUM> represents the group of lighting devices in the living room (e.g. corresponding to group <NUM> of <FIG>) and icon <NUM> represents the group of lighting devices in bedroom <NUM> (e.g. corresponding to group <NUM> of <FIG>).

In the example of <FIG>, the icons <NUM> and <NUM> are automatically shown when a user selects a room and then adds a scene. At that moment, the mobile device <NUM> shows other rooms as virtual single pixel light sources that the user could add to the scene. Alternatively, the user may need to press a virtual button (titled e.g.. "Add other rooms as virtual lamps") first, for example. The other rooms may also be represented as virtual lamps in other screens.

In addition to selecting one or more lamps in the backyard and optionally selecting one or more groups of lighting devices, the user is able to define a color palette for this new light scene. In the example of <FIG>, the color palette <NUM> comprises five colors <NUM>-<NUM>. The user may only be allowed to specify a single color palette that applies to the whole light scene or may be able to select one or more colors per real lamp <NUM>-<NUM> and virtual lamp <NUM>, <NUM>. After the new light scene has been defined, the user can name the new light scene and store the configuration in their lighting system (not shown in <FIG>).

A third embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The embodiment of <FIG> is an extension of the embodiment of <FIG>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, step <NUM> is implemented by a step <NUM>, a step <NUM> is performed between steps <NUM> and <NUM>, and step <NUM> is preceded by a step <NUM> and implemented by a step <NUM>.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring an entertainment mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area. A second entertainment mode or a light scene may already exist or may still need to be configured. Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, additional user input indicative of locations of the one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area and of a further location of the group of lighting devices as a whole.

If it is determined in step <NUM> that the (first) entertainment mode has been activated, steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed. Step <NUM> comprises determining entertainment light effects based on the locations and the further location indicated in the additional user input received in step <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the entertainment light effects are not determined based on the locations and/or the further location. In both cases, the entertainment light effects relate to audio and/or video content. Step <NUM> comprises controlling the one or more lighting devices and the group of lighting devices to render the entertainment light effects determined in step <NUM> while the audio and/or video content is being rendered by an audio and/or video rendering device.

<FIG> shows an example of a user interface <NUM> of an app which may be used in the method of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a screen that is displayed on a display <NUM> of a mobile device <NUM> when the user defines an outdoor entertainment zone, e.g. after the user has indicated that they want to create an entertainment zone and that the entertainment zone is for a garden. On this screen, the user is able to place real lamps located in an outdoor spatial area, e.g. backyard, in a garden representation <NUM>. This garden representation is similar to a room representation when defining an indoor entertainment zone. The user is not only able to indicate which real lamp(s) should be controlled to render entertainment light effects but also the locations of these lamps. However, the locations of the lamps are not important for all applications.

The user is also able to indicate of which indoor spatial area(s) the corresponding group(s) of lighting devices should be controlled to render entertainment light effects. The user is able to select these group(s) of lighting devices and place them on a building (façade) representation <NUM> at the locations of the glass windows and/or glass doors, thereby also indicating the locations from which the light emitted by these groups will appear to come from when outside the building.

In the user interface <NUM>, the user is able to drag icons <NUM>-<NUM> representing real lamps (e.g. lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>) from a window <NUM> displayed on screen to the garden representation <NUM> and icons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> representing groups of lamps (e.g. groups <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>) from the window <NUM> to the building representation <NUM>. When their icons are in the window <NUM>, the corresponding lamps or groups of lamps are not included in the entertainment zone and do not participate in the entertainment mode. The groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are located inside the building. The groups <NUM> and <NUM> each comprise multiple lamps. The groups <NUM> and <NUM> only comprise one lamp. The group which comprises the lighting devices represented by icons <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g. group <NUM> of lighting devices <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>) is not represented with an icon in the user interface <NUM>, as the icons <NUM>-<NUM> represent these lighting devices individually.

