Abstract: A controller, method and program for controlling one or more sources of a utility to provide the utility into a space occupied by one or more users, e.g. for controlling light sources illuminating an indoor or outdoor space. An input from one or more sensors is processed to detect motions of a user in the space, to detect that the motions correspond to predetermined gestures performed by the user, and to detect a position from which each gesture was performed. Further, each of a plurality of discrete control policies is associated with a respective combination of predetermined gesture and positional demarcation within the space. Each control policy defines a respective response of the utility to the respective associated gesture. For gestures performed from each of a plurality of different positions, a different control policy is selected based on being associated with the detected gesture and detected position.

Abstract: A lighting system (100) and a method of protecting a lighting device of a lighting system against theft are provided. The lighting system comprises a lighting device (110) and at least one other device (170). Both the lighting device and the at least one other device comprises a data storage (116, 176), a controller (114, 174) and a network interface (112, 172). The lighting device additionally comprises a light emitter (118). When the lighting device powers up, the other device transmits a verification value stored in its data storage to lighting device. The lighting device assesses the verification value in relation to a unique value stored in its data storage to check whether the lighting system knows the lighting device. In dependence of the assessment, the lighting device is controlled to operate in a first or in a second operational mode. In a commissioning procedure the other device may receive the verification value for storage in its data storage.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computing devices are described herein for activatable lighting devices. In various embodiments, a composition of a lighting system may be ascertained based at least in part on a database (851, 951) of one or more lighting device records associated with one or more lighting devices (100, 600, 700, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000a, 1000b, 1000c) of the lighting system. In various embodiments, it may be determined, based on the ascertained composition, that a predetermined criterion is satisfied. In various embodiments, a communication may be issued in response to the determination. The communication may be configured to facilitate activation of a deactivated lighting device function of a lighting device associated with the lighting system.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising: one or more lighting devices operable to emit light into an environment; a controller coupled to the lighting device(s), the controller comprising an input for receiving position and/or orientation information of a wireless communication device; and a wireless receiver coupled to said controller; wherein the controller is configured to: receive parameters from said wireless communications device via the wireless receiver based on a first interaction between a user and the wireless communication device; determine a spot in said environment towards which the wireless communication device is directed based on the received position and/or orientation information; and during a second interaction, track movement of the spot based on the received location and/or orientation information, and control the lighting device(s) to emit light onto a region in said environment defined by the movement of the tracked spot based on at least one of the received parameters.

Abstract: A controller comprising: an output for controlling light source(s) arranged to emit light to illuminate an environment; and an input for receiving a signal output from at least one sensor. The controller is configured to: identify presence of a user and at least one further user based on the signal output from the sensor; determine lighting preferences of the users; detect an orientation of the users based on the signal from the sensor; estimate a field of view (FOV) of the users based on the detected orientation of the users; determine that at least one light source is positioned to emit light in both the FOVs of the users, arbitrate between the lighting preferences of the users to determine light settings to be applied to the at least one light source, and control said at least one light source based on the determined light settings.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an arrangement of one or more controllable devices such as lighting devices. The controller is configured to perform operations of: receiving an indication of a manual user input performed by a user; receiving image data representing a corneal image, captured by a camera, formed by light reflected into the camera from at least a portion of at least one cornea of the user; identifying one or more of the controllable devices based on the corneal image; and controlling the one or more identified devices in response to the manual user input.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of lighting devices to emit light, each in dependence on at least one respective setting, the controller being configured to perform operations of: obtaining image data representing a corneal image, captured by a camera, formed by light reflected into the camera from at least a portion of at least one cornea of a user; based on the corneal image, automatically determining updates to the respective settings of one or more of the lighting devices; controlling said one or more lighting devices in accordance with the updates; and repeating these steps of obtaining, determination and control so as to dynamically adapt the settings of the lighting devices as the user moves.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising: one or more lighting devices operable to emit light into an environment; a controller coupled to the lighting device(s), the controller comprising an input for receiving position and/or orientation information of a wireless communication device; and a wireless receiver coupled to said controller; wherein the controller is configured to: receive parameters from said wireless communications device via the wireless receiver based on a first interaction between a user and the wireless communication device; determine a spot in said environment towards which the wireless communication device is directed based on the received position and/or orientation information; and during a second interaction, track movement of the spot based on the received location and/or orientation information, and control the lighting device(s) to emit light onto a region in said environment defined by the movement of the tracked spot based on at least one of the received parameters.

Abstract: A device comprising: an input for receiving images captured by a camera, of an environment illuminated by light from a light source; an image processing module; and a verification module. The image processing module is configured to process one or more of the images to decode a timestamp modulated into the light, and to output an indication of the decoded timestamp. The verification module is arranged to receive the indication of the decoded timestamp output by the image processing module, and based thereon to perform an at least partially automated verification of a time at which the one or more images were captured.

Abstract: A method of and a device for characterizing a light source and a method of selecting a replacement light source are provided. The method obtains (102) a first image of a light source in operation, obtains (106) a second image of the illuminated environment, and obtains (104, 108) first camera settings and second camera settings of the optical system and image processing system of the respective first and second camera at the respective moments in time that the first image and the second image was obtained. The first image, the second image, and the first and second camera settings are analyzed (110) to estimate characteristics of the light source. The characteristics of the light source may be used to propose a replacement light source and characteristics of the proposed replacement light source may be used to simulate the effect of the replacement light source on the illuminated environment.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a controller and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone. The controller processes the signal from the microphone to detect a sound associated with the use of a consumable by a user, and generates an output in response to detecting that sound. For example the consumable may be pre-packaged and the sound may be associated with the packaging. In embodiments the controller controls ambient lighting in response to the sound of a first action (e.g. opening the cap of a container), and controls task lighting in response to the sound of a second action (e.g. dispensing the product from the container). In another embodiment the controller detects a sound indicative of the consumable running out (e.g. the hollow sound of the container being put down on a surface), and in response generates a visible indicator or transmits a signal over a network.

