U.S. patent application number 10/325635 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for controlled lighting methods and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Cella, Charles H., Dowling, Kevin J., Lys, Ihor A., Morgan, Frederick M., Mueller, George G..
Application Number | 20040052076 10/325635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31999977 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040052076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mueller, George G. ; et
al. |
March 18, 2004 |
Controlled lighting methods and apparatus
Abstract
Provided herein are methods and systems for providing controlled
lighting, including methods and systems for providing both white
and non-white colored lighting, including color temperature
controlled lighting. Such methods and systems include optical
facilities for modifying light from a lighting unit, such as an
LED-based lighting unit, including variable optical facilities and
fixed optical facilities. Also provided are methods and systems for
using multi-color lighting units in a variety of commercial
applications. Also provided are methods and systems for lighting
control, including methods to assist lighting designers and
installers to improve the quality of lighting in environments. Also
provided are intelligent dimmers, switches, sockets and fixtures,
as well as facilities for programming and using them. Also provided
are various sensor-feedback applications of lighting technology,
including sensor-feedback involving light sensors and forward
voltage sensors. Also provided are lighting methods and systems
that operate on time-based parameters.
Inventors: |
Mueller, George G.; (Boston,
MA) ; Lys, Ihor A.; (Milton, MA) ; Dowling,
Kevin J.; (Westford, MA) ; Cella, Charles H.;
(Pembroke, MA) ; Morgan, Frederick M.; (Quincy,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, PC
FEDERAL RESERVE PLAZA
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2211
US
|
Family ID: |
31999977 |
Appl. No.: |
10/325635 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2002 |
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10325635 |
Dec 19, 2002 |
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09971367 |
Oct 4, 2001 |
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09971367 |
Oct 4, 2001 |
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6150774 |
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09425770 |
Oct 22, 1999 |
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08920156 |
Aug 26, 1997 |
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6016038 |
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10325635 |
Dec 19, 2002 |
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09215624 |
Dec 17, 1998 |
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09215624 |
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08920156 |
Aug 26, 1997 |
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10325635 |
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Mar 22, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/293 ;
362/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/0994 20130101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801; H05B 45/22 20200101; F21V 23/0442 20130101;
H05B 45/20 20200101; F21Y 2113/13 20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/293 ;
362/231 |
International
Class: |
F21V 009/00 |
Claims
1. A lighting system, comprising: a plurality of LEDs selected from
the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and
UV LEDs; a controller for controlling the color of light coming
from the LEDs; a sensor for sensing at least one of the color and
the color temperature of the light coming from the LEDs; and a
feedback loop for adjusting the color of light coming from the LEDs
based on input from the sensor.
2. A lighting system, comprising: a plurality of LEDs selected from
the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and
UV LEDs; a controller for controlling the color of light coming
from the LEDs; and a variable optical facility for modifying the
light coming from the LEDs in response to actuation by a user.
3. A lighting system, comprising: a plurality of LEDs selected from
the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and
UV LEDs; a controller for controlling the color of light coming
from the LEDs; an optical facility for modifying the light coming
from the LEDs; and an actuator for actuating a change in the
optical facility.
4. A system of claim 3, wherein the optical facility comprises a
fluid-filled lens.
5. A system of claim 3, wherein the optical facility comprises a
MEMs device.
6. A system of claim 3 wherein the optical facility comprises a
digital mirror.
7. A method of providing illumination, comprising: providing a
plurality of LEDs selected from the group consisting of red, green,
blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs; controlling the color of
light coming from the LEDs; sensing at least one of the color and
the color temperature of the light coming from the LEDs; and using
a feedback loop to adjusting the color of light coming from the
LEDs based on input from the sensor.
8. A method of providing illumination, comprising: providing light
from a plurality of LEDs selected from the group consisting of red,
green, blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs; controlling at least
one of the color and color temperature of light coming from the
LEDs; providing an optical facility for modifying the light coming
from the LEDs; and actuating a change in the optical facility to
change the modification of the light coming from the LEDs.
9. A method of claim 8, wherein the optical facility comprises a
fluid-filled lens.
10. A method of claim 8, wherein the optical facility comprises a
MEMs device.
11. A method of claim 8 wherein the optical facility comprises a
digital mirror.
12. A method of lighting a motion picture environment, comprising:
providing a camera; providing a processor to control the camera;
providing a lighting system, the lighting system including a
plurality of LEDs selected from the group consisting of red, green,
blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs; and using the processor to
simultaneously control the camera and the lighting system.
13. A method of providing control to a lighting system, comprising:
providing a lighting control facility for a lighting system that
includes a processor and a plurality of LEDs; providing a facility
for requiring user authorization in order to allow a user to change
the lighting condition generated by the lighting system.
14. A method of providing a settable light, comprising: providing a
lighting unit, the lighting unit including a plurality of LEDs
selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber,
white, orange and UV LEDs; providing a scale, the scale
representing at least one of a plurality of color temperatures, a
plurality of colors, and a plurality of intensities of light output
from the lighting unit; and providing an interface, the interface
allowing the user to set the light output from the lighting unit by
setting the interface on a setting of the scale corresponding to
that light output.
15. A method of claim 14, further comprising: configuring the scale
to show a range of color temperatures of white light.
16. A method of providing lighting control, comprising: providing a
socket for a lighting unit, the socket including a processor and
memory for storing and processing lighting control signals for a
lighting unit that is adapted to be placed in the socket.
17. A method of claim 16, wherein the socket further comprises a
communications facility for receiving a lighting control signal
from an external signal source.
18. A method of claim 16, wherein the external signal source is a
sensor.
19. A method of claim 16, wherein the external signal source is a
central controller for a lighting control system.
20. A method of claim 16, wherein the adapted lighting unit is
configured to resemble a conventional lamp selected from the group
consisting of a halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp, a metal halide
lamp, a fluorescent lamp and a specialty lamp.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/341,898,
filed Dec. 19, 2001, entitled "Systems and Methods for LED
Lighting."
[0002] This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-provisional
application Ser. No. 09/971,367, filed Oct. 4, 2001, entitled
"Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus", which is a
continuation of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No.
09/669,121, filed Sep. 25, 2000, entitled "Multicolored LED
Lighting Method and Apparatus", which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 09/425,770, filed Oct. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,150,774, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/920,156,
filed Aug. 26, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038.
[0003] This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of the following U.S.
Non-provisional applications:
[0004] Ser. No. 09/215,624, filed Dec. 17, 1998, entitled "Smart
Light Bulb";
[0005] Ser. No. 09/213,607, filed Dec. 17, 1998, entitled "Systems
and Methods for Sensor-Responsive Illumination";
[0006] Ser. No. 09/213,581, filed Dec. 17, 1998, entitled "Kinetic
Illumination";
[0007] Ser. No. 09/213,540, filed Dec. 17, 1998, entitled "Data
Delivery Track";
[0008] Ser. No. 09/333,739, filed Jun. 15, 1999, entitled "Diffuse
Illumination Systems and Methods"; and
[0009] Ser. No. 09/815,418, filed Mar. 22, 2001, entitled "Lighting
Entertainment System", which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
09/213,548, filed Dec. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,496.
[0010] This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of the following U.S.
Non-provisional applications:
[0011] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,193, filed May 30,
2001, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Devices in a
Networked Lighting System;"
[0012] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/344,699, filed Jun. 25,
1999, entitled "Method for Software Driven Generation of Multiple
Simultaneous High Speed Pulse Width Modulated Signals;"
[0013] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/805,368, filed Mar. 13,
2001, entitled "Light-Emitting Diode Based Products;"
[0014] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/663,969, filed Sep. 19,
2000, entitled "Universal Lighting Network Methods and
Systems;"
[0015] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/716,819, filed Nov. 20,
2000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Generating and Modulating
Illumination Conditions;"
[0016] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,419, filed Sep. 29,
2000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Calibrating Light Output by
Light-Emitting Diodes;"
[0017] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,418, filed May 30,
2001, entitled "A Method and Apparatus for Authoring and Playing
Back Lighting Sequences;"
[0018] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,629, filed Oct. 25,
2001, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Controlling
Illumination;"
[0019] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,786, filed Sep. 17,
2002, entitled "Light Emitting Diode Based Products"; and
[0020] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,788, filed Sep. 17,
2002, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Generating and Modulating
White Light Illumination Conditions."
[0021] This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 of each of the following U.S. Provisional Applications,
as at least one of the above-identified U.S. Non-provisional
Applications similarly is entitled to the benefit of at least one
of the following Provisional Applications:
[0022] Serial No. 60/071,281, filed Dec. 17, 1997, entitled
"Digitally Controlled Light Emitting Diodes Systems and
Methods";
[0023] Serial No. 60/068,792, filed Dec. 24, 1997, entitled
"Multi-Color Intelligent Lighting";
[0024] Serial No. 60/078,861, filed Mar. 20, 1998, entitled
"Digital Lighting Systems";
[0025] Serial No. 60/079,285, filed Mar. 25, 1998, entitled "System
and Method for Controlled Illumination";
[0026] Serial No. 60/090,920, filed Jun. 26, 1998, entitled
"Methods for Software Driven Generation of Multiple Simultaneous
High Speed Pulse Width Modulated Signals";
[0027] Serial No. 60/166,533, filed Nov. 18, 1999, entitled
"Designing Lights with LED Spectrum;"
[0028] Serial No. 60/201,140, filed May 2, 2000, entitled "Systems
and Methods for Modulating Illumination Conditions;"
[0029] Serial No. 60/156,672, filed Sep. 29, 1999, entitled
"Systems and Methods for Calibrating Light Output by Light Emitting
Diodes;"
[0030] Serial No. 60/322,765, filed Sep. 17, 2001, entitled "Light
Emitting Diode Illumination Systems and Methods;"
[0031] Serial No. 60/329,202, filed Oct. 12, 2001, entitled "Light
Emitting Diode Illumination Systems and Methods;"
[0032] Serial No. 60/341,476, filed Oct. 30, 2001, entitled
"Systems and Methods for LED Lighting;"
[0033] Serial No. 60/335,679, filed Oct. 23, 2001, entitled
"Systems and Methods for Programmed LED Devices;"
[0034] Serial No. 60/353,569, filed Feb. 1, 2002, entitled "LED
Systems and Methods;"
[0035] Serial No. 60/199,333, filed Apr. 24, 2000, entitled
"Autonomous Color Changing Accessory;"
[0036] Serial No. 60/211,417, filed Jun. 14, 2000, entitled
LED-Based Consumer Products;"
[0037] Serial No. 60/243,250, filed Oct. 25, 2000, entitled
"Illumination of Liquids;"
[0038] Serial No. 60/296,377, filed Jun. 6, 2001, entitled "Systems
and Methods for Controlling Lighting Systems;"
[0039] Serial No. 60/297,828, filed Jun. 13, 2001, entitled
"Systems and Methods for Controlling Lighting Systems;" and
[0040] Serial No. 60/290,101, filed May 10, 2001, entitled
"Lighting Synchronization Without a Newtork."
[0041] Each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0042] Methods and systems for providing color-controlled
illumination are known to those of skill in the art, including
those identified in patents and patent applications incorporated by
reference herein. Such methods and systems can benefit from
improved control over illumination, including control enabled by
different combinations of light sources, different control
protocols, optical facilities, software programs, lighting system
configurations, and other improvements.
SUMMARY
[0043] Provided herein are methods and systems for providing
controlled lighting, including methods and systems for providing
both white and non-white colored lighting, including color
temperature controlled lighting.
[0044] Methods and systems disclosed herein include optical
facilities for modifying light from a lighting unit, such as an
LED-based lighting unit, including variable optical facilities and
fixed optical facilities.
[0045] Also provided are methods and systems for using multi-color
lighting units in a variety of commercial applications.
[0046] Also provided are methods and systems for lighting control,
including methods to assist lighting designers and installers to
improve the quality of lighting in environments.
[0047] Also provided are intelligent dimmers, switches, sockets and
fixtures, as well as facilities for programming and using them.
[0048] Also provided are various sensor-feedback applications of
lighting technology, including sensor-feedback involving light
sensors and forward voltage sensors. Also provided are lighting
methods and systems that operate on time-based parameters.
[0049] Methods and systems disclosed herein include methods and
systems for a lighting system that includes a plurality of LEDs
selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber,
white, orange and UV LEDs, a controller for controlling the color
of light coming from the LEDs, a sensor for sensing at least one of
the color and the color temperature of the light coming from the
LEDs and a feedback loop for adjusting the color of light coming
from the LEDs based on input from the sensor.
[0050] Methods and systems disclosed herein include a lighting
system that includes a plurality of LEDs selected from the group
consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs, a
controller for controlling the color of light coming from the LEDs
and a variable optical facility for modifying the light coming from
the LEDs in response to actuation by a user.
[0051] Methods and systems disclosed herein include a lighting
system that includes a plurality of LEDs selected from the group
consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs, a
controller for controlling the color of light coming from the LEDs,
an optical facility for modifying the light coming from the LEDs
and an actuator for actuating a change in the optical facility.
[0052] Methods and systems further include a method of providing
illumination, including providing a plurality of LEDs selected from
the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and
UV LEDs, controlling the color of light coming from the LEDs,
sensing at least one of the color and the color temperature of the
light coming from the LEDs and using a feedback loop to adjusting
the color of light coming from the LEDs based on input from the
sensor.
[0053] Methods and systems also includes a method of providing
illumination that includes providing light from a plurality of LEDs
selected from the group consisting of red, green, blue, amber,
white, orange and UV LEDs, controlling at least one of the color
and color temperature of light coming from the LEDs, providing an
optical facility for modifying the light coming from the LEDs and
actuating a change in the optical facility to change the
modification of the light coming from the LEDs.
[0054] The optical facility can be a fluid-filled lens, a MEMs
device, a digital mirror or other optical facility.
[0055] Methods and systems can also include a method of lighting a
motion picture environment, including providing a camera, providing
a processor to control the camera, providing a lighting system, the
lighting system including a plurality of LEDs selected from the
group consisting of red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and UV
LEDs and using the processor to simultaneously control the camera
and the lighting system.
[0056] Methods and systems include a method of providing control to
a lighting system, including providing a lighting control facility
for a lighting system that includes a processor and a plurality of
LEDs, and providing a facility for requiring user authorization in
order to allow a user to change the lighting condition generated by
the lighting system.
[0057] Methods and systems include a method of providing a settable
light, including providing a lighting unit, the lighting unit
including a plurality of LEDs selected from the group consisting of
red, green, blue, amber, white, orange and UV LEDs, providing a
scale, the scale representing at least one of a plurality of color
temperatures, a plurality of colors, and a plurality of intensities
of light output from the lighting unit, and providing an interface,
the interface allowing the user to set the light output from the
lighting unit by setting the interface on a setting of the scale
corresponding to that light output.
[0058] Methods and systems also include a configuring the scale to
show a range of color temperatures of white light.
[0059] Methods and systems also include a method of providing
lighting control, including providing a socket for a lighting unit,
the socket including a processor and memory for storing and
processing lighting control signals for a lighting unit that is
adapted to be placed in the socket. Such methods and systems also
include a method wherein the socket further comprises a
communications facility for receiving a lighting control signal
from an external signal source.
[0060] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the
term "LED" should be understood to include any light emitting diode
or other type of carrier injection/junction-based system that is
capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal.
Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various
semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to
current, light emitting polymers, light-emitting strips,
electro-luminescent strips, and the like.
[0061] In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes
of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting
diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more
of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various
portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation
wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700
nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to,
various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue
LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white
LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be appreciated that
LEDs may be configured to generate radiation having various
bandwidths for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad
bandwidth).
[0062] For example, one implementation of an LED configured to
generate essentially white light (e.g., a white LED) may include a
number of dies which respectively emit different spectrums of
luminescence that, in combination, mix to form essentially white
light. In another implementation, a white light LED may be
associated with a phosphor material that converts luminescence
having a first spectrum to a different second spectrum. In one
example of this implementation, luminescence having a relatively
short wavelength and narrow bandwidth spectrum "pumps" the phosphor
material, which in turn radiates longer wavelength radiation having
a somewhat broader spectrum.
[0063] It should also be understood that the term LED does not
limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For
example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light
emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to
respectively emit different spectrums of radiation (e.g., that may
or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be
associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part
of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term
LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount
LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs,
LEDs including some type of encasement and/or optical element
(e.g., a diffusing lens), etc.
[0064] The term "light source" should be understood to refer to any
one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not
limited to, LED-based sources as defined above, incandescent
sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources,
phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g.,
sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other
types of luminescent sources, electro-liumiscent sources,
pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources
(e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources),
photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources),
cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation,
galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources,
kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources,
triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent
sources, and luminescent polymers.
[0065] A given light source may be configured to generate
electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the
visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Hence, the terms
"light" and "radiation" are used interchangeably herein.
Additionally, a light source may include as an integral component
one or more filters (e.g., color filters), lenses, or other optical
components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be
configured for a variety of applications, including, but not
limited to, indication and/or illumination. An "illumination
source" is a light source that is particularly configured to
generate radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively
illuminate an interior or exterior space.
[0066] The term "spectrum" should be understood to refer to any one
or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation produced by one
or more light sources. Accordingly, the term "spectrum" refers to
frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range, but
also frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and
other areas of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given
spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (essentially few
frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively wide bandwidth
(several frequency or wavelength components having various relative
strengths). It should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may
be the result of a mixing of two or more other spectrums (e.g.,
mixing radiation respectively emitted from multiple light
sources).
[0067] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "color" is used
interchangeably with the term "spectrum." However, the term "color"
generally is used to refer primarily to a property of radiation
that is perceivable by an observer (although this usage is not
intended to limit the scope of this term). Accordingly, the terms
"different colors" implicitly refer to different spectrums having
different wavelength components and/or bandwidths. It also should
be appreciated that the term "color" may be used in connection with
both white and non-white light.
[0068] The term "color temperature" generally is used herein in
connection with white light, although this usage is not intended to
limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers
to a particular color content or shade (e.g., reddish, bluish) of
white light. The color temperature of a given radiation sample
conventionally is characterized according to the temperature in
degrees Kelvin (K) of a black body radiator that radiates
essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample in question.
The color temperature of white light generally falls within a range
of from approximately 700 degrees K (generally considered the first
visible to the human eye) to over 10,000 degrees K.
[0069] Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light
having a more significant red component or a "warmer feel," while
higher color temperatures generally indicate white light having a
more significant blue component or a "cooler feel." By way of
example, a wood burning fire has a color temperature of
approximately 1,800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent bulb has
a color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning
daylight has a color temperature of approximately 3,000 degrees K,
and overcast midday skies have a color temperature of approximately
10,000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having a
color temperature of approximately 3,000 degree K has a relatively
reddish tone, whereas the same color image viewed under white light
having a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K has a
relatively bluish tone.
[0070] The terms "lighting unit" and "lighting fixture" are used
interchangeably herein to refer to an apparatus including one or
more light sources of same or different types. A given lighting
unit may have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the
light source(s), enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes, and/or
electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally,
a given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g.,
include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with) various other
components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of
the light source(s). An "LED-based lighting unit" refers to a
lighting unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as
discussed above, alone or in combination with other non LED-based
light sources.
[0071] The terms "processor" or "controller" are used herein
interchangeably to describe various apparatus relating to the
operation of one or more light sources. A processor or controller
can be implemented in numerous ways, such as with dedicated
hardware, using one or more microprocessors that are programmed
using software (e.g., microcode or firmware) to perform the various
functions discussed herein, or as a combination of dedicated
hardware to perform some functions and programmed microprocessors
and associated circuitry to perform other functions.
[0072] In various implementations, a processor or controller may be
associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to
herein as "memory," e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory
such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM, floppy disks, compact disks,
optical disks, magnetic tape, etc.). In some implementations, the
storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when
executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at
least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media
may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be
transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon
can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement
various aspects of the present invention discussed herein. The
terms "program" or "computer program" are used herein in a generic
sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or
microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors
or controllers, including by retrieval of stored sequences of
instructions.
[0073] The term "addressable" is used herein to refer to a device
(e.g., a light source in general, a lighting unit or fixture, a
controller or processor associated with one or more light sources
or lighting units, other non-lighting related devices, etc.) that
is configured to receive information (e.g., data) intended for
multiple devices, including itself, and to selectively respond to
particular information intended for it. The term "addressable"
often is used in connection with a networked environment (or a
"network," discussed further below), in which multiple devices are
coupled together via some communications medium or media.
[0074] In one implementation, one or more devices coupled to a
network may serve as a controller for one or more other devices
coupled to the network (e.g., in a master/slave relationship). In
another implementation, a networked environment may include one or
more dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or
more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, multiple
devices coupled to the network each may have access to data that is
present on the communications medium or media; however, a given
device may be "addressable" in that it is configured to selectively
exchange data with (i.e., receive data from and/or transmit data
to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular
identifiers (e.g., "addresses") assigned to it.
[0075] The term "network" as used herein refers to any
interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or
processors) that facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for
device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two
or more devices and/or among multiple devices coupled to the
network. As should be readily appreciated, various implementations
of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may
include any of a variety of network topologies and employ any of a
variety of communication protocols. Additionally, in various
networks according to the present invention, any one connection
between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between
the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In
addition to carrying information intended for the two devices, such
a non-dedicated connection may carry information not necessarily
intended for either of the two devices (e.g., an open network
connection). Furthermore, it should be readily appreciated that
various networks of devices as discussed herein may employ one or
more wireless, wire/cable, and/or fiber optic links to facilitate
information transport throughout the network.
[0076] The term "user interface" as used herein refers to an
interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices
that enables communication between the user and the device(s).
Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various
implementations of the present invention include, but are not
limited to, switches, human-machine interfaces, operator
interfaces, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse,
keyboard, keypad, various types of game controllers (e.g.,
joysticks), track balls, display screens, various types of
graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones and
other types of sensors that may receive some form of
human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response
thereto.
[0077] The following patents and patent applications are hereby
incorporated herein by reference:
[0078] U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038, issued Jan. 18, 2000, entitled
"Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus;"
[0079] U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,626, issued Apr. 3, 2001 to Lys et al,
entitled "Illumination Components;"
[0080] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,193, filed May 30,
2001, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Devices in a
Networked Lighting System;"
[0081] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/344,699, filed Jun. 25,
1999, entitled "Method for Software Driven Generation of Multiple
Simultaneous High Speed Pulse Width Modulated Signals;"
[0082] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/805,368, filed Mar. 13,
2001, entitled "Light-Emitting Diode Based Products;"
[0083] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/663,969, filed Sep. 19,
2000, entitled "Universal Lighting Network Methods and
Systems;"
[0084] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/716,819, filed Nov. 20,
2000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Generating and Modulating
Illumination Conditions;"
[0085] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,419, filed Sep. 29,
2000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Calibrating Light Output by
Light-Emitting Diodes;"
[0086] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/870,418, filed May 30,
2001, entitled "A Method and Apparatus for Authoring and Playing
Back Lighting Sequences;"
[0087] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,629, filed Oct. 25,
2001, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Controlling
Illumination;"
[0088] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,786, filed Sep. 17,
2002, entitled "Light Emitting Diode Based Products"; and
[0089] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,788, filed Sep. 17,
2002, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Generating and Modulating
White Light Illumination Conditions."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0090] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a lighting unit that may
serve as a device in a lighting environment according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0091] FIG. 2 depicts a lighting system with a plurality of
lighting units and a central controller.
[0092] FIG. 3 depicts various configurations of lighting systems
100.
[0093] FIG. 4 depicts optical facilities for optically operating on
light from a lighting unit 100.
[0094] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of an optical
facility.
[0095] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram for an optical facility
that is controlled by a processor in conjunction with control of a
lighting system, and that is capable of receiving input from a
sensor.
[0096] FIG. 7 depicts a mechanical actuator for changing the
operative effect of an optical facility.
[0097] FIG. 8 depicts another system for actuating an optical
facility to change under the control of a processor.
[0098] FIG. 9 depicts another system for actuating an optical
facility to change configuration under the control of a
processor.
[0099] FIG. 10 depicts a digital mirror optical facility for
reflecting light from a light system.
[0100] FIG. 11 depicts a spinning mirror system optical
facility.
[0101] FIG. 12 depicts a grating light valve optical facility.
[0102] FIG. 13 depicts an acousto-optical modulator as an optical
facility.
[0103] FIG. 14 depicts an illumination system for reflecting light
on an object from a wide variety of beam angles.
[0104] FIG. 15 depicts
[0105] FIG. 16 depicts an example of a secondary optical facility
for shaping and forming light emission from a lighting system.
[0106] FIG. 17 depicts a configuration for a lighting system with a
light pipe optical facility.
[0107] FIG. 18 depicts a color mixing system.
[0108] FIG. 19 depicts an optical facility with a plurality of
cylindrical elements.
[0109] FIG. 20 depicts a microlens array optical facility.
[0110] FIG. 21 depicts another configuration of a microlens array
optical facility.
[0111] FIG. 22 depicts a flexible materials bearing a microlens
array optical facility.
[0112] FIG. 23 depicts a cylindrical configuration of a flexible
microlens array optical facility.
[0113] FIG. 24 depicts a sytem for rolling a flexible microlens
array optical facility.
[0114] FIG. 25 depicts a chromaticity diagram.
[0115] FIG. 26 depicts an airplane environment for a lighting
system.
[0116] FIG. 27 depicts an airplane interior environment for a
multi-purpose lighting system.
[0117] FIG. 28 depicts a vehicle environment for a multi-purpose
lighting system.
[0118] FIG. 29 depicts an environment for lighting an object under
display.
[0119] FIG. 30 depicts a sign that includes one or more lighting
units.
[0120] FIG. 31 depicts an exterior sign with one or more lighting
units.
[0121] FIG. 32 depicts another embodiment of a sign lighting
system.
[0122] FIG. 33 depicts a medical environment for a lighting
system.
[0123] FIG. 34 depicts an art object under a lighting system.
[0124] FIG. 35 depicts a three-dimensional object under a lighting
system.
[0125] FIG. 36 depicts a foreground object and a background, both
with lighting systems.
[0126] FIG. 37 depicts a person in a seat under a lighting
system.
[0127] FIG. 38 depicts a lighting system in a cabinet
environment.
[0128] FIG. 39 depicts a lighting system for an object in a cabinet
environment.
[0129] FIG. 40 depicts a lighting system for a workplace
environment.
[0130] FIG. 41 depicts a lighting system for a seating
environment.
[0131] FIG. 42 depicts a lighting system for an entertainment
environment.
[0132] FIG. 43 depicts a lighting system for a camera
environment.
[0133] FIG. 44 depicts a light controller with a slide and a
switch.
[0134] FIG. 45 depicts a light controller with dual slides and a
switch.
[0135] FIG. 46 depicts a light controller with a dial.
[0136] FIG. 47 depicts a dual-dial light controller.
[0137] FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram for a home network control
system that controls a lighting system.
[0138] FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram for a dial-based lighting
control unit.
[0139] FIG. 50 is a flow diagram showing steps for lighting control
using a dimmer having memory.
[0140] FIG. 51 is a flow diagram showing steps for lighting control
based on stored modes.
[0141] FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram for a lighting control system
with inputs from a computer network.
[0142] FIG. 53 illustrates a lighting unit with a dial for setting
a lighting condition.
[0143] FIG. 54 illustrates a lighting unit with a slide for setting
a lighting condition.
[0144] FIG. 55 illustrates a lighting unit with a port for
receiving data to control a lighting condition.
[0145] FIG. 56 illustrates a lighting unit with a base that
includes a processor for controlling a lighting condition.
[0146] FIG. 57 is a flow diagram showing steps for allowing only
authorized users to change a lighting condition.
[0147] FIG. 58 illustrates modes for controlling a lighting
condition.
[0148] FIG. 59 is a flow diagram that illustrates using a stored
algorithm to operate on data to trigger a lighting event.
[0149] FIG. 60 is a flow diagram that illustrates applying
algorithms to sensed conditions to trigger illumination control
signals.
[0150] FIG. 61 is a flow diagram with steps for applying timing
algorithms to control lighting conditions.
[0151] FIG. 62 is a schematic diagram showing responses of the eye
to light.
[0152] FIG. 63 is a schematic diagram showing square waves for a
PWM signal.
[0153] FIG. 64 is a schematic diagram showing square waves for a
PAM/PWM signal.
[0154] FIG. 65 is a schematic diagram showing spectral shift in
light output from an LED as a result of current shift.
[0155] FIG. 66 is a schematic diagram, showing a modulated spectral
shift in light output from an LED based on a combination of current
control and PWM control.
[0156] FIG. 67 is a schematic diagram showing a perceived
broadening of wavelength based on modulated control of current and
pulse width in an LED system.
[0157] FIG. 68 shows a spectrum that can result from modulating
multiple LEDs with both current and pulse width.
[0158] FIG. 69 is a schematic diagram of a controller that can
offer both current control and PWM control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0159] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
below, including certain embodiments relating particularly to
LED-based light sources. It should be appreciated, however, that
the present invention is not limited to any particular manner of
implementation, and that the various embodiments discussed
explicitly herein are primarily for purposes of illustration. For
example, the various concepts discussed herein may be suitably
implemented in a variety of environments involving LED-based light
sources, other types of light sources not including LEDs,
environments that involve both LEDs and other types of light
sources in combination, and environments that involve
non-lighting-related devices alone or in combination with various
types of light sources.
[0160] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a lighting unit 100 that
may serve as a device in a lighting environment according to one
embodiment of the present invention. Some examples of LED-based
lighting units similar to those that are described below in
connection with FIG. 1 may be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
6,016,038, issued Jan. 18, 2000 to Mueller et al., entitled
"Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus," and U.S. Pat. No.
6,211,626, issued Apr. 3, 2001 to Lys et al, entitled "Illumination
Components," which patents are both hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0161] In various embodiments of the present invention, the
lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be used alone or together
with other similar lighting units in a system of lighting units
(e.g., as discussed further below in connection with FIG. 2). Used
alone or in combination with other lighting units, the lighting
unit 100 may be employed in a variety of applications including,
but not limited to, interior or exterior space illumination in
general, direct or indirect illumination of objects or spaces,
theatrical or other entertainment-based/special effects
illumination, decorative illumination, safety-oriented
illumination, vehicular illumination, illumination of displays
and/or merchandise (e.g. for advertising and/or in retail/consumer
environments), combined illumination and communication systems,
etc., as well as for various indication and informational
purposes.
[0162] Additionally, one or more lighting units similar to that
described in connection with FIG. 1 may be implemented in a variety
of products including, but not limited to, various forms of light
modules or bulbs having various shapes and electrical/mechanical
coupling arrangements (including replacement or "retrofit" modules
or bulbs adapted for use in conventional sockets or fixtures), as
well as a variety of consumer and/or household products (e.g.,
night lights, toys, games or game components, entertainment
components or systems, utensils, appliances, kitchen aids, cleaning
products, etc.).
[0163] In one embodiment, the lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 may
include one or more light sources 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D
wherein one or more of the light sources may be an LED-based light
source that includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). In
one aspect of this embodiment, any two or more of the light sources
104A, 104B, 104C and 104D may be adapted to generate radiation of
different colors (e.g. red, green, and blue, respectively).
Although FIG. 1 shows four light sources 104A, 104B, 104C, and
104D, it should be appreciated that the lighting unit is not
limited in this respect, as different numbers and various types of
light sources (all LED-based light sources, LED-based and
non-LED-based light sources in combination, etc.) adapted to
generate radiation of a variety of different colors, including
essentially white light, may be employed in the lighting unit 100,
as discussed further below.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting unit 100 also may include a
processor 102 that is configured to output one or more control
signals to drive the light sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D so as
to generate various intensities of light from the light sources.
For example, in one implementation, the processor 102 may be
configured to output at least one control signal for each light
source so as to independently control the intensity of light
generated by each light source. Some examples of control signals
that may be generated by the processor to control the light sources
include, but are not limited to, pulse modulated signals, pulse
width modulated signals (PWM), pulse amplitude modulated signals
(PAM), pulse displacement modulated signals, analog control signals
(e.g., current control signals, voltage control signals),
combinations and/or modulations of the foregoing signals, or other
control signals. In one aspect, the processor 102 may control other
dedicated circuitry (not shown in FIG. 1), which in turn controls
the light sources so as to vary their respective intensities.
[0165] Lighting systems in accordance with this specification can
operate LEDs in an efficient manner. Typical LED performance
characteristics depend on the amount of current drawn by the LED.
The optimal efficacy may be obtained at a lower current than the
level where maximum brightness occurs. LEDs are typically driven
well above their most efficient operating current to increase the
brightness delivered by the LED while maintaining a reasonable life
expectancy. As a result, increased efficacy can be provided when
the maximum current value of the PWM signal may be variable. For
example, if the desired light output is less than the maximum
required output the current maximum and/or the PWM signal width may
be reduced. This may result in pulse amplitude modulation (PAM),
for example; however, the width and amplitude of the current used
to drive the LED may be varied to optimize the LED performance. In
an embodiment, a lighting system may also be adapted to provide
only amplitude control of the current through the LED. While many
of the embodiments provided herein describe the use of PWM and PAM
to drive the LEDs, one skilled in the art would appreciate that
there are many techniques to accomplish the LED control described
herein and, as such, the scope of the present invention is not
limited by any one control technique. In embodiments, it is
possible to use other techniques, such as pulse frequency
modulation (PFM), or pulse displacement modulation (PDM), such as
in combination with either or both of PWM and PAM.
[0166] Pulse width modulation (PWM) involves supplying a
substantially constant current to the LEDs for particular periods
of time. The shorter the time, or pulse-width, the less brightness
an observer will observe in the resulting light. The human eye
integrates the light it receives over a period of time and, even
though the current through the LED may generate the same light
level regardless of pulse duration, the eye will perceive short
pulses as "dimmer" than longer pulses. The PWM technique is
considered on of the preferred techniques for driving LEDs,
although the present invention is not limited to such control
techniques. When two or more colored LEDs are provided in a
lighting system, the colors may be mixed and many variations of
colors can be generated by changing the intensity, or perceived
intensity, of the LEDs. In an embodiment, three colors of LEDs are
presented (e.g., red, green and blue) and each of the colors is
driven with PWM to vary its apparent intensity. This system allows
for the generation of millions of colors (e.g., 16.7 million colors
when 8-bit control is used on each of the PWM channels).
[0167] In an embodiment the LEDs are modulated with PWM as well as
modulating the amplitude of the current driving the LEDs (Pulse
Amplitude Modulation, or PAM). FIG. 15 illustrates an LED
efficiency curve 1502. As can be seen from FIG. 15, the LED
efficiency increases to a maximum followed by decreasing
efficiency. Typically, LEDs are driven at a current level beyond
its maximum efficiency to attain greater brightness while
maintaining acceptable life expectancy. The objective is typically
to maximize the light output from the LED while maintaining an
acceptable lifetime. In an embodiment, the LEDs may be driven with
a lower current maximum when lower intensities are desired. PWM may
still be used, but the maximum current intensity may also be varied
depending on the desired light output. For example, to decrease the
intensity of the light output from a maximum operational point such
as 1504, the amplitude of the current may be decreased until the
maximum efficiency is achieved. If further reductions in the LED
brightness are desired the PWM activation may be reduced to reduce
the apparent brightness.
[0168] In one embodiment of the lighting unit 100, one or more of
the light sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D shown in FIG. 1 may
include a group of multiple LEDs or other types of light sources
(e.g., various parallel and/or serial connections of LEDs or other
types of light sources) that are controlled together by the
processor 102. Additionally, it should be appreciated that one or
more of the light sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D may include one
or more LEDs that are adapted to generate radiation having any of a
variety of spectra (i.e., wavelengths or wavelength bands),
including, but not limited to, various visible colors (including
essentially white light), various color temperatures of white
light, ultraviolet, or infrared.
[0169] In another aspect of the lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1,
the lighting unit 100 may be constructed and arranged to produce a
wide range of variable color radiation. For example, the lighting
unit 100 may be particularly arranged such that the
processor-controlled variable intensity light generated by two or
more of the light sources combines to produce a mixed colored light
(including essentially white light having a variety of color
temperatures). In particular, the color (or color temperature) of
the mixed colored light may be varied by varying one or more of the
respective intensities of the light sources (e.g., in response to
one or more control signals output by the processor 102).
Furthermore, the processor 102 may be particularly configured
(e.g., programmed) to provide control signals to one or more of the
light sources so as to generate a variety of static or time-varying
(dynamic) multi-color (or multi-color temperature) lighting
effects.
[0170] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting unit 100 also may include a
memory 114 to store various information. For example, the memory
114 may be employed to store one or more lighting programs for
execution by the processor 102 (e.g., to generate one or more
control signals for the light sources), as well as various types of
data useful for generating variable color radiation (e.g.,
calibration information, discussed further below). The memory 114
also may store one or more particular identifiers (e.g., a serial
number, an address, etc.) that may be used either locally or on a
system level to identify the lighting unit 100. In various
embodiments, such identifiers may be pre-programmed by a
manufacturer, for example, and may be either alterable or
non-alterable thereafter (e.g., via some type of user interface
located on the lighting unit, via one or more data or control
signals received by the lighting unit, etc.). Alternatively, such
identifiers may be determined at the time of initial use of the
lighting unit in the field, and again may be alterable or
non-alterable thereafter.
[0171] One issue that may arise in connection with controlling
multiple light sources in the lighting unit 100 of FIG. 1, and
controlling multiple lighting units 100 in a lighting system (e.g.,
as discussed below in connection with FIG. 2), relates to
potentially perceptible differences in light output between
substantially similar light sources. For example, given two
virtually identical light sources being driven by respective
identical control signals, the actual intensity of light output by
each light source may be perceptibly different. Such a difference
in light output may be attributed to various factors including, for
example, slight manufacturing differences between the light
sources, normal wear and tear over time of the light sources that
may differently alter the respective spectrums of the generated
radiation, etc. For purposes of the present discussion, light
sources for which a particular relationship between a control
signal and resulting intensity are not known are referred to as
"uncalibrated" light sources.
[0172] The use of one or more uncalibrated light sources in the
lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 may result in generation of light
having an unpredictable, or "uncalibrated," color or color
temperature. For example, consider a first lighting unit including
a first uncalibrated red light source and a first uncalibrated blue
light source, each controlled by a corresponding control signal
having an adjustable parameter in a range of from zero to 255
(0-255). For purposes of this example, if the red control signal is
set to zero, blue light is generated, whereas if the blue control
signal is set to zero, red light is generated. However, if both
control signals are varied from non-zero values, a variety of
perceptibly different colors may be produced (e.g., in this
example, at very least, many different shades of purple are
possible). In particular, perhaps a particular desired color (e.g.,
lavender) is given by a red control signal having a value of 125
and a blue control signal having a value of 200.
[0173] Now consider a second lighting unit including a second
uncalibrated red light source substantially similar to the first
uncalibrated red light source of the first lighting unit, and a
second uncalibrated blue light source substantially similar to the
first uncalibrated blue light source of the first lighting unit. As
discussed above, even if both of the uncalibrated red light sources
are driven by respective identical control signals, the actual
intensity of light output by each red light source may be
perceptibly different. Similarly, even if both of the uncalibrated
blue light sources are driven by respective identical control
signals, the actual intensity of light output by each blue light
source may be perceptibly different.
[0174] With the foregoing in mind, it should be appreciated that if
multiple uncalibrated light sources are used in combination in
lighting units to produce a mixed colored light as discussed above,
the observed color (or color temperature) of light produced by
different lighting units under identical control conditions may be
perceivably different. Specifically, consider again the "lavender"
example above; the "first lavender" produced by the first lighting
unit with a red control signal of 125 and a blue control signal of
200 indeed may be perceptibly different than a "second lavender"
produced by the second lighting unit with a red control signal of
125 and a blue control signal of 200. More generally, the first and
second lighting units generate uncalibrated colors by virtue of
their uncalibrated light sources.
[0175] In view of the foregoing, in one embodiment of the present
invention, the lighting unit 100 includes calibration means to
facilitate the generation of light having a calibrated (e.g.,
predictable, reproducible) color at any given time. In one aspect,
the calibration means is configured to adjust the light output of
at least some light sources of the lighting unit so as to
compensate for perceptible differences between similar light
sources used in different lighting units.
[0176] For example, in one embodiment, the processor 102 of the
lighting unit 100 is configured to control one or more of the light
sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D so as to output radiation at a
calibrated intensity that substantially corresponds in a
predetermined manner to a control signal for the light source(s).
As a result of mixing radiation having different spectra and
respective calibrated intensities, a calibrated color is produced.
In one aspect of this embodiment, at least one calibration value
for each light source is stored in the memory 114, and the
processor is programmed to apply the respective calibration values
to the control signals for the corresponding light sources so as to
generate the calibrated intensities.
[0177] In one aspect of this embodiment, one or more calibration
values may be determined once (e.g., during a lighting unit
manufacturing/testing phase) and stored in the memory 114 for use
by the processor 102. In another aspect, the processor 102 may be
configured to derive one or more calibration values dynamically
(e.g. from time to time), with the aid of one or more photosensors,
for example. In various embodiments, the photosensor(s) may be one
or more external components coupled to the lighting unit, or
alternatively may be integrated as part of the lighting unit
itself. A photosensor is one example of a signal source that may be
integrated or otherwise associated with the lighting unit 100, and
monitored by the processor 102 in connection with the operation of
the lighting unit. Other examples of such signal sources are
discussed further below, in connection with the signal source 124
shown in FIG. 1.
[0178] One exemplary method that may be implemented by the
processor 102 to derive one or more calibration values includes
applying a reference control signal to a light source, and
measuring (e.g., via one or more photosensors) an intensity of
radiation thus generated by the light source. The processor may be
programmed to then make a comparison of the measured intensity and
at least one reference value (e.g., representing an intensity that
nominally would be expected in response to the reference control
signal). Based on such a comparison, the processor may determine
one or more calibration values for the light source. In particular,
the processor may derive a calibration value such that, when
applied to the reference control signal, the light source outputs
radiation having an intensity that corresponds to the reference
value (i.e., the "expected" intensity).
[0179] In various aspects, one calibration value may be derived for
an entire range of control signal/output intensities for a given
light source. Alternatively, multiple calibration values may be
derived for a given light source (i.e., a number of calibration
value "samples" may be obtained) that are respectively applied over
different control signal/output intensity ranges, to approximate a
nonlinear calibration function in a piecewise linear manner.
[0180] In another aspect, as also shown in FIG. 1, the lighting
unit 100 optionally may include one or more user interfaces 118
that are provided to facilitate any of a number of user-selectable
settings or functions (e.g., generally controlling the light output
of the lighting unit 100, changing and/or selecting various
pre-programmed lighting effects to be generated by the lighting
unit, changing and/or selecting various parameters of selected
lighting effects, setting particular identifiers such as addresses
or serial numbers for the lighting unit, etc.). In various
embodiments, the communication between the user interface 118 and
the lighting unit may be accomplished through wire or cable, or
wireless transmission.
[0181] In one implementation, the processor 102 of the lighting
unit monitors the user interface 118 and controls one or more of
the light sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D based at least in part
on a user's operation of the interface. For example, the processor
102 may be configured to respond to operation of the user interface
by originating one or more control signals for controlling one or
more of the light sources. Alternatively, the processor 102 may be
configured to respond by selecting one or more pre-programmed
control signals stored in memory, modifying control signals
generated by executing a lighting program, selecting and executing
a new lighting program from memory, or otherwise affecting the
radiation generated by one or more of the light sources.
[0182] In particular, in one implementation, the user interface 118
may constitute one or more switches (e.g., a standard wall switch)
that interrupt power to the processor 102. In one aspect of this
implementation, the processor 102 is configured to monitor the
power as controlled by the user interface, and in turn control one
or more of the light sources 104A, 104B, 104C and 104D based at
least in part on a duration of a power interruption caused by
operation of the user interface. As discussed above, the processor
may be particularly configured to respond to a predetermined
duration of a power interruption by, for example, selecting one or
more pre-programmed control signals stored in memory, modifying
control signals generated by executing a lighting program,
selecting and executing a new lighting program from memory, or
otherwise affecting the radiation generated by one or more of the
light sources.
[0183] FIG. 1 also illustrates that the lighting unit 100 may be
configured to receive one or more signals 122 from one or more
other signal sources 124. In one implementation, the processor 102
of the lighting unit may use the signal(s) 122, either alone or in
combination with other control signals (e.g., signals generated by
executing a lighting program, one or more outputs from a user
interface, etc.), so as to control one or more of the light sources
104A, 104B, 104C and 104D in a manner similar to that discussed
above in connection with the user interface.
[0184] Examples of the signal(s) 122 that may be received and
processed by the processor 102 include, but are not limited to, one
or more audio signals, video signals, power signals, various types
of data signals, signals representing information obtained from a
network (e.g., the Internet), signals representing some
detectable/sensed condition, signals from lighting units, signals
consisting of modulated light, etc. In various implementations, the
signal source(s) 124 may be located remotely from the lighting unit
100, or included as a component of the lighting unit. For example,
in one embodiment, a signal from one lighting unit 100 could be
sent over a network to another lighting unit 100.
[0185] Some examples of a signal source 124 that may be employed
in, or used in connection with, the lighting unit 100 of FIG. 1
include any of a variety of sensors or transducers that generate
one or more signals 122 in response to some stimulus. Examples of
such sensors include, but are not limited to, various types of
environmental condition sensors, such as thermally sensitive (e.g.,
temperature, infrared) sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensors,
photosensors/light sensors (e.g., sensors that are sensitive to one
or more particular spectra of electromagnetic radiation), sound or
vibration sensors or other pressure/force transducers (e.g.,
microphones, piezoelectric devices), and the like.
[0186] Additional examples of a signal source 124 include various
metering/detection devices that monitor electrical signals or
characteristics (e.g., voltage, current, power, resistance,
capacitance, inductance, etc.) or chemical/biological
characteristics (e.g., acidity, a presence of one or more
particular chemical or biological agents, bacteria, etc.) and
provide one or more signals 122 based on measured values of the
signals or characteristics. Yet other examples of a signal source
124 include various types of scanners, image recognition systems,
voice or other sound recognition systems, artificial intelligence
and robotics systems, and the like.
[0187] A signal source 124 could also be a lighting unit 100, a
processor 102, or any one of many available signal generating
devices, such as media players, MP3 players, computers, DVD
players, CD players, television signal sources, camera signal
sources, microphones, speakers, telephones, cellular phones,
instant messenger devices, SMS devices, wireless devices, personal
organizer devices, and many others.
[0188] In one embodiment, the lighting unit 100 shown in FIG. 1
also may include one or more optical facilities 130 to optically
process the radiation generated by the light sources 104A, 104B,
104C and 104D. For example, one or more optical facilities may be
configured so as to change one or both of a spatial distribution
and a propagation direction of the generated radiation. In
particular, one or more optical facilities may be configured to
change a diffusion angle of the generated radiation. In one aspect
of this embodiment, one or more optical facilities 130 may be
particularly configured to variably change one or both of a spatial
distribution and a propagation direction of the generated radiation
(e.g., in response to some electrical and/or mechanical stimulus).
Examples of optical facilities that may be included in the lighting
unit 100 include, but are not limited to, reflective materials,
refractive materials, translucent materials, filters, lenses,
mirrors, and fiber optics. The optical facility 130 also may
include a phosphorescent material, luminescent material, or other
material capable of responding to or interacting with the generated
radiation.
[0189] As also shown in FIG. 1, the lighting unit 100 may include
one or more communication ports 120 to facilitate coupling of the
lighting unit 100 to any of a variety of other devices. For
example, one or more communication ports 120 may facilitate
coupling multiple lighting units together as a networked lighting
system, in which at least some of the lighting units are
addressable (e.g., have particular identifiers or addresses) and
are responsive to particular data transported across the
network.
[0190] In particular, in a networked lighting system environment,
as discussed in greater detail further below (e.g., in connection
with FIG. 2), as data is communicated via the network, the
processor 102 of each lighting unit coupled to the network may be
configured to be responsive to particular data (e.g., lighting
control commands) that pertain to it (e.g., in some cases, as
dictated by the respective identifiers of the networked lighting
units). Once a given processor identifies particular data intended
for it, it may read the data and, for example, change the lighting
conditions produced by its light sources according to the received
data (e.g., by generating appropriate control signals to the light
sources). In one aspect, the memory 114 of each lighting unit
coupled to the network may be loaded, for example, with a table of
lighting control signals that correspond with data the processor
102 receives. Once the processor 102 receives data from the
network, the processor may consult the table to select the control
signals that correspond to the received data, and control the light
sources of the lighting unit accordingly.
[0191] In one aspect of this embodiment, the processor 102 of a
given lighting unit, whether or not coupled to a network, may be
configured to interpret lighting instructions/data that are
received in a DMX protocol (as discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626), which is a lighting command protocol
conventionally employed in the lighting industry for some
programmable lighting applications. However, it should be
appreciated that lighting units suitable for purposes of the
present invention are not limited in this respect, as lighting
units according to various embodiments may be configured to be
responsive to other types of communication protocols so as to
control their respective light sources.
[0192] In one embodiment, the lighting unit 100 of FIG. 1 may
include and/or be coupled to one or more power sources 108. In
various aspects, examples of power source(s) 108 include, but are
not limited to, AC power sources, DC power sources, batteries,
solar-based power sources, thermoelectric or mechanical-based power
sources and the like. Additionally, in one aspect, the power
source(s) 108 may include or be associated with one or more power
conversion devices that convert power received by an external power
source to a form suitable for operation of the lighting unit
100.
[0193] While not shown explicitly in FIG. 1, the lighting unit 100
may be implemented in any one of several different structural
configurations according to various embodiments of the present
invention. For example, a given lighting unit may have any one of a
variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s),
enclosure/housing arrangements and shapes to partially or fully
enclose the light sources, and/or electrical and mechanical
connection configurations. In particular, a lighting unit may be
configured as a replacement or "retrofit" to engage electrically
and mechanically in a conventional socket or fixture arrangement
(e.g., an Edison-type screw socket, a halogen fixture arrangement,
a fluorescent fixture arrangement, etc.).
[0194] Additionally, one or more optical elements as discussed
above may be partially or fully integrated with an
enclosure/housing arrangement for the lighting unit. Furthermore, a
given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g.,
include, be coupled to and/or packaged together with) various other
components (e.g., control circuitry such as the processor and/or
memory, one or more sensors/transducers/signal sources, user
interfaces, displays, power sources, power conversion devices,
etc.) relating to the operation of the light source(s).
[0195] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a networked lighting system
200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2, a number of lighting units 100, similar to
those discussed above in connection with FIG. 1, are coupled
together to form the networked lighting system. It should be
appreciated, however, that the particular configuration and
arrangement of lighting units shown in FIG. 2 is for purposes of
illustration only, and that the invention is not limited to the
particular system topology shown in FIG. 2.
[0196] Additionally, while not shown explicitly in FIG. 2, it
should be appreciated that the networked lighting system 200 may be
configured flexibly to include one or more user interfaces, as well
as one or more signal sources such as sensors/transducers. For
example, one or more user interfaces and/or one or more signal
sources such as sensors/transducers (as discussed above in
connection with FIG. 1) may be associated with any one or more of
the lighting units of the networked lighting system 200.
Alternatively (or in addition to the foregoing), one or more user
interfaces and/or one or more signal sources may be implemented as
"stand alone" components in the networked lighting system 200.
Whether stand alone components or particularly associated with one
or more lighting units 100, these devices may be "shared" by the
lighting units of the networked lighting system. Stated
differently, one or more user interfaces and/or one or more signal
sources such as sensors/transducers may constitute "shared
resources" in the networked lighting system that may be used in
connection with controlling any one or more of the lighting units
of the system.
[0197] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the lighting system
200 may include one or more lighting unit controllers (hereinafter
"LUCs") 208A, 208B, 208C and 208D, wherein each LUC is responsible
for communicating with and generally controlling one or more
lighting units 100 coupled to it. Although FIG. 2 illustrates three
lighting units 100 coupled in a serial fashion to a given LUC, it
should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this
respect, as different numbers of lighting units 100 may be coupled
to a given LUC in a variety of different configurations using a
variety of different communication media and protocols.
[0198] In the system of FIG. 2, each LUC in turn may be coupled to
a central controller 202 that is configured to communicate with one
or more LUCs. Although FIG. 2 shows three LUCs coupled to the
central controller 202 via a switching or coupling device 204, it
should be appreciated that according to various embodiments,
different numbers of LUCs may be coupled to the central controller
202. Additionally, according to various embodiments of the present
invention, the LUCs and the central controller may be coupled
together in a variety of configurations using a variety of
different communication media and protocols to form the networked
lighting system 200. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the
interconnection of LUCs and the central controller, and the
interconnection of lighting units to respective LUCs, may be
accomplished in different manners (e.g., using different
configurations, communication media, and protocols).
[0199] For example, according to one embodiment of the present
invention, the central controller 202 shown in FIG. 2 may by
configured to implement Ethernet-based communications with the
LUCs, and in turn the LUCs may be configured to implement DMX-based
communications with the lighting units 100. In particular, in one
aspect of this embodiment, each LUC may be configured as an
addressable Ethernet-based controller and accordingly may be
identifiable to the central controller 202 via a particular unique
address (or a unique group of addresses) using an Ethernet-based
protocol. In this manner, the central controller 202 may be
configured to support Ethernet communications throughout the
network of coupled LUCs, and each LUC may respond to those
communications intended for it. In turn, each LUC may communicate
lighting control information to one or more lighting units coupled
to it, for example, via a DMX protocol, based on the Ethernet
communications with the central controller 202.
[0200] More specifically, according to one embodiment, the LUCs
208A, 208B, 208C and 208D shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to be
"intelligent" in that the central controller 202 may be configured
to communicate higher level commands to the LUCs that need to be
interpreted by the LUCs before lighting control information can be
forwarded to the lighting units 100. For example, a lighting system
operator may want to generate a color changing effect that varies
colors from lighting unit to lighting unit in such a way as to
generate the appearance of a propagating rainbow of colors
("rainbow chase"), given a particular placement of lighting units
with respect to one another. In this example, the operator may
provide a simple instruction to the central controller 202 to
accomplish this, and in turn the central controller may communicate
to one or more LUCs using an Ethernet-based protocol high-level
command to generate a "rainbow chase." The command may contain
timing, intensity, hue, saturation or other relevant information,
for example. When a given LUC receives such a command, it may then
interpret the command so as to generate the appropriate lighting
control signals which it then communicates using a DMX protocol via
any of a variety of signaling techniques (e.g., PWM) to one or more
lighting units that it controls.
[0201] It should again be appreciated that the foregoing example of
using multiple different communication implementations (e.g.,
Ethernet/DMX) in a lighting system according to one embodiment of
the present invention is for purposes of illustration only, and
that the invention is not limited to this particular example.
[0202] Referring to FIG. 3, various configurations can be provided
for lighting systems 100, in each case with an optional
communications facility 120. Configurations include a linear
configuration 302 (which may be curvilinear in embodiments), a
circular configuration 308, an oval configuration 304, or a
collection of various configurations 302, 304, 308. Lighting units
100 can also include a wide variety of colors of LED, in various
mixtures, including red, green, and blue LEDs to produce a color
mix, as well as one or more other LEDs to create varying colors and
color temperatures of white light. For example, red, green and blue
can be mixed with amber, white, UV, orange, IR or other colors of
LED. Amber and white LEDs can be mixed to offer varying colors and
color temperatures of white. Any combination of LED colors can
produce a gamut of colors, whether the LEDs are red, green, blue,
amber, white, orange, UV, or other colors. The various embodiments
described throughout this specification encompass all possible
combinations of LEDs in lighting units 100, so that light of
varying color, intensity, saturation and color temperature can be
produced on demand under control of a processor 102. Combinations
of LEDs with other mechanisms, such as phosphors, are also
encompassed herein.
[0203] Although mixtures of red, green and blue have been proposed
for light due to their ability to create a wide gamut of additively
mixed colors, the general color quality or color rendering
capability of such systems are not ideal for all applications. This
is primarily due to the narrow bandwidth of current red, green and
blue emitters. However, wider band sources do make possible good
color rendering, as measured, for example, by the standard CRI
index. In some cases this may require LED spectral outputs that are
not currently available. However, it is known that wider-band
sources of light will become available, and such wider-band sources
are encompassed as sources for lighting units 100 described
herein.
[0204] Additionally, the addition of white LEDs (typically produced
through a blue or UV LED plus a phosphor mechanism) does give a
`better` white it is still limiting in the color temperature that
is controllable or selectable from such sources.
[0205] The addition of white to a red, green and blue mixture may
not increase the gamut of available colors, but it can add a
broader-band source to the mixture. The addition of an amber source
to this mixture can improve the color still further by `filling in`
the gamut as well.
[0206] This combinations of light sources as lighting units 100 can
help fill in the visible spectrum to faithfully reproduce desirable
spectrums of lights. These include broad daylight equivalents or
more discrete waveforms corresponding to other light sources or
desirable light properties. Desirable properties include the
ability to remove pieces of the spectrum for reasons that may
include environments where certain wavelengths are absorbed or
attenuated. Water, for example tends to absorb and attenuate most
non-blue and non-green colors of light, so underwater applications
may benefit from lights that combine blue and green sources for
lighting units 100.
[0207] Amber and white light sources can offer a color temperature
selectable white source, wherein the color temperature of generated
light can be selected along the black body curve by a line joining
the chromaticity coordinates of the two sources. The color
temperature selection is useful for specifying particular color
temperature values for the lighting source.
[0208] Orange is another color whose spectral properties in
combination with a white LED-based light source can be used to
provide a controllable color temperature light from a lighting unit
100.
[0209] The combination of white light with light of other colors as
light sources for lighting units 100 can offer multi-purpose lights
for many commercial and home applications, such as in pools, spas,
automobiles, building interiors (commercial and residential),
indirect lighting applications, such as alcove lighting, commercial
point of purchase lighting, merchandising, toys, beauty, signage,
aviation, marine, medical, submarine, space, military, consumer,
under cabinet lighting, office furniture, landscape, residential
including kitchen, home theater, bathroom, faucets, dining rooms,
decks, garage, home office, household products, family rooms, tomb
lighting, museums, photography, art applications, and many
others.
[0210] Referring to FIG. 4 and the subsequent figures, LED systems,
and most luminaires, can utilize fixed or static optical facilities
130 to shape and control the beam of light from the fixture. By
contrast, variable optics provide discrete or continuous adjustment
of beam spread or angle or simply the profile of the light beam
emitted from a fixture. Properties can include, but are not limited
to, adjusting the profile for surfaces that vary in distance from
the fixture, such as wall washing fixtures. In various embodiments,
the variable nature of the optic can be manually adjusted, adjusted
by motion control or automatically be controlled dynamically.
[0211] Actuation of variable optics can be through any kind of
actuator, such as an electric motor, piezoelectric device, thermal
actuator, motor, gyro, servo, lever, gear, gear system, screw
drive, drive mechanism, flywheel, wheel, or one of many well-known
techniques for motion control. Manual control can be through an
adjustment mechanism that varies the relative geometry of lens,
diffusion materials, reflecting surfaces or refracting elements.
The adjustment mechanism may use a sliding element, a lever,
screws, or other simple mechanical devices or combinations of
simple mechanical devices. A manual adjustment or motion control
adjustment may allow the flexing of optical surfaces to bend and
shape the light passed through the system or reflected or refracted
by the optical system.
[0212] Actuation can also be through an electromagnetic motor or
one of many actuation materials and devices. Optical facilities 130
can also include other actuators, such as piezo-electric devices,
MEMS devices, thermal actuators, processors 102, and many other
forms of actuators.
[0213] A wide range of optical facilities 130 can be used to
control light. Such devices as Bragg cells or holographic films can
be used as optical facilities 130 to vary the output of a fixture.
A Bragg cell or acoustic-optic modulator can provide for the
movement of light with no other moving mechanisms. The combination
of controlling the color (hue, saturation and value) as well as the
form of the light beam brings a tremendous amount of operative
control to a light source. The use of polarizing films can be used
to reduce glare and allow the illumination and viewing of objects
that present specular surfaces, which typically are difficult to
view. Moving lenses and shaped non-imaging surfaces can provide
optical paths to guide and shape light.
[0214] In other embodiments, fluid-filled surfaces and shapes can
be manipulated to provide an optical path. In combination with
lighting units 100, such shapes can provide varying optical
properties across the surface and volume of the fluid-filled
material. The fluid-filled material can also provide a thermal
dissipation mechanism for the light-emitting elements. The fluid
can be water, polymers, silicone or other transparent or
translucent liquid or a gas of any type and mixture with desirable
optical or thermal properties.
[0215] In other embodiments, gelled, filled shapes can be used in
conjunction with light sources to evenly illuminate said shapes.
Light propagation and diffusion is accomplished through the
scattering of light through the shape.
[0216] In other embodiments, spinning mirror systems such as those
used in laser optics for scanning (E.g. bar code scanners or 3D
terrain scanners) can be used to direct and move a beam of light.
That combined with the ability to rapidly turn on and off a
lighting unit 100 can allow a beam of light to be spread across a
larger area and change colors to `draw` shapes of varying patterns.
Other optical facilities 130 for deflecting and changing light
patterns are known and described in the literature. They include
methods for beam steering, such as mechanical mirrors, driven by
stepper or galvanometer motors and more complex robotic mechanisms
for producing sophisticated temporal effects or static control of
both color (HS&V) and intensity. Optical facilities 130 also
include acousto-optic modulators that use sound waves generated via
piezoelectrics to control and steer a light beam. They also include
digital mirror devices and digital light processors, such as
available from Texas Instruments. They also include grating light
valve technology (GLV), as well as inorganic digital light
deflection. They also include dielectric mirrors, such as developed
at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
[0217] Control of form and texture of the light can include not
only control of the shape of the beam but control of the way in
which the light is patterned across its beam. An example of a use
of this technology may be in visual merchandising, where product
`spotlights` could be created while other media is playing in a
coordinated manner. Voice-overs or music-overs or even video can be
played during the point at which a product is highlighted during a
presentation. Lights that move and `dance` can be used in
combination with A/V sources for visual merchandising purposes.
[0218] Additional material on variable optical facilities can be
found in the following documents and publications, which are herein
incorporated by reference: Optoelectronics, Fiber Optics, and Laser
Cookbook by Thomas Petruzzellis 322 pages McGraw-Hill/TAB
Electronics; ISBN: 0070498407; (May 1, 1997); Digital Diffractive
Optics: An Introduction to Planar Diffractive Optics and Related
Technology by B. Kress, Patrick Meyrueis. John Wiley & Sons;
ISBN: 0471984477; 1 edition (Oct. 25, 2000); Optical System Design
by Robert E. Fischer, Biljana Tadic-Galeb, McGraw-Hill
Professional; ISBN: 0071349162; 1st edition (Jun. 30, 2000); and
Feynman Lectures On Physics (3 Volume Set) by Richard Phillips
Feynman Addison-Wesley Pub Co; ISBN: 0201021153; (June 1970).
[0219] Optical facilities 130 can also comprise secondary optics,
namely, optics (plastic, glass, imaging, non-imaging) added to an
array of LEDs to shape and form the light emission. It can be used
to spread, narrow, diffuse, diffract, refract or reflect the light
in order that a different output property of the light is created.
These can be fixed or variable. These can be light pipes, lenses,
light guides and fibers and any other light transmitting
materials.
[0220] In other embodiments, non-imaging optics are used as an
optical facility 130. Non-imaging optics do not use traditional
lenses. They use shaped surfaces to diffuse and direct light. A
fundamental issue with fixtures using discrete light sources is
mixing the light to reduce or eliminate color shadows and to
produce uniform and homogenous light output. Part of the issue is
the use of high efficiency surfaces that do not absorb light but
bounce and reflect the light in a desired direction or manner.
Optical facilities 130 can be used to direct light to create
optical forms of illumination from lighting units 100.
[0221] Specific optical facilities 130 are of a wide variety. FIG.
4 depicts optical facilities 130 for optically operating on light
from a lighting unit 100. Included is an actuator 402 for actuating
a change in the optical effect that is caused by the optical
facility 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 402 can
be an electromechanical actuator that changes the direction of the
optical facility 130, in this case a lens 130. The actuator 402
tilts, changing the direction of light that is received by the
optical facility 130 from a lighting unit 100.
[0222] FIG. 5 shows another form of actuation by an actuator 402.
In this case the actuator actuates a change in the optical
facility, in this case a change in the width of the lens 130. The
lens can optionally include a compressible fluid, so that upon
actuation it expands. Upon expansion the optical effect of the
optical facility 130 is different than it was in the unexpanded
state. The actuator 402 can actuate such a change by changing
temperature of the material include in the optical facility, by
mechanically changing a dimension of the optical facility 130, by
compressing a gas or other fluid material into the optical facility
130, or the like. The actuator 402 can be under control of a
processor or similar facility. The optical facility 130 can also
tilt like the actuator 402 of FIG. 4, so that a wide range of
optical effects can be created, in each case operating on light
from the lighting unit 100.
[0223] Referring to FIG. 6, a processor 102 is used to operate both
a lighting unit 100 and the actuator 402 of the optical facility
130. Optionally, two processors 102 could be used in conjunction
with the two elements. The processor 102 is in operative connection
to a signal source 124, so that that the processor 102 can receive
input from the signal source 124 (and, optionally, operate in a
feedback loop with the signal source 124). In embodiments the
signal source 124 is a sensor. Thus, the processor 102 can provide
control signals to the lighting unit 100 and the actuator 402, to
coordinate the lighting unit 100 with the optical facility 130 to
produce a desired type of illumination or display. For example, the
actuator 402 can be used to adjust the angle of the beam of light
coming out of the lighting unit 100, such as to diffuse light
across a given portion of a surface, such as a wall. In embodiments
the lighting unit 100 can be part of a linear lighting system, such
as a cove light system, with the optical facility 130 setting the
angle of the light from the cove light system to diffuse smoothly
across a wall, providing a color wash on the wall.
