With Radiant Energy Sensitive Control Means Patents (Class 315/149)
  • Patent number: 7733035
    Abstract: An electronic power supply device is provided for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which employs electronic control to maintain the LEDs within the rated ranges of current, voltage and temperature and provides the LEDs with extremely stable current, voltage and temperature. Meanwhile, the power supply device is effective in confining the LEDs within the rated ranges of voltage, current, and temperature so that the excellent electronics protection and design of logic device realized by the power supply device effectively overcomes aging/deterioration of LEDs caused by exceeding voltage and current and burning out due to exceeding temperature and also effectively pushes the rated current and voltage of a (low-power) LED module toward the maximum values to provide the greatest luminous efficiency for upgrading the applications of the LEDs to the primary grade of lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Hao-Chin Pai, Li-Teh Chen, Siang-Hsiung Chen, Min-Yung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20100134021
    Abstract: This invention relates to assemblies used as night lights and contains certain embodiments that improve, add features, and/or lower the cost of the type of momentary night light defined by U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: John Alfred Ayres
  • Patent number: 7728295
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring properties of gases and plasmas, and surface and sub-surface properties of materials, is disclosed. A laser beam is focused at a desired region within a gas, plasma, or material (e.g., solid or liquid) to be analyzed, generating an ionized sample region or a localized, enhanced free carrier region. A beam of microwave radiation is directed toward the ionized sample region or the free carrier region, and the microwave radiation is scattered. The scattered microwave radiation is received by a microwave receiver, and is processed by a microwave detection system to determine properties of the gas, plasma, or material, including surface and sub-surface properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Richard B. Miles, Arthur Dogariu, Alexander Goltsov, Mikhail N. Shneider, Zhili Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100127627
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for guarding against unintended exposure to light from a light-emitting device used to direct light to a subject for detection by a light detector. A sensor signal indicative of light detected by the light detector is sampled. An inhibition signal for inhibiting emission of light from the light-emitting device is generated, based at least in part on whether emitted light is expected from the light-emitting device and the comparison of the sampled sensor signal value to a threshold value. The light-emitting device may be monitored for continuous wave operation. A mechanical interlock may be provided having a guard moveable between closed and open positions respectively to cover and expose a port of the light-emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: URODYNAMIX TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Qichao Zhu, Phaik Sun Koay, Luya Li
  • Publication number: 20100117542
    Abstract: A LED light pipe ornament assembly includes a light emitting diode, a light pipe and a translucent silicone ornament mounted on the light type to radiate light received from the light pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Vickie Jean's Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria Jean Van Dyn Hoven
  • Publication number: 20100117541
    Abstract: A lighting device having a built-in driver circuitry is provided. The object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device having a built-in driver circuitry for driving the lighting in order to be installed in existing lighting fixtures and for driving the lighting. The lighting device comprises at least one fluorescent lamp and a built-in driver circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Landry Gray, Po Ming Tsai
  • Publication number: 20100118148
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is provided, including an adapter that converts alternating power into driving power; a communication unit connected to the adapter and configured to communicate with a remote controller; a controller connected to the communication unit and configured to generate a control signal according to a control command from the communication unit; and a light emitting device illumination part configured to be connected detachably and electrically to the adapter, comprising a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light according to the driving power and the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Young Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 7714699
    Abstract: A wireless control is provided for a lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, controlled by a ballast with a wireless control interface for RF communication. The receiver input and the transmitter output of the control interface module are connected to one or more electrode wires by a coupling capacitor(s) or a Lecher line transformer. During operation the lamp electrodes serve as the lamp antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Hendrik Wessels
  • Patent number: 7714521
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved digital luminance controlling system, which can control the luminous intensity of an illuminating apparatus by choosing the number of the ignited luminaries. It optimizes the number of the ignited luminaries according to the different contribution rate of each luminary to the general luminous intensity to reduce the power consumption. By properly adjusting the sampling frequency of the luminous intensity of the circumstance, this invention could decrease the operating frequency of the luminance controlling system, thereby to further reduce the power consumption. This invention also provides a analog type of the luminance controlling system, which consists of a optical sensing apparatus, a analog type of the luminance controlling apparatus and a set of optical source and can realize a real time luminance adjustment, to reduce the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Xuecheng Qian
  • Publication number: 20100109535
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) module, a detecting circuit and a control circuit. The light-emitting diode module receives a variable voltage. The detecting circuit detects a light state of the light-emitting diode module and then outputs a control signal. The control circuit is electrically connected to the light-emitting diode module and adjusts the amount and/or the light state of the on-state light-emitting diodes in the light-emitting diode module in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Chung-Jyh Lin
  • Patent number: 7710050
    Abstract: A novel and advantageous power supply is disclosed for lighting systems employing semiconductor light sources where the semiconductor light sources are connected in series. The power supply includes a constant current source to supply current to the semiconductor light sources and a bypass switch is provided around each semiconductor light source, or each sub-string of series connected semiconductor light sources. By opening or closing respective bypass switches, individual semiconductor light sources or sub-strings of semiconductor light sources can be illuminated or extinguished as desired. If the bypass switches are electrically controllable, such as semiconductor switches or relays, failures of one or more semiconductor light sources can be determined by the power supply and failed light sources can be bypassed and/or redundant semiconductor elements illuminated to replace failed light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc
    Inventors: Nigel Ashley Preston, Jamie A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20100083555
    Abstract: An auto light intensity adjustment system is provided. The auto light intensity adjustment system includes a light sensing unit, a charge/discharge circuit, a comparator unit and a light source module. The light sensing unit outputs a sensing signal according to an ambient light intensity detected thereby. The charge/discharge circuit is coupled to the light sensing unit for receiving the sensing signal, and generating a voltage signal with regular variation periods according to the sensing signal. The comparator unit compares the voltage signal to a threshold value signal, and outputs a result signal accordingly. The light source module modifies a light intensity according to the result signal. The invention automatically controls the light intensity according to the ambient light intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tung-Ching Chen, Shang-Yung Liang
  • Publication number: 20100072899
    Abstract: A system and/or a method reads, measures and/or controls intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). The system and/or the method have a light intensity detector adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and/or the LED for measuring and/or for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing surrounds the light detector and/or the LED. The housing has a pathway that allows only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The LED has a finish and/or a coating that eliminates and/or retards absorption of light by internal components of the LED. The finish and/or the coating eliminates and/or retards reflection of the light by the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Bradley W. Engstrand
  • Publication number: 20100060674
    Abstract: A light-emitting element driving circuit (10) comprises a luminosity determining unit (70) which determines luminosity, outputs a luminosity determination result, and outputs brightness change information, a brightness setting unit (60) which outputs brightness setting information and outputs brightness change information, a light-emitting element driving unit (40) which drives a light-emitting element with a current of a current value corresponding to the brightness setting information, a detecting and comparing unit (50) which compares a terminal voltage of the light-emitting element and a predetermined voltage, a voltage boost determining unit (30) which determines whether or not a terminal voltage of the light-emitting element is to be boosted based on at least one of the luminosity change information and the brightness change information, and a voltage boosting circuit section (20) which boosts the terminal voltage of the light-emitting element when it is determined that the voltage is to be boosted and
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicants: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., SANYO SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoshi Yoshida, Nobuyuki Ohtaka
  • Publication number: 20100060562
    Abstract: A method is provided of compensating for stray light in a light sensor having a detection photosensor (7) and a reference photosensor (20), the reference photosensor (7) being for use in compensating for stray light falling on the detection photosensor (20). The method comprises using the reference photosensor (20) at least in part to determine a bias voltage applied to the detection photosensor (7). Based on this method, a display device is provided comprising a backlight and a light sensor for determining an ambient light level with the effects of stray light from the backlight substantially removed, with means provided for controlling the intensity of the backlight in dependence upon the determined ambient light level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Benjamin James Hadwen, Christopher James Brown, Michael Paul Coulson, Patrick Zebedee
