Retail space lighting control system and method
A lighting system controller comprises a controller for controlling an arrangement of lighting units for implementing different lighting effects. A sensor is used to identify a visitor and also to count the number of visits of the visitor which have taken place, for example while the same lighting effect has been in place. A change in the lighting effect is made based on the number of visits of one or more visitors, again for example with the same lighting effect. In this way, the lighting effect is changed automatically when it needs to be changed in order to maintain the interest of visitors (either individually or as a collective group).
1. A lighting control system for controlling an arrangement of lighting units wherein the lighting units are located in a display area or a space, the lighting control system comprising:
a controller for controlling the lighting units for implementing different lighting effects; and at least one sensor for sensing the presence and an identity of at least one visitor to, or immediately outside, the display area or the space and for determining the number of visits of said at least one visitor,
wherein the controller is adapted to implement a change in a lighting effect applied to said display area or said space, wherein said change is triggered by said presence sensing of said at least one visitor and a parameter which is based on the number of visits of said at least one visitor to, or immediately outside, said display area or said space, so as to present said at least one visitor with a new visiting experience to said display area or said space.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the parameter is based on the number of visits with the same lighting effect.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to store information about the lighting effect that was in place during each visit of said at least one visitor.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the parameter comprises the number of visits by a particular visitor to the display area.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the controller is adapted to implement a change in the lighting effect for each visit of a particular visitor.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the parameter is based on the number of visits by all visitors to the space.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the controller is adapted to set a threshold for:
the average number of visits by all visitors with the same lighting effect; or
the percentage of visitors who have reached a given number of visits with the same lighting effect.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display area comprises a shop window for displaying a plurality of items, and the change in the lighting effect comprises illumination of a sub-set of items in the shop window or illumination with a different color.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is further adapted to implement a change in additional content of at least one of a scent, a sound, music and video content.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is for wirelessly obtaining identity information from a mobile phone, smart watch, or shop loyalty device.
11. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said change is triggered by said presence sensing of said at least one visitor and the determined number of visits of said at least one visitor.
12. A method of providing lighting to a display area or a space, comprising:
sensing the presence and an identity of at least one visitor to, or immediately outside, the display area or the space and determining the number of visits of said at least one visitor; and
implementing a change in a lighting effect applied to said display area or said space, wherein said change is triggered by said sensing of presence of said at least one visitor and a parameter which is based on the number of visits of said at least one visitor to, or immediately outside, said display area or said space, so as to present said at least one visitor with a new visiting experience to said display area or said space.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 , comprising storing information about the lighting effect that was in place during each visit.
14. A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the parameter comprises the number of visits by a particular visitor to the display area and wherein the method further comprises implementing a change in the lighting effect for each visit of a particular visitor.
15. A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the parameter is based on the number of visits by all visitors to the space, the method further comprising setting a threshold for:
the average number of visits by all visitors with the same lighting effect; or
the percentage of visitors who have reached a given number of visits with the same lighting effect.
16. A non-transitory storage medium comprising a computer program of instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to perform the method of claim 12 .
17. The method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said change is triggered by said presence sensing of said at least one visitor and the determined number of visits of said at least one visitor.