Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a light control system and particularly to a system and method for hybrid controlling of light.
Description of Related Art
[002] In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, a quest for energy-efficient and user-friendly solutions has become paramount. With increasing concern over energy consumption and environmental impact, there is a growing demand for innovative systems that can intelligently manage resources while enhancing user experience.
[003] Existing solutions, such as occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and temperature-based adjustments, have made strides in improving energy efficiency. However, these solutions often lack the versatility and user interaction desired in modern smart home environments. These are typically limited to automated sensing and control mechanisms and cannot cater to specific user gestures or commands.
[004] Moreover, traditional manual control methods contribute to excessive electricity consumption and are not aligned with the advancements in technology that enable seamless automation and convenience.
[005] A patent document CN102317745B provides a solution that is based on occupancy sensing. This system can help in reducing energy consumption by turning off lights in unoccupied areas. However, it may not provide a hands-free control experience, and its functionality might be limited to detecting human presence rather than specific actions like clapping.
[006] A patent document US11885672B2 provides a solution that focuses on adjusting lighting based on daylight levels, which is effective for energy savings during the day. However, it doesn't offer a direct solution for hands-free control or specific user gestures like clapping.
[007] A patent document US11907038B2 provides a solution that adjusts backlighting based on temperature, which can save energy in certain scenarios. However, it's not designed for hands-free control or gesture-based actions like the clap switch. The existing solutions fall short of fully solving the problem because they primarily focus on energy efficiency through automated sensing or control mechanisms but lack the specific functionality of hands-free control based on user gestures like clapping.
[008] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced a system and method for hybrid controlling of light that can overcome the limitations of existing prior arts in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[009] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for hybrid controlling of light. The system comprising: sensing units arranged in proximity of light fixtures, each sensing unit comprising a sound sensor adapted to sense a sound of clap created by a user, and a controller arranged in communication with the sensing units, configured to receive a sound signal from the sound sensor, analyse the received sound signal using a sound recognition algorithm that distinguishes a sound of clap from other noises, trigger a relay based on the analysed sound of clap when the sound of clap is recognized, and actuate one or more of the light fixtures based on the corresponding sensing units.
[0010] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for hybrid controlling of light, comprising receiving a sound signal from a sound sensor of one of sensing units, analysing the received sound signal using a sound recognition algorithm that distinguishes a sound of clap from other noises, triggering a relay based on the analysed sound of clap when the sound of clap is recognized, and actuating one or more of the light fixtures based on the corresponding sensing units.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that is capable of accurately distinguishing the sound of clap from other noises, ensuring reliable operation.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that enables hands-free operation, enhancing user convenience and accessibility.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that enables energy-efficient operation by triggering light fixtures only in response to a valid sound of clap, reducing unnecessary power consumption.
[0014] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that is accurate in recognizing the sound of clap, minimizing false triggers, and improving overall system reliability.
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that intelligently distinguishes between different clap patterns, allowing for customizable lighting control based on user preferences.
[0016] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for hybrid controlling of light that enables seamless integration with mobile applications, providing users with remote control and monitoring capabilities for their lighting systems. The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a first block diagram of a system for hybrid controlling of light, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates a second block diagram of the system for hybrid controlling of light, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1C depicts a light fixture, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of a controller of the system for hybrid controlling of light, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling light fixtures, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0026] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0027] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0028] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a first block diagram and a second block diagram of a system 100 for hybrid controlling of light (referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be controlled in a hybrid manner such as the system 100 may enable a user to perform a hands-free operation to control electrical and electronic devices using a user device (not shown), according to the FIG. 1A. Further, the system 100 may enable the user to control electrical and electronic devices by creating clap sounds. Thereby, the system 100 may enhance a user convenience. Further, the system 100 may provide ease of accessibility to a physically challenged user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the physically challenged user may be, but not limited to, a paralyzed user, a visually impaired user, a handicapped user, and so forth.
