Abstract: Embodiments are directed to optics, light modules with such optics, and methods of assembling such light modules such that the optics are attached and sealed directly to a printed circuit board, thereby eliminating the need for gaskets and a frame and reducing the number of component parts of the light module. In some embodiments, the optics are discrete optics that can each be attached to the printed circuit board independent of the other optics.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism has an opto-luminescent phosphor contained within the vapor chamber of the mechanism. The housing includes a section that is thermally conductive and a member that is at least partially optically transmissive, to allow emission of light produced by excitation of the phosphor. A working fluid also is contained within the chamber. The pressure within the chamber configures the working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the lighting device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location at or near at least a portion of the opto-luminescent phosphor as the working fluid absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. Also, the working fluid is in direct contact with or contains at least a portion of the opto-luminescent phosphor.

Abstract: A sign having selectable spectral characteristics of visible light produced by combining selected amounts of light energy of different wavelengths from different sources in a diffusion chamber. The signs exhibit diffuse reflectivity to provide light having uniform intensity and illumination.

Abstract: Disclosed examples of printed circuit boards for lighting systems have identical LED landing zones printed on the board. Each zone includes at least two sets of LED contact pads. One pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a first structural type, e.g. from a first product line or manufacturer. The other pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a second type, e.g. from a different product line or manufacturer. The layout may enable an easy system re-design, e.g. to shift from one type of LED to another. Alternatively, the layout may enable one system to use LEDs of the two different types in a single LED set or array. Exemplary systems disclosed herein include an element for mixing light produced by LEDs mounted to the landing zones, such as an optical integrating cavity.

Abstract: A system to provide visible lighting of a selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity to combine light of different wavelengths from different sources. Sources of light of different wavelengths, typically different color LEDs, supply light into the interior of the cavity. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined light. Modulation of the light sources, e.g. pulse width modulation of LED drive currents, controls the amount of each light wavelength supplied to the cavity and thus the amount included in the combined output through the aperture and any associated optical processing element. Examples are also disclosed that utilize phosphor doping of one or more of the system's reflective elements, to add desired wavelengths of light to the combined output.

Abstract: A signage system to provide advertising and the like. In a first example, the sign includes a cavity in a housing with a diffusely reflective interior surface at the back of the housing and a sign panel at the front of the housing with an aperture for allowing emission of light from the cavity. In still another example, the sign is a channel letter with a clear or translucent sign panel and with light sources mounted on a shelf facing the back of the housing. The light sources preferably use LED's or other solid state devices. Where the light sources emit multiple wavelengths, control of the intensity of emission of the LED light sources determines a spectral characteristic of the light output through the aperture.

Abstract: A light fixture converts source light from one or more solid state light emitting elements to a virtual light source output. An optical element receives and diffuses light from the solid state emitters to form a processed light for the virtual source output. The optical element forms light that is relatively uniform, for example having a substantially Lambertian distribution and/or having a maximum-to-minimum intensity ratio of 2 to 1 or less over the optical area of the virtual source. In the examples, the diffuse optical processing element comprises a cavity having at least one diffusely reflective surface, and the emitting elements supply light into the cavity at locations that result in reflection and diffusion before emission through an aperture of the cavity. The aperture or a downstream processing element appears as the virtual source of the processed light from the cavity.

Abstract: A light fixture, using one or more solid state light emitting elements, provides an unpixelated light output. An optical element receives and diffuses light from the solid state emitters to form a processed light for output via an optical output area of the fixture. The optical element forms light that is relatively uniform, for example having a substantially Lambertian distribution and/or having a maximum-to-minimum intensity ratio of 2 to 1 or less over the optical output area. In the examples, the optical element comprises a cavity having at least one diffusely reflective surface, and the emitting elements supply light into the cavity at locations not visible through an aperture of the cavity that forms the optical output area. Hence, light from the emitting element(s) is diffusely reflected one or more times within the cavity before emission as part of the uniform light output through the aperture.

Abstract: A light fixture, using one or more solid state light emitting elements utilizes a diffusely reflect chamber to provide a virtual source of uniform output light, at an aperture or at a downstream optical processing element of the system. Systems disclosed herein also include a detector, which detects electromagnetic energy from the area intended to be illuminated by the system, of a wavelength absent from a spectrum of the combined light system output. A system controller is responsive to the signal from the detector. The controller typically may control one or more aspects of operation of the solid state light emitter(s), such as system ON-OFF state or system output intensity or color. Examples are also discussed that use the detection signal for other purposes, e.g. to capture data that may be carried on electromagnetic energy of the wavelength sensed by the detector.

Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources.

Abstract: A system provides white light having a selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color temperature) using an optical integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources with white light. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined light. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of primary color light of each wavelength added to the substantially white input light output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the white light output through the aperture. A variety of different elements may optically process the combined light output, such a deflector, a variable iris, a lens, a variable focusing lens system, a collimator, a holographic diffuser and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system provides light of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light), for luminous applications such as signage and indicator lights. An optical integrating cavity combines energy of different wavelengths from different sources, typically different-color LEDs. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined light. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of light in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the light output through the aperture. A deflector shaped like a number, character, letter, or other symbol, may be coupled to a similarly shaped aperture. By combining several such fixtures, it is possible to spell out words and phrases, with selectable color lighting. Disclosed fixture examples use an extruded body member with appropriately located reflective surfaces, to form both the cavity and deflector.

Abstract: An exemplary system to provide visible lighting of a selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity or other diffuse mixing element to combine light of different colors from different color LEDs. Amplitude modulation of pulsed operation the light sources, e.g. pulse amplitude modulation added to a baseline forward bias current for each of the LEDs, controls the amount of each light color supplied to the diffuse mixing element and thus the amount included in the combined light output of the system. A color sensor may provide feedback as to a color characteristic of the combined light, for closed-loop control of one or more of the pulse amplitude modulations. Examples are also disclosed that utilize phosphor doping of one or more of the system's reflective elements, to add desired wavelengths of light to the combined output.

Abstract: A desired color of illumination of a subject is achieved by determining settings for color inputs and applying those setting to one or more systems that generate and mix colors of light, so as to provide combined light of the desired character. In the examples of appropriate systems, an optical integrating cavity diffusely reflects light of three or more colors, and combined light emerging from an aperture of the cavity illuminates the subject. System settings for amounts of the different colors of the input lights are easily recorded for reuse or for transfer and use in other systems.

Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources.

Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the cavity. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the radiant energy output through the aperture. A variety of different elements may optically process the combined light output, such a deflector, a variable iris, a lens, a variable focusing lens system, a collimator, a holographic diffuser and combinations thereof. Such systems are useful in various luminous applications as well as various illumination applications.

Abstract: To improve semiconductor-based systems for generating white light, a phosphor is integrated into a reflective material of an external structure. A disclosed exemplary system, for luminance or illumination applications, utilizes an energy source package, for emitting radiant energy of a first wavelength. The package typically contains an LED or other semiconductor device. A reflector outside the package has a reflective surface arranged to receive radiant energy from the energy source. At least some of the received radiant energy of the first wavelength excites one or more phosphors doped within the reflector to emit visible light, including visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength. At least some of visible light emitted by the phosphor is reflected by the reflective surface of the reflector and directed to facilitate the particular humanly perceptible luminance or illumination application.

Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the cavity. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the radiant energy output through the aperture. A variety of different elements may optically process the combined light output, such a deflector, a variable iris, a lens, a variable focusing lens system, a collimator, a holographic diffuser and combinations thereof. Such systems are useful in various luminous applications as well as various illumination applications.

Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources.