Automatic light-intensity control

Claim 1

An illumination level sensing and controlling system for controlling the level of artificial light in an area of interest comprising: light collector means capable of receiving light from a wide angle such that the light received is representative of a relatively large portion of said area of interest and focusing said light on a two-dimensional surface; two-dimensional light-sensitive array means including a matrix of light-intensity sensitive elements disposed to receive the light focused by said light collector means in a manner such that the matrix of light-sensitive elements produces an output corresponding to a light-intensity mapping of the area from which said light is collected; multiplexer means for addressing each of said light-intensity sensitive elements and determining the relative light intensity value thereof, said values being representative of the light intensity in corresponding portions of the controlled area; signal conditioning means including means for digitizing said light intensity values; microprocssor means for storing control values associated with desired light levels of the area of interest, processing the digitized data and controlling the operation and control functions of the system based on a comparison with said control values; and control means for controlling the light level of one or more lamps associated with the illumination of the area to be controlled based on the control function of said microprocessor means.