[0029] The system 100 may comprise sensing units 102a-102n (hereinafter singularly referred to as a sensing unit 102, or plurally as the sensing units 102), a cloud server 104, a wireless communication unit 106, a mobile application 108, a sound sensor 110, a controller 112, a relay 114, light fixtures 116 (hereinafter singularly referred to as the light fixture 116, and plurally referred to as the light fixtures 116), a power source 118, and a battery 120.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing units 102 may be configured with the sound sensor 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing units 102 may be arranged in proximity to light fixtures 116. The sound sensor 110 is adapted to sense a sound of clap created by the user. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing units 102 may be configured to receive the detected sound of the clap from the sound sensor 110. The sensing unit 102 may convert the detected sound of the clap into an analog signal. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensing units 102a-102n may comprise a filter circuit for reducing a noise interference in the sensed sound.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing units 102 may comprise a singularity of the sound sensor 110. The sensing units 102 may comprise a plurality of the sound sensor 110, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The sensing units 102 may be mounted at a pre-defined location in the premise of the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pre-defined location for mounting the sensing units 102 may be in the premise of the user, but not limited to, a mast, a rooftop, a ceiling, a cupboard, a chair, a bed, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for mounting the sensing units 102 may in the premise of the user, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 104 may be remotely located. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 104 may be a public cloud server. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 104 may be a private cloud server. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 104 may be a dedicated cloud server. According to embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server maybe, but not limited to, a Microsoft Azure cloud server, an Amazon AWS cloud server, a Google Compute Engine (GEC) cloud server, an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) cloud server, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication unit 106 may facilitate communication between the system 100 and external devices, such as the mobile application 108. The wireless communication unit 106 may use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols to transmit and receive data, commands, and notifications. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile application 108 may incorporate an application programming (AP) interface for controlling and monitoring the system 100. The application programming (AP) interface may enable the user to remotely control switchboards of the light fixtures 116 using the user device. The mobile application 108 may allow the user to control or adjust lighting settings, view system status, receive notifications, and remotely operate the system 100 from the user device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device may comprise software applications such as, but not limited to, a smart home application, a smart assistant application, a Bluetooth pairing application, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, software applications may be computer-readable programs installed in the user device for executing functions associated with the system 100.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound sensor 110 may be a microphone specifically designed to capture the sound of clap with high sensitivity and accuracy. The sound sensor 110 may utilize air pressure variations to convert the sound of clap into electrical signals, which are then processed by the system 100 for clap recognition.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 112 may serve as the central processing unit of the system 100, responsible for analyzing clap sound signals, triggering relays, and coordinating communication between components. The controller 112 may include a microcontroller, memory, and input/output interfaces for efficient system operation.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the relay 114 may act as a switch controlled by the controller 112 to turn on/off the light fixtures 116 based on clap sound recognition. The relay 114 may be configured to handle electrical loads suitable for controlling multiple light fixtures 116 simultaneously.
[0038] The light fixtures 116 may be integrated with the relay 114 to receive commands for activation or deactivation based on the detected sound of clap. These light fixtures 116 may encompass a wide range of devices that may be, but not limited to lamps, bulbs, ceiling lights, wall sconces, chandeliers, track lights, pendant lights, strip lights, recessed lights, spotlights, floodlights, lanterns, desk lamps, air-conditioners, coolers, fans, televisions, and so forth. In further embodiments of the present invention, the light fixtures 116 may include the electrical and the electronic devices. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the light fixtures 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power source 118 may provide electrical power to the system 100 for its operation. The power source 118 may be connected to the relay 114 and other components to ensure an uninterrupted functionality of the system 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 120 may serve as a backup power supply for the system 100, ensuring continued operation during power outages or disruptions. The battery 120 may be rechargeable and integrated into the system 100 for reliability and convenience.
[0040] FIG. 1C depicts the light fixture 116, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the controller 112 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 112 may comprise programming instructions in the form of programming modules such as a sound sensing module 200, a signal conversion module 202, an analysis module 204, and an actuation module 206.
[0042] The sound sensing module 200 may enable the sound sensor 110 to sense the sound of clap created by the user. The sound sensing module 200 may receive the detected sound signal from the sound sensor 110 and process it for further analysis.
[0043] The sound sensing module 200 may send a triggering signal to trigger the signal conversion module 202 upon receiving the detected sound signal from the sound sensor 110. The signal conversion module 202 may convert the detected sound signal into an analog voltage signal based on variations in air pressure, facilitating the analysis of the sound of clap by the system. The signal conversion module 202 may send a triggering signal to trigger the analysis module 204 upon converting the detected sound signal into the analog voltage signal.
