IP Library Granted Patent US 9,930,752
Granted Patent B2
US 9,930,752 · App. 14/937,408 · Granted Mar 27, 2018

Image sensor controlled lighting fixture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,930,752
App. No.
14/937,408
Granted
Mar 27, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling lighting fixtures independently with image sensors. In an embodiment, a luminaire includes a controller, an image sensor and wide-angle lens component, and a light source. The controller receives detection signal data from the image sensor and wide-angle lens component when a user is within a detection area associated with a view angle of the wide angle lens, and then determines the position of the user. The controller then controls the illuminance of the light source based on the position of the user. In particular, illuminance is increased as the user approaches a center portion of the detection area, and decreased as the user moves away from the center portion.

Claims (28)

1. A lighting system for providing illumination to an area comprising a plurality of independent lighting fixture, each lighting fixture comprising:

a controller;

an image sensor and wide-angle lens component operably connected to the controller and having a viewing angle that covers a detection area encompassing an entire predefined space; and

a light source operably connected to the controller;

wherein the controller

receives a detection signal data from the image sensor and wide-angle lens component when a user is within the predefined space,

determines the position of the user from a center line associated with the light source based on the detection signal data, and

controls the light source based on the position of the user to thus increase light source illuminance as the user approaches the center line and to decrease light source illuminance as the user moves away from the center line.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the light source to gradually increase illuminance when the image sensor and wide angle lens component detects the presence of the user approaching a center portion of the detection area.

3. The lighting system of claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the light source to increase illuminance to a maximum value when the image sensor and wide angle lens component detects the presence of the user at the center portion of the detection area.

4. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing angle of the image sensor and wide-angle lens component is in the range of from 100° to 175°.

5. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing angle of the image sensor and wide-angle lens component is in the range of from 160° to 175°.

6. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing angle of the image sensor and wide-angle lens component is 140°.

7. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein a sampling rate of the image sensor and wide-angle lens component and controller is greater than one Hertz.

8. A method for controlling illumination of an area comprising:

monitoring, by a plurality of independent luminaires, a predefined area for a presence of at least one user, wherein each luminaire comprises:

a controller;

an image sensor and wide-angle lens component operably connected to the controller and having a viewing angle that covers a detection area encompassing the entire predefined area; and

a light source operably connected to the controller;

detecting, by each of the plurality of independent luminaires, a user when the user is in the predefined area; and

controlling, by each controller of the plurality of independent luminaires, the illuminance of its light source based on a detection signal data from its image sensor and wide-angle lens component,

wherein when the detection signal data indicates that the user is approaching a center line associated with its light source of the luminaire the controller controls the light source to increase illuminance, and wherein when the detection signal data indicates that the user is moving away from the center line the controller controls the light source to decrease illuminance.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling the illuminance of the light source further comprises gradually increasing, by the controller of the luminaire, the illuminance of the light source when the image sensor and wide angle lens component detects the presence of a user approaching the center line.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling the illuminance of the light source further comprises increasing, by the controller of the luminaire, the illuminance of the light source to a maximum value when the image sensor and wide angle lens component detects the presence of the user at the center line.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image sensor and wide-angle lens component operates with the viewing angle in the range of from 160° to 175°.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image sensor and wide-angle lens component operates with the viewing angle in the range of from 160° to 175°.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image sensor and wide-angle lens component operates with the viewing angle of 165°.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the image sensor and wide-angle lens component and controller operate with a sampling rate of greater than one Hertz.

Assignments (13)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 059034 FRAME: 0469. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066372/0590 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBER 10841994 TO PATENT NUMBER 11570872 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 058982 FRAME 0844. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066355/0455 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2022
From: ALLY BANK
To: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; FORUM, INC.
Reel/Frame 059392/0079 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2022
From: ALLY BANK
To: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; FORUM, INC.
Reel/Frame 059432/0592 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2022
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059034/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: HUBBELL LIGHTING, INC.; LITECONTROL CORPORATION; CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC; DAINTREE NEETWORKS INC.; FORUM, INC.
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058982/0844 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 27, 2020
From: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052763/0643 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2019
From: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049672/0294 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2019
From: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: ALLY BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051047/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: CURRENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC F/K/A GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 048791/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2018
From: NAUD, JEAN-MARC
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 044641/0076 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2015
From: BALASZ, LASZLO; BOTH, TAMAS
To: GE HUNGARY KFT
Reel/Frame 037198/0838 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2015
From: GE HUNGARY KFT
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 037198/0852 →