Patent Application
20150345762
The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture and to a system and a remote control for the same.
Directional lighting systems, such as track lighting systems, spot lighting systems, or stage lighting systems, have historically been manually adjusted or directly controlled by a complicated control system. When using a control system, the direction of the emitted light beam for a given lighting fixture may be directly controlled by user inputs to the control system. For example, a user may move a joystick longitudinally or press a button to raise or lower the emitted light beam, or move the joystick laterally or press another button to move the emitted light beam left or right. Alternatively, the lighting fixtures may be controlled based on pre-programmed criteria, such as that used for stage lighting systems, wherein the control system provides instructions to control the lighting fixtures based on pre-programmed criteria. The criteria could be based on scene selections, environmental conditions, and the like. Unfortunately, most remote controllable lighting systems are expensive and generally application specific.
For many environments that employ directional lighting, such as retail, museum, and home environments, manually adjusted directional lighting systems are ubiquitous. However, the lighting systems are generally mounted out of arm's reach from a ceiling or high on a wall, and thus require users to climb ladders to reach and orient each lighting fixture to position the emitted light beam. The use of ladders is both time consuming and dangerous. As such, there is a need for a directional lighting system that allows the user to remotely adjust the direction of the emitted light beam in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
A lighting fixture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting fixture includes a motorized pan-tilt mechanism having a head unit. The head unit either includes a light source or a receptacle for receiving and powering a light source. The motorized pan-tilt mechanism is capable of moving the head unit to control the direction in which light emitted from the light source is directed.
In one embodiment, a control system of the lighting fixture is capable of locating a target based on information received from one or more sensors associated with the lighting fixture. The target may be a projected image or a defined object. For a projected image, a handheld device may be configured to project a target onto a surface to be illuminated by the lighting fixture. For a defined object, the defined object may be held in front of the surface to be illuminated. The defined object may take virtually any form, but may be the handheld device itself in certain embodiments. Once the target is located, the control system moves the head unit such that the light source emits light toward the target.
In particular, the lighting fixture may include a motorized pan-tilt mechanism and a controller. The motorized pan-tilt mechanism has a head unit that includes either a light source or a socket adapted to receive a light source. The motorized pan-tilt mechanism is capable of orienting the head unit to control a direction in which light emitted from the light source is directed. The controller is associated with at least one sensor and the motorized pan-tilt mechanism. For orienting the light source, the controller may be configured to:
In one embodiment, the light source is integrated into the head unit. In another, the light source is a light bulb with a base, and the head unit includes the socket, which is configured to receive the light bulb. The motorized pan-tilt mechanism may also include a base that is coupled to the head unit. The base is configured to control at least panning of the head unit, which is also configured to tilt relative to the base. The at least one sensor may be mounted on any part of the lighting fixture or may be mounted apart from the lighting fixture. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor is mounted on the motorized pan-tilt mechanism and moves in conjunction with either the light source or the socket when the head unit is moved.
For one embodiment, the controller may move the head unit; monitor the sensor information for the target as the head unit is moved; and locate the target in the sensor information. Once the target is identified, the controller may determine an orientation for the head unit such that the light emitted from the light source will be directed at the target based on the sensor information.
In another embodiment, the controller may monitor the sensor information for both the target and the emitted light and then control the motorized pan-tilt mechanism to orient the head unit such that the light emitted from the light source is directed at, or aligns with, the target.
Prior to the orientation process, the controller may be configured to receive selection initiation information from a remote entity, such as the handheld device, and receive selection information indicative of the lighting fixture being selected from the remote entity. The selection initiation information may be received via wired or wireless interface, and may include an identifier of the lighting fixture. The controller may be further configured to provide the identifier of the lighting fixture to the remote entity in response to receiving the selection initiation information.
The controller may be configured to provide human perceptible feedback in response to receiving the selection information. Controlling the light emitted by the light source in a defined manner may provide the human perceptible feedback. The lighting fixture may include an indicator that is separate from the light source, wherein the human perceptible feedback is provided by controlling the indicator in a defined manner. The controller may also be configured to provide human perceptible feedback in response to receiving the selection initiation information.
