Patent Application
20240167644
Embodiments described herein relate to controlling an output of a light fixture.
The lens assembly (e.g., lenses, diffusers, filters, or other optical components) of a light fixture allows the light fixture to manipulate light emitted from light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes or LEDs) within the light fixtures. Advanced lighting systems include light fixtures capable of performing optical modifications to the light emitted from the LEDs via the lens assembly. LEDs are capable of emitting white light or colored light, commonly referred to as the visible light spectrum. The visible light spectrum typically includes wavelengths of light between 380 to 700 nanometers. Optical modification of the visible light spectrum is typically accomplished by bending or changing the direction of the light emitted from light sources using a lens assembly.
Optical modifications are convenient for manipulating emitted light, but can cause the spectrum of the emitted light to shift. Different wavelengths of light within the visible light spectrum can be shifted by the optical modifications at different rates. This can be the result of the location of each LED relative to the lens assembly being different. As an optical modification occurs, a direction that rays of the emitted light are deflected when exiting the lens assembly can also change. This can result in a shift of the light emitted from the lens assembly.
Embodiments described herein provide systems, devices, and methods for controlling an output of a light fixture. The light fixture includes a plurality of light sources. The light fixture is configured to produce an output that achieves a desired output color spectrum having different wavelengths of light. A controller performs an optical modification corresponding to a change in the desired output color spectrum. A relationship between the optical modification and the output color spectrum is then used to determine a color compensation value. The color compensation value is used to determine a control signal at which the light sources will be driven. As the optical modification is performed, the controller is configured to modify the control signal at which the light sources are driven based on the color compensation value.
According to some embodiments, a light fixture that produces an output includes an array of light-emitting diode (“LED”) light sources, a driver circuit, and a controller. Each LED light source defines a color channel of the light fixture. The driver circuit drives the array of LED light sources. The controller includes a non-transitory computer readable medium and processing unit, the controller also including computer executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling operation of the light fixture. Controlling operation of the light fixture includes receiving a first output color spectrum for the array of LED light sources that corresponds to a fixture color output spectrum (e.g., a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram, an LAB color space, or any other representation of color range). Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes performing an optical modification of the fixture output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes determining, based on the optical modification, a compensation value to modify the first output color spectrum to a second output color spectrum that compensates for changes to the fixture output color spectrum resulting from the optical modification. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes generating, based on the compensation value, a first control signal to drive the array of LED light sources at the second output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes controlling the driver circuit using the first control signal.
According to some embodiments, a system controls an output of a light fixture. The system includes the light fixture and a controller. The light fixture includes an array of light-emitting diode (“LED”) light sources and a driver circuit. Each LED light source emits a color channel of the light fixture. The driver circuit drives the array of LED light sources. The controller generates a direct drive signal for one or more arrays of LED light sources. The controller includes a non-transitory computer readable medium and a processing unit, the controller including computer executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling operation of the light fixture. Controlling operation of the light fixture includes receiving a first fixture output color spectrum emitted by the array of LED light sources. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes performing an optical modification of the first fixture output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes determining, based on the optical modification, a compensation value to compensate for changes to the first fixture output color spectrum, the changes to the first fixture output color spectrum resulting from the optical modification. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes generating, based on the compensation value, a first control signal to drive the array of LED light sources to emit a second fixture output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes controlling the driver circuit using the first control signal.
According to some embodiments, a method is used to control the light fixture. The method includes determining a first fixture output color spectrum for the light fixture, the light fixture having an array of LED light sources. The method also includes performing an optical modification of the fixture output color spectrum. The method also includes determining, based on the optical modification, a compensation value to compensate for changes to the fixture output color spectrum resulting from the optical modification. The method also includes generating, based on the compensation value, a first control signal to drive the array of LED light sources to emit a second fixture output color spectrum. The method also includes controlling the driver circuit using the first control signal.
According to some embodiments, a light fixture includes a lens, a first LED, a second LED, a driver circuit, and a controller. The first LED has a first LED output color spectrum. The second LED has a second LED output color spectrum, the first and second output color spectrums are mixed and passed through the lens to generate a fixture output color spectrum. The driver circuit drives the first and second LEDs. The controller includes a non-transitory computer readable medium and processing unit, the controller includes computer executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling operation of the light fixture. Controlling operation of the light fixture includes receiving the fixture output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes modifying the position of the lens relative to the first and second LEDs. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes determining, based on the modification of the position of the lens, a value that compensates for changes in the fixture output color spectrum resulting from the modification of the position of the lens. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes generating, based on the value, a control signal to drive the first LED at a third LED output color spectrum that is different from the first LED output color spectrum. Controlling operation of the light fixture also includes controlling the driver circuit using the first control signal.
Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.
In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers” and “computing devices” described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.
Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
In some embodiments, light fixtures are used in, for example, a theatre, a hall, an auditorium, a hotel, a cruise ship, or the like. As illustrated in
The controller 105 includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller 105 and/or the fixture 100. For example, the controller 105 includes, among other things, a processing unit 130 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory 135, input units 140, and output units 145. The processing unit 130 includes, among other things, a control unit 150, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 155, and a plurality of registers 160 (shown as a group of registers in
The memory 135 is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a ROM, a RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit 130 is connected to the memory 135 and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 135 (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory 135 (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the light fixture 100 can be stored in the memory 135 of the controller 105. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more models (e.g., an output color spectrum, a spectral model, a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram, or the like), one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller 105 is configured to retrieve from the memory 135 and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other embodiments, the controller 105 includes additional, fewer, or different components.
In some embodiments, the user interface 120 is included to receive a user input from a user. The user interface 120 is operably coupled to the controller 105 to provide an input signal indicative of the user input to the controller 105. The controller 105 receives the input signal from the user interface 120 to control, for example, the output of the light sources 110A-110C, and generate and provide control signals for the driver circuits 115A-115C based on the input signal. The user interface 120 can include any combination of digital and analog input devices required to receive the user input for the fixture 100. For example, the user interface 120 can include a computer having a display and input devices, a touch-screen display, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, faders, or the like. In some embodiments, the user interface 120 is separated from the light fixture 100. In some embodiments, the controller 105 controls the light fixture 100 independently of the user interface 120.
The driver circuits 115A-115C include a first driver circuit 115A, a second driver circuit 115B, and a third driver circuit 115C, all of which are operable to drive (e.g., control) the light sources 110A-110C. The first driver circuit 115A is connected to a first array of light sources 110A and provides one or more drive signals to the first array of light sources 110A. The second driver circuit 115B is connected to a second array of light sources 110B and provides one or more drive signals to the second array of light sources 110B. The third driver circuit 115C is connected to a third array of light sources 110C and provides one or more drive signals to the third array of light sources 110C.
The power control circuit 117 supplies a nominal AC or DC voltage to the light fixture 100 or a system of light fixtures. In some embodiments, the power control circuit 117 is powered by one or more batteries or battery packs. In other embodiments, the power control circuit 117 is powered by mains power having nominal line voltages between, for example, 100V and 240V AC and frequencies of approximately 50-60 Hz. The power control circuit 117 is also configured to supply lower voltages to operate circuits and components within the light fixture 100.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
At step 305, the controller 105 determines a first LED output color spectrum of the first array of light sources 110A that corresponds to the fixture output color spectrum. In some embodiments, step 305 is performed prior to a runtime (e.g., prior to performing an operation) of the light fixture 100. In other embodiments, step 305 is performed during the runtime (e.g., while performing an operation) of the light fixture 100. The first LED output color spectrum is a combination of color outputs from the LED light sources of the first array of light sources 110A that create the fixture output color spectrum. Each color output may have a known value based on a voltage value, a current value, a duty cycle, or the like. The known value is obtained by the controller 105 to determine the color output within a portion of the first LED output color spectrum resulting from the way that each LED light source is driven. In some embodiments, the known value is stored in the memory 135 (e.g., a look-up table of known values). The controller 105 compares the first LED output color spectrum to the look-up table to determine the color output. In some embodiments, the controller 105 compares the color output to the look-up table to determine the first LED output color spectrum. Each LED light source is driven by a pulse-width modulated (“PWM”) signal including a duty cycle that corresponds to the color output of each LED light source. For example, the controller 105 receives a position signal from the one or more sensors 170 indicative of the rotational position of the motor shaft. Based on the rotational position of the motor shaft, the controller 105 determines a first position of the lens assembly 215. The first position of the lens assembly 215 corresponds to the combination of color outputs representative of the fixture output color spectrum. The controller 105 determines the first output color spectrum based on the first position of the lens assembly 215.