  • Patent number: 7675249
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a drive apparatus for a backlight unit (20) in which plural LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements are cascade-connected every three primary colors, which comprises a signal generating unit (44) for generating a signal having an arbitrary amplitude, an adjustment unit (50) for adjusting light emission quantities of groups of LED elements (30) on the basis of the signal which has been generated by the signal generating unit (44), a voltage applying unit (41) for applying a predetermined voltage every the groups of LED elements (30), light emission quantity detecting units (33) for detecting quantities of rays of light which have been emitted from the groups of LED elements (30), calorific value detecting units (32) for detecting calorific values emitted from the groups of LED elements in accordance with the voltage which has been applied to the voltage applying unit (41), and a control unit (50) for controlling the signal generating unit (44) on the basis of light emission qua
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norimasa Furukawa, Hiroaki Ichikawa, Kenichi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20100052866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device, particularly a lighting tile (100, 100?) for paving e.g. a floor area (1), comprising a light emitting unit and an associated control unit. The control unit is adapted to detect the presence of a first nearby object (3) and to receive wireless signals from a second nearby object, for example from an RFID-tag (2) and/or an NFC-based device, carried by the first object (3). The lighting device may for instance be used in a method for guiding passengers through a public space like an airport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Achim Hilgers
  • Publication number: 20100052543
    Abstract: A portable electronic device capable of assuming an open configuration and a closed configuration comprises a primary light sensor and a secondary light sensor. When the portable electronic device is in the open configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the primary light sensor, and when the portable electronic device is in the closed configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the secondary light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric Gary MALO, Bergen Albert Fletcher, Ken Wu
  • Publication number: 20100052544
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit is disclosed. The PWM control circuit includes an adder summing up an input signal and a conversion signal to generate a summation signal, a quantizer quantizing the summation signal generated by the adder to output a quantization signal, a subtractor subtracting the summation signal from the quantization signal to output a subtraction signal, a filter filtering the subtraction signal to have a predetermined bandwidth to limit the frequency and converting the subtraction signal to provide the adder with the conversion signal, and a synchronization gate controlling the quantization signal by the gate signal inputted therein to output a PWM control signal having a same duty ratio as the quantization signal and a portion of which is off, and temporarily stopping an operation of the adder, the quantizer, the subtractor and the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Luminous LED Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Jeom Park, Soo Yeub Yoo
  • Patent number: 7671539
    Abstract: Systems for providing optical energy comprise an LED, a detector of optical energy, such as a photodiode, that measures the intensity of optical energy emitted by the light-emitting diode, and a controller. The controller adjusts the intensity of the optical energy emitted by the LED based on the intensity measurement provide by the photodiode, to maintain the intensity of the emitted optical energy at a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Mentzer, Nicholas P. Petrillo, Wayne A. Webb
  • Publication number: 20100045189
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. By selecting the plurality of OLED devices, or by selectively controlling the plurality of OLED devices, the color characteristics of the lighting system can be tuned. The lifetime of the lighting system can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Storch, Mathew Mathai, Glenn Thompson, Joseph Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20100045192
    Abstract: A method for driving a light source includes providing a first control voltage at a first level to a memory so that the memory performs a writing operation when an external control signal is received by a control voltage generating circuit, providing a second control voltage at a second level to the memory so that the memory prevents the writing operation when the external control signal is not received by the control voltage generating circuit, comparing a reference signal stored in the memory with a sensing signal based on an amount of light outputted from the light source to generate a driving signal, and providing the driving signal to the light source to compensate the amount of light outputted from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yo-Han LEE, Hyun-Seok HONG, Jin-Young OH
  • Publication number: 20100045187
    Abstract: A system drives one or plurality of LEDs, regulating their brightness by controlling LEDs average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a hysteretic peak current mode controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. For discontinuous mode of operation of the power converter a pulse averaging sliding mode control is being used. Average LED current is measured by integrating LED pulse current at off time and hysteretically adjusting on time of the power switch. Input battery is protected from discharging at abnormally low impedance of the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: EXCLARA INC.
    Inventors: Anatoly Shteynberg, Harry Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20100043264
    Abstract: The portable advertising system of the present invention comprises a body having a first end and a display support, at least one universal attachment system adapted for securing the body to a vehicle proximate the first end, at least one exterior wall arranged to display an advertisement, and the display support securing an illumination source directed towards the at least one exterior wall. The at least one exterior wall and the illumination source may be integrated into an electronic display unit. The at least one exterior wall may also be an advertising sheet composed of vinyl and the illumination source may be a plurality of light emitting diodes. The portable advertising system may include a railroad car arranged to receive the at least one universal attachment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Theodore C. Johnson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100045188
    Abstract: Adjusting a driving signal for a lighting device by obtaining a temperature of the lighting device, and adjusting at least one parameter of a conversion procedure depending on the obtained temperature. Further a set-point of a desired colour and/or brightness is converted into a set-point of colour sensor coordinates with the conversion procedure. The actual colour values of the lighting device are obtained, and the driving signal is adjusted based on a difference between the colour sensor coordinates set-point and the obtained colour values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Achim Hilgers, Christoph Martiny, Xiaoyan Zhu
  • Publication number: 20100026193
    Abstract: An LED module for backlighting a screen comprising at least one LED, (LR, LG1, LG2, LB), a sensor device for detecting at least one physical quantity, and a drive device for driving the at least one LED (LR, LG1, LG2, LB) depending on a signal from the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Peter NIEDERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20100026191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply device for light elements comprising a power supply unit (12), a first light element (30) having a first color, preferably white, a second and a third light element (34, 38) having second and third colors, preferably for tuning the color of the first light element, and a controllable switch (42) coupled in series to said third light element (38), wherein said series connection of said third light element (38) and said switch is arranged in parallel to said second light element (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Gunther Radermacher, Volkmar Schulz, Matthias Wendt
  • Publication number: 20100026192
    Abstract: A method of operating a photosensor comprising: applying a bias voltage to a photosensor (12) comprising n (n>1) photo-sensitive elements (8) connected in series, and determining the photocurrent in the photosensor (12) at a time when the applied bias voltage across the photosensor maintains the photosensor at or close to the point at which it has the greatest signal-to-noise ratio. This may conveniently be done by determining the current in the photosensor at a time when the applied bias voltage across the photosensor is equal or approximately equal to n×Vbi, where Vbi is the bias voltage about which the current in a single one of the photo-sensitive elements (8), in the dark, changes sign. In an embodiment in which the photo-sensitive elements (8) are photodiodes, the bias voltage Vbi is the “built-in” voltage of the photodiodes. The photocurrent generated when n series-connected photodiodes are illuminated is approximately equal to the photocurrent generated when one photodiode is illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin James Hadwen, Christopher James Brown
  • Patent number: 7656098
    Abstract: An improved brightness control apparatus of a light bulb module replaces a portion of a conventional light bulb module brightness control apparatus by a signal receiving circuit, an amplification circuit and a failure protection circuit to maintain an even brightness of light emitted by each light bulb of the light bulb module of a lamp, so that the brightness of the light bulbs in the light bulb module will not be too dark or even not lit. The signal receiving circuit is provided for connecting an external remote control device for controlling the light bulb module. If the control circuit fails, the failure protection device can maintain a temporary illumination and an overall aesthetic look of the lamp. When the control circuit is operated normally, the total power consumption of the light bulbs of the light bulb module can comply with the normal rated standard of illumination equipments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Teng-san Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100001653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a optical lighting device comprising several solid state light sources (2) and at least one optical sensor (4) arranged between the solid state light sources (2) in approximately the same plane. An optical deflection unit (5, 13) is mounted in front of the sensor (4) and designed to deflect light laterally emitted by the solid state light sources (2) to the optical sensor (4). The deflection unit (5, 13) is designed to inhibit the transmission of ambient light to the optical sensor (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Achim Hilgers
  • Publication number: 20100001652
    Abstract: A control unit for an illumination system, the system itself and the involved method to operate the system is presented. The control unit is operatively connected a light source illuminating substantially one cell of an area comprising at least two cells. The unit comprises means to monitor the cell for effects of interest. The unit comprises means to coordinate illumination measures with at least one corresponding control unit in at least one proximate cell by communicating with this corresponding control unit, preferably using a wireless communication method. The illumination measures can comprise adjusting light characteristics variably, setting the light source in a stand-by mode and switching off the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Willy Damsleth
  • Patent number: 7642494
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes: a light emitting device with one terminal connected to a power supply terminal; a voltage detector connected between the power supply terminal and a ground terminal; a driver circuit unit connected between an input terminal receiving a signal as input and the ground terminal; a first switch connected between another terminal of the light emitting device and the driver circuit unit; a second switch connected between the input terminal and the other terminal of the light emitting device; and a switch controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masaru Numano
  • Publication number: 20090322991
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a lighting unit includes a hot-cathode fluorescent lamp including a filament electrode that emits a thermoelectron, an optical sensor for detecting an electromagnetic wave emitted by the filament electrode, and a driving circuit for controlling the driving of the hot-cathode fluorescent lamp based on a detected result of the optical sensor. The arrangement makes it possible to provide a lighting unit that can promptly detect an abnormality caused in the hot-cathode fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7638956
    Abstract: To control chroma and brightness in a backlight module, a plurality of reference values of a plurality of monochromatic light beams are provided, and a brightness reference value is provided for the light formed of the monochromatic light beams. Then, a plurality of first light signals of the monochromatic light beams, and a second light signal of the light formed of the monochromatic light beams are sensed and compared with the reference values and the brightness reference value, respectively. Finally, the monochromatic light beams outputted by the plurality of LEDs is calibrated according to a comparison result of the plurality of first light signals with the plurality of reference values and a comparison result of the second light signal with the brightness reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Dah Liu, Yu-Chuan Wen, Chia-Hung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090315466
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a power supply unit, a switch unit, a bulb, a wireless unit, and a control unit. The power supply unit is for supplying power. The switch unit is for opening or closing a circuit between the power source unit and the bulb. The wireless unit is for receiving wireless signals from an external control device, and generating a first control signal when receiving the wireless signals. The control unit is for generating a close signal according to the first control signal. The switch unit closes the circuit between the power source unit and the bulb according to the close signal to enable the bulb to keep emitting light; and opens the circuit between the power source unit and the bulb if no receiving the close signal, thereby keeping the bulb extinguishing. A related control device for controlling the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HUNG-CHANG KO, SUO-BING SU, PO-WEI KUO, CHIH-YUAN YANG, WEN-CHUN CHEN, LI-CHENG CHIANG
  • Patent number: 7635958
    Abstract: The present invention includes a lighting control system provided with two or more lighting devices and one or more illumination comparing devices; wherein the illumination comparing device supplies to the lighting devices a comparison result in which a sampled illumination of an arbitrary position and a target illumination are compared; the two or more lighting devices carry out a judgment based on the comparison result obtained from the illumination comparing device and repetitively increase/decrease their respective light intensities; and the illumination of the arbitrary position is substantially controlled to the target illumination, and with this lighting control system, a predetermined position can be controlled to a desired illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Doshisha
    Inventor: Mitsunori Miki
  • Patent number: 7633232
    Abstract: A portable electronic light providing a light resembling a candle that can be turned off by blowing on the light or by generating other predetermined sounds. The electronic light comprises a sound sensor, one or more light emitting diodes, or LEDs, a light cover, a housing, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes an amplifier/demodulator circuit, a counter/oscillator circuit, a driver circuit, and a switching circuit. The sensor detects a low frequency created by blowing on the candle type light or other signal, in order to control the power circuit and turn off the light. The counter/oscillator circuit and the switching circuit cause the LEDs to turn on and off, simulating the flickering of a candle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: SAP Products Limited
    Inventor: Sau Man Wong
  • Publication number: 20090284155
