Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for storing, suggesting, and/or utilizing lighting settings. A database of relevant lighting settings for recommendation to lighting users may be managed and at least some of the relevant lighting settings may each be associated with a weighting corresponding to an experience level of a user that created the lighting setting. Relevant lighting settings for a lighting system may also be identified and a creator experience level, lighting systems contextual data, and/or reconstructability of the lighting settings may be used in identifying and/or sorting the relevant lighting settings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to controlling illumination on a lighting unit (10). The method includes reading orientation data from an orientation sensor (17) on the lighting unit as well as reading distance data from a distance sensor (15) on the lighting unit. A controller (63) is provided to control various light output surfaces (12) on the lighting unit. Once the controller determines the orientation of the lighting unit as well as distance data of the lighting unit from external structures or luminaire structures, the controller adjusts various light output characteristics of the lighting unit. The method may additionally include a memory storage which allows the controller to compare read data with stored data to determine an associated light fixture type for automated commissioning. Alternatively, the lighting unit can reconfigure itself to output light in various orientations based upon said read data.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting configuration, contemplating analysis of a plurality of distance values from a plurality of distance sensors to set one or more light output characteristics of a plurality of LEDs. The light output characteristics of the LEDs are set as a function of the distance values from the distance sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a lighting application for an interactive electronic device (12). A system (10) includes an interactive electronic device (12) remotely linked to a lighting system (14), the interactive electronic device (12) including a processor (16), a memory (18), the memory including an operating system (26), one or more user applications (28) and an interactive lighting process (100), a user interface (20), one or of the interactive more sensors (22), a communications device (24), and the lighting system (14) including a light controller (50) linked to a light-emitting unit (52), the light controller (50) including a communications device (54) responsive to one or more lighting adjustment signals received from the interactive lighting process (100).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lighting control. In some embodiments methods and apparatus are provided that sense a low lighting condition at a location and direct light toward that location after detection of the low lighting condition. In some embodiments apparatus are provided that include a plurality of networked LEDs. Some of the LEDs may be illuminated in response to sensed light conditions at certain locations.

Abstract: In summary the invention relates stimuli control system 100 configured for finding ambient stimuli from a database 120 in a way so that the ambient stimuli having the most promising effect on stress reduction is selected. The selection may be performed based on a probability distribution created for describing how likely it is that a given ambient stimuli has a positive effect on the stress level for a given patient or other user. The database is a multiuser database which may be updated based on experiences from uses already registered ambient stimuli.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lighting control. In some embodiments methods and apparatus are provided that sense a low lighting condition at a location and direct light toward that location after detection of the low lighting condition. In some embodiments apparatus are provided that include a plurality of networked LEDs (20, 30, 220, 230, 320, 330, 420, 430, 520, 530). Some of the LEDs may be illuminated in response to sensed light conditions at certain locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to controlling illumination in a space. The method may include determining a heading of a daylight blocking element and/or a lighting fixture (301) and automatically adjusting at least one characteristic of the daylight blocking element and/or the lighting fixture based at least in part on the determined heading (305). The method may additionally or alternatively include proactively determining likely daylight conditions at a future time and beginning to adjust at least one characteristic of a daylight blocking element and/or a lighting fixture prior to the future time (202/203). Daylight blocking elements and/or lighting fixtures are also provided that may facilitate one or more aspect of the methods of controlling illumination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mental balance or imbalance estimation system (100) and method for estimating a level of mental balance or imbalance of a user (1). The system comprises a skin conductance sensor (20) for sensing the skin conductance of the user (1), the skin conductance over time forming a skin conductance trace (22). The system further comprises a processing unit (10) for receiving and processing the skin conductance trace (22), the processing unit configured to determine at least one stimulus response (24) in the skin conductance trace (22), to determine an estimated cortisol level trace (28) of the user (1) based on the determined at least one stimulus response (24), and to determine the estimated level of mental balance or imbalance of the user (1) based on the estimated cortisol level trace (28).

Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include a switchable mirror (110) facing a first side of an item (120) having a second side facing a viewer (130); and a processor (220) configured to perform switching the mirror from a transparent or non-transparent state to a reflective state so that said first side of said item (120) becomes visible to the viewer (130) through reflection from the switchable mirror (110). A light source (170) is configured to provide incident light to the switchable mirror (110) for reflection from the switchable mirror (110) in the reflective state for illuminating the first side of the item (120).

Abstract: An interface device for controlling light sources includes a target region; and a controller that associates a preset with an illumination region, and controls a light source in the illumination region when an indicator associated with the preset and illumination region is moved into the target region. The controller associates the preset with the illumination region when the preset is moved to an area of the interface device associated with the illumination region. The controller is further configured to change light attributes of light emitted from the light source when the indicator is moved across the target region, such as providing maximum intensity when the indicator is at the center of the target region. The light attributes include intensity, color, hue, saturation, beam direction and/or beam width of the light.