At step 310, the controller 105 reads a saved LED output color spectrum from the memory 135. For example, the controller 105 compares the first LED output color spectrum with the saved LED output color spectrum within the memory 135 to determine whether the saved LED output color spectrum matches the first LED output color spectrum. Although step 315 is illustrated as a separate step from step 305 and step 310, in some embodiments, step 315 is performed concurrently with step 305 and step 310. In other embodiments, step 315 is performed in succession after the completion of step 310. At step 315, the controller 105 performs an optical modification of the fixture output color spectrum. For example, the controller 105 generates a motor command and sends the motor command to the motor 175 to drive the lens assembly 215 to a second position relative to the first array of light sources. The second position is different than the first position. In some embodiments, the optical modification corresponds to one or more of a zoom, a focus, a prismatic shift, a shutter operation, or the like of the light fixture 100. The fixture output color spectrum can change based on the optical modification. For example, a shift in the fixture output color spectrum can occur based on the optical modification. The shift may be caused by a relative proportion of the visual light emitters changing as a result of the optical modification or a visible shift in the output color of an individual LED light source as a result of the optical modification.
At step 320, the controller 105 determines the shift of the fixture output color spectrum (e.g., a change in the fixture output color spectrum from the first color output spectrum) based on the optical modification. In some embodiments, step 320 is performed prior to a runtime (e.g., prior to performing an operation) of the light fixture 100 and referenced after step 315. In other embodiments, step 320 is performed during the runtime (e.g., while performing an operation) of the light fixture 100. For example, the controller 105 determines a change in one or more wavelengths of the color outputs of the fixture output color spectrum. At step 325, the controller 105 creates a model of the change in the fixture output color spectrum based on the optical modification. In some embodiments, step 325 is performed prior to a runtime (e.g., prior to performing an operation) of the light fixture 100 and referenced after step 320. In other embodiments, step 305 is performed during the runtime (e.g., while performing an operation) of the light fixture 100. At step 330, the controller 105 reads a saved spectral model (e.g., the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram or the like) from the memory 135. For example, the controller 105 determines the change in the fixture output color spectrum caused by the optical modification based on the motor 175 driving the lens assembly 215 to the second position. The controller 105 creates the model (e.g., a spectral model) of the fixture output color spectrum after the optical modification and compares the model to the saved spectral model to determine the change in the fixture output color spectrum from the first color output spectrum.
At step 335, the controller 105 modifies the fixture output color spectrum by determining a compensation value to achieve a second output color spectrum that compensates for the change in the fixture output color spectrum resulting from the optical modification. For example, after the optical modification the controller 105 determines the rotational position of the motor shaft that drives the lens assembly 215. Based on the rotational position after the optical modification, the controller 105 determines the position of the lens assembly 215. The controller 105 determines the compensation value to maintain the fixture output spectrum at or near the output prior to the optical modification occurring based on the position of the lens assembly 215 after the optical modification.
