With Radiant Energy Sensitive Control Means Patents (Class 315/149)
  • Patent number: 9699864
    Abstract: A wall-mountable wireless control device may comprise a yoke, a faceplate assembly, an antenna, a radio-frequency communication circuit, and/or a control circuit. The radio-frequency communication circuit may be configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals via the antenna. The faceplate assembly may comprise a conductive element that is configured to operate as a radiating element of the antenna when the faceplate assembly is attached to the yoke. The conductive element may comprise a conductive material on the front surface of the faceplate. The conductive element may be attached to a rear surface of the faceplate (e.g., as a conductive backer). The conductive element may be located inside of the faceplate. The conductive element may comprise metallization applied to a plastic carrier of the faceplate. The faceplate assembly may comprise an adapter plate comprising a surface on which the conductive element is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Camden, Donald R. Mosebrook, William Taylor Shivell, Amy E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9689869
    Abstract: A portable fluorescence analysis system comprises a fluorescence strip, a fluorescence excitation device and a mobile Internet device. The fluorescence strip comprises a fluorescence probe configured for detecting an analyte within a specimen. The fluorescence excitation device comprises a sleeve and an excitation light source module. The fluorescence strip is arranged at the one open end of the sleeve. The excitation light source module is arranged at the same opening side of the sleeve and configured for providing an excitation light to excite the fluorescence probe to generate fluorescence. The mobile Internet device comprises an image capturing module and configured for capturing a fluorescence image of the fluorescence strip via the other opening of the sleeve and analyzing fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence image to determine the content of the analyte. The above-mentioned system can be applied to the point of care testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Shih-Jie Lo, Min-Wei Hung, Jer-Liang Yeh, Da-Jeng Yao, Chao-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 9693426
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described herein for controlling and using integrated occupancy and ambient light sensors. In some examples, a lighting device includes an illumination source, a light sensor, and a transceiver. A determination can be made to determine if the illumination source is operating in an on mode of operation or an off mode of operation. In response to determining that the illumination source is operating in the off mode of operation, an instruction can be received at the lighting device to pulse operation of the illumination source to emit a light pulse. The lighting device can also be configured to receive an instruction to compressively sense, using the light sensor, a light level associated with an area illuminated by the light pulse. The lighting device can output data indicating the light level compressively sensed by the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Van Der Werff
  • Patent number: 9693421
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus of adjustable color temperature including a luminescent source, a controller and a detector is proposed. The luminescent source is configured to provide an illumination source. The controller is coupled to the luminescent source. The controller is configured to adjust a color temperature of the illumination source according to at least one of global and local color temperatures. The detector is coupled to the controller. The detector is configured to detect a color temperature of a location of the lighting apparatus of adjustable color temperature, so as to provide the local color temperature to the controller. The controller performs a weighting operation for the global and local color temperatures to obtain an operation result for adjusting the color temperature of the illumination source. A method for adjusting color temperature of a lighting apparatus of adjustable color temperature is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Pei-Ling Tseng, Tsai-Kan Chien, Sue-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 9683729
    Abstract: A battery-conserving flashlight and method thereof are provided. The flashlight includes a body having a first end and a second end, the first end including an illumination source and the second end including an opening for accessing an interior of the body; at least one battery disposed in the body via the opening in the second end, the at least one battery coupled to and configured for powering the illumination source; and a controller disposed in the body configured to determine if the body is in motion, wherein if the body is not in motion for a predetermined period of time, the controller decouples the at least one battery from the illumination source to conserve energy in the at least one battery. Optionally, the flashlight may include a visual or audible indicator to alert a user that the flashlight will shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 9686831
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having a light source, a light sensor, a communication interface, and circuitry is described. In addition to controlling the light source, the circuitry is adapted to monitor for a light signal provided from a handheld device via the light sensor; upon receiving the light signal, measure a signal level associated with the light signal; and effect transmission of the signal level to the handheld device via the communication interface. In one embodiment, the circuitry is further configured to receive an instruction to monitor for the light signal from the handheld device via the communication interface such that the circuitry begins monitoring for the light signal upon receiving the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Carrigan, John J. Trainor, Joseph P. Chobot, Matthew Deese, Keith Bryan
  • Patent number: 9661722
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for managing artificial lighting sources to provide acceptable quality of lighting while reducing cost of operation of the artificial lighting sources. In one aspect of the invention, at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source is adjusted based on an illuminance of a natural light source and the at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Maulin Dahyabhai Patel
  • Patent number: 9652979
    Abstract: A wall-mountable wireless control device may include an antenna (e.g., a slot antenna or a hybrid slot-patch antenna) for transmitting and/or receiving radio-frequency signals, and may have a conductive material on a large amount (e.g., greater than or equal to approximately 85%) of a front surface of the wireless control device. The wireless control device may operate consistently when installed with different types of faceplate assemblies (e.g., faceplate assemblies having metal and/or plastic components) and when installed with different types of electrical wallboxes (e.g., metal and plastic wallboxes). The antenna of the wireless control device may comprise a driven element and a conductive component. The wireless control device may comprise a conductive member (e.g., a conductive label or a conductive strap) extending around a rear enclosure of the wireless control device between opposite sides of a conductive yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Camden, Donald R. Mosebrook, William Taylor Shivell, Amy E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9635738
