Patents by Inventor Gerard Harbers

Gerard Harbers 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).

  • Patent number: 9835295
    Abstract: An illumination module includes a light mixing cavity with an interior surface area and window that are physically separated from an LED. A portion of the window is coated with a first wavelength converting material and a portion of the interior surface area is coated with a second wavelength converting material. The window may be coated with LuAG:Ce. The window may also be coated with a third wavelength converting material with a peak emission wavelength between 615-655 nm where the spectral response of light emitted from the window is within 20% of a blackbody radiator at the same CCT. The LED may emit a light that is converted by the light mixing cavity with a color conversion efficiency ratio greater than 130 lm/W where the light mixing cavity includes two photo-luminescent materials with a peak emission wavelengths between 508-528 nm and 615-655 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Raghuram L. V. Petluri
  • Patent number: 9797587
    Abstract: An electrical interface module (EIM) is provided between an LED illumination device and a light fixture. The EIM includes an arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to an LED illumination device and a second arrangement of contacts that are adapted to be coupled to the light fixture and may include a power converter. Additionally, an LED selection module may be included to selectively turn on or off LEDs. A communication port may be included to transmit information associated with the LED illumination device, such as identification, indication of lifetime, flux, etc. The lifetime of the LED illumination device may be measured and communicated, e.g., by an RF signal, IR signal, wired signal or by controlling the light output of the LED illumination device. An optic that is replaceably mounted to the LED illumination device may include, e.g., a flux sensor that is connected to the electrical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Gregory W. Eng, Christopher R. Reed, Peter K. Tseng, John S. Yriberri
  • Patent number: 9788397
    Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode (LED) based illumination device may include a Light Control and Data Interface Module (LCDIM). The LCDIM may include an LED driver that supplies electrical power to the LED based light engine of the LED based illumination module. The LCDIM may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter that communicates a signal indicative of an operational status of the LED based light engine to another device on a wireless communications network using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising packet. Additionally, in a lighting control system, a light control device may include a RF transmitter to communicate a signal indicative of a lighting control command to the LCDIM using a BLE advertising packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Emil Mueller, Barry Mark Loveridge, Jeffrey P. Hushley, Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 9781798
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device includes a plurality of LEDs that emit light through an output port of a housing. The LED based illumination device includes a heat sink that is in thermal contact with the plurality of LEDs. A peripheral electrical circuit board is configured to be contained within the housing, e.g., surrounding at least a portion of the heat sink. The peripheral electrical circuit board may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate data between the LED based illumination device and another electronic device. A primary electrical circuit board may be electrically coupled to the peripheral electrical circuit board and electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge, Martin Emil Mueller, Peter K. Tseng, Warren A. Kartadinata
  • Patent number: 9781799
    Abstract: A reflector housing is detachably coupled to an LED based illumination device and includes a flange having a surface facing the environment illuminated by the LED based illumination device. The reflector housing further includes a reflector having an input port that receives light emitted from the LED based illumination device and an output port through which light passes toward the environment. At least one sensor, such as a sensor for occupancy, an ambient light, a temperature, ultrasound, vibration, pressure, or a camera, microphone, visual indicator, or photodetector, is coupled to the flange such that at least a portion of the sensor faces the environment illuminated by the LED based illumination device. A reflector interface module configured to receive at least one signal from the sensor is coupled to the reflector housing. Additionally, a communications interface subsystem is configured to transmit and receive communications signals to and from the reflector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge, Peter K. Tseng, John S. Yriberri
  • Publication number: 20170164453
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device includes a receiver and a transmitter for communications adhering to a lighting control communications protocol and a high speed communications protocol. The LED based illumination device may be part of a lighting control network, wherein the data transmission rate of the high speed communications protocol is more than twice that of the lighting control communications protocol. The lighting control network may be coupled to a digital communications gateway, including a digital communications interface configured to be coupled to a network operating in accordance with an internet protocol and a lighting control network interface coupled to the lighting control network. A processor determines a summary status value of the LED based illumination device based on information stored in memory of the digital communications gateway. The digital communications gateway may periodically transmit the time of day to the LED based illumination device over the lighting control network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge
  • Publication number: 20170150583