[0224] Many types of signal source 124 can be used, for sensing any
condition or sending any kind of signal, such as temperature,
force, electricity, heat flux, voltage, current, magnetic field,
pitch, roll, yaw, acceleration, rotational forces, wind,
turbulence, flow, pressure, volume, fluid level, optical
properties, luminosity, electromagnetic radiation, radio frequency
radiation, sound, acoustic levels, decibels, particulate density,
smoke, pollutant density, positron emissions, light levels, color,
color temperature, color saturation, infrared radiation, x-ray
radiation, ultraviolet radiation, visible spectrum radiation,
states, logical states, bits, bytes, words, data, symbols, and many
others described herein, described in the documents incorporated by
reference herein, and known to those of ordinary skill in the
arts.
[0225] FIG. 7 depicts a mechanical actuator 704 for changing the
operative effect of an optical facility 702, in this case a lens
702 that alters the optical path of light from a light system 100.
In this case the shape of the lens 702 is altered by the linear
movement of the actuator 704, which moves a linear element 708
under the control of a processor 102, which may be integrated with
the actuator 704 or may be part of a separate system, such as a
remote control. The processor 102 optionally controls the light
system 100 as well, so that both the lens and the light system 100
can be controlled simultaneously to provide coordinated changes in
the illumination coming from the light system 100. The processor
102 is also optionally responsive to a signal source 124, which can
be any sensor, such as those described in connection with FIG. 6.
The actuator 704 thus slides the linear element 708 to bend the
lens 702, changing the index of refraction of the light that the
lens 702 receives from the lighting unit 100. The light system 100
can be any light system 100, such as a linear system, circular
system, rectangular array, or other system. The lens 702 can change
the beam angle of the light coming from the lighting unit 100, to
produce a variety of lighting effects, such as casting different
patterns of light on a wall or object. The actuator 704 can be any
type of actuator for providing linear movement, such as an
electromechanical element, a screw drive mechanism (such as used in
computer printers), a screw drive, or other element for linear
movement known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0226] FIG. 8 depicts another system for actuating an optical
facility to change under the control of a processor. In this case
the optical facility is a fluid filled lens 802, which contains a
compressible fluid 808, such as a gas or liquid. The actuator 804
includes a valve 810 for delivering fluid to the interior chamber
of the lens 802. The actuator 804 is this a pump or similar
facility, which may be electromechanical, electrical or mechanical
in nature. The actuator 804 pumps fluid 808 into or out of the
interior of the lens 802, causing the lens 802 to change in shape
and thus bend light differently as it transmits through the lens
802. In embodiments the fluid 808 may be selected to have an effect
on the light; for example, it may be semi-opaque, so that it
produces a glowing effect, or it may have bubbles that refract
portions of the light. Any of a wide variety of fluids can be used,
such as water, air, fluid polymers and the like. The actuator 804
is optionally controlled by a processor 102, which may be
integrated with it or separate from it and which in turn may
optionally be responsive to a signal source 124. The processor 102
optionally controls the lighting unit 100, so that coordinated
control of the lighting system (e.g., color, intensity, saturation,
and color temperature of light) as well as the effect on the light
of the optical facility 802.
[0227] FIG. 9 depicts another optical facility 902, in this case a
fluid-filled lens 902 that operates in response to a pressurizing
system 904, which induces pressure changes in the interior chamber
908 of the lens, such as by increasing the amount of fluid in the
chamber 908 or by changing the temperature of the chamber, thus
inducing a volume expansion of a gas inside the chamber 908. The
pressurizing system 904 can be controlled by a processor 102, which
can control the light system 100, optionally under control from a
signal source 124, such as a sensor of the types mentioned
above.
[0228] Referring to FIG. 10, a digital mirror 1002 serves as an
optical facility 130. The digital mirror reflects light from the
lighting unit 100. The digital mirror is optionally under control
of a processor 102, which governs the reflective properties of the
digital mirror. The processor 102 optionally controls the lighting
unit 100 through a communication facility 122. The processor 102 is
optionally responsive to a signal source 124, such as a source from
a sensor. Thus, the processor 102 facilitates coordination of the
light generated from the lighting unit 100 with the reflective
properties of the digital mirror 1002. Any known digital mirror
technology can be used, such as the DMD/DLP digital mirror
commercially available from Texas Instruments.
[0229] Referring to FIG. 11, a spinning mirror system 1102 serves
as an optical facility 130. As in other embodiments, the spinning
mirror system is responsive to the control of a processor 102,
which may be integrated with it or separate. The processor
optionally controls the lighting unit 100, which generates light
that is reflected by the spinning mirror system 1102. The processor
is optionally responsive to a signal source 124, which receives a
signal, such as from a sensor 124. In embodiments the sensor 124
senses lighting conditions, allowing a closed loop feedback to the
processor 102 to control both the lighting unit 100 and the
spinning mirror system 1102 in a coordinated way to generate
optimum conditions of light reflected from the spinning mirror
system. Spinning mirror systems are known features of many other
industrial or commercial systems, such as bar code scanners and 3D
terrain scanners. They can be used to direct and control a beam of
light in a desired direction. Combined with the ability to
precisely control the timing of light generated from the lighting
unit 100 under control of the processor 102, the combination of the
lighting unit 100 and the spinning mirror system 1102 allows
improved control of the direction of a beam of light, such as to
spread the beam over a larger area, to change colors, and to "draw"
shapes of varying patterns.
[0230] The spinning mirror system 1102 of FIG. 11, and the digital
mirror system 1002 of FIG. 10 are examples of devices designed to
steer beams of light. Many such devices are known to those of skill
in the optical arts, and any such devices are intended to be
encompassed herein.
[0231] Referring to FIG. 12, a grating light valve (GLV) 1202
serves as an optical facility 130. The grating light valve 1202 can
receive light from a lighting unit 100 (not shown) under control of
a processor 102 (not shown). GLV uses micro-electromechanical
systems (MEMS) technology and optical physics to vary how light is
reflected from each of multiple ribbon-like structures 1204, 1208
that represent a particular "image point" or pixel. The ribbons can
move a tiny distance, such as between an initial state 1204 and a
depressed state 1208 as seen in FIG. 12. When the ribbons move,
they change the wavelength of reflected light. Grayscale tones can
also be achieved by varying the speed at which given pixels are
switched on and off. The resulting image can be projected in a wide
variety of environments, such as a large arena with a bright light
source or on a small device using low power light sources. In the
GLV, picture elements (pixels) are formed on the surface of a
silicon chip and become the source for projection.
[0232] Additional information about GLV techniques can be found in
"Diffractive Optical MEMs Use Grating Light Valve Technique," by
Christopher Gudeman, Electrical Engineering Times, Mar. 18, 2002,
which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0233] Referring still to FIG. 12, the GLV 1202 is a spatial light
modulator. The GLV 1202 consists of an array of parallel
micro-ribbons suspended above an air gap 1210. The GLV 1202 is
configured so the ribbons can be actuated between different states.
The ribbons 1204, 1208 are under high tension so that they remain
tight when not actuated. The top layer of the ribbon is typically a
metal, such as aluminum, which serves as both the reflective layer
for light and as an electrode for electrostatic actuation. When a
voltage is applied to the ribbon, electrostatic attraction deflects
the ribbon downward to a state such as the ribbon 1208 in FIG. 12.
The sub-layers of the ribbon can be a set of layers of materials
such as stoichiometric Si3N4 and SiO2 films that provide a
restoration force like a spring that balances the electrostatic
force and provides stiffness and stress balance so the ribbon
remains flat across its width. In embodiments, ribbons are about
500 mm long, 10 mm wide, 300 nm thick and closely spaced, such as
with a gap of less than 0.5 mm.
[0234] A GLV 1202 can have alternate "active" ribbons and "bias"
ribbons. The bias ribbons can have a single common control
connection and can be held at ground potential, the same as the
bottom electrode 1212. Individual electrical connections to each
active ribbon electrode can provide for independent actuation.
[0235] When the voltage of the active ribbons is set to ground
potential, all ribbons are undeflected, and the device acts as a
mirror. As the voltage to an active ribbon is increased, this
region of the array begins to diffract light, thus attenuating the
light that is reflected specularly.
[0236] In embodiments of a GLV 1202, the ribbons are replicated
several thousand times to form a one-dimensional array of
diffracting elements. In embodiments, the diffraction elements are
seamless, with no spaces between elements.
[0237] Referring to FIG. 13, an acousto-optical modulator 1302
serves as an optical facility 130. Also known as a tunable filter
and as a Bragg cell, the acousto-optical modulator 1302 consists of
a crystal that is designed to receive acoustic waves generated, for
example, by a transducer 1304, such as a piezoelectric transducer
1304. The acoustic standing waves produce index of refraction
changes in the crystal, essentially due to a Doppler shift, so that
the crystal serves as a tunable diffraction grating. Incident light
1308, such as from a lighting unit 100, is reflected in the crystal
by varying degrees, depending on the wavelength of the acoustic
standing waves induced by the transducer 1304. The transducer 1304
can be responsive to a processor 102, such as to convert a signal
of any type into an acoustic signal that is sent through the
crystal. Thus, the modulator 1302 can coordinate effects with
changes in the light from the light system 100.
[0238] Referring to FIG. 14, an illumination system 1400 is
designed to reflect light from light system 100 onto an object
1404. The object 1404 might be an object to be viewed under a
machine vision system, such as an object on which a bar code is to
be read, a semiconductor element to be placed on a circuit board,
or the like. In machine vision systems and other systems where
objects are lit, it can be desirable to provide illumination from a
wide variety of beam angles, rather than from one or a small number
of beam angles. Providing many beam angles reduces harsh
reflections and provides a smoother view of an object. A system for
producing such beam angles can be seen in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, a
reflective surface 1402 is provided for reflecting light from a
lighting unit 100 to the object 1404. The reflective surface 1402
is substantially parabolic, so that light from the lighting unit
100 is reflected substantially to the object 1404, regardless of
the angle at which it hits the reflective surface 1402 from the
lighting unit 100. The surface could be treated to a mirror
surface, or to a matte Lambertian surface that reflects light
substantially equally in all directions. As a result, the object
1404 is lit from many different angles, making it visible without
harsh reflections. The object 1404 may optionally be viewed by a
camera 1412, which may optionally be part of or in operative
connection with a vision system 1414. The camera may view the
object through a space 1418 in the reflective surface 1402, such as
located along an axis of viewing 1410 from above the object. The
object 1404 may rest on a platform 1408, which may be a moving
platform 1408. The platform 1408, light system 100, vision system
1414 and camera 1412 may each be under control of a processor 102,
so that the viewing of the object and the illumination of the
object may be coordinated, such as to view the object under
different colors of illumination. A system such as that depicted in
FIG. 14 can produce continuous diffuse illumination. Such systems
can be seen in patents issued to Tim White, such as U.S. Pat. No.
5,604,550, issued Feb. 18, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,421, issued
May 9, 2000, which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0239] Referring to FIG. 16, optical facilities 1602 and 1604 are
provided for shaping and forming incident light 1608. Provided is a
light pipe 1602 that reflects light to produce a particular pattern
of light at the output end. A different shape of light pipe 1604
produces a different pattern. In general, such secondary optics,
whether imaging or non-imaging, and made of plastic, glass, mirrors
or other materials, can be added to a lighting unit 100 to shape
and form the light emission. Such an optical facility 130 can be
used to spread, narrow, diffuse, diffract, refract or reflect the
light in order that a different output property of the light is
created. These can be fixed or variable. Examples can be light
pipes, lenses, light guides and fibers and any other light
transmitting materials, or a combination of any of these.
[0240] Referring to FIG. 17, a light pipe 1704 serves as an optical
facility, delivering light from one or more lighting systems 100 to
an illuminated material 1702. The lighting systems 100 are
optionally controlled by a central controller 202, which controls
the lighting systems 100 to send light of selected colors, color
temperatures, intensities and the like into the interior of the
light pipe 1704. In other embodiments a central controller 202 is
not required, such as in embodiments where the lighting systems 100
include their own processor 102. In embodiments one or more
lighting systems 100 may be equipped with a communications
facility, such as a data port, receiver, transmitter, or the like.
Such lighting systems 100 may receive and transmit data, such as to
and from other lighting systems 100. Thus, a chain of lighting
systems 100 in a light pipe may transmit not only light, but also
data along the pipe 1704, including data that sends control signals
for the lighting systems disposed in the pipe 1704. The material
1702 can be any material, such as one chosen for illumination,
including an object of any type. The central controller 202 can
control the illumination sent through the pipe to illuminate based
on a feature of the material 1702. In embodiments the interior 1704
may be filled with a substantially light-transmissive material,
such as a fluid, gel, polymer, gas, liquid, vapor, solid, crystal,
fiber optic material, or other material. In embodiments the
material may be a flexible material, so that the light pipe 1704
may be made flexible. The light pipe 1704 may be made of a flexible
material or a rigid material, such as a plastic, rubber, a crystal,
PVC, glass, a polymer, a metal, an alloy or other material.
[0241] Referring to FIG. 18, a color mixing system 1802 is provided
for mixing color from a lighting unit 100. The color mixing system
consists of two opposing truncated conical sections 1804, 1808,
which meet at a boundary 1810. Light from a lighting unit 100 is
delivered into the color mixing system and reflected from the
interior surfaces of the two sections 1804, 1808. The reflections
mix the light and produce a mixed light from the distal end of the
color mixing system 1802. U.S. Pat. No. 2,686,866 to Williams,
incorporated by reference herein, shows a color mixing lighting
apparatus utilizing two inverted cones to reflect and mix the light
from multiple sources. By combining a color mixing system such as
this with color changes from the lighting unit 100, a user can
produce a wide variety of lighting effects.
[0242] Other color mixing systems can work well in conjunction with
color changing lighting systems 100. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
2,673,923 to Williams, also incorporated by reference herein, uses
a series of lens plates for color mixing.
[0243] Referring to FIG. 19, an optical facility is depicted
consisting of a plurality of cylindrical lens elements 1902. These
cylindrical elements diffract light from a lighting unit 100,
producing a variety of patterns of different colors, based on the
light from the lighting unit 100. The cylinders may be of a wide
variety of sizes, ranging from microlens materials to conventional
lenses.
[0244] Referring to FIG. 20, a microlens array 2002 is depicted as
an optical facility. The microlens array 2002 consists of a
plurality of microscopic hexagonal lenses, aligned in a honeycomb
configuration. Microlenses are optionally either refractive or
diffractive, and can be as small as a few microns in diameter.
Microlens arrays can be made using standard materials such as fused
silica and silicon and newer materials such as Gallium Phosphide,
making possible a very wide variety of lenses. Microlenses can be
made on one side of a material or with lenses on both sides of a
substrate aligned to within as little as one micron. Surface
roughness values of 20 to 80 angstroms RMS are typical, and the
addition of various coatings can produce optics with very high
transmission rates. The microlens array 2002 can refract or
diffract light from a lighting unit 100 to produce a variety of
effects.
[0245] Referring to FIG. 21, another microlens array 2102 consists
of a plurality of substantially circular lens elements. Again, the
array 2102 can be constructed of conventional materials such as
silica, with lens diameters on the range of a few microns. The
array 2102 can operate on light from a lighting unit 100 to produce
a variety of colors and optical effects.
[0246] Referring to FIG. 22, a microlens array is disposed in a
flexible material 2202, so that the optical facility 130 can be
configured by bending and shaping the material that includes the
array.
[0247] Referring to FIG. 23, a flexible material microlens array
2302 is rolled to form a cylindrical shape for receiving light from
a lighting unit 100. The configuration could be used, for example,
as a light-transmissive lamp shade with a unique appearance.
[0248] Referring to FIG. 24, a system can be provided to roll a
microlens array 2402 about an axis 2408. A drive mechanism 2404 can
roll or unroll the flexible array 2402 under control of a
controller 202. The controller can also control a lighting unit
100, so that the array 2402 is disposed in front of the lighting
unit 100 or rolled away from it, as selected by the user. A
substantially rigid member 2410 can provide tensile strength to the
edge of the flexible material 2402, making it easier to roll the
flexible array 2402 as driven by the drive mechanism 2404. The
system can be used to alternately offer direct light from the
lighting unit 100 or light that is altered by the operation of the
array 2402.
[0249] Referring to FIG. 25, a chromaticity chart 2500 represents
colors from the 3D color space of human visual perception. Because
it is a 2D chart, the diagram 2500 represents only two of the axes:
hue and saturation. The form of the chart 2500 is derived from the
tri-stimulus values, which are based on measurements of human
visual perception. The outer horseshoe curve 2502 is a pure
spectral line representing pure wavelengths of color or hue ranging
from around 400 nm wavelengths to 700 nm. The line 2504 is the
`purple line` that joins the ends of the spectral curve. No
spectral wavelength stimulates these colors in the eye.