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a housing fixture, a light source, and an active heat transfer device is provided. The housing fixture includes a base adapted to be receivable in a light fixture receptacle configured to receive a gas-discharge lamp. The light source emits light with a color rendering index higher than a respective color rendering index of at least a type of gas-discharge lamp. The active heat transfer device is physically coupled to the light source and mounted to the housing fixture. The active heat transfer device receives power from a power supply to remove thermal energy from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: William G. Reed, John O. Renn
  • Patent number: 7619366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling a light source (208, 210, 212) within an area (200), the system comprising: location means conceived to detect a position of at least one person within an area (200); activity means conceived to detect a kind of activity performed by the at least one person within the area; and lighting control means conceived to control the light source (208, 210, 212) within the area (200) in response to the detected at least one person and the kind of activity performed by the at least one person within the area (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Elmo Marcus Attila Diederiks
  • Publication number: 20090273286
    Abstract: A ballast having a microprocessor embedded therein is controlled via four inputs. The ballast includes a high-voltage phase-controlled signal provided by a dimmer and an infrared (IR) receiver through which the ballast can receive data signals from an IR transmitter. The ballast can also receive commands from other ballasts or a master control on the serial digital communication link, such as a DALI protocol link. The fourth input is an analog signal, which is simply a DC signal that linearly ranges in value from a predetermined lower limit to a predetermined upper limit, corresponding to the 0% to 100% dimming range of the load. The output stage of the ballast includes one or more FETs, which are used to control the current flow to the lamp. Based on these inputs, the microprocessor makes a decision on the intensity levels of the load and directly drives the FETs in the output stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Dragan Veskovic, Robert A. Anselmo, Mark Taipale, Matthew Skvoretz, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 7609432
    Abstract: A nanoelectromechanical (NEM) device and a method of making same employ a laterally extending nanowire. The nanowire is grown in place from a vertical side of a vertically extending support block that is provided on a horizontal surface of a substrate. The nanowire is spaced from the horizontal surface. The NEM device includes a component that is provided to influence the nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Theodore I. Kamins, Wei Wu, Shih-Yuan Wang, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20090261735
    Abstract: A lighting system comprises a light fixture (100) and a corresponding remote control transmitter (200). The light fixture can comprise at least one electrically energizable light source (102), at least one local condition sensor (103), a receiver (105), a memory (104), and a controller (101). The controller automatically controls energization of the light source as a function of input from the location condition sensor(s) and at least one stored modifiable operating parameter. The controller also automatically modifies the modifiable operating parameter(s) in response to instructions (106) as are received via the receiver. The wireless remote control transmitter (200) comprises a transmitter (202), an end user interface (203), and a controller (201). The controller processes inputs from an end user (as entered via the end user interface) regarding at least one of the aforementioned manipulable operating parameters and transmits this information to the aforementioned light fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: HEATHCO LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Sibalich, Mark L. Karasak
  • Publication number: 20090251056
    Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus and a light control method thereof, in which the display apparatus including a display panel, a light source unit, an illumination unit to illuminate the display panel with light emitted from the light source unit, and a projection unit to project the light from the display panel in a predetermined direction includes: a light sensor which is provided between the light source unit and the illumination unit; and a light controller which corrects brightness of light sensed by the light sensor on the basis of reflective characteristics of the display panel. With this configuration, the quantity of light is prevented from decreasing so as to prevent the brightness of an image from decreasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-hwan CHO
  • Patent number: 7598859
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling lighting in a space reduces energy consumption of the light sources by changing at least one of the color rendering index (CRI) and the correlated color temperature (CCT) while maintaining illumination levels. Preferably, the method and system sense movement of people in the space relative to light sources that light the space, and automatically and individually adjust plural solid state lighting devices that form each of the respective light sources to a first lighting condition when people are in a first position, wherein the lamps respectively emit light of a first illumination level and a first CRI at a first electrical power level, and to a second lighting condition when people are in a second position, wherein the light sources respectively emit light of the first illumination level and a smaller CRI than the first CRI and at a lower electrical power level than the first electrical power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Laski, Makarand H. Chipalkatti