Abstract: An interactive method and system include at least one detector (210) configured to detect the position of at least one user (240) in proximity of a panel (205), such as a transparent panel of a shop window (205). A processor (120) is provided which may be configured to activate a portion of the panel to display information. This portion, referred to as a private screen (230), may be substantially near the user's position. The processor (120) may be further be configured to move the private screen (230) so that it follows movement of the user (120). When a second user (245) is detected, then a second private screen (235) is activated substantially near the second user (245). The location of the second private screen (235) relative the location of the first screen (230) is such that interference is reduced between the two users or screens.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product for determining the material of an object based on its optical characteristics is disclosed. More specifically, the method operable on a touch screen that includes on its periphery a plurality of light sources (Li, i=1 to N) and sensors (Sj, j=1 to M), comprises the steps of transmitting a light from each of the light sources to an object within the boundary of the touch screen, determining a distance from the object to each of the light sources and each of the sensors, detecting the presences of the transmitted light at each of the sensors, determining, at each of the sensors a reflective index, n2 of the object and determining the object material based on the determined reflective indices.

Abstract: A basic idea of the invention is to use different properties of light (101), such as e.g. intensity and color temperature, to influence physiological thermoregulating parameters of a vertebrate (102), for example a human being, being exposed to the light. At least one particular physiological thermoregulating parameter (e.g. skin temperature) of an individual is being measured and supplied to a controller (103) for comparison with a desired target value of the measured parameter. The property of light can then be adjusted to regulate the actual value of the thermoregulating parameter of the individual being exposed to the light. Thus, a dynamic device (100) for influencing the thermoregulation of an individual by using different properties of light is provided.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of performing a gaze-based interaction between a user (1) and an interactive display system (2) comprising a three-dimensional display area (D) in which a number of physical objects (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) is arranged, and an observation means (3), which method comprises the steps of acquiring a gaze-related output (30) for the user (1) from the observation means (3), determining a momentary gaze category (Go, Gdw, Gbo, Gnr) from a plurality of gaze categories (Go, Gdw, Gbo, Gnr) on the basis of the gaze-related output (30); and continuously generating display area feedback according to the momentary determined gaze category (Go, Gdw, Gbo, Gnr).

Abstract: The invention describes a method of determining a head-motion/gaze relationship for a user (1), which method comprises the steps of allocating at least one first target (T1) and at least one second target (T2) in a display area (D); attracting the user's gaze towards a first target (T1) and observing the user's head (H) to obtain a first head orientation measurement value (M1). The method further comprises the steps of subsequently attracting the user's gaze towards a second target (T2) and observing the user's head (H) to obtain a second head orientation measurement value (M2); and analysing the head orientation measurement values (M1, M2) to obtain a head-motion/gaze relationship (R) for that user (1). The invention further describes an interactive display system (2), and a method of performing a gaze-based interaction between a user (1) and an interactive display system (2).

Abstract: The invention describes a system (1) and a method for defining an activation area (3) within a representation scenery (5) of a viewer interface, which activation area (3) represents an object (7a, 7b, 7c) in an exhibition scenery (9), in particular in the context of an interactive shop window, whereby the representation scenery (5) represents the exhibition scenery (9).

Abstract: A window (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) including blind elements (120, 210, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 385, 390, 420, 430, 490) embedded within the window (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and/or associated with the window (110, 210, 310, 410, 510). The blind elements (120, 210, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 385, 390, 420, 430, 490) may be embedded at least partially in the window (110, 210, 310, 410, 510). The blind elements (120, 210, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 385, 390, 420, 430, 490) may be positioned substantially perpendicular to a viewing surface of the window (110, 210, 310, 410, 510).

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product for determining the material of an object based on its optical characteristics is disclosed. More specifically, the method operable on a touch screen that includes on its periphery a plurality of light sources (Li, i=1 to N) and sensors (Sj, j=1 to M), comprises the steps of transmitting a light from each of the light sources to an object within the boundary of the touch screen, determining a distance from the object to each of the light sources and each of the sensors, detecting the presences of the transmitted light at each of the sensors, determining, at each of the sensors a reflective index, n2 of the object and determining the object material based on the determined reflective indices.

Abstract: A multi-function headset is disclosed. The multi-function headset includes an ear shell attached to one end of a holding means the ear shell comprising a speaker unit through which audio stimulus is provided to a user, a microphone attached on a first end of a boom assembly and engaging an engagement switch on a second end of said boom assembly with the ear shell, the engagement switch position selecting an application of the head set. In another aspect of the invention, the ear shell further comprises a first switch engaging the boom assembly when the boom assembly is in a retracted position. In another embodiment of the invention, a headset including an ear shell attached to one end of a holding means is disclosed. The ear shell comprising a speaker unit through which audio stimulus is provided to a user, and means for adjusting a volume through the speaker unit wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of: pressure determining sensors and switches.