In an alternative embodiment, the control system determines location information that is associated with a target and moves the head unit based on the location information, such that the light source points toward the target. For example, the handheld device may represent the target and be configured to identify its location relative to the lighting fixture. Once the location is identified, a handheld device may send location information bearing on the identified location to the lighting fixture, which will move the head unit based on the location information, such that the light source emits light toward the target. Alternatively, the handheld device may transmit a signal from which its location may be derived by the lighting fixture.
In particular, the lighting fixture may include a motorized pan-tilt mechanism, a communication interface, and a controller. The motorized pan-tilt mechanism may have a head unit that includes either a light source or a socket adapted to receive a light source, wherein the motorized pan-tilt mechanism is capable of orienting the head unit to control a direction in which light emitted from the light source is directed.
For an orientation process, the controller may be configured to:
In one embodiment, the signal includes location information that identifies the location associated with the target, and the controller determines the desired orientation based on the location associated with the target. Alternatively, the controller may derive a location of the target based at least in part on a characteristic of the signal, and determine the desired orientation based on the location associated with the target using triangulation or like methods. The details set forth for the scanning based process are applicable to this location-based configuration.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over” another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
With reference to
Assume that the museum curator decides to replace the paintings P1-P3 with paintings P4-P6 and to hang the paintings P4-P6 adjacent one another on wall W2, as illustrated in
adjusted to properly illuminate the newly hung paintings P4-P6. Assume that lighting fixture L1 does not need to be reoriented, but lighting fixture L2 does need to be reoriented, as illustrated in
With the concepts disclosed herein, the curator can reorient the lighting fixture L2, along with any other lighting fixture L, through a simple process that is orchestrated with a remote control RC, as shown in
As illustrated in
Alternatively, the remote control RC itself or other designated object may act as the target T1, which is recognizable by the lighting fixtures L1, L2. As such, the lighting fixtures L1 or L2 will search for the image of the remote control RC or other designated object and orient itself to illuminate the object. For the above embodiment, the lighting fixtures L1, L2 may include, or otherwise be associated with, an imaging capability that can scan for and identify the target T1 as well as a mechanism that is capable of reorienting the lighting fixtures L1, L2 to illuminate the target T1.
In an alternative embodiment, the remote control RC is capable of emitting a location signal from which the lighting fixtures L1, L2 are able to identify the location of the remote control RC.
In one configuration, the remote control RC can identify its location and provide location information in the location signal. In another configuration, the location signal may simply be a signal from which the lighting fixtures L1, L2 can individually or collectively process to determine a location of origin through known triangulation techniques and the like. In this latter configuration, the lighting fixtures L1, L2 each receive the location signal and coordinate with one another to triangulate, or otherwise determine, the location of origin. Alternatively, each lighting fixture L1, L2 may need to be associated with multiple receivers, which are spaced apart from one another and capable of receiving the location signal.
Details about the operation of the above embodiments are provided further below. Prior to delving into these details, an overview of an exemplary lighting fixture L is provided immediately below. Reference is now made to
The pan mechanism 20 is coupled to the base 16 and is configured to rotate about a central axis of the base 16 using a servo, stepper motor, or like rotational actuators, and may generally be referred to as being motorized. As illustrated, two arms 22 extend outward from the pan mechanism 20 and terminate at respective tilt mechanisms 24. The head unit 14 is mounted between the tilt mechanisms 24 and is configured to rotate about an axis that extends between the tilt mechanisms 24 using one or more servos, stepper motors, or like rotational actuators, which are mounted either in the head unit 14 or in one or both of the tilt mechanisms 24.
The head unit 14 has an integrated light source in this embodiment. While the light source may be configured in a variety of ways, the light source of
With particular reference to
Notably, the lighting fixture L may also be associated with one or more image sensors 38. As illustrated in
The lighting fixture L will include a control system 40 that is integrated into the pan-tilt mechanism 12. The LEDs 32 and the image sensors 38 are considered part of the overall control system 40 for the purposes of this description. With reference to
The controller 42 is also capable of controlling a pan actuator 48 of the pan mechanism 20 and a tilt actuator 50 of the tilt mechanism 24. The pan actuator 48 controls the rotation of the pan mechanism 20 relative to the base 16. The tilt actuator 50 controls the rotation of the head unit 14 relative to the axis that extends between the tilt mechanisms 24.