At step 340, the controller 105 generates, based on the compensation value, a first control signal to drive the first array of light sources 110A at the second output color spectrum that will result in maintaining the fixture output color spectrum. In some embodiments, the first control signal corresponds to the second position of the lens assembly 215. For example, the controller 105 determines a value for a PWM signal (e.g., a duty cycle that will be used to drive the first array of light sources 110A) to achieve the second output color spectrum. The first control signal may include a first command (e.g., a first PWM value) to drive the first LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A at the first output color. The first control signal may also include a second command (e.g., a second PWM value) to drive the second LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A at a third output color to achieve (combined with the first LED light source) the second output color spectrum. The third output color has a third LED output color spectrum and the third output color is different from the second output color.
At step 345, the controller 105 drives (e.g., controls) the first driver circuit 115A using the first control signal. For example, the controller 105 controls the first driver circuit 115A to (i) drive the first LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A using the first command, and (ii) drive the second LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A using the second command, where (i) and (ii) combine to achieve the second color output spectrum. In some embodiments, in response to the first control signal, the fixture output color spectrum is substantially the same before and after the optical modification.
At step 405, the controller 105 determines a first LED output color spectrum of the first array of light sources 110A that corresponds to the fixture output color spectrum. For example, the controller 105 receives a position signal from the one or more sensors 170 indicative of the rotational position of the motor shaft. Based on the rotational position of the motor shaft, the controller 105 determines a first position of the lens assembly 215. The first position of the lens assembly 215 corresponds to the combination of color outputs representative of the fixture output color spectrum. The controller 105 determines the fixture output color spectrum based on the first position of the lens assembly 215.
At step 410, the controller 105 determines whether to perform a color compensation operation. For example, the controller 105 determines whether an optical modification has occurred. When the controller determines that an optical modification has not occurred, the method 400 proceeds to step 430. At step 430, the controller 105 determines a first control signal (e.g., an output signal) to drive the first array of light sources 110A at the first output color spectrum via the first driver circuit 115A. For example, the controller 105 determines the first output signal to maintain or substantially maintain the fixture output color spectrum and drives (e.g., controls) the first driver circuit 115A using the first control signal. At step 435, the controller 105 determines whether an optical modification has occurred. If the controller 105 determines that an optical modification has not occurred, the method 400 returns to step 430 and the first driver circuit 115A continues to drive the first array of light sources 110A at the first control signal. If the controller 105 determines that an optical modification has occurred, the method 400 returns to step 410 to determine whether to perform the color compensation operation based on the optical modification. If the controller 105 determines that the color compensation operation should be performed based on the optical modification, the method 400 proceeds to step 415.
At step 415, the controller 105 determines the shift of the fixture output color spectrum (e.g., the change in the fixture output color spectrum from the first color output spectrum) based on the optical modification. For example, the controller 105 determines a change in one or more wavelengths of the color outputs of the fixture output color spectrum. The controller 105 creates a model of the change in the fixture output color spectrum based on the optical modification and reads a saved spectral model (e.g., the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram or the like) from the memory 135. For example, the controller 105 determines the change in the fixture output color spectrum caused by the optical modification based on the motor 175 driving the lens assembly 215 to the second position. The controller 105 creates the model (e.g., a spectral model) of the fixture output color spectrum after the optical modification occurs and compares the model to the saved spectral model to determine the change in the fixture output color spectrum.
At step 420, the controller 105 modifies the fixture output color spectrum with a compensation value to achieve a second output color spectrum that compensates for the change in the fixture output color spectrum resulting from the optical modification. The compensation value may be the determined change in the one or more wavelengths of the fixture output color spectrum after the optical modification. For example, the controller 105 determines the rotational position of the motor shaft after the optical modification. Based on the rotational position after the optical modification, the controller 105 determines the position of the lens assembly 215. The controller 105 determines the compensation value to maintain or substantially maintain the fixture output spectrum based on the position of the lens assembly 215 after the optical modification.