[0250] All colors that humans perceive fall inside the area defined
by the spectral line 2502 and purple line 2504. Given any two
source colors, all of the colors that can be made by blending those
colors in different amounts will fall on the line that connects
them. Binary complementary white for example can be made by two
sources C1 2506 and C2 2508 in the diagram 2500 which, in
appropriate amounts can form C3 2510.
[0251] An extension of this to three colors broadens the gamut of
colors considerably. Points 2512, 2514, and 2516 for example form a
red, green and blue (RGB) gamut. The three points are the primary
colors of the system. The colors inside the triangle represent the
color gamut, the colors that can be generated by the system. The
exact primary colors are carefully selected to typically give a
large gamut.
[0252] The outer spectral line 2502 represents the highest degree
of purity possible for a color. Moving toward the middle of the
area or gamut colors become less saturated; essentially this is
adding white to the colors.
[0253] A good quality white light, however, is also defined by a
color rendering index (CRI) which matches a light source to a
palette of colors and provides a weighting across a spectrum of
color. An RGB triad of colors typically produces a low CRI, but
through the use of white LEDs and phosphors the CRI can be improved
greatly. By offering control of different sources, a white lighting
unit 100 can move along the black body curve, 2518, generating
different color temperatures of white light.
[0254] FIG. 26 depicts an airplane environment 2604 for a lighting
system of the various embodiments described herein. One or more
lighting units 100 can be disposed in the interior cabin 2602 or on
the exterior to produce color-changing illumination. Further
details are described in the applications incorporated by reference
herein.
[0255] FIG. 27 depicts an airplane interior 2602 with a plurality
of lighting units 100. The lighting units can be used on the
interior ceiling 2714 or along the floor 2712, such as being used
as directional lights 2704. The lights can be used to light the
seating environment 2710. In embodiments, lighting units 100 can
alternatively provide white light illumination or colored light
illumination to the environment 2602, such as under the control of
a central controller 202. In embodiments the lighting can be
controlled in coordination with other computer systems, such as the
airplanes primary computer system. The lighting units 100 can thus
be used to provide aesthetic lighting, alarm lighting, safety
lighting, lighting entertainment, indication of conditions or data,
or many other purposes. In embodiments the lights can change color
and color temperature to mimic the daylight cycle, offering a
variety of conditions based on time of day.
[0256] FIG. 28 depicts the interior of a vehicle, such as a bus
2800. Lighting units 100 can be disposed along the ceiling 2802,
above seats 2808, or along the aisle 2804, to provide a variety of
illumination effects, ranging from white light illumination or
varying color temperatures to colored lighting for aesthetic,
indication, safety, data, warning, entertainment or other purposes.
In each case the lights can have separate controllers or can be
governed by a central controller 202, which may optionally be made
part of the control system for the vehicle 2800.
[0257] FIG. 29 depicts a system 2902 for lighting an object 2904 to
be displayed. Lighting units 100 can light the object 2904, such as
under control of a processor 102. In embodiments the processor 102
may be integrated with another computer system, such as a
conventional lighting system, or a computer system for controlling
an environment, such as a safety system, a heating or cooling
system, a security system, or the like. The lighting units 100 for
lighting the object can include elements for producing both
multicolored light and white light, such as described in connection
with FIG. 3. Thus, the lighting systems can light the object 2904
with conventional white light (including of selected color
temperatures) as well as with non-white light (such as to produce
aesthetic effects, to provide a warning, to provide an indication
of a condition, or the like).
[0258] One such environment 2902 where objects are displayed is a
retail environment. The object 2904 might be an item of goods to be
sold, such as apparel, accessories, electronics, toys, food, or any
other retail item. The lighting units 100 can be controlled to
light the object 2904 with a desired form of lighting. For example,
the right color temperature of white light can render the item in a
true color, such as the color that it will appear in daylight. This
may be desirable for food items or for apparel items, where color
is very significant. In other cases, the lighting units 100 can
light the item with a particular color, to draw attention to the
items, such as by flashing, by washing the item with a chasing
rainbow, or by lighting the item with a distinctive color. In other
cases the lighting can indicate data, such as rendering items that
are on sale in a particular color, such as green. The lighting can
be controlled by a central controller, so that different items are
lit in different colors and color temperatures along any timeline
selected by the user. Lighting systems can also interact with other
computer systems, such as cards or handheld devices of a user. For
example, a light can react to a signal from a user's handheld
device, to indicate that the particular user is entitled to a
discount on the object 2904 that is lit in a particular color when
the user is in proximity. The lighting units 100 can be combined
with various sensors that produce a signal source 124. For example,
an object 2904 may be lit differently if the system detects
proximity of a shopper.
[0259] Objects 2904 to be displayed under controlled lighting
conditions also appear in other environment, such as entertainment
environments, museums, galleries, libraries, homes, workplaces, and
the like.
[0260] Referring to FIG. 30, lighting units 100 can be configured
to light a sign 3000. In embodiments the sign 3000 can be made of
light-transmissive materials, such as disclosed in connection with
FIG. 17. Thus, a sign 3000 can glow with light from the lighting
units 100, similar to the way a neon light glows. The sign 3000 can
be configured in letters, symbols, numbers, or other
configurations, either by constructing it that way, or by providing
sub-elements that are fit together to form the desired
configuration. The light from the lighting units 100 can be white
light, other colors of light, or light of varying color
temperatures. In an embodiment the sign 3000 can be made from a kit
that includes various sub-elements, such as curved elements,
straight elements, "T" junctions, "V-" and "U-" shaped elements,
and the like.
[0261] Referring to FIG. 31, a sign 3000 can be disposed on the
exterior of a building 3100. Such a sign 3000 can be displayed many
other places, such as inside a building, on a floor, wall, or
ceiling, in a corridor, underwater, submerged in a liquid other
than water, or in many other environments.
[0262] Referring to FIG. 32, a sign 3200 can consist of a backlit
display portion 3202 and a configuration 3204, such as of letters,
numbers, logos, pictures, or the like. The lighting of the backlit
portion 3202 and the configuration 3204 can be coordinated to
provide contrasting colors and various aesthetic effects.
[0263] Referring to FIG. 33, a medical environment is depicted in
which a health care provider 3300 provides health care services to
a patient 3302 under a lighting system 3308 that includes a
plurality of lighting units 100. The lighting units 100 can produce
white light, such as white light of a selected color temperature,
as well as colored light. In embodiments, the lighting system 3308
can provide both white and non-white light under control of a
processor 102. The processor 102 can be part of another lighting
system, such as the lighting system for an operating theatre,
emergency room, or other medical environment. The lighting system
3308 can be used to provide controlled light to the area of the
patient 3302. Control of the light can be by direct control or by
remote control. The health care provider 3300 or other operator can
control the light system 3308 to provide exactly the desired
lighting conditions. For example, a surgeon may have strong
preferences for a given color or color or color temperature of
light, while another surgeon may have different preferences. The
system 3308 allows each one to select a preferred color and color
temperature. Also, during a procedure, such as a surgery, it may be
desirable to change the lighting conditions. For example, an
artery, being red, will appear more vivid under red light, while a
vein would appear more vivid under blue light. Accordingly,
depending on the particular system being viewed, the health care
provider may change the light to fit the circumstances. Other
medical applications may also benefit from changing lighting
conditions under control; for example, a provider may wish to view
an x-ray, chart, graph, picture, or other test result under ideal
illumination conditions, or to view a patient under such
conditions, such as to observe skin color or the like.
[0264] Referring to FIG. 34, a lighting system 3400 with lighting
units 100 under control of a processor 102 is used to light an
object of art 3402. In environments where art is displayed, such as
museums, galleries, homes, workplaces, theatres and the like, it
may be desirable to show an object under a selected color
temperature of white light, which is allowed by the lighting units
100. However, the ideal color and color temperature may vary
according to the time of day, the ambient lighting conditions, the
object being viewed, and the preferences of the viewer. Thus, it is
preferable to allow for control of the color and color temperature,
to produce ideal viewing conditions. In embodiments, the lighting
system 3400 is integrated with another computer system, such as the
lighting system for the environment, a security system, an alarm
system, or the like, so that a caretaker for the environment can
provide the desired lighting conditions for each object 3402,
across various timelines. In embodiments the art object 3402 may be
designed to take advantage of color changes, such as by including
various different colors that emerge or recede depending on the
color of light illuminating them from the lighting system 3400.
Thus, the art object 3402 can be dynamic, based on the lighting
from the lighting units 100, and the dynamic aspect of the object
3402 can be part of the design of the art object 3402.
[0265] Referring to FIG. 35, an object 3502 is lit by a lighting
system 3402. In this case the object 3502 is a three-dimensional
object. The object 3502 can also be lit internally, to provide its
own illumination. Thus, the object 3502 can include color and color
temperature of light as a medium, which can interact with changes
in color and color temperature from the lighting system 3402.
[0266] FIG. 36 depicts a foreground object 3602 and a background
3604, both with lighting units 100. Thus, both the foreground
object 3602 and the background 3604 can be illuminated in various
colors, intensities or color temperatures. In an embodiment, the
illumination of the foreground object 3602 and the background 3604
can be coordinated by a processor 102, such as to produce
complementary illumination. For example, the colors of the two can
be coordinated so that the color of the background 3604 is a
complementary color to the color of the foreground object 3602, so
when the background 3604 is red, the foreground object 3602 is
green, etc. Any object 3602 in any environment can serve as a
foreground object 3602. For example, it might be an item of goods
in a retail environment, an art object in a display environment, an
emergency object in a safety environment, a tool in a working
environment, or the like. For example, if a processor 102 is part
of a safety system, the object 3602 could be a fire extinguisher,
and the background 3604 could be the case that holds the
extinguisher, so that the extinguisher is illuminated upon a fire
alert to make it maximally noticeable to a user. Similarly, by
managing the contrast between the background 3604 and the object
3602, an operator of a retail environment can call attention to the
object 3602 to encourage purchasing.
[0267] FIG. 37 depicts a person 3704 in a seat 3708 under a
lighting system 3702 that has a processor 3710. The seat 3708 is
positioned to allow illumination of the person 3704 by the lighting
system 3702, which can contain lighting units 100 to provide
color-controlled illumination, including white, as well as
non-white illumination of varying intensity and color temperatures.
The seat 3708 could be any type of seat in any environment, such as
a barber's chair, a beauty shop chair, a dental chair, a chair in a
retail shop, a health care chair, a theatre seat, a transportation
seat, an airline seat, a car seat, a bus seat, or the like. Under
control of the processor 3710, the lighting system 3702 can light
the seat 3708 and the area of the person 3704 as desired by the
operator of the system 3702, which may be the person 3704 or
another person. For example, a dentist can adjust the color or
color temperature of light to provide an accurate rendition of the
appearance of the mouth of the user, such as to show tooth color as
it will appear under sunlight. Similarly, a beauty shop operator or
barber can show hair color, makeup color, or the like, as those
features will appear in various lighting environments, ranging from
sunlight to indoor environments. The operator of a seating
environment for an entertainment venue, such as a movie theatre,
playhouse, airline seat, other transportation seat, or the like,
can produce light shows with the system 3702, on any desired
timeline, including in coordination with other entertainment, such
as music, television programming, movies, video games, or the like.
Thus, the methods and systems described throughout this
specification can be applied more generally to provide lighting to
a seating environment with a seat 3708.
[0268] FIG. 38 depicts a lighting system 3802 with lighting units
100 in the environment of a cabinet 3804. In one preferred
embodiment, a linear cabinet lighting system 3802 is provided that
provides both white and non-white colored lighting under control of
a processor 102. The environment optionally contains a surface 3808
below the cabinet 3804, such as a counter or workspace. The cabinet
3802 can have doors, or it could be an open cabinet 3802, such as
with shelves. It is often desirable to have under-cabinet lighting,
to light a surface or workspace. Depending on the environment, it
may be desirable to have a lighting system 3802 designed to
illuminate the under-cabinet region with light of varying color,
color temperature, intensity and saturation, such as lighting of
both white and non-white colors. Lighting systems of varying
configurations can be used, such as a linear lighting system 3802,
a curvilinear system, or lights of various configurations, such as
described in connection with FIG. 3. In embodiments, the lighting
system 3802 can be designed with a low profile, to minimize
incursion in the under-cabinet area. In other embodiments, the
surface 3808 can be configured, designed, or modified to interact
with the lighting system 3802, such as to highlight color changes,
such as by including thereon patterns that animate in the presence
of color changes.
[0269] FIG. 39 depicts using an under-cabinet lighting system 3802
such as described in connection with FIG. 38 to light an object
3902 in a cabinet environment. The object 3902 may be any object
that benefits from controlled lighting, such as a work-piece,
display, appliance, tool, food, or the like. The illumination from
the lighting system 3802 can be configured to be suitable to
illuminate that object 3902, such as based on a feature of the
object, such as its material, pattern, or other characteristic.
[0270] FIG. 40 depicts a lighting system for a workplace
environment 4000. The environment can include one or more lighting
systems 4002, 4004. For example, a first lighting system 4002 may
consist of one or more lighting units 100 in a substantially
horizontal line. A second lighting system 4004 might consist of
lighting units 100 in a substantially vertical configuration. The
lighting systems 4002, 4004 can be used to light the environment
4000, such as a desk, cubicle, office, workbench, laboratory bench,
or similar workplace environment. The lighting systems 4002, 4004
can provide white and non-white color illumination of various
colors, color temperatures, and intensities, so that the systems
4002, 4004 can be used for conventional illumination as well as for
aesthetic, entertainment, or utilitarian effects, such as
illuminating workplace objects with preferred illumination
conditions, such as for analysis or inspection, presenting light
shows or other entertainment effects, or indicating data or status.
For example, coupled with a signal source 124, such as a sensor,
the workplace lighting systems 4002, 4004 could illuminate in a
given color or intensity to indicate a data condition, such as
speed of a factory line, size of a stock portfolio, outside
temperature, presence of a person in an office, whether someone is
available to meet, or the like.
[0271] FIG. 41 depicts a lighting system for a seating environment
4100. The seating environment could be a theatre, home theatre,
movie theatre, transportation environment, or other environment
where individuals are seated in a group. A lighting system 4102 can
light the environment 4100 with white and non-white color
illumination of various colors, color temperatures, and
intensities, to produce aesthetic, entertainment and utilitarian
effects, such as to complement an entertainment presentation, to
indicate a data condition (such as presence of an alarm) or the
like. The lighting system 4102 can be above the seats, or elsewhere
in the environment 4100, such as along a floor 4104.
[0272] FIG. 42 depicts a lighting system for another entertainment
environment 4200. A seat 4204 is placed in proximity to a display
4202. The seat could be a home entertainment seat, such as a couch
or recliner, or an airline seat, other transportation seat, movie
or theatre seat, video game console seat, or other entertainment
seat 4204. The display could be a television, video projector
screen, work of art, liquid crystal display, plasma screen display,
movie theatre screen, or other display 4202. A lighting system 4208
with lighting units 100 can supply white and non-white color
illumination of various colors, color temperatures, and
intensities, to produce aesthetic, entertainment and utilitarian
effects, such as a colored light show to complement entertainment
presentations on the display 4202, while also supplying ambient
lighting, such as white light of selected color temperatures. Like
other systems described herein, the lighting system 4208 can be
used to indicate a data condition, such as an upcoming time of day,
an upcoming program, the ringing of a phone, or the like.
[0273] FIG. 43 depicts a lighting system 4304 an environment with a
camera 4302. The lighting system 4304 can be an array of lighting
units 100, or could be a single lighting unit 100, such as a flash
attachment for the camera 4302. The lighting units 100 and lighting
system 4304 can include a processor 102, for providing color, color
temperature, saturation and intensity control of white and
non-white light to the lighting units 100, such as to illuminate
the environment or an object in the environment. The processor 102
can control the illumination in conjunction with controlling the
camera 4302, such as to coordinate the illumination with settings
of the camera 4302. In embodiments, the camera 4302 may be a smart
camera 4302 with processing functions linked to a vision system, so
that the lighting system 4304 is controlled in response to
processing of images by the vision system. That is, the camera 4302
can serve as a signal source 124 to generate a lighting control
signal for the lighting system 4304. The lighting can thus be
coordinated to be appropriate for the object being filmed or
recorded by the camera. The camera 4302 could be a film camera, a
digital camera, a video camera, a still camera, a motion picture
camera, or other camera of any type. In a preferred embodiment, the
camera 4302 is a motion picture camera under coordinated control by
a user who simultaneously controls via the processor 102 the
camera's exposure characteristics and the lighting conditions
generated by the lighting system 4304. In another embodiment the
camera 4304 is a projector, and the lighting system 4304 serves as
a projector lamp, as well as an illumination system for generating
controlled lighting conditions.