The wired interface 44 may be used for a variety of purposes, which range from basic control of the light source (on, off, dimming) to controlling all aspects of the lighting fixture L, such pan-tilt control, programming, and the like. The communication module 46 provides a wireless interface, which may facilitate direct or indirect communications with the remote control RC, other lighting fixtures L, and network devices, such as gateways, routers, switches, remote control systems, personal computers, mobile telephones, and the like. Virtually any communication standard may be employed to facilitate such communications, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (wireless local area network (LAN)), near field, cellular, and the like wireless communication standards.
A power supply 52 is capable of converting incoming power to a format necessary for supplying the controller 42 and the other components of the control system 40. For example, the power supply 52 may include an AC-DC converter followed by a DC-DC converter, which cooperate to convert an AC power source to an intermediate DC level and then further convert the intermediate DC level to one or more other DC levels, which are required for supplying the controller 42 and the other components of the control system 40.
Turning now to
Initially, a user will interact with the remote control RC to enter a fixture selection mode (step 100). The remote control RC will respond by sending a message to the lighting fixtures L1 and L2 to enter the selection mode (step 102). Both of the lighting fixtures L1 and L2 will enter the selection mode. In response, the lighting fixtures L1 and L2 will send a selection acknowledgment (ACK), which may include an ID for the respective lighting fixtures L1 and L2 (steps 104 and 106). The ID for lighting fixture L1 is referenced as ID-L1, and the ID for lighting fixture L2 is referenced as ID-L2.
Upon entering the selection mode, the lighting fixtures L1 and L2 will provide a selection mode output, which may entail controlling the light output in a fashion that is indicative of being in the selection mode (steps 108 and 110)). The light output may be dimmed, brightened, flashed, changed in color, changed in color temperature, or any combination thereof to indicate entry into the selection mode. Controlling the light output is meant merely to provide human perceptible feedback of being in the selection mode. Alternative feedback mechanisms could include controlling the output of a separate indicator LED or the like, which is not part of the group of LEDs that provide the primary light output.
Upon receipt of the selection acknowledgments, the remote control RC may initiate a sequential selection process (step 112). Initially, an order in which to orient the lighting fixture L1 and L2 is decided. For this example, lighting fixture L2, which is associated with ID-L2, is the first one chosen. As such, the remote control RC will send to the lighting fixtures L1 and L2 a selected message indicating that lighting fixture L2 (ID-L2) is selected (step 114). Since the selected message is intended for lighting fixture L2, lighting fixture L1 will ignore the message and remain in the selection mode (step 116).
Upon receiving the selected message, the lighting fixture L2 will provide a selected output, which may entail controlling the light output in a fashion that is indicative of lighting fixture L2 being selected (step 118). The light output that indicates lighting fixture L2 is selected may be different from the light output that indicates lighting fixture L2 is in selection mode. For example, the light output of lighting fixture L1 and L2 may blink off and then transition to a low output level upon entering the selection mode. Upon lighting fixture L2 being selected, the light output of lighting fixture L2 may blink off and transition to a high output level upon being selected. The light output of lighting fixture L1 will remain at the low output level, since it was not selected and remains in selection mode. Again, alternative indicators may be provided.
During this time, the remote control RC may ask the user if the desired lighting fixture L2 was selected in response to initiating the sequential selection process (step 120). When the remote control RC receives a response from the user (step 122), the remote control RC will determine whether the desired lighting fixture L2 is selected (step 124). If the desired lighting fixture was not selected, the process may be repeated.
Assuming the user wanted to select lighting fixture L2, the remote control RC will instruct the user to provide a target at the desired location to illuminate, and provide an input, such as selecting a specified button, when the target is at the desired location (step 126). Upon receiving the input from the user (step 128), the remote control RC will transmit to the selected lighting fixture L2 (ID-L2) an instruction to locate the target (step 130).
As noted above, each lighting fixture L may be configured to either scan an area to identify a target through appropriate sensors or gather location information from a target. In the latter case, the location information may be a specific location (i.e. actual coordinates) or a signal from which a relative location can be determined (i.e. triangulation). For a scanning embodiment, the selected lighting fixture L2 will scan an area for the target (step 132), locate the target (step 134), and orient itself to direct the center of the light beam emitted from the lighting fixture L2 on the target (step 136). Once reoriented, the lighting fixture L2 may provide output feedback, such as returning to normal light output levels, flashing, or the like (step 136).
