Patents by Inventor George G. Mueller
George G. Mueller 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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Patent number: 7344279Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing active and passive thermal or cooling facilities for LED lighting systems, including radiating and convective thermal facilities, including fans, phase change materials, conductive polymers, potting compounds, vents, ducts, and other thermal facilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.Inventors: George G. Mueller, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Edward Nortrup
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Patent number: 7308296Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for illuminating body part with LED system. A system includes a LED system, a medical instrument and a microprocessor. The LED system is adapted to generate a variable color radiation. The medical instrument is adapted for positioning the LED system in proximity to the body part to illuminate the body part. The microprocessor is adapted to control at least one electrical current supplied to the LED system to vary a color of the variable color radiation. Exemplary systems may be particularly configured and suitable for use in medical applications, including diagnostic, surgical, forensic, and therapeutic interventions.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Ihor Lys, George G. Mueller, Frederick Marshall Morgan
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Patent number: 7300192Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for preparing signs and displays. The methods and systems include using a light engine for generating light of a plurality of colors to illuminate the body of a flexible conduit that receives light from the light engine. The conduit can be used as a sign, display, or similar lighting facility in many applications that traditionally used neon signs and displays.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George G. Mueller, Kevin J. Dowling, Ihor A. Lys, Charles H. Cella
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Patent number: 7274160Abstract: Illumination methods and apparatus, in which a first number of first light sources are adapted to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and a second number of second light sources are adapted to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. In one example, the first number of the first light sources and the second number of the second light sources are different. In another example, a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation are independently controlled so as to controllably vary at least an overall perceivable color of generated visible radiation. In yet another example, a first control signal controls all of the first light sources substantially identically, and a second control signal controls all of the second light sources substantially identically.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
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Patent number: 7255457Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Alfred D. Ducharme, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller
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Patent number: 7248239Abstract: A color-changing device which includes an enclosure at least a portion of which is material which is desired to change color. There is also included an illumination device, such as an LED or collection of LEDs which can illuminate the material. There can also be included a controller which can take some form of input, such as from a network, or a sensor, and can convert that input into a signal to control the illumination. There is also included a method for performing such color change.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
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Patent number: 7221104Abstract: Linear lighting systems and methods. In one example, two or more lighting elements having an essentially linear or curvilinear shape are coupled together to form a lighting system. Each lighting element includes a group of LEDs arranged so as to illuminate the essentially linear or curvilinear shape of the lighting element. Each element may include LEDs to generate the same color light, and/or LEDs to generate light of different colors. Additionally, each element may include one or more controllers to control the LEDs so as to create a variety of temporal and/or color-oriented lighting effects. The controller(s) may employ one or more of a variety of control techniques to control the LEDs, such as those involving analog control signals or pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signals. The lighting elements of the system may each be configured as a “stand alone” unit working within the system, producing respective lighting effects that may or may not be coordinated with each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Ihor A. Lys, George G. Mueller, Frederick M. Morgan, Michael K. Blackwell
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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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Patent number: 7187141Abstract: Methods and apparatus for illumination of liquids in a variety of environments. In one example, multi-color LED-based light sources are employed to achieve a wide range of enhanced lighting effects in liquids. In another example, a pool or spa is illuminated by one or more multi-color light sources that may be employed as individually and independently controllable devices, or coupled together to form a networked lighting system to provide a variety of programmable and/or coordinated color illumination effects in the pool or spa environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George G. Mueller, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling
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Patent number: 7180252Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating at least one variable color lighting effect over at least a two-dimensional observation area. In various examples, at least first radiation having a first spectrum and second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum are generated from a plurality of LEDs. One or more geometric panels are disposed with respect to the LEDs so as to at least partially diffuse the first radiation and the second radiation to provide a mixed spectrum when both the first radiation and the second radiation are generated. A first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation are independently controlled at a plurality of graduated intensities from a minimum intensity to a maximum intensity so as to generate a variety of dynamic lighting effects over one or more two-dimensional observations areas covered by the one or more geometric panels.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Ihor Lys, George G. Mueller
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Patent number: 7161313Abstract: Various exemplary implementations of light emitting diode (LED) based illumination products and methods are disclosed including, but not limited to, glow sticks, key chains, toys, balls, various game accessories, light bulbs, night lights, wall lights, wall switches, wall sockets, wall panels, modular lights, flexible lights, automotive lights, wearable accessories, light ropes, decorative lights such as icicles and icicle strings, light tubes, insect control lights and methods, and lighted air fresheners/scent dispensers. Any of the foregoing devices may be equipped with various types of user interfaces (both “local” and “remote”) to control light generated from the device. Additionally, devices may be controlled via light control information or programs stored in device memory and/or transmitted or downloaded to the devices (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
