Patents by Inventor Alfred Ducharme
Alfred Ducharme has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20070258240Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating essentially white light. In one example, a white light generating apparatus comprises at least one first white LED characterized by a first spectrum, and at least one second white LED characterized by a second spectrum, wherein the first spectrum is substantially different than the second spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Alfred Ducharme, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Kevin Dowling, George Mueller
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Publication number: 20070195526Abstract: Methods and apparatus involving at least two LEDs configured to generate at least two different spectra of radiation that are combined to produce white light. At least one parameter of the at least two different spectra of radiation generated by the at least two LEDs is controlled, based at least in part on at least one lighting control signal received by the apparatus over at least one wireless communication link, so as to control at least a color temperature of the white light.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin Dowling, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Michael Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme, Ralph Osterhout, Colin Piepgras, George Mueller, Dawn Geary, Timothy Holmes
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Publication number: 20070115665Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George Mueller, Alfred Ducharme, Kevin Dowling, Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan, Charles Cella
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Publication number: 20070115658Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George Mueller, Alfred Ducharme, Kevin Dowling, Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan, Charles Cella
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Patent number: 7186003Abstract: High-brightness LEDs, combined with a processor for control, can produce a variety of pleasing effects for display and illumination. A system disclosed herein uses high-brightness, processor-controlled LEDs in combination with diffuse materials to produce color-changing effects. The systems described herein may be usefully employed to bring autonomous color-changing ability and effects to a variety of consumer products and other household items. The system may also include sensors so that the illumination of the LEDs might change in response to environmental conditions or a user input. Additionally, the system may include an interface to a network, so that the illumination of the LEDs may be controlled via the network.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Michael K. Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme, Ralph Osterhout, Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Dawn Geary
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Publication number: 20070047227Abstract: An illumination system according to the principles of the invention may include a first LED and a carrier material. The carrier material may be comprised of plastic, synthetic material, polymer, latex, rubber or other material. The carrier material may also contain a phosphor, fluorescent material, organic fluorescent material, inorganic fluorescent material, impregnated phosphor, phosphor particles, phosphor material, YAG:Ce phosphor, or other material for converting electromagnetic radiation into illumination or visible light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventor: Alfred Ducharme
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Patent number: 7161556Abstract: lighting system. In one example, a user interface is coupled to a programming device that is adapted to provide one or more selected addresses to a programmable lighting system, based on user input via the user interface. The system is also adapted to store the one or more selected addresses in memory.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Frederick Morgan, Alfred Ducharme, Brian Chemel, Ihor A. Lys
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Publication number: 20060285325Abstract: LED-based light bulbs having one or more white LEDs, for replacing/retrofitting conventional light bulbs. An exemplary bulb includes at least one first white LED and at least one power connection having a form configured to engage mechanically and electrically with one of a conventional Edison-mount (screw-type) light bulb socket, a conventional fluorescent tube coupler arrangement, and a conventional halogen MR-16 socket arrangement. The bulb further includes at least one voltage transformation device configured to electrically transform a first voltage applied to the at least one power connection (via the corresponding conventional socket/coupler) to a second voltage that provides operating power to at least the white LED(s). The LED-based light bulb substantially corresponds in shape to a corresponding one of a conventional Edison-mount screw-type light bulb, a conventional fluorescent tube, and a conventional halogen MR-16 light bulb, based on the form of the at least one power connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Alfred Ducharme, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Kevin Dowling, George Mueller
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Publication number: 20060152172Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2004Publication date: July 13, 2006Applicant: Color Kinetics, Inc.Inventors: George Mueller, Alfred Ducharme, Kevin Dowling, Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan, Charles Cella
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Patent number: 7064498Abstract: High-brightness LEDs, combined with a processor for control, can produce a variety of pleasing effects for display and illumination. A system disclosed herein uses high-brightness, processor-controlled LEDs in combination with diffuse materials to produce color-changing effects. The systems described herein may be usefully employed to bring autonomous color-changing ability and effects to a variety of consumer products and other household items. The system may also include sensors so that the illumination of the LEDs might change in response to environmental conditions or a user input. Additionally, the system may include an interface to a network, so that the illumination of the LEDs may be controlled via the network.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Michael K. Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme, Ralph Osterhout, Colin Piepgras, George C. Mueller, Dawn Geary
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Publication number: 20060109649Abstract: Methods and apparatus in which at least one first LED generates first radiation having a first spectrum, and at least one second LED generates second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. One or more controllers control at least one of the first radiation and the second radiation so as to control at least a color temperature of visible radiation. In one example, one or more sensors monitor at least one characteristic of sample radiation and provide one or more sensor signals to the one or more controllers, which in turn control at least the color temperature of the visible radiation based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal. In various implementations, the sample radiation may be ambient illumination (e.g., natural-light and/or light from other light sources), may be the visible radiation itself (e.g., to provide feedback to the one or more controllers), or generally any desired lighting condition to simulate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2005Publication date: May 25, 2006Applicant: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Alfred Ducharme, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Kevin Dowling, George Mueller