[0274] The methods and systems disclosed herein also include a
variety of methods and systems for light control, including central
controllers 202 as well as lighting unit controllers 208. One
grouping of lighting controls includes dimmer controls, including
both wired and wireless dimmer control. Traditional dimmers can be
used with lighting units 100, not just in the traditional way using
voltage control or resistive load, but rather by using a processor
102 to scale and control output by interpreting the levels of
voltage. In combination with a style and interface that is familiar
to most people because of the ubiquity of dimmer switches, one
aspect of the present specification allows the position of a dimmer
switch (linear or rotary) to indicate color temperature or
intensity through a power cycle control. That is, the mode can
change with each on or off cycle. A special switch can allow
multiple modes without having to turn off the lights. An example of
a product that uses this technique is the Color Dial, available
from Color Kinetics.
[0275] Referring to FIG. 44, a controller 202 includes a slide 4402
and a switch 4404. The slide can provide voltage input to a
lighting unit 100, and the switch 4404 can allow the user to switch
between modes of operation, such as by selecting a color wash, a
specific color or color temperature, a flashing series of colors,
or the like.
[0276] FIG. 45 depicts a controller 202 with two slides 4502, 4504
and a switch 4508. The slides allow multiple dimensions of control,
and the switch allows the user to switch modes of operation. For
example, one slide 4502 could control intensity, while the other
4504 controls color temperature. The switch 4508 can control modes
of operation. In various embodiments the slides 4502, 4504 and
switch 4508 could be used to control a wide range of variables,
such as color, color temperature, intensity, hue, and triggering of
lighting shows of varying attributes.
[0277] FIG. 46 shows a dial 4602 that can serve as a controller 202
for a lighting unit 100. The dial 4602 can allow a user to adjust a
variable, such as color, color temperature, intensity, or the like.
The dial 4602 can include a switch mechanism (actuated by pushing
the dial 4602), to switch between modes of control, such as to
facilitate a variety of light shows.
[0278] FIG. 47 shows a controller 202 with two dials 4702, 4704.
The dials 4702, 4704 can each have switches to actuate different
modes, such as by pushing the dials 4702, 4704. The dials 4702,
4704 can control any of a wide variety of variables, such as
voltage, color, color temperature, intensity, saturation or other
attributes of one or more lighting units 100.
[0279] FIG. 48 shows a system 4800 for controlling a plurality of
lighting units 100 in a home network. A home network controller
4802 delivers control signals through a network 4804 (which may be
a conventional network, a wire, a power line, a wireless network or
other data facility). Each lighting unit 100 is responsive to a
lighting unit controller 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D to provide
illumination changes in response to signals from the home network
controller 4802. Examples of home network controllers include a
centralized control system 4802 to control lighting units 100.
Other examples include Lutron's RadioRA and the like, as well as
distributed control systems like LiteTouch's HomeTouch system.
[0280] Referring to FIG. 49, a switch 4902 includes a processor
102, memory 114 and a communications facility 120. The switch 4902
can be linked to a network, such as an office network, Internet, or
home network 4804. Each switch 4902 (which can appear in various
forms such as those depicted in FIGS. 44-47) can be an intelligent
device that responds to communication signals via the
communications facility 120 to provide control of any lighting
units 100 from any location where another switch 4902 or device may
be located. Such a switch 4902 can be integrated through smart
interfaces and networks to trigger shows (such as using a lighting
control player, such as iPlayer 2 available from Color Kinetics) as
with a lighting controller such as a ColorDial from Color Kinetics.
Thus, the switch 4902 can be programmed with light shows to create
various aesthetic, utilitarian or entertainment effects, of white
or non-white colors. In embodiments, an operator of a system 4800
can process, create or download shows, including from an external
source such as the Internet. Shows can be sent to the switch over a
communication facility 120 of any kind. Various switches 4902 can
be programmed to play back and control any given lighting unit 100.
In embodiments, settings can be controlled through a network 4804
or other interface, such as a web interface.
[0281] A switch 4902 with a processor 102 and memory 114 can be
used to enable upgradeable lighting units 100. Thus, lighting units
100 with different capabilities, shows, or features can be
supplied, allowing users to upgrade to different capabilities, as
with different versions of commercial software programs. Upgrade
possibilities include firmware to add features, fix bugs, improve
performance, change protocols, add capability and compatibility and
many others.
[0282] Referring to FIG. 50, a flow diagram 5000 shows steps for
delivering a control signal to a lighting unit 100 based on stored
modes and a power cycle event. At a step 5002, the operator can
store modes for lighting control, such as on a memory 114. The
system can then look, at a step 5004, for a power event, such as
turning the power on or off. If there is no power event at the step
5004, then the system waits at a step 5006 for such an event. When
there is a power event at the step 5004, then at a step 5008 the
system changes mode. The mode can be a resting mode, with no signal
to the lighting unit 100, or it can be any of a variety of
different modes, such as a steady color change, a flashing mode, a
fixed color mode, or modes of different intensity. Modes can
include white and non-white illumination modes. The modes can be
configured in a cycle, so that upon a mode change at the step 5008,
the next stored mode is retrieved from memory 114 and signals for
that mode are delivered to the lighting control unit 5008. In
embodiments, such as using a switch, such as the switch 4902 or
another switch such as a switch, slide, dial, or dimmer described
in connection with FIGS. 44-47. The system can, at a step 5010,
take an input signal, such as from the switch. Depending on the
current mode, the input signal from the switch 4902 can be used to
generate a different control signal at a step 5012. For example, if
the mode is a steady color change, the input from the dimmer could
accelerate of decelerate the rate of change. If the mode were a
single color, then the dimmer signal could change the mode by
increasing or decreasing the intensity of light. Of course, the
step 5012 could take multiple inputs from multiple switches, dials,
dimmers, sliders or the like, to provide more modulation of the
different modes. Finally, at a step 5014, the modulated signal can
be sent to the lighting unit 100.
[0283] Referring to FIG. 51, a flow diagram 5100 illustrates steps
for generating a lighting control signal. At a step 5104 the system
can store modes, such as in memory 114. Then at a step 5108 the
system can take input, such as from a signal source 124, such as a
sensor, a computer, or other signal source. At a step 5110 the
system can determine the mode of the system 5110, such as based on
a cycle of modes, or by recalling modes from memory, including
based on the nature of the signal from the signal source 124. Then
at a step 5112 the system can generate a control signal for a
lighting unit, based on the mode determined at the previous step.
Finally, at a step 5114, the system can deliver a control signal to
the lighting unit 100.
[0284] FIG. 52 depicts an embodiment of a lighting system 5200 that
includes a central controller 202, a communications facility 204,
such as a bus, wire, network, power line or circuit, for delivering
signals from the controller 202 to a lighting unit controller 208A,
208B, 208C or 208D, and lighting units 100 that respond to the
signals by providing illumination, such as white or non-white
illumination of varying colors, color temperatures, intensities and
the like. FIG. 52 also depicts a connection of the central
controller 202 to a network, such as the Internet 5202. It should
be noted that an individual lighting unit controller 208A, 208B,
208C, 208D could also be connected directly to the computer network
5202. Thus, the central controller 202 or individual lighting unit
controller 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D could each obtain lighting
control signals from an external source, such as an operator
connected to the Internet 5202.
[0285] In other embodiments of the present invention it may be
desirable to limit user control. Lighting designers, interior
decorators and architects often prefer to create a certain look to
their environment and wish to have it remain that way over time.
Unfortunately, over time, the maintenance of an environment, which
includes light bulb replacement, often means that a lighting unit,
such as a bulb, is selected whose properties differ from the
original design. This may include differing wattages, color
temperatures, spectral properties, or other characteristics. It is
desirable to have facilities for improving the designer's control
over future lighting of an environment.
[0286] Referring to FIG. 53 a lighting unit 100 includes a dial
5302 that allows a user to select one or more colors or color
temperatures from a scale 5304. For example, the scale could
include different color temperatures of white light. The lighting
designer can specify use of a particular color temperature of
light, which the installer can select by setting the right position
on the scale 5304 with the dial.
[0287] FIG. 54 shows a slide mechanism 5402 that can be used like
the dial of FIG. 53 to set a particular color temperature of white
light, or to select a particular color of non-white light, in
either case on a scale 5304. Again, the designer can specify a
particular setting, and the installer can set it according to the
design plan. Providing adjustable lighting units 100 offers
designers and installers much greater control over the correct
maintenance of the lighting of the environment.
[0288] FIG. 55 shows a lighting unit 100 with a data port 5502 for
receiving a data cable, such as a standard CAT 5 cable type used
for networking. Thus, the lighting unit 100 can receive data, such
as from a network. By allowing connection of the lighting unit 100
to a communications facility 120, the system allows a lighting
designer or installer to send data to a plurality of lighting units
100 to put them in common modes of control and illumination,
providing more consistency to the lighting of the overall
environment.
[0289] FIG. 56 shows a socket 5602 or fixture for receiving a
lighting unit 100. In this case the socket 5602 includes a
processor 102, such as to providing control signals to the lighting
unit 100. The socket 5602 can be connected to a communications
facility 120, 108, so that it can receive signals, such as from a
controller 202. Thus, the socket 5602 can serve as a lighting unit
controller. By placing control in the socket 5602, it is possible
for a lighting designer or installer to provide control signals to
a known location, regardless of what bulbs are removed or replaced
into the socket 5602. Thus, an environmental lighting system can be
arranged by the sockets 5602, then any different lighting units 100
can be installed, responsive to control signals sent to the
respective sockets 5602. Sockets 5602 can be configured to receive
any kind of light bulb, including incandescent, fluorescent,
halogen, metal halide, LED-based lights, or the like.
[0290] Thus, intelligence can be provided by the processor 102 to a
conventional socket. In embodiments, data can be provided over
power lines, thus avoiding the need to rewire the environment,
using power line carrier techniques as known in the art, the X10
system being one such example, and the HomeTouch system being
another.
[0291] In the preceding embodiments, a fixture or network can give
a lighting unit 100 a command to set to a particular look
including, color, color temperature, intensity, saturation, and
spectral properties. Thus, when the designer sets the original
design he or she may specify a set of particular light bulb
parameters so that when a lighting unit 100 is replaced the fixture
or network can perform a startup routine that initializes that
lighting unit 100 to a particular set of values which are then
controlled. In embodiments, the lighting unit 100 identifies itself
to the network when the power is turned on. The lighting unit 100
or fixture or socket 5602 can be assigned an address by the central
controller 202, via a communications facility 120. Thus, there is
an address associated with the fixture or socket 5602, and the
lighting unit 100 control corresponds to that address. The lighting
unit 100 parameters can be set in memory 114, residing in either
the lighting unit 100, socket 5602 or fixture, cable termination or
in a central controller 202. The lighting unit 100 can now be set
to those parameters. From then on, when the lighting unit 100 is
powered up it receives a simple command value already set within
the set of parameters chosen by the designer.
[0292] In embodiments, the fixture, socket 5602 or lighting unit
100 can command color setting at installation, either a new setting
or a fine adjustment to provide precise color control. In
embodiments, the lighting unit 100 allows color temperature control
as described elsewhere. The lighting unit 100 is settable, but the
fixture itself stores an instruction or value for the setting of a
particular color temperature or color. Since the fixture is set,
the designer or architect can insure that all settable lighting
units 100 will be set correctly when they are installed or
replaced. An addressable fixture can be accomplished through a
cable connection where the distal end of the cable, at the fixture,
has a value programmed or set. The value is set through storage in
memory 114 or over the power lines. A physical connection can be
made with a small handheld device, such as a Zapi available from
Color Kinetics, to create and set the set of parameters for that
fixture and others. If the environment changes over time, as for
example during a remodeling, then those values can be updated and
changed to reflect a new look for the environment. A person could
either go from fixture to fixture to reset those values or change
those parameters remotely to set an entire installation quickly.
Once the area is remodeled or repainted, as in the lobby of a hotel
for example, the color temperature or color can be reset and, for
example, have all lighting units 100 in the lobby set to white
light of 3500K. Then, in the future, is any lighting unit 100 is
replaced or upgraded, any bulb plugged in can be set to that new
value. Changes to the installation parameters can be done in
various ways, such as by network commands, or wireless
communication, such as RF or IR communication.
[0293] In various embodiments, the setting can occur in the fixture
or socket 5602, in the distal end of a cable, in the proximal end
of the cable, or in a central controller. The setting can be a
piece of memory 114 embedded in any of those elements with a
facility for reading out the data upon startup of the lighting unit
100.
[0294] Referring to FIG. 57, in other embodiments it may be
desirable to prevent or deter user adjustment. A lighting unit 100
can be programmed to allow adjustment and changes to parameters by
a lighting designer or installer, but not by other users. Such
systems can incorporate a lockout facility to prevent others from
easily changing the settings. This can take the form of memory 114
to store the current state but allow only a password-enabled user
to make changes. One embodiment is a lighting unit 100 that is
connected to a network or to a device that allows access to the
lighting unit 100 or network. The device can be an authorized
device whose initial communication establishes trust between two
devices or between the device and network. This device can, once
having established the connection, allow for the selection or
modification of pattern, color, effect or relationship between
other devices such as ambient sensors or external devices. FIG. 57
is a flow diagram 5700 showing steps for only allowing authorized
users to change lighting conditions from a lighting unit 100. The
system can store modes at a step 5702, such as in memory 114. The
system can detect a user event 5704, such as an attempt by the user
to change modes, such as sending an instruction over a network or
wireless device. At a step 5708, the system queries whether the
user is authorized to change the mode of the lighting unit 100,
such as by asking for a password, searching for a stored password,
or checking a device identifier for the device through which the
user is seeking to change the mode of the lighting unit 100. If the
user is not authorized at the step 5708, then the system maintains
the previous mode at a step 5710 an optionally notifies the
lighting designer, installer, or other individual of the
unauthorized attempt to change the mode. If the user is authorized
at the step 5708, then the user is allowed to change the mode at
the step 5714. Facilities for allowing only authorized users to
trigger events are widely known in the arts of computer
programming, and any such facilities can be used with a processor
102 and memory 114 used with a lighting unit 100.
[0295] In other embodiments, the lighting designer can specify
changes in color over time or based on time of day or season of
year. It is beneficial for a lighting unit 100 to measure the
amount of time that it has been on and store information in a
compact form as to its lighting history. This provides a useful
history of the use of the light and can be correlated to use
lifetime and power draw, among other measurements. An intelligent
networked lighting unit 100 can store a wide variety of useful
information about its own state over time and the environmental
state of-its surroundings. Referring to FIG. 58, a lighting unit
can store a histogram 5800, a chart representing value and time of
lighting over time. The histogram can be stored in memory 114. A
histogram can chart on time versus off time for a lighting unit
100. A histogram can be correlated to other data, such as room
habitation, to develop models of patterns of use, which can then be
tied into a central controller 202, such as integrated with a
building control system. While FIG. 58 shows abruptly changing
values, a histogram 5800 could also show smoothly changing values
over time, such as sunrise to sunset transitions, etc.
[0296] In embodiments the lighting unit 100 can include a timing
feature based on an astronomical clock, which stores not simply
time of day, but also solar time (sunrise, sunset) and can be used
to provide other time measurements such as lunar cycles, tidal
patterns and other relative time events (harvest season, holidays,
hunting season, fiddler crab season, etc.) In embodiments, using a
timing facility, a controller 202 can store data relating to such
time-based events and make adjustments to control signals based on
them. For example, a lighting unit 100 can allow `cool` color
temperature in the summer and warm color temperatures in the
winter.
[0297] Referring to FIG. 61, a flow diagram 6100 shows steps for
applying a timing algorithm to generate a lighting control signal.
At a step 6102 the system can store timing algorithms, such as in
memory 114. At a step 6104 the system can determine time, such as
from timing facility like a system clock or other timing facility.
At a step 6108 the system can retrieve the timing algorithm from
memory. At a step 6110 the system can determine whether other data
is required to execute the algorithm, such as data from a sensor or
the like. If so, then at a step 6112 the system can fetch the other
data. If at the step 6110 no other data is required, or once other
necessary data is obtained, then at a step 6114 the system applies
the algorithm, either to the timing data alone or, if applicable,
to the other data as well. Then at a step 6118 the system can
trigger a lighting control signal based on the output of the
algorithm.
[0298] In embodiments, the lighting control unit can receive a
timing signal based on a software program, such as a calendar
program like Outlook from Microsoft, so that lighting units 100 can
display or indicate illumination based on warning for appointments,
or can produce particular shows on special days, such as holidays.
For example, a lighting unit 100 could show green shows on St.
Patrick's day, etc. Similar time or date-based signals can come
from PDAs, PCs and other devices running software that includes
time and date-based data.