For the target scanning embodiment, the controller 42 of the lighting fixture L2 may employ the pan-tilt mechanism 12 in a manner that scans the field of view for the image sensor 38 throughout an available coverage area for the lighting fixture L2. While scanning, the controller 42 will process the image information received from the image sensor 38 to identify the target. Once the target is identified, the controller 42 will adjust the pan-tilt mechanism 12 to center the light beam emitted from the lighting fixture L2 on the target. If the center of the light beam corresponds with the center of the field of view of the image sensor 38, orienting the lighting fixture L2 may simply include adjusting the pan-tilt mechanism 12 to a position where the target is centered in the field of view of the image sensor 38. If the center of the light beam is offset from the center of the field of view for the image sensor 38, the offset may be taken into consideration when positioning the pan-tilt mechanism 12. Alternatively, the controller 42 may monitor both the target and the light beam emitted from the lighting fixture L2 and adjust the pan-tilt mechanism 12 to a point where the center of the light beam aligns with the target, regardless of the position of the target within the field of view of the image sensor 38.
For the location-gathering embodiment, the controller 42 of lighting fixture L2 may gather location information from information transmitted from the target (step 138). Again, the target in this embodiment may be the remote control RC, which is held in the location to be illuminated. The remote control RC is then used to transmit a location signal that either includes the actual location of the remote control RC or from which the location of the remote control RC may be determined by the lighting fixture L2 or collectively by the lighting fixtures L1 and L2. Upon determining the location of the target, the controller 42 will control the pan-tilt mechanism 12 to direct the light beam toward the target location (step 140). Once reoriented, the lighting fixture L2 may provide output feedback, such as returning to a normal light output level, flashing, or the like (step 140).
Once the lighting fixture L2 has reoriented itself, a message is sent back to the remote control RC to indicate that the target was acquired and reorientation is complete (step 142). At this point, the remote control RC may ask the user whether to repeat the alignment process for the selected lighting fixture L2, in case the orientation of the lighting fixture L2 needs to be adjusted (step 144). The remote control RC will receive the user's response (step 146), and determine whether to repeat the alignment process (step 148). If the user desires to repeat the alignment process for the lighting fixture L2, the process will return to step 126, wherein the remote control RC will instruct the user to provide the target at a new location.
If there is no need to repeat the alignment process for the lighting fixture L2, the remote control RC will ask the user if another lighting fixture L, such a lighting fixture L1, needs to be aligned (step 150) and will wait a response from the user (step 152). If no other lighting fixtures L need to be aligned (step 154), the process ends (step 158). If other lighting fixtures L need to be aligned (step 154), the above process is repeated for the next fixture (step 156). For example, the lighting fixture L1 could be selected and reoriented next using the same process as described for lighting fixture L2.
In the above example, a lighting fixture L is selected by a process of gathering information from all of the lighting fixtures L in a selection mode and then instructing one lighting fixture L at a time to provide a visible indication of being active. The user can accept selection of the lighting fixture when the lighting fixture becomes active. Alternatively, each lighting fixture L may have a button that can be pressed to enter orientation mode such that selection of the lighting fixtures L to be oriented is manual. Another selection technique may involve near-field communications, wherein the selection process requires the user to hold the remote control RC very close to the lighting fixture L to be selected. Only the lighting fixture or fixtures L that pick up the near-field (very short range) communication are selected for orientation.
Yet another option is to project a specified light signal from the remote control RC at the image sensor 38 of the desired lighting fixture L. The lighting fixture L will detect the light signal and initiate the scanning process. The light signal will likely be different from that used to project a target. The light signal may be a focused beam, such as that provided by a laser pointer, and pulsed repeatedly according to a fixed pattern. The fixed pattern is detected by the lighting fixture L and is indicative of the need to initiate the scanning process.
Upon recognizing the need to initiate the scanning process, the lighting fixture L may blink to indicate that the light signal was received and give the user a set time period to project the target at the desired location. After the time period has expired, the lighting fixture L will scan for the target, and if the target is relatively stationary for a set period of time, orient the lighting fixture L such that the emitted light is directed toward the target.
With reference to
Alternatively, the AC input may be directed directly to the socket 54, wherein the AC input will be on, off, or dimmed at a desired level using traditional dimmer technology. Power is supplied to the control system 40 when the AC input is provided in a full-on or dimmed state, but not provided when the AC input is not provided in the off state. Those skilled in the art will recognize other configurations upon understanding this disclosure.