At step 425, the controller 105 saves the modified fixture output color spectrum (e.g., the second output color spectrum) to the memory 135. At step 430, the controller 105 determines, based on the compensation value, a first control signal to drive the first array of light sources 110A at the second output color spectrum. In some embodiments, the first control signal corresponds to the second position of the lens assembly 215. For example, the controller 105 generates a value for a PWM signal (e.g., a duty cycle that will be used to drive the first array of light sources 110A) to achieve the second output color spectrum. The first control signal may include a first command (e.g., a first PWM value) to drive the first LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A at the first output color. The first control signal may also include a second command (e.g., a second PWM value) to drive the second LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A at a third output color to (combined with the first output color from the first LED light source) achieve the second output color spectrum. The third output color has a third LED output color spectrum and the third output color is different from the second output color.
The controller 105 drives (e.g., controls) the first driver circuit 115A using the first control signal. For example, to achieve the second color output spectrum, the controller 105 controls the first driver circuit 115A to drive the first LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A using the first command and drive the second LED light source of the first array of light sources 110A using the second command. In some embodiments, in response to the first control signal, the fixture output color spectrum (e.g., the second output color spectrum) is substantially the same before and after the optical modification.
At step 435, the controller 105 determines whether an optical modification has occurred. When the controller 105 determines that an optical modification has not occurred, the method 400 returns to step 430 and the first driver circuit 115A continues to drive the first array of light sources 110A at the first control signal. When the controller 105 determines that an optical modification has occurred, the method 400 returns to step 410 to determine whether to perform the color compensation operation based on the optical modification. When the controller 105 determines that the color compensation operation should be performed based on the optical modification, the method 400 returns to step 415.
While embodiments disclosed herein primarily refer to controlling color compensation of a single LED light source of the first array of LED light sources 110A based on the optical modification, additional LED light sources may be color compensated in response to the optical modification. For example, the light fixture 100 may include the lens assembly 215 (further including a lens), the first LED light source (e.g., a first LED) having the first output color spectrum, the second LED light source (e.g., a second LED) having a second output color spectrum, the first driver circuit 115A, and the controller 105. In some embodiments, the first output color spectrum and the second output color spectrum are mixed and passed through the lens to generate the fixture output color spectrum.
The controller 105 receives a position signal from the one or more sensors 170 indicative of the rotational position of the motor shaft. Based on the rotational position of the motor shaft, the controller 105 determines a first position of the lens. The controller 105 determines the fixture output color spectrum based on the first position of the lens. The controller 105 may modify the first position of the lens relative to the first LED and the second LED to achieve a second position of the lens (e.g., an optical modification). The controller 105 determines a value (e.g., a compensation value) that compensates for changes in the fixture output color spectrum based on the modification of the position of the lens to the second position. Based on the determined compensation value, the controller 105 generates a control signal to drive the first LED at a third LED output color spectrum that is different from the first LED output color spectrum. The controller 105 drives (e.g., controls) the first driver circuit 115A using the first control signal.
In some embodiments, the controller 105 determines the compensation value so that the fixture output color spectrum remains substantially unchanged before and after the modification of the position of the lens relative to the first and second LEDs. In some embodiments, the controller 105 generates, based on the compensation value, a second control signal to drive the second LED at a fourth LED output color spectrum that is different from the second LED output color spectrum. The controller 105 drives the first driver circuit 115A using the second control signal.
In some embodiments, the controller 105 includes the third LED light source (e.g., a third LED) having a fifth output color spectrum. In some embodiments, the first output color spectrum, the second output color spectrum, and the fifth output color spectrum are mixed and passed through the lens to generate the fixture output color spectrum. The controller 105 generates, based on the compensation value, a third control signal to drive the third LED at a sixth LED output color spectrum that is different from the fifth LED output color spectrum. The controller 105 drives the first driver circuit 115A using the third control signal. In some embodiments, the first output color spectrum, the second output color spectrum, and the fifth output color spectrum are different.
Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for controlling an output of a light fixture to control the color compensation of a plurality of light sources based on an optical modification.