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Publication number: 20060012987Abstract: A lighting fixture for producing a beam of light having a prescribed luminous flux spectrum. In one example, the lighting fixture comprises a plurality of groups of light-emitting devices, each such group configured to emit light having a distinct luminous flux spectrum, and a controller configurable to supply selected amounts of electrical power to the plurality of groups of light-emitting devices, such that the groups cooperate to produce a composite beam of light having a prescribed luminous flux spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2003Publication date: January 19, 2006Applicant: Color Kinetics, IncorporatedInventors: Alfred Ducharme, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Kevin Dowling, George Mueller
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Patent number: 6897624Abstract: An embodiment of this invention relates to an intelligent lighting device that can receive signals and change the illumination conditions as a result of the received signals. The lighting device can change hue, saturation, and brightness as a response to received signals. One example of using such a lighting device is to display particular colors as a response to certain events. Among others, embodiments may include vehicle lighting systems, an information cube, a back lighting system for a display panel, and an indicator of a condition of a package.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Color Kinetics, IncorporatedInventors: Ihor A. Lys, Alfred Ducharme
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Publication number: 20050062440Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for controlling the conversion of data inputs to a computer-based light system into lighting control signals. The methods and systems include facilities for controlling a nonlinear relationship between data inputs and lighting control signal ouputs. The nonlinear relationship may be programmed to account for varying responses of the viewer of a light source to different light source intensities.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicant: Color Kinetics, Inc.Inventors: Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan, Michael Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme
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Publication number: 20050040774Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Applicant: Color Kinetics, Inc.Inventors: George Mueller, Alfred Ducharme, Kevin Dowling, Ihor Lys, Frederick Morgan, Charles Cella
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Publication number: 20050041424Abstract: An illumination system according to the principles of the invention may include a first LED and a carrier material. The carrier material may be comprised of plastic, synthetic material, polymer, latex, rubber or other material. The carrier material may also contain a phosphor, fluorescent material, organic fluorescent material, inorganic fluorescent material, impregnated phosphor, phosphor particles, phosphor material, YAG:Ce phosphor, or other material for converting electromagnetic radiation into illumination or visible light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Applicant: Color Kinetics, Inc.Inventor: Alfred Ducharme
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Publication number: 20050030744Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating essentially white light. In one example, a white light generating apparatus comprises at least one first white LED characterized by a first spectrum, and at least one second white LED characterized by a second spectrum, wherein the first spectrum is substantially different than the second spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Applicant: Color Kinetics, IncorporatedInventors: Alfred Ducharme, Frederick Morgan, Ihor Lys, Kevin Dowling, George Mueller
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Publication number: 20030214259Abstract: High-brightness LEDs, combined with a processor for control, can produce a variety of pleasing effects for display and illumination. A system disclosed herein uses high-brightness, processor-controlled LEDs in combination with diffuse materials to produce color-changing effects. The systems described herein may be usefully employed to bring autonomous color-changing ability and effects to a variety of consumer products and other household items. The system may also include sensors so that the illumination of the LEDs might change in response to environmental conditions or a user input. Additionally, the system may include an interface to a network, so that the illumination of the LEDs may be controlled via the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Michael K. Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme, Ralph Osterhout, Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Dawn Geary
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Publication number: 20030206411Abstract: High-brightness LEDs, combined with a processor for control, can produce a variety of pleasing effects for display and illumination. A system disclosed herein uses high-brightness, processor-controlled LEDs in combination with diffuse materials to produce color-changing effects. The systems described herein may be usefully employed to bring autonomous color-changing ability and effects to a variety of consumer products and other household items. The system may also include sensors so that the illumination of the LEDs might change in response to environmental conditions or a user input. Additionally, the system may include an interface to a network, so that the illumination of the LEDs may be controlled via the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Michael K. Blackwell, Alfred Ducharme, Ralph Osterhout, Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Dawn Geary
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Patent number: 6608453Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computer-based control of light sources and other devices in a networked lighting system. Conventional light sources may be controlled in combination with LED-based (e.g., variable color) light sources to provide enhanced lighting effects for a variety of space-illumination applications (e.g., residential, office/workplace, retail, commercial, industrial, and outdoor environments). Individual light sources or groups of light sources may be controlled independently of one another based on data transported throughout the network. In one example, one or more other controllable devices (e.g., various actuators, such as relays, switches, motors, etc.) and/or sensors (e.g., heat, light, sound/pressure, or motion sensors) also may be coupled to the network to facilitate automated lighting applications based on a variety of feedback stimuli.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Frederick Morgan, Alfred Ducharme, Brian Chemel, Robert Laszewski, Kevin Dowling