For embodiments with an integrated light source or receiving a standard light bulb 56, the state of the output may be controlled by the controller 42 in response to input received via the communication module 46, wired interface 44, remote control RC, or associated environmental sensors, such as ambient light, occupancy, or temperature sensors. The state of the output may relate to the light output being on, off, or dimmed to a desired dimming level as well as the color or color temperature of the light output.
Image sensors 38 may be placed virtually anywhere on the lighting fixture L if so desired. For example, multiple image sensors 38 could be evenly distributed about the socket 54 on the head unit 14, pan mechanism 20, base 16, or any combination thereof. One should take into consideration how the light bulb 56 will affect the field of view of the various image sensors 38. Notably, image sensors 38 or the like need not be provided on the lighting fixture L. This is particularly applicable when the lighting fixture L is configured to gather and respond to location information as opposed to scanning an area to identify the target and redirecting the emitted light beam at the target.
Turning now to
In operation, the controller 42 of the control system 40 for each lighting fixture L is able to identify a target from the information provided by the image sensors 38 and reorient the selected lighting fixture L such that the emitted light beam is directed toward the target. This may be accomplished by monitoring both the projected light beam and the target, and orienting the lighting fixture L such that the center of the emitted light beam substantially aligns with the target. While
With reference to
With reference to
Everything may be powered by a power supply 78, which may include a battery and any necessary DC-DC conversion circuitry to convert the battery voltage to the desired voltages for powering the various electronics. The display 60 and user buttons 62 provide a user interface that displays information to the user and allows a user to input information to the remote control RC.
The wireless communication interface 70 facilitates wireless communications with the lighting fixtures L directly or indirectly via an appropriate wireless network. The wireless communication interface 70 may also be used to facilitate wireless communications with a personal computer, wireless network (WLAN), and the like. Virtually any communication standard, may be employed to facilitate such communications, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (wireless LAN), near field, cellular, and the like wireless communication standards. The wired communication interface 72 may be used to communicate with a personal computer, wired network (LAN), lighting fixtures L, and the like. In certain embodiments, the wireless communication interface 70 is capable of transmitting a location signal from which one or more lighting fixtures L are able to determine the location of the remote control RC relative to the lighting fixtures L. As noted above, the location of the remote control RC may be used by the lighting fixtures L to determine how to orient their light output.
In other embodiments, the target projection system 74 is provided. The target projection system 74 may take various forms, ranging from a laser or light emitting diode to an image projector that uses a laser, bulb, or other appropriate light source to project light through an image panel to project the target. Alone, or in combination with the projection output port 66, the target projection system 74 is able to project a fixed or variable target onto a variety of surfaces. The projected image represents a target, which is could simply be a dot, circle, crosshair pattern or like symbol to a complex image, pattern, or machine readable code, such as a bar code or matrix code. The projected target may also be projected to have a defined color, color temperature, or the like, which may aid in allowing the lighting fixture L to identify the target. The goal of the target projection system 74 is to allow the remote control RC to project a target, which is readily identifiable by the lighting fixture L.
In other embodiments, the remote control RC may include the location detection system 76, which may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, one or more accelerometers, or a combination thereof to help identify a specific location of the remote control RC. The location of the remote control RC may be sent to the lighting fixtures L, which will orient their light outputs toward the location.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the difference in times at which the signal is received in each receiver 80, in combination with the known locations of the receivers 80, may allow the lighting fixtures L to determine the relative location of the remote control RC. During this process, the lighting fixtures L may communicate with each other to share the timing information for receiving the signal. Each lighting fixture L may determine the relative location of the remote control RC based on the timing information from all of the receivers. Alternatively, the timing information may be sent to one lighting fixture L, which will determine the relative location of the remote control RC and share that location information with the other lighting fixtures L. Notably, the lighting fixtures L from different mounting tracks M1 may communicate with each other for various reasons, including sharing location information, timing information, control information, or the like. In fact, the various lighting fixtures L may form part of a mesh network, as described and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,022, filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,040 filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,053 filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,068 filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,078 filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,096 filed Mar. 1, 2013; Ser. No. 13/782,131 filed Mar. 1, 2013; and Ser. No. 13/868,021 filed Apr. 22, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Notably, the embodiment of
Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.