[0299] Referring to FIG. 59, a flow diagram 5900 shows steps for
triggering a lighting unit control event based on an item of data.
At a step 5902 a system can store data, such as in memory 114. At a
step 5904 the system can store an algorithm for operating on the
data, again in memory 114. At a step 5908 the system can apply the
algorithm to the data, then at a step 5910 trigger an event, such
as a particular lighting control signal. The flow diagram 5900
illustrates that lighting control signals can be triggered based on
any kind of data, applying a wide range of algorithms that convert
raw data into control signals. For example, the data might be a
level of a stock portfolio, a temperature, an on-off status, a
voltage, a current, a magnetic field level, or any other kind of
data.
[0300] Referring to FIG. 60, a flow diagram 6000 shows steps for
triggering illumination control based on data from a sensor. At a
step 6002 the system can store control algorithms for generating
lighting control signals. At a step 6004 the system can sense a
condition, such as by receiving data from a signal source 124 in
the form of a sensor. Any kind of sensor can be used. Then at a
step 6008 the system can apply an algorithm to the sensed data.
Finally, at a step 6010 the output of the algorithm is used to
trigger control of the lighting signal to a lighting unit 100. In
embodiments the sensor can be a light sensor, and the sensor can
provide control of a lighting signal based on a feedback loop, in
which an algorithm at the step 6008 modifies the lighting control
signal based on the lighting conditions measured by the sensor. In
embodiments, a closed-loop feedback system can read spectral
properties and adjust color rendering index, color temperature,
color, intensity, or other lighting characteristics based on user
inputs or feedback based on additional ambient light sources to
correct or change light output.
[0301] A feedback system, whether closed loop or open loop, can be
of particular use in rendering white light. Some LEDs, such as
those containing amber, can have significant variation in
wavelength and intensity over operating regimes. Some LEDs also
deteriorate quickly over time. To compensate for the temperature
change, a feedback system can use a sensor to measure the forward
voltage of the LEDs, which gives a good indication of the
temperature at which the LEDs are running. In embodiments the
system could measure forward voltage over a string of LEDs rather
than the whole fixture and assume an average value. This could be
used to predict running temperature of the LED to within a few
percent. Lifetime variation would be taken care of through a
predictive curve based on experimental data on performance of the
lights.
[0302] Degradation can be addressed through an LED that produces
amber or red through another mechanism such as phosphor conversion
and does this through a more stable material, die or process.
Consequently, CRI could also improve dramatically. That LED plus a
bluish white or Red LED then enables a color temperature variable
white source with good CRI.
[0303] In other embodiments, with line voltage power supply
integrated into LED systems, power line carrier (PLC) allows such
systems to simplify further. Installing LED systems are complex and
currently often require a power supply, data wiring and the
installation of these devices so that they are not visible. For
example, 10 pieces of cove lights require a device to deliver data
(controller) and a power supply that must be installed and hidden.
Additional costs are incurred by the use of these devices. To
improve the efficiency of such a system, an LED fixture or line of
fixtures can be made capable of being plugged into line voltage. An
LED-based system that plugs directly into line voltage offers
overall system cost savings and eases installation greatly. Such a
system ties into existing power systems (120 or 220VAC), and the
data can be separately wired or provided through wireless control
(one of several standards IR, RF, acoustic etc). Such systems are
automatically not considered low voltage systems. Regulatory
approvals may be different. Recent low power developments allow for
line voltage applications to be used directly with integrated
circuits with little additional componentry. While a protocol such
as DMX can be used to communicate with lighting units 100, there is
no requirement for a particular protocol.
[0304] Lighting units 100 encompassed herein include lighting units
100 configured to resemble all conventional light bulb types, so
that lighting units 100 can be conveniently retrofitted into
fixtures and environments suitable for such environments. Such
retrofitting lighting units 100 can be designed, as disclosed above
and in the applications incorporated herein by reference, to use
conventional sockets of all types, as well as conventional lighting
switches, dimmers, and other controls suitable for turning on and
off or otherwise controlling conventional light bulbs. Retrofit
lighting units 100 encompassed herein include incandescent lamps,
such as A15 Med, A19 Med, A21 Med, A21 3C Med, A23 Med, B10 Blunt
Tip, B10 Crystal, B10 Candle, F15, GT, C7 Candle C7 DC Bay, C15,
CA10, CA8, G16/1/2 Cand, G16-1/2 Med, G25 Med, G30 Med, G40 Med, S6
Cand, S6 DC Bay, S11 Cand, S11 DC Bay, S11 Inter, S11 Med, S14 Med,
S19 Med, LINESTRA 2-base, T6 Cand, T7 Cand, T7 DC Bay, T7 Inter, T8
Cand, T8 DC Bay, T8 Inter, T10 Med, T6-1/2 Inter, T6-1/2 DC Bay,
R16 Med, ER30 Med, ER40 Med, BR30 Med, BR40 Med, R14 Inter, R14
Med, K19, R20 Med, R30 Med, R40 Med, R40 Med Skrt, R40 Mog, R52
Mog, P25 Med, PS25 3C, PS25 Med, PS30 Med, PS35 Mog, PS52 Mog,
PAR38 Med Skrt, PAR38 Med Sid Pr, PAR46 Scrw Trm, PAR46 Mog End Pr,
PAR 46 Med Sid Pr, PAR56 Scrw Trm, PAR56 Mog End Pr, PAR 64 Scrw
Trm, and PAR64 Ex Mog End Pr. Also, retrofit lighting units 100
include conventional tungsten/halogen lamps, such as BT4, T3, T4
BI-PIN, T4 G9, MR16, MR11, PAR14, PAR16, PAR16 GU10, PAR20, PAR30,
PAR30LN, PAR36, PAR38 Medium Skt., PAR38 Medium Side Prong, AR70,
AR111, PAR56 Mog End Pr, PAR64 Mog End Pr, T4 DC Bayonet, T3, T4
Mini Can, T3, T4 RSC Double End, T10, and MB19. Lighting units 100
can also include retrofit lamps configured to resemble high
intensity discharge lamps, such as E17, ET18, ET23.5, E25, BT37,
BT56, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, R40, T RSC base, T Fc2 base, T G12 base,
T G8.5 base, T Mogul base, and TBY22d base lamps. Lighting units
100 can also be configured to resemble fluorescent lamps, such as
T2 Axial Base, T5 Miniature Bipin, T8 Medium Bipin, T8 Medium
Bipin, T12 Medium Bipin, U-shaped t-12, OCTRON T-8 U-shaped, OCTRON
T8 Recessed Double Contact, T12 Recessed Double Contact, T14-1/2
Recessed Double Contact, T6 Single Pin, T8 Single Pin, T12 Single
Pin, ICETRON, Circline 4-Pin T-19, PENTRON CIRCLINE 4-pin T5, DULUX
S, DULUX S/E, DULUX D, DULUX D/E, DULUX T, DULUX T/E, DULUX T/E/IN,
DULUX L, DULUX F, DULUX EL Triple, DULUX EL TWIST DULUX EL CLASSIC,
DULUX EL BULLET, DULUX EL Low Profile GLOBE, DULUX EL GLOBE, DULUE
EL REFLECTOR, and DULUX EL Circline.
[0305] Lighting units 100 can also include specialty lamps, such as
for medical, machine vision, or other industrial or commercial
applications, such as airfield/aircraft lamps, audio visual maps,
special purpose heat lamps, studio, theatre, TV and video lamps,
projector lamps, discharge lamps, marine lamps, aquatic lamps, and
photo-optic discharge lamps, such as HBO, HMD, HMI, HMP, HSD, HSR,
HTI, LINEX, PLANON, VIP, XBO and XERADEX lamps. Other lamps types
can be found in product catalog for lighting manufacturers, such as
the Sylvania Lamp and Ballast Product Catalog 2002, from Sylvania
Corporation or similar catalogs offered by General Electric and
Philips Corporation.
[0306] Referring to FIG. 62 and the subsequent figures, typically
an LED produces a narrow emission spectrum centered on a particular
wavelength; i.e. a fixed color. Through the use of multiple LEDs
and additive color mixing a variety of apparent colors can be
produced, as described elsewhere herein.
[0307] In conventional LED-based light systems, constant current
control is often preferred because of lifetime issues. Too much
current can destroy an LED or curtail useful life. Too little
current produces little light and is an inefficient or ineffective
use of the LED.
[0308] It has also been known that the light output from and LED
may shift in wavelength as a result in changes in current. In
general, the shift in output has been thought to be undesirable for
most applications, since a stable light color has previously been
preferred to an unstable one.
[0309] Recent developments in LED light sources with higher power
ratings (>100 mA) have made it possible to operate LED systems
effectively without supplying maximum current. Such operational
ranges make it possible to provide LED-based lighting units 100
that have varying wavelength outputs as a function of current.
Thus, embodiments of the present invention include methods and
systems for supplying light of different wavelengths by changing
the current supplied to the LEDs in a manner that is intended to
generate different wavelengths of light. These embodiments can help
produce improved quality colors and improved quality white
light.
[0310] Turning a constant-current source on and off very rapidly
can control apparent LED output intensity. Control techniques are
varied, but one such technique is pulse-width modulation (PWM),
described elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by
reference herein.
[0311] Conventional PWM output is a digital signal (square wave)
whose width can be varied under microprocessor control. Other
techniques, such as changing current, or analog control, can be
used, but sometimes have drawbacks because of lifetime effects,
poor control and output variations across a number of LED devices.
Analog control also has system ramifications with long distances
potentially attenuating the light output.
[0312] Recent developments in LEDs include higher power packages
that can produce significant light output. LEDs have shifted from
producing fractional lumens to many 10's of lumens of light output
in just a few years. As with other LEDs, with the recent higher
power package developments such as the Luxeon line from Lumileds,
as the current supplied to the LED varies, the output wavelength
shifts. However, unlike previous generation of LEDs, the current
change required will not damage the device. Although earlier lower
power devices exhibit a similar characteristic wavelength shift,
the amount of shift was small and not easily controllable without
adverse effects on the LED itself. The current control in the new
power packages can be significant without damage to the device.
Thus, it can produce a much wider spectrum shift. In some systems,
that shift can be undesirable. However, the shift enables certain
novel methods and systems described herein.
[0313] Described herein are embodiments for controlling LEDs to
produce a variable white color temperature and for controlling and
calibrating LED-based lighting units 100 to produce consistent
color from unit to unit during production and even use.
[0314] The calibration technique is not simply changing the
modulation of the LEDs but actually shifting the output wavelength
or color. The sensitivity of the eye varies over the spectrum, as
described, for example, in Wyszecki and Stiles, Color Science
2.sup.nd Edition, Section 5.4, which is incorporated by reference
herein. Current change can also broaden the narrow emission of the
source and this shifts the saturation of the light source towards a
broader spectrum source. Thus, current control of LEDs allows
controlled shift of wavelength for both control and calibration
purposes.
[0315] Referring to FIG. 62, in the visible spectrum, roughly 400
to 700 nm, the sensitivity of the eye varies according to
wavelength. As shown in the chart 6200, the sensitivity of the eye
is least at the edges of that range and peaks at around 555 nm in
the middle of the green.
[0316] Referring to FIG. 63, a schematic diagram 6300 shows pulse
shapes for a PWM signal. By rapidly changing the current and
simultaneously adjusting the intensity via PWM a broader spectrum
light source can be produced. FIG. 63 shows two PWM signals 6302,
6304. Both control signals provide identical current levels to an
LED(s) when on, and the width of the pulse varies to change the
apparent or perceived intensity. The top PWM signal A, 6302, is
narrower than the bottom signal, B, 6304. As a result, the top
signal 6302 has less apparent output. This happens at sufficient
speeds so there is no perceptible flicker. This rate is typically
hundreds of Hertz or more. The overall duty cycle, the time between
two `on` times, could be 10 milliseconds or less.
[0317] Referring to FIG. 64, a schematic diagram 6400 again shows
two PWM signals 6402, 6404. In this case the two PWM signals 6402,
6404 vary both in current level and width. The top one 6402 has a
narrower pulse-width, but a higher current level than the bottom
one 6404. The result is that the narrower pulse offsets the
increased current level in the top signal 6402. As a result,
depending on the adjustment of the two factors (on-time and current
level) both light outputs could appear to be of similar brightness.
The control is a balance between current level and the on time.
[0318] However, as noted above, one of the properties of many of
the higher power LEDs is a significant wavelength shift that is a
function of current. Thus, using the PWM together with coordinated
current control, a lighting unit 100 can be created that varies in
color (wavelength) by small amounts to produce several advantages.
First, a change in color (hue) can be made with no change in
intensity from a single LED. Second, rapidly changing the current
levels can produce multiple emission spectra, which, when observed,
produce a less saturated, broader spectrum source. Third, changes
can be induced in multiple lighting units 100 to produce better
additive mixing through the control of multiple strings or channels
of LEDs in the combined light from the lighting units 100. Thus,
multiple, narrow-spectra, saturated LED lighting units 100 can be
combined to provide a high-quality, broad spectrum LED-based light
source.
[0319] The schematic diagram 6500 of FIG. 65 shows the result of
using a rapid shift in wavelength to shift the hue of an LED. The
original emission spectrum 6502 is a relatively narrow-band
emission. The resulting spectrum 6504 shows a shift that can result
by changing the current. Note, however that simply changing the
current will also change the LED output, which is why the
dashed-line, current-modulated outputs 6504 differ in peak value.
Higher current produces more light, and vice versa. Note that there
is another effect from the V(lambda) curve, but over the relatively
small shifts this may not be significant. This sensitivity
adjustment could be incorporated into the control signals as well.
The perceived output intensity can be changed by adjustment of the
modulation of the signal such as by using the PWM method as shown
below.
[0320] The schematic diagram 6600 of FIG. 66 shows the effect of
changing both the current and adjusting the PWM for the purposes of
creating a better quality white by shifting current and
pulse-widths simultaneously and then mixing multiple sources, such
as RG & B, to produce a high quality white. High quality can be
determined through such metrics as Color Rendering Index or direct
comparisons with traditional white light sources. In essence, the
spectrum is built up by rapidly controlling the current and
on-times to produce multiple shifted spectra. The wavelength is
wiggled back and forth and this produces a broader spectrum output.
Thus, the original spectrum 6602 is shifted to a broader-spectrum
6604 by current shifts, while coordinated control of intensity is
augmented by changes in PWM.
[0321] The control described in connection with FIGS. 62 through 66
can be provided with various embodiments, including feedback loops,
such as using a light sensor as a signal source 124, or a lookup
table or similar facility that stores light wavelength and
intensity output as a function of various combinations of
pulse-width modulation and pulse amplitude modulation.
[0322] In embodiments, a lighting system can produce saturated
colors for one purpose (entertainment, mood, effects), while for
another purpose it can produce a good quality variable white light
whose color temperature can be varied along with the spectral
properties. Thus a single fixture can have narrow bandwidth light
sources for color and then can change to a current and PWM control
mode to get broad spectra to make good white or to make non-white
light with broader spectrum color characteristics. In addition, the
control mode can be combined with various optical facilities 120
described above to further control the light output from the
system.
[0323] Referring to FIG. 67, a schematic diagram 6700 shows that
current control can provide perceived broadening of a narrow-band
source, such as a color LED. Referring to FIG. 68, with multiple
LEDs as light sources, combined with perceived broadening as a
result of varying the current supplied to the LEDs, a much
broader-band source can be provided.
[0324] In embodiments, the methods and systems can include a
control loop and fast current sources to allow an operator to sweep
about a broad spectrum. This could be done in a feed-forward system
or with feedback to insure proper operation over a variety of
conditions.
[0325] Referring to FIG. 69, a control system 6900 embodiment can
use a variety of well-known methods. Thus, the control facility
6902 can switch between a currentcontrol mode 6904 (which itself
could be controlled by a PWM stream) and a separate PWM mode 6908.
Such a system can include simultaneous current control via PWM for
wavelength and PWM control balanced to produce desired output
intensity and color. FIG. 69 shows a schematic diagram 6900 with
one possible embodiment for creating the two control signals from a
controller, such as a microprocessor to control one or more LEDs in
a string. Multiple such strings can be used to create a light
fixture that can vary in color (HSB) and spectrum based on the
current and on-off control. The PWM signal can also be a PWM
Digital-to-analog converter (DAC) such as those from Maxim and
others.
[0326] Note that the functions that correspond to particular values
of output can be calibrated ahead of time by determining nominal
values for the PWM signals and the resultant variations in the LED
output. These can be stored in lookup tables or a function created
that allows the mapping of desired values from LED control
signals.
[0327] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with
the embodiments shown and described above, various equivalents,
modifications and improvements will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art and are encompassed herein.
* * * * *