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Patent number: 7161311Abstract: Apparatus and systems including one or more first LEDs, each first LED configured to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and one or more second LEDs, each second LED configured to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. A diffuser is employed to blend the first radiation and the second radiation, when generated, so as to provide a uniform color of light having a visible spectrum based on a combination of the first spectrum and the second spectrum. One or more controllers are configured to control the first LED(s) and the second LED(s) such that visible light provided by the diffuser is perceived as one or more colors. In different aspects, the apparatus/systems may be configured to generate white light and/or multicolor light, may be formed to resemble conventional light bulbs, and may be arranged as a linear chain of nodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
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Patent number: 7132804Abstract: Track lighting methods and apparatus. In various examples, power and data are provided to a plurality of lighting fixtures via at least one pair of essentially rigid electrically conductive tracks that are mechanically coupled to an essentially rigid linear or curvilinear-shaped housing. The plurality of lighting fixtures includes at least one LED-based lighting fixture mechanically coupled to the housing, electrically coupled to the at least one pair of electrically conductive tracks, and configured to be responsive to the data.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Ihor A. Lys, George G. Mueller
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Patent number: 7042172Abstract: A lighting system associated with a machine vision system. The machine vision system may direct lighting control commands to the lighting system to change the illumination conditions provided to an object. A vision system may also be provided and associated with the machine vision system such that the vision system views and captures an image(s) of the object when lit by the lighting system. The machine vision system may direct the lighting system to change the illumination conditions and then capture the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
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Patent number: 7038398Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of creating eye-catching displays by taking advantage of color-changing illumination provided by LED systems disclosed herein. Displays can be made to appear to change color or to move simply by changing the color of the light illuminating them. Also, the use of such light in projected is described. A vending machine, an article of clothing, and a container lit by these LED systems are specifically provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics, IncorporatedInventors: Ihor Lys, George G. Mueller, Michael K. Blackwell
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Patent number: 7031920Abstract: A system and method for the control of color-based lighting through voice control or speech recognition as well as a syntax for use with such a system. In this approach, the spoken voice (in any language) can be used to more naturally control effects without having to learn the myriad manipulation required of some complex controller interfaces. A simple control language based upon spoken words consisting of commands and values is constructed and used to provide a common base for lighting and system control.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller
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Patent number: 7014336Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating and/or modulating illumination conditions to generate high-quality light of a desired and controllable color, for creating lighting fixtures for producing light in desirable and reproducible colors, and for modifying the color temperature or color shade of light within a prespecified range after a lighting fixture is constructed. In one embodiment, LED lighting units capable of generating light of a range of colors are used to provide light or supplement ambient light to afford lighting conditions suitable for a wide range of applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Alfred D. Ducharme, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller
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Patent number: 6967448Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling illumination. In one example, one or more multi-color light sources are controlled based on one or more interruptions of power supplied to the light source(s). In another example, a pool or spa is illuminated by one or more multi-color light sources that may be employed as individually and independently controllable devices that may be controlled based on one or more interruptions in power. In another example, the selection of a particular illumination program for such light sources (e.g., by one or more interruptions in power) is indicated to a user via the radiation generated by the light sources.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Color Kinetics, IncorporatedInventors: Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, George G. Mueller, Kevin J. Dowling, Timothy Holmes, John Warwick
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Patent number: 6965205Abstract: Various exemplary implementations of light emitting diode (LED) based illumination products and methods are disclosed including, but not limited to, glow sticks, key chains, toys, balls, various game accessories, light bulbs, night lights, wall lights, wall switches, wall sockets, wall panels, modular lights, flexible lights, automotive lights, wearable accessories, light ropes, decorative lights such as icicles and icicle strings, light tubes, insect control lights and methods, and lighted air fresheners/scent dispensers. Any of the foregoing devices may be equipped with various types of user interfaces (both “local” and “remote”) to control light generated from the device. Additionally, devices may be controlled via light control information or programs stored in device memory and/or transmitted or downloaded to the devices (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
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Patent number: 6936978Abstract: Methods and apparatus for remotely controlled illumination of liquids in a variety of environments. In one example, remotely controlled multi-color LED-based light sources are employed to achieve a wide range of enhanced lighting effects in liquids. In another example, a pool or spa is illuminated by one or more remotely controlled multicolor light sources that may be employed as individually and independently controllable devices, or coupled together to form a remotely controlled networked lighting system to provide a variety of programmable and/or coordinated color illumination effects in the pool or spa environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Color Kinetics IncorporatedInventors: Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, George G. Mueller, Kevin J. Dowling, Timothy Holmes, John Warwick