[0044] The analysis module 204 may utilize a sound recognition algorithm to analyze the received sound signal and distinguish the sound of clap from other noises. The analysis module 204 may consider factors that may be, but not limited to, an amplitude, a duration, an intensity, a frequency of the claps, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any factors associated with the sounds, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, the sound recognition algorithm implemented in the analysis module 204 may use machine learning techniques to continuously learn and adapt to different clap patterns and environments. It may analyze the amplitude of the clap sound to determine its strength or loudness, the duration to ascertain how long the clap lasts, the intensity to gauge the energy of the clap, and the frequency to identify the pitch of the clap. Additionally, the algorithm may examine the spectral content of the clap sound, such as its frequency distribution across different frequency bands, to further differentiate claps from background noise or similar sounds. The actuation module 206 may be responsible for triggering the relay 114 based on the analyzed sound of clap when the sound of clap is recognized from the analyzed sound signal. The actuation module 206 may also coordinate the actuation of one or more of the light fixtures 116 based on the corresponding sensing units 102a-102n. These programming modules within the controller 112 work together to enable the hybrid controlling of light in the system 100, providing a seamless and efficient hands-free control experience for users.
[0046] In further embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may be integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) platforms and smart home ecosystems to allow seamless communication and interoperability with a wide range of devices and services. The system 100 may enable the user to control not only lighting but also other connected devices, such as thermostats, entertainment systems, and security cameras, using the same clap gesture or through mobile applications. Overall, the system 100 represents a significant advancement in home automation technology, offering enhanced functionality, personalized user experiences, and efficient energy management capabilities.
[0047] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for controlling the light fixtures 116, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the sound signal from the sound sensor 110 of one of the sensing units 102a-102n.
[0049] At step 304, the system 100 may analyze the received sound signal using the sound recognition algorithm, wherein the sound recognition algorithm enables distinguishing the sound of clap from the other noises.
[0050] At step 306, the system 100 may check whether the recognized sound is the sound of clap. If the sound of clap is recognized, the system 100 may proceed to step 308. Otherwise, the system 100 may return to step 302.
[0051] At step 308, the system 100 may trigger a relay 114 when the sound of clap is recognized from the analyzed sound signal.
[0052] At step 310, the system 100 may actuate one or more of the light fixtures 116 based on the sensing units 102a-102n corresponding to the one of the light fixtures 116. The system 100 may monitor the status of the light fixtures 116 and provide feedback to the user regarding the activation or deactivation of the light fixtures 116 based on clap detection.
[0053] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for hybrid controlling of light, characterized in that the system (100) comprising:
sensing units (102a-102n) arranged in a proximity of light fixtures (116), wherein each of the sensing units (102a-102n) comprises a sound sensor (110) adapted to sense a sound of clap created by a user; and
a controller (112) arranged in communication with the sensing units (102a-102n), wherein the controller (112) is configured to:
receive a sound signal from the sound sensor (110);
analyse the received sound signal using a sound recognition algorithm, wherein the sound recognition algorithm enables distinguishes a sound of clap from other noises;
trigger a relay (114) based on the analysed sound of clap when the sound of clap is recognized from the analysed sound signal; and
actuate one or more of the light fixtures (116) based on the sensing units (102a-102n) corresponding to the one of the light fixtures (116).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound signal is an analog voltage signal.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound sensor (110) is configured to convert the sound of clap into analog voltage signals based on variations in an air pressure.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing units (102a-102n) comprise a filter circuit for reducing a noise interference.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound sensor comprises a microphone configured to convert the sound of clap into analog voltage signals based on variations in air pressure.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound recognition algorithm distinguishes the sound of clap from the other noises based on factors selected from an amplitude, a duration of sound of clap, an intensity, a frequency or a combination thereof.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (112) communicates with a mobile application (108) to enable a user to control the light fixtures (116).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (112) is adapted to receive an operational power supply from a battery (120).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light fixtures are electrically connected to a power source (118).
10. A method (300) for controlling light fixtures (116), the method (116) comprising:
receiving a sound signal from a sound sensor (110) of one of sensing units (102a-102n);
analysing the received sound signal using a sound recognition algorithm, wherein the sound recognition algorithm enables distinguishes a sound of clap from other noises;
triggering a relay (114) when the sound of clap is recognized from the analysed sound signal; and
actuating one or more of the light fixtures (116) based on the sensing units (102a-102n) corresponding to the one of the light fixtures (116).

Date: April 24, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)