    Abstract: An illumination system which contains a mobile operating device, a plurality of lights, and a central control device. The control device is designed to control the lights. The operating device includes a position-sensing unit for determining the position of the operating device and additionally contains a display unit on which the positions of the lights and the position of the operating device can be displayed in combination. The operating device thus allows a user to select and operate the lights that are displayed. The lights are controlled using the central control device according to the user's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
    Inventors: Rene Joppi, Gregor Mayr
  • Patent number: 9609719
    Abstract: A wall-mountable wireless control device may include an antenna (e.g., a slot antenna or a hybrid slot-patch antenna) for transmitting and/or receiving radio-frequency signals, and may have a conductive material on a large amount (e.g., greater than or equal to approximately 85%) of a front surface of the control device. The wireless control device may operate consistently when installed with different types of faceplate assemblies (e.g., faceplate assemblies having metal and/or plastic components) and when installed with different types of electrical wallboxes (e.g., metal and plastic wallboxes). A faceplate comprising a conductive element may be installed on the wireless control device, such that the conductive element operates as a radiating element of the antenna. The wireless control device may comprise a conductive member (e.g., a conductive label or a conductive strap) extending around a rear enclosure of the wireless control device between opposite sides of a conductive yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Camden, Donald R. Mosebrook, William Taylor Shivell, Amy E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9596029
    Abstract: A system having first and second different communication systems can include a plurality of illumination devices having modulatable optical output signals. A plurality of building control units are in wireless communication with one another. Representative units could include ambient condition detectors, intrusion detectors, output devices, or actuators. At least some of the units include optical sensors responsive to the modulatable optical output signals, wherein, in response to received, modulated optical output signals, a respective control unit carries out a predetermined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Addy
  • Patent number: 9581803
    Abstract: An observation apparatus including: a light source unit that generates illumination light by using a plurality of solid-state illumination devices; an image-acquisition device that acquires an image of an object illuminated with the illumination light; an image processing unit that processes acquired image signals; and a control unit that controls the light source unit and/or the image processing unit. One of the illumination devices has a peak in a G channel, another one of the illumination devices has a peak in an R channel, and, when increasing and reducing the amount of the illumination light, the control unit performs control so as to satisfy ?Sr/?Sg>1 and ?Sr/?Sg<1, respectively, where ?Sr and ?Sg are rates of change of system gains applied to the R and G channels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 9578724
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a method for controlling the illumination device while avoiding flicker in the LED output is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the method may include driving the plurality of LEDs substantially continuously with drive currents configured to produce illumination, periodically turning the plurality of LEDs off for short durations of time during a first period to take measurements or communicate optical data, and increasing the drive currents supplied to the plurality of LEDs by a small amount when the LEDs are on during the first period to compensate for lack of illumination when the LEDs are periodically turned off during the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho, Joseph A. Savage
  • Patent number: 9560723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for a self-commissioning and locating lighting system. The system includes a group of light fixtures, each emitting a unique optical data signal. A remote control device detects the unique optical data signal from the light fixtures when the light fixture is within a visual field of the remote control device. A central controller receives a signal from the remote control device, wherein the signal comprises data regarding the GPS location of the remote control device and the digital identities of the light fixture within the visual field of the remote control, wherein the signal further comprises a control command for operation of the light fixtures, and wherein the central controller sends a control signal to the light fixture implementing the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Walma, James Moan
  • Patent number: 9557214
    Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device, so as to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ketra, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 9544977
    Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, Jr., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 9538612
    Abstract: Photocontrol apparatus that controls a luminaire or other load such that the luminaire is switched on during nighttime hours and off during the daytime. The photocontrol consumes only microwatts of power in either the ON or the OFF state, unlike traditional relay- or triac-based photocontrols. The photocontrol does not require a voltage generating photo sensor to generate power for the photocontrol. A solar cell, semiconductor photo diode or photo diode string, cadmium sulfide cell, semiconductor ambient light sensor, etc., may be used as the sensor element. The photocontrol switches power to the load at the zero-crossing of an AC input voltage, which reduces inrush current and the switching currents caused by traditional photocontrols which may switch at any point on the AC input voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9538603
    Abstract: Controlling the color temperature of a composite light source including at least one discrete-spectrum light source is disclosed. For example, the color temperature of a composite light source including at least one discrete-spectrum light source may be determined and/or adjusted based on one or more of the ambient color temperature of a space, the actual temperature of the space, the relative brightness of the space, the occupancy of the space, a time clock, a demand response command (e.g., from an electrical utility), the absolute location of the composite light source, the location of the composite light source relative to other light sources, inputs from a camera or other external devices, the operation of appliances or other machines in the vicinity of the composite light source, media content being utilized in the vicinity of the composite light source, and/or other sensor inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shearer, Arya Abraham, Ethan Charles Biery, Timothy P. Gredler, Juha Mikko Hakkarainen
  • Patent number: 9534771
    Abstract: An edge-fed waveguide luminaire includes a light waveguide having a planar body, a waveguide edge support structure, and an anchor opening in the planar body of the light waveