FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lighting system adapted to provide different light scenes. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling a lighting system adapted to provide different light scenes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

NatureConnect by Signify is a natural lighting system comprising a plurality of different pixelated lighting devices that work together as one system, providing a set of differentiated lighting configurations and effects known as scenes. In order to make the most of this system, a user will be allowed to change the current scene at any moment.

WO 2020216698 Al discloses a controller for a lighting system. The controller is connecta-ble to a plurality of light sources of different colors and/or different color tempera-tures, and to a user control element configured to generate a user selected value from a range of user selectable values. The controller is configured to receive a change of the user selected value, and as a response to and corresponding to this change adjust a combined output of the plurality of light sources to produce a change in output color, color temperature and/or luminous flux of a combined light of the plurality of light sources. The change is such that, as function of the user selected value in separate first intervals of the user selectable values, the output color and/or color temperature is kept approximately constant while the luminous flux obtains a local minimum or local maximum in each first interval. Similarly, in at least one second interval in between the first intervals, the output color at least changes from a first color to a second color and/or the color temperature increases or decreases while the luminous flux is kept approximately constant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Installing NatureConnect, or any system that contains separate lighting scenes, in a room where an existing lighting control mechanism is present, may be a big challenge. Existing control mechanisms will oftentimes, especially in the US, only provide a single 0- 10V line, which was used as a way to control only the brightness of the lighting system. It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide an improved lighting system providing (advanced) light scenes, which system in particular can be controlled using a single 0-10V line interface.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by a lighting system adapted to provide different light scenes, the lighting system comprising: a computer-readable storage medium on which an input control signal voltage range is divided in different voltage sub-ranges and each voltage sub-range is assigned to a respective light scene of said different light scenes; a control unit configured to receive an input control signal having a voltage within the input control signal voltage range, and in response to the voltage being anywhere within one of said voltage sub-ranges, cause the lighting system to provide the light scene corresponding to that voltage sub-range; and a plurality of luminaries connected to the control unit for executing the different light scenes.

The present invention is based on the understanding by dividing the input control signal voltage range (e.g. 0-10 V) in different areas or sub-ranges, each one assigned to a separate scene, a user can readily set scenes using merely a 0-10 V interface. For instance, in a system with five separate scenes, scene #1 would be active when the voltage is between 0 and 2V, scene #2 when the voltage ranges between 2V and 4V, and so on.

Accordingly, the control unit may be configured to cause the lighting system to change from providing a first light scene of the different light scenes to providing a second light scene of the different light scenes in response to the voltage of the received input control signal changing from being within a first voltage sub-range assigned to the first light scene to being within a second voltage sub-range assigned to the second light scene.

It can be noted that US10728979 discloses a lighting fixture configured to receive an input from an adjustable switch. Based on the position, the switch may provide an electrical signal that indicates the input level, such as a voltage between about 0 V to about 10 V. The switch may be positioned at a first position that is correlated with a maximum input level (e.g., about 10 V), and based on the maximum input level, a two-channel driver of the lighting fixture may provide all of an available current to a first channel and withhold all of the available current from a second channel. The switch may be adjusted to a second position that is correlated with a minimum input level (e.g., about 0 V), and based on the minimum input level, the driver may withhold all of the available current from first channel and provide all of the available current to the second channel. In addition, the switch may be adjusted to an intermediate position or may pass through a range of intermediate positions that are correlated with a range of intermediate input levels (e.g., between about 0 V to about 10 V). For example, if the input level is about 50% (e.g., correlated with a middle switch position), the driver may provide about half of the available current to the first channel and about half to the second channel. However, in US 10728979 the input control signal voltage range is not divided in different voltage sub-ranges, wherein each voltage sub-range is assigned to a respective light scene. Instead, only discrete values, like 0 V or 10 V, activates first or second pluralities of LEDs of the lighting fixture in US10728979.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, each voltage sub-range may be (Vmax - Vmin)/N, wherein Vmax is the maximum voltage of said input control signal voltage range, Vmin is the minimum voltage of said input control signal voltage range, and N is the number of light scenes. For example, if Vmax = 10V, Vmin = 0V, and N = 5, each voltage sub-range is 2V, such as 0-2V, 2-4V, 4-6V, 6-8V, and 8-10V. In another example, Vmax = 20V, Vmin = 0V, and N = 4, whereby each voltage sub-range is 5V, such as 0-5V, 5-10V, 10-15V, and 15-20V. Alternatively, not all sub-ranges need to have the same size.

As indicated above, the input control signal voltage range may be 0-10V, specifically 0 to +10V. Alternatively, the input control signal voltage range could be 1-10V or 0 to -10V or 0-20V, for example.