    Abstract: A multi-port communications gateway for one or more LED based illumination devices includes a lighting communications interface that is configured to be coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). The lighting communications interface transmits both data signals and power signals. A lighting control network interface is configured to be coupled to a lighting control system, which generates control commands. A building management network interface is configured to be coupled to a building management system and is configured to receive and transmit information from sensors coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). Memory in the gateway stores information received from the LED based illumination device (s). A processor determines a summary status value associated with the LED based illumination device(s) based on information stored in memory. A real time clock determines a date and time that is periodically transmitted to the LED based illumination device(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers
  • Publication number: 20170117963
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diode (LED) based illumination devices in a lighting communications network may be commissioned into a group with a mobile electronics device, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, etc. The identities of a plurality of LED illumination devices are determined and a request is communicated to the identified LED based illumination devices to modulate emitted light for a period of time. The modulated light is detected by the mobile electronics device, which may then determine a group of the LED based illumination devices. For example, the detected intensity of the modulated light may be used to determine the group. In another example, the physical locations of the LED based illumination devices are determined by detecting a sequence of images (e.g., video) of the modulated light, and the group may be determined based on the locations of the LED based illumination devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Emil Mueller, Barry Mark Loveridge, Jeffrey P. Hushley, Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 9631782
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in a rectangular light mixing cavity mounted above the LEDs and configured to mix and color convert light emitted from the LEDs. The long sidewall surfaces of the rectangular light mixing cavity are coated with a first type of wavelength converting material while the short sidewall surfaces reflect incident light without color conversion. The output window that is above and separated from the LEDs is coated with a second type of wavelength converting material. The light mixing cavity may include a replaceable, reflective insert that includes a non-metallic, diffuse reflective layer backed by a second reflective layer. Additionally, the LEDs may be mounted on raised pads on a mounting board. The light mixing cavity may include a bottom reflector with holes wherein the raised pads elevate the LEDs above the top surface of the bottom reflector through the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Kelly C. McGroddy, Christopher R. Reed
  • Publication number: 20170097126
    Abstract: An illumination module includes a color conversion cavity with multiple interior surfaces, such as sidewalls and an output window. A shaped reflector is disposed above a mounting board upon which are mounted LEDs. The shaped reflector includes a first plurality of reflective surfaces that preferentially direct light emitted from a first LED to a first interior surface of the color conversion cavity and a second plurality of reflective surfaces that preferentially direct light emitted from a second LED to a second interior surface. The illumination module may further include a second color conversion cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers
  • Publication number: 20170074468
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device include a plurality of LEDS mounted to mounting board and includes a transmissive plate disposed above the LEDs. The transmissive plate includes an amount of wavelength converting material configured to change a wavelength of an amount of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs. A base reflector structure is coupled to the LED mounting board and the transmissive plate between at least two of the LEDs. In another configuration, a dam of reflective material surrounds the LEDs and is coupled to the LED mounting board and the transmissive plate, while a dam of thermally conductive material surrounds the dam of reflective material. In another configuration, the LED mounting board has a protrusion of thermally conductive material that surrounds the LEDs and is coupled to the transmissive plate, and has a void on the side opposite the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Tyler Robin Kakuda, Serge J. A. Bierhuizen, Stefan Eberle
  • Patent number: 9596737
    Abstract: A multi-port communications gateway for one or more LED based illumination devices includes a lighting communications interface that is configured to be coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). The lighting communications interface transmits both data signals and power signals. A lighting control network interface is configured to be coupled to a lighting control system, which generates control commands. A building management network interface is configured to be coupled to a building management system and is configured to receive and transmit information from sensors coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). Memory in the gateway stores information received from the LED based illumination device (s). A processor determines a summary status value associated with the LED based illumination device(s) based on information stored in memory. A real time clock determines a date and time that is periodically transmitted to the LED based illumination device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 9591726
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device includes a receiver and a transmitter for communications adhering to a lighting control communications protocol and a high speed communications protocol. The LED based illumination device may be part of a lighting control network, wherein the data transmission rate of the high speed communications protocol is more than twice that of the lighting control communications protocol. The lighting control network may be coupled to a digital communications gateway, including a digital communications interface configured to be coupled to a network operating in accordance with an internet protocol and a lighting control network interface coupled to the lighting control network. A processor determines a summary status value of the LED based illumination device based on information stored in memory of the digital communications gateway. The digital communications gateway may periodically transmit the time of day to the LED based illumination device over the lighting control network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge
  • Patent number: 9585224
    Abstract: Multiple colors of light emitted by an assembled light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device is automatically tuned to within a predefined tolerance of multiple target color points by modifying portions of wavelength converting materials associated with each color. A first color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device in response to a first current is measured and a second color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device in response to a second current is measured. A material modification plan to modify wavelength converting materials is determined based at least in part on the measured colors of light and desired colors of light to be emitted. The wavelength converting materials may be selectively modified in accordance with the material modification plan so that the assembled LED based illumination device emits colors of light that are within a predetermined tolerance of target color points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 9581300
    Abstract: An illumination module includes a color conversion cavity with a first interior surface having a first wavelength converting material and a second interior surface having a second wavelength converting material. A first LED is configured to receive a first current and to emit light that preferentially illuminates the first interior surface. A second LED is configured to receive a second current and emit light that preferentially illuminates the second interior surface. The first current and the second current are selectable to achieve a range of correlated color temperature (CCT) of light output by the LED based illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Serge J. A. Bierhuizen, Hong Luo
  • Patent number: 9557017
    Abstract: A light emitting diode module is produced using at least one LED and at least two selectable components that form a light mixing chamber. First and second selectable components have first and second types of wavelength converting materials with different wavelength converting characteristics. The first and second wavelength converting characteristics alter the spectral power distribution of the light produced by the LED to produce light with a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. Moreover, a set of LED modules may be produced such that each LED module has the same color point within a predetermined tolerance. The LED module may be produced by pre-measuring the wavelength converting characteristics of the different components selecting components with wavelength converting characteristics that convert the spectral power distribution of the LED to a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Peter K. Tseng, Christopher R. Reed
  • Patent number: 9528663
    Abstract: An optical element that may be replaceably mounted to an LED based illumination device. The optical element includes a hollow shell reflector and a plurality of annular shell elements disposed within the hollow shell reflector at different distances from the input port of the optical element. An annular shell element that is closer to the input port of the optical element has a radius that is less than the radius of an annular shell element farther from the input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Yriberri, Christopher R. Reed, Jim W. Li, Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 9528666
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device include a plurality of LEDS mounted to mounting board and includes a transmissive plate disposed above the LEDs. The transmissive plate includes an amount of wavelength converting material configured to change a wavelength of an amount of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs. A base reflector structure is coupled to the LED mounting board and the transmissive plate between at least two of the LEDs. In another configuration, a dam of reflective material surrounds the LEDs and is coupled to the LED mounting board and the transmissive plate, while a dam of thermally conductive material surrounds the dam of reflective material. In another configuration, the LED mounting board has a protrusion of thermally conductive material that surrounds the LEDs and is coupled to the transmissive plate, and has a void on the side opposite the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Tyler Robin Kakuda, Serge J. A. Bierhuizen, Stefan Eberle
  • Publication number: 20160359563
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device transmits information by receiving an amount of digital data and modulating a color of light emitted from the LED based illumination device based on the digital data. The luminous flux of the emitted light remains approximately constant while the color of light varies. A receiver may receive the emitted light and demodulate a signal indicative of the color of emitted light to determine the digital data. The color of the light may be modulated by varying current provided to different LEDs, where the different LEDs cause different color of light to be emitted from the LED based illumination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Bary Mark Loveridge
  • Publication number: 20160360591
    Abstract: Multiple colors of light emitted by an assembled light emitting diode (LED) based illumination device is automatically tuned to within a predefined tolerance of multiple target color points by modifying portions of wavelength converting materials associated with each color. A first color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device in response to a first current is measured and a second color of light emitted from the assembled LED based illumination device in response to a second current is measured. A material modification plan to modify wavelength converting materials is determined based at least in part on the measured colors of light and desired colors of light to be emitted. The wavelength converting materials may be selectively modified in accordance with the material modification plan so that the assembled LED based illumination device emits colors of light that are within a predetermined tolerance of target color points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: Gerard Harbers