Abstract: A method of controlling lighting devices (4) via input from a mobile device (1), involving the operations of:—upon movement of the mobile device, while being wirelessly connected with an influencing lighting device, obtaining movement direction data generated by the mobile device (1); and—providing the movement direction data for determining a next lighting device to be controlled.

Abstract: A controller, method and program for controlling one or more sources of a utility to provide the utility into a space occupied by one or more users, e.g. for controlling light sources illuminating an indoor or outdoor space. An input from one or more sensors is processed to detect motions of a user in the space, to detect that the motions correspond to predetermined gestures performed by the user, and to detect a position from which each gesture was performed. Further, each of a plurality of discrete control policies is associated with a respective combination of predetermined gesture and positional demarcation within the space. Each control policy defines a respective response of the utility to the respective associated gesture. For gestures performed from each of a plurality of different positions, a different control policy is selected based on being associated with the detected gesture and detected position.

Abstract: A lighting system (100) and a method of protecting a lighting device of a lighting system against theft are provided. The lighting system comprises a lighting device (110) and at least one other device (170). Both the lighting device and the at least one other device comprises a data storage (116, 176), a controller (114, 174) and a network interface (112, 172). The lighting device additionally comprises a light emitter (118). When the lighting device powers up, the other device transmits a verification value stored in its data storage to lighting device. The lighting device assesses the verification value in relation to a unique value stored in its data storage to check whether the lighting system knows the lighting device. In dependence of the assessment, the lighting device is controlled to operate in a first or in a second operational mode. In a commissioning procedure the other device may receive the verification value for storage in its data storage.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a controller and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone. The controller processes the signal from the microphone to detect a sound associated with the use of a consumable by a user, and generates an output in response to detecting that sound. For example the consumable may be pre-packaged and the sound may be associated with the packaging. In embodiments the controller controls ambient lighting in response to the sound of a first action (e.g. opening the cap of a container), and controls task lighting in response to the sound of a second action (e.g. dispensing the product from the container). In another embodiment the controller detects a sound indicative of the consumable running out (e.g. the hollow sound of the container being put down on a surface), and in response generates a visible indicator or transmits a signal over a network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for granting control of a shared-access system. The method comprises: obtaining (305) an identity of a user; obtaining (310, 315) a priority rating associated with the user, wherein the priority rating is updated in response to one or more observed activities of the user, the one or more observed activities being linked to the shared-access system (100); comparing the priority rating with a threshold; and granting (320) control of at least a part of the shared-access system (100) to the user if the priority rating is above the threshold. For example, each user may have a respective ‘strength of association’ with the shared-access system or part thereof; the shared-access system may comprise one or more lighting units arranged to illuminate an environment, and a user who is present most often in the environment may be deemed to have the ‘strongest association’ with the shared-access system.

Abstract: A system comprising a first light source and a controller. The first light source is arranged to provide non-ocular photo-biological stimulation to a user via a first light emission. For example the first light source may take the form of an in-ear light source arranged to provide the photo-biological stimulation via at least one ear canal of the user. The controller is configured to coordinate control of the first light emission with a second light emission provided by at least one second light source providing ocular stimulation to the user. The second light source may take the form of one or more luminaires arranged to illuminate an environment of the user via ambient light. In embodiments, the controller may be configured to control the non-ocular light to counteract an effect on the user of the ambient light, or to enhance an effect of the ambient light.

Abstract: A system for influencing a being's perceived taste. The system comprises one or more input devices arranged to receive an input, the input corresponding to a desired of affected change in taste. For example the input may comprise a measure of one or more environmental factors taken using one or more sensors in a target environment, where the one or more environmental factors produce a perceived change in the being's taste. Alternatively the input may be indicative of a change specified for a certain product, user or place. The system further comprises one or more lighting devices arranged to output light into the target environment; and a controller configured to control the light output based on the input, in order to produce an influence on the being's perceived taste which at least partially compensates for the perceived change or goes towards producing the specified change.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computing devices are described herein for activatable lighting devices. In various embodiments, a composition of a lighting system may be ascertained based at least in part on a database (851, 951) of one or more lighting device records associated with one or more lighting devices (100, 600, 700, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000a, 1000b, 1000c) of the lighting system. In various embodiments, it may be determined, based on the ascertained composition, that a predetermined criterion is satisfied. In various embodiments, a communication may be issued in response to the determination. The communication may be configured to facilitate activation of a deactivated lighting device function of a lighting device associated with the lighting system.

Abstract: A method of and a device for characterizing a light source and a method of selecting a replacement light source are provided. The method obtains (102) a first image of a light source in operation, obtains (106) a second image of the illuminated environment, and obtains (104, 108) first camera settings and second camera settings of the optical system and image processing system of the respective first and second camera at the respective moments in time that the first image and the second image was obtained. The first image, the second image, and the first and second camera settings are analyzed (110) to estimate characteristics of the light source. The characteristics of the light source may be used to propose a replacement light source and characteristics of the proposed replacement light source may be used to simulate the effect of the replacement light source on the illuminated environment.