In the example of <FIG>, the real lamp represented by icon <NUM> and the groups of lamps represented by icons <NUM> and <NUM> are not included in the entertainment zone and the corresponding lamps and groups of lamps would not be controlled to render entertainment light effects. On the other hand, icons <NUM> and <NUM> have been placed in the garden representation <NUM> and the icons <NUM> and <NUM> have been placed in the building representation <NUM> and the corresponding lamps and groups of lamps have thereby been included in the entertainment zone. The lamps corresponding to icons <NUM> and <NUM> would be controlled as individual lighting devices to render entertainment light effects and the lighting devices in the groups corresponding to icons <NUM> and <NUM> would be controlled as (two) groups to render entertainment light effects. After the outdoor entertainment zone has been defined, the user can store the configuration in their lighting system (not shown in <FIG>).

A fourth embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The embodiment of <FIG> is an extension of the embodiment of <FIG>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed between steps <NUM> and <NUM> and step <NUM> is implemented by a step <NUM>.

Step <NUM> comprises determining a usefulness of each of the lighting devices in the group to the first light scene or mode. Step <NUM> may comprise determining the usefulness of each of the lighting devices by determining a noticeability of each of the lighting devices in the group from the first spatial area. For instance, some of the lighting devices that have minimum contribution to the light effects effect (e.g., because they are located far away from the window) may be excluded. Some of the lighting devices may also be excluded if the light effects would be bright enough when rendered by the other lighting devices in the group.

Determining a noticeability of each of the lighting devices in the group from the first spatial area may require a calibration that would include measuring changes in brightness when a specific lamp is turned on and off (e.g., using a camera). Additionally or alteratively, the uniformity of the light effects rendered by the group of lighting devices may be taken into account when determining the usefulness of each of the lighting devices. For instance, a lighting device that creates a visible spot in the window may be excluded or dimmed down.

Step <NUM> comprises selecting a subset of the group based on the usefulness of each of the lighting devices, as determined in step <NUM>. Step <NUM> comprises controlling the subset of lighting devices to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Different lighting devices of the subset are controlled according to the same light settings or according to light settings having differences within a predefined range.

A fifth embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The method may be performed by the mobile device <NUM> of <FIG> or the (cloud) computer <NUM> of <FIG>, for example.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area. Step <NUM> comprises adding one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode based on the user input received in step <NUM>. A step <NUM> comprises determining whether the first spatial area is an indoor or an outdoor spatial area. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed if it is determined in step <NUM> that the first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed if it is determined in step <NUM> that the first spatial area is an indoor spatial area.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices located in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode. The group is represented as a single light source in the user interface. A step <NUM> comprises adding the group of lighting devices to the first light scene or mode. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be repeated one or more times to add one or more further groups of lighting devices located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area. Each group of lighting devices, and therefore each spatial area outside the first spatial area, is represented as a single light source in the user interface.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of a single lighting device located in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode. Lighting devices outside the first spatial area are each represented as a single light source in the user interface. However, the single lighting device may still be part of a group of lighting devices located in this spatial area. Thus, the group is represented as a single light source in the user interface only if the first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area. Step <NUM> comprises adding the lighting device selected in step <NUM> to the first light scene or mode. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be repeated one or more times to add one or more lighting devices located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area.

Step <NUM> is performed after step <NUM> has been performed for all groups or step <NUM> has been performed for all lighting devices. Step <NUM> comprises determining whether a light scene or mode has been activated. If it is determined in step <NUM> that a first light scene or mode has been activated, step <NUM> is performed. If it is determined in step <NUM> that a second light scene or mode has been activated for lighting devices in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area, step <NUM> is performed.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling the one or more lighting devices in the first spatial area as individual lighting devices to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. If the first spatial area is an outdoor spatial area, each of the groups of lighting devices added in step <NUM> is controlled as a group in step <NUM> to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Different lighting devices of the group are controlled according to the same light settings or according to light settings having differences within a predefined range. If the first spatial area is an indoor spatial area, each of the lighting devices added in step <NUM> is controlled as individual lighting device in step <NUM> to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling one or more lighting devices of the group of lighting devices in the second spatial area as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to the second light scene or mode. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

A sixth embodiment of the method of controlling lighting devices to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode is shown in <FIG>. The method may be performed by the mobile device <NUM> of <FIG> or the (cloud) computer <NUM> of <FIG>, for example.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via a user interface, user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices located in a first spatial area. Step <NUM> comprises adding one or more lighting devices located in the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode based on this user input.

A step <NUM> comprises obtaining location information about relative locations of the first spatial area and spatial areas outside (i.e. other than) the first spatial area. A step <NUM> comprises determining which spatial areas outside the first spatial area are adjacent to the first spatial area based on the location information obtained in step <NUM>. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed for spatial areas outside the first spatial area which are adjacent to the first spatial area, if any. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> are performed for spatial areas outside the first spatial area which are not adjacent to the first spatial area, if any.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, further user input indicative of an addition to the first light scene or mode of at least one group of lighting devices located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area which is adjacent to the first spatial area. The group is represented as a single light source in the user interface. A step <NUM> comprises adding this group of lighting devices to the first light scene or mode.

Step <NUM> comprises receiving, via the user interface, further user input indicative of an addition of at least one single lighting device located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area which is not adjacent to the first spatial area to the first light scene or mode. Lighting devices located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area are each represented as a single light source in the user interface if this spatial area is not adjacent to the first spatial area. However, the single lighting device may still be part of a group of lighting devices located in this spatial area. Thus, the group is represented as a single light source in the user interface only if the group is located in a spatial area which is adjacent to the first spatial area. Step <NUM> comprises adding the at least one lighting device selected in step <NUM> to the first light scene or mode. In an alternative embodiment, lighting devices located in a spatial area outside the first spatial area which is not adjacent to the first spatial area are not represented in the user interface.

Step <NUM> comprises determining whether a light scene or mode has been activated. If it is determined in step <NUM> that the first light scene or mode has been activated, a step <NUM> is performed. If it is determined in step <NUM> that a second light scene or mode has been activated for lighting devices in a second spatial area outside the first spatial area, a step <NUM> is performed. The second light scene or mode may be activated, for example, based on an input signal from a presence sensor, a timer, a light switch, or a user device.

Step <NUM> comprises controlling the one or more lighting devices added in step <NUM> as individual lighting devices, any lighting devices added in step <NUM> as individual lighting devices, and each of the groups of lighting devices added in step <NUM> as a group to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode. Different lighting devices of a group are controlled according to the same light settings or according to light settings having differences within a predefined range. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

A step <NUM> comprises determining whether the first light scene or mode is still active. If so, a step <NUM> is performed. If not, step <NUM> is skipped and step <NUM> is performed next. Step <NUM> comprises (e.g. temporarily) stopping control of the group of lighting devices to render first light effects determined according to the first light scene or mode, i.e. stopping step <NUM>. Step <NUM> is performed after step <NUM>. Step <NUM> comprises controlling one or more lighting devices of the group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to the second light scene or mode. Step <NUM> is repeated during and/or after step <NUM>.

Multiple of the embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be combined. For example, one or more of the embodiments of <FIG> may be combined with the embodiment of <FIG> or the embodiment of <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may perform the method as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The processing system <NUM> may also be able to use memory elements of another processing system, e.g., if the processing system <NUM> is part of a cloud-computing platform.

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.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>,<NUM>) for controlling lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) to render light effects upon activation of a light scene or mode, said system (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprising:
a user interface (<NUM>,<NUM>);
at least one transmitter (<NUM>,<NUM>); and
at least one processor (<NUM>,<NUM>) configured to:
- receive, via said user interface (<NUM>,<NUM>), user input for configuring a first light scene or mode for lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) located in a first spatial area (<NUM>),
- add one or more lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) located in said first spatial area (<NUM>) to said first light scene or mode based on said user input,
- receive, via said user interface (<NUM>,<NUM>), further user input indicative of an addition of a group of lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) located in a second spatial area (<NUM>) outside said first spatial area (<NUM>) to said first light scene or mode,
- add said group of lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) to said first light scene or mode,
- upon activation of said first light scene or mode, control, via said at least one transmitter (<NUM>,<NUM>), said one or more lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) as individual lighting devices and said group of lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) as a group to render first light effects determined according to said first light scene or mode, different lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) of said group being controlled according to light settings, wherein said light settings are the same light settings or have differences within a predefined range,
characterized in that:
said group is represented as a single light source in said user interface (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein:
- upon activation of a second light scene or mode for said group of lighting devices located in said second spatial area (<NUM>), the at least one processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to control, via said at least one transmitter (<NUM>,<NUM>), one or more lighting devices (<NUM>-<NUM>) of said group as individual lighting devices to render one or more second light effects determined according to said second light scene or mode.