  • Publication number: 20090243493
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spectrum synthesis for use in a flash unit, wherein the spectrum synthesis includes combining a plurality of emissive light sources in order to provide a combine output beam and producing the output spectrum for the combined output beam at least based on a reference spectrum. The reference spectrum can be obtained by sensing the spectrum of ambient light or selected from a plurality of stored spectra. The flash unit has at least two emissive light sources and each of the light sources can be adjusted relative to each other so that the outputs from the light sources can mimic a selected illumination scenario. It is possible to use a mixture of quantum dots to tailor each light source so that the combined spectra from different light sources can reasonably mimic a number of frequently used illumination scenario.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Johan Bergquist
  • Publication number: 20090244913
    Abstract: A path-illuminating wall-mountable light fixture (100) can comprise a wall-mountable support platform (101) that is configured and arranged to be installed on a wall (701) and at least a first light aperture (102) that is operably coupled to the wall-mountable support platform. This first light aperture is configured and arranged so that electrically-sourced light (110) emanating from the first light aperture is directed in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the wall, substantially non-perpendicular to the wall, and less than horizontal. When inclusive of a second such light aperture (104), the second light aperture can offer similarly oriented emanated light in a direction that is substantially the opposite of this first direction. By one approach, the light emanating from this (or these) light aperture(s) can be responsive to an animate object detector (107).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald Edward Anglikowski, David Scott Bullard, Jeremy Lee Prichard, William Calvin Raper
  • Patent number: 7595786
    Abstract: This invention discloses an illumination method and an illumination control method. An embodiment of the illumination system includes two light detection modules for detecting a light produced by a light emitting diode and an ambient light, calculating a reference spectral distribution based on a detection result of the ambient light, comparing the detection result of the light emitting diode with the reference spectral distribution, and driving the illumination module to emit a light matching with the reference spectral distribution based on a comparison result. Another embodiment of the illumination system includes a light detection module for periodically switching the light emitting diode to emit light and stop emitting light. When the light emitting diode stops an illumination period, the light detection module detects an ambient light, and when the light emitting diode continues an illumination period, the light detection module detects a light produced by the light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Capella Microsystems, Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Shih
  • Patent number: 7590457
    Abstract: A method for bonding a lighting device to a first lighting system, in which the first system comprises a master controller, which is remote from the lighting device and which may control a slave controller of the lighting device if the slave controller has stored therein an identification (ID) of the system. Upon powering up, if the slave controller contains such an ID, it tries to communicate with a master controller of the system. If the slave controller does not succeed in establishing such a communication it enters a state in which it can change it settings, in particular clearing said ID, upon receiving, during a time window with reduced communication security level, a message for allowing such changing of its settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Beij, Arnold Buij
  • Patent number: 7588349
    Abstract: A solar-infrared-rays sensing garden lamp is provided. It mainly comprises a garden lamp body with a control apparatus set inside. The control apparatus charges a power supply via the solar energy in the daytime, and provides power via the power supply in the nighttime. Therefore a infrared rays sensing circuit set on the garden lamp body at a surface thereof can sense omnibearingly in the nighttime. When the infrared rays sensing circuit senses unusual situation, it drives a corresponding lighting unit to illuminate and transmits a triggered signal to the voice control unit for driving a speaker and giving off sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Jen-Yen Yen
  • Publication number: 20090224677
    Abstract: A light to screw into a standard light socket having a negative ion generator in the form of a pin. The pin design can be easily cleaned with a swab and cleaning solution such as rubbing alcohol, eliminating the need to trim or clean a brush electrode when corrosion or deposits form. The negative ion generator produces the negative ions to purify the air. The device can have a light sensor to activate the light when light is low. The device can also come with light emitting diodes which can be set to indicate the status of the various systems of the device. The device can come equipped with an air freshener that disperses vaporized perfume into the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: William Kinsey