The voltage sub-ranges may in increasing order of voltage be assigned to the light scenes in increasing order of brightness. In other words, the voltage sub-ranges may be assigned to the light scenes such that the condition ‘the higher voltage sub-range, the brighter light scene’ is met. Just by having light scenes arranged in such a fashion, a user moving a slider from left to right (causing the voltage of the input control signal to increase) would be changing light scenes in such a way that the brightness is also increased, akin to a previous or simple lighting system. It should be noted that even if the brightness of a light scene could vary over time, the brightness of the light scene should always be brighter than the preceding light scene (corresponding to a lower voltage sub-range) and/or dimmer than the following light scene (corresponding to a higher voltage sub-range).

The control unit may be configured to cause the lighting system to adjust the brightness of the provided light scene in response to the voltage of the input control signal varying within the voltage sub-range assigned to that light scene. In this way, a user can change the brightness of a light scene without changing to another light scene, which improves the versatility of the lighting system even if it is controlled using merely a 0-10 V interface. Furthermore, a lowest brightness of the light scene may be associated with the lowest end-point of the voltage sub-range, and a highest brightness of the light scene may be associated with the highest end-point of the voltage sub-range. In this way, abrupt changes in brightness can be avoided when switching light scenes. For example, when the user moves the slider so that voltage of the input control signal increases past the highest end-point of the voltage sub-range of a light scene, the lighting system may change to the next, brighter scene, but in its darkest setting.

Overall, with the means of a single slider over an existing 0 - 10V range, a user will be able to define the desired brightness and light scene in a natural and coherent fashion: big changes in slider will introduce new light scenes and small changes will produce variations in brightness, keeping the idea that movement to the right (= increased voltage of the input control signal) will mean increased brightness and left (= decreased voltage of the input control signal) decreased brightness.

The control unit may be configured to cause the lighting system not to provide (or change to) the light scene when a rate of change of the voltage of the input control signal is above a predetermined threshold. The control unit may also be configured to cause the lighting system to provide (or change to) the light scene when the rate of change of the voltage of the input control signal is or drops below the predetermined threshold. In this way, quickly moving the slider to a separate light scene will omit intermediate light scenes and brightness values and set the lighting system only into that (final) light scene. This may be more pleasing to the eye. The rate of change RoC may be dv/dt (volts per second increase or decrease), and/or may correspond to the speed of the movement of the slider. The predetermined threshold may for example be less than 1 volt per second.

The control unit may also be configured to cause the lighting system to provide (or change to) the light scene only when the voltage of the input control signal has been constant (unvarying) and within the voltage sub-range for a predetermined period of time. In other words, only when the user stops moving the slider and the input control signal voltage stays stable for a period, the changes will be made effective. The predetermined period of time may for example be less than 2 seconds. In this way, the lighting system still appears responsive.

Generally, the different light scenes may be designed to mimic natural patterns of daylight indoors and/or to match different user activities, and light settings (or properties) for the different light scenes may include one or more of brightness, tonality, color, color temperature, saturation, and at least one dynamic effect. Typically, light settings for the different light scenes may include at least brightness, color, and color temperature. In this way, advanced light scenes may be provided. Furthermore, the plurality of luminaries connected to the control unit for executing the different light scenes may be various LED luminaries, such as at least one wall LED luminaire and at least one ceiling LED luminaire. The at least one ceiling LED luminaire could include at least one first ceiling LED luminaire adapted to mimic skylight and at least one second ceiling LED luminaire adapted to (dynamically) mimic daylight.

The number of different light scenes may be at least three, such as - but not limited to - three, four or five. In this way, a versatile and advanced lighting system may be provided.

The input control signal may be received from a single switch device, wherein the single switch device is continuously (steplessly) adjustable by a user. The switch device may be continuously adjustable by a user by manipulating a single slider (left-right or up- down) or a single rotatable knob of the switch device. The single switch device may be included in the lighting system. The single switch device may be a legacy single switch device, that is, relating to, associated with, or carried over from an earlier (simpler) lighting system, such as a dimmable (only) fixture.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling a lighting system adapted to provide different light scenes, wherein an input control signal voltage range is divided in different voltage sub-ranges; each voltage sub-range is assigned to a respective light scene of said different light scenes; and the lighting system: receives an input control signal having a voltage in the input control signal voltage range, and in response to the voltage being within one of said voltage sub-ranges, provides the light scene corresponding to that voltage sub-range. This aspect may exhibit the same or similar features and technical effects as the first aspect, and vice versa.

It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a lighting system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates voltage sub-ranges assigned to light scenes. Figs. 3a-b illustrate change of light scene.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of controlling the lighting system of fig. 1 Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

Fig. 1 shows a lighting system 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The lighting system 10 may be installed indoors, for example in a room 12. The lighting system 10 is adapted to provide different light scenes in the room 12. The different light scenes may be designed to mimic natural patterns of daylight (i.e. mimic the daily rhythm of the sun, to help people stay active during the day and rest well at night) and/or to match different user activities, such as ‘Energize’, ‘Relax’, and/or ‘Present’. Typically, light settings for the different light scenes may include at least brightness, color, and color temperature. For example, the dimmed ‘Relax’ light scene may have red and violet colors and warm white light, whereas the bright ‘Energize’ light scene may have cold white light and lots of blue light (mimicking skylight).

The lighting system 10 comprises a plurality of luminaries for executing the different light scenes. The luminaires may include at least one wall luminaire 14a adapted illuminate a wall of the room 12, at least one first ceiling luminaire 14b adapted to mimic skylight (i.e. the sky), and at least one second ceiling luminaire 14c adapted to dynamically mimic daylight. The luminaires 14a-c could be LED (light emitting diode) luminaires.

The lighting system 10 further comprises a control unit 16. The control unit 16 may be connected to the luminaires 14a-c. Specifically, the control unit 16 may be wirelessly connected to the plurality of luminaires 14a-c, for example using Zigbee.

The control unit 16 is configured to receive an input control signal I. The input control signal I has a voltage varying within an input control signal voltage range, preferably between zero and ten volts (0-10 V). The input control signal I will typically be received from a switch device 18. The switch device 18 may for example be mounted on a wall of the room 12, and the control unit 16 could be connected to the switch device 18 via a (single) connection line 19. The switch device 18 may be continuously (steplessly) adjustable by a user, by manipulating a single slider 20 of the switch device 18. In one extreme position of the slider 20, for example its left-most position, the voltage of the input control signal I may be 0 V, and in the other extreme position of the slider 20, for example its right-most position, the voltage of the input control signal I may be 10 V. Intermediate positions of the slider 20 will result in corresponding intermediate voltages of the input control signal I. As such, the switch device 18 may be a conventional/existing 0-10 V switching device. In another embodiment, the switch device 18 could have single rotatable knob (not shown) instead of the slider 20.

The lighting system 10 further comprises a computer-readable storage medium 22. The computer-readable storage medium 22 may be non-transitory. The computer- readable storage medium 22 may for example be flash memory. The computer-readable storage medium 22 may be included in the control unit 16, but it could alternatively be remote (or separate) of the control unit 16. The computer-readable storage medium 22 could for example be included in a cloud service accessible by the control unit 16.

On the computer-readable storage medium 22, the input control signal voltage range is divided in different voltage sub-ranges, and each voltage sub-range is assigned to a respective light scene of the different light scenes of the lighting system 10, as exemplified in fig. 2. The division and assignment could be pre-set, set when installing the lighting system 10, and/or adjusted during the lifetime of the lighting system 10. In fig. 2, the input control signal voltage range 0-10 V is divided in five different voltage sub-ranges, namely 0-2V, 2- 4V, 4-6V, 6-8V, and 8-10V. And these voltage sub-ranges are assigned to five light scenes #1 to #5. Namely, voltage sub-range 0-2V is assigned to light scene #1, voltage sub-range 2- 4V is assigned to light scene #2, and so on.

Returning to the control unit 16, the control unit 16 is further configured such that when the voltage of the received input control signal I is determined to be within one of the voltage sub-ranges, the control unit 16 causes one or more of the luminaires 14a-c to provide the light scene corresponding to that voltage sub-range on the computer-readable storage medium 22. The voltage of the input control signal I received from the switch device 18 could for example be 5 V, which is within voltage subrange 4-6V, resulting in that light scene #3 is provided by the lighting system 10. The control unit 16 will also be configured to cause the lighting system 10 to change from providing a first light scene to providing a second light scene in response to the voltage of the received input control signal I from the switch device 18 changing from being within a first voltage sub-range assigned to the first light scene to being within a second voltage sub-range assigned to the second light scene when the user manipulates the slider 20 of the switch device 18. For example, the lighting system 10 could switch from light scene #1 to light scene #2 when the voltage of the input control signal I changes from say 0 to 3 V, as illustrated in figs. 3a-b. Hence, in the present lighting system 10, the user can readily set advanced light scenes using merely a conventional/existing 0-10 V switching device 18 by manipulating the single slider 20 (or a single rotatable knob).

Preferably, the voltage sub-ranges are in increasing order of voltage assigned to the light scenes in increasing order of brightness on the on the computer-readable storage medium 22. In other words, the scenes are arranged in increasing order of brightness. In an exemplary embodiment, the order could be ‘Off, ‘Dark’, ‘Relax’, ‘DayRhythm’, and ‘Energize’, as shown in fig. 2. Even if at least one of the light scenes is dynamic and changes throughout the day, the brightness boundaries would be maintained at any given moment (‘Relax’ is always brighter than ‘Dark’ but dimmer than ‘DayRhythm’, and so on). By having the light scenes arranged in this way, a user moving the slider 20 from left to right would be changing light scenes in such a way that the brightness is also increased.

The control unit 16 may also be configured to cause the lighting system 10 (namely, one or more of the luminaires 14a-c) to adjust the brightness of the currently provided light scene in response to the voltage of the input control signal I varying within the voltage sub-range assigned to that light scene. Preferably, a lowest brightness of each light scene is associated with the lowest end-point of the corresponding voltage sub-range, and a highest brightness of each light scene is associated with the highest end-point of the corresponding voltage sub-range. For example, the lighting system 10 can be set up so that 2V is the darkest brightness setting for the ‘Dark’ light scene and 4V is the brighter setting. A user moving the slider 20 inside the 2V to 4V range would not be changing the light scene, but the brightness within it. Once the slider 20 would move past the 4V range, the light scene would be switched to a brighter one, ‘Relax’, but in its darkest setting.

Overall, with the means of a single slider 20 over an existing 0 - 10V range, a user will be able to define the desired brightness and light scene in a natural and coherent fashion: big changes in slider 20 will introduce new (light) scenes and small changes will produce variations in brightness, keeping the idea that movement to the right will mean increased brightness and left decreased. In other words, with the present lighting system 10, the single slider (or knob) 20 may provide both brightness and scene control. The control unit 16 may further be configured to cause the lighting system 10 not to provide (or change to) the light scene when a rate of change RoC of the voltage of the input control signal is above a predetermined threshold Tl, but only provide (or change to) the light scene when the rate of change RoC is or drops below the predetermined threshold Tl. For example, when switching from the darkest light scene #1 to the brightest light scene #5 (which involves moving the slider 20 across several light scenes), if a user moves the slider 20 quick enough (RoC>Tl), the lighting system 10 will skip the intermediate light scenes #2 to #4, and only provide the final light scene #5.

Alternatively or complementary, the control unit 16 may be configured to provide (or change to) the light scene only when the voltage of the input control signal has been constant (and within the voltage sub-range) for a predetermined period of time T2. In other words, only when a user stops moving the slider 20 and the voltage of the input control signal I stays stable for a period, the selected light scene will be provided.

Turning to fig. 4, this figure shows a flowchart of a method of controlling a lighting system, such as lighting system 10 adapted to provide different light scenes.

At SI, the input control signal voltage range is divided in different voltage sub-ranges. For example, the input control signal voltage range 0-10V may be divided in N successive and equally sized voltage sub-ranges, wherein N preferably is > 3, such as 3, 4, or 5.

At S2, each voltage sub-range is assigned to a respective light scene of the different light scenes, preferably in increasing order of brightness, as exemplified in fig. 2.

SI and S2 could for example be performed once, when manufacturing or installing the lighting system 10. Also, the division and assignment resulting from S1-S2 could be recorded/stored on the computer-readable storage medium 22.

At S3, the control unit 16 of the lighting system 10 receives the input control signal I (from the switching device 18) having a voltage in the input control signal voltage range, for example 7V.

In response to the voltage being within one of the voltage sub-ranges, the lighting system 10 provides the light scene corresponding to that voltage sub-range at S4. For example, when the voltage of the input control signal I is 7V, i.e. within voltage sub-range 6- 8V, the lighting system 10 by means of the luminaries 14a-c provides light scene #4 (‘DayRhythm’) corresponding to that voltage sub-range.

S3 and S4 will typically be repeated during operation of the lighting system 10 (as illustrated by the dashed line in fig. 4), such that when a user causes the voltage of the input control signal to change in a way that the voltage falls within another voltage subrange, the lighting system 10 will switch to the light scene corresponding to the other voltage sub-range.

Furthermore, providing or changing to a light scene may be subject to a speed constraint and/or delay, as illustrated by the diamond between S3 and S4 in fig. 4. Namely, the light scene may be provided only when the rate of change RoC of the voltage of the input control signal I is below the predetermined threshold T1 (RoC<Tl) and/or when the voltage of the input control signal I has been constant for the predetermined period of time T2, as discussed above.

In optional step S5, the brightness of the present light scene may be adjusted in response to the voltage of the input control signal I varying within the voltage sub-range assigned to that light scene, as also discussed above.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the invention is applicable to other interfaces with Vmin/Vmax than 0-10V. Also, the invention is applicable to other switching devices than one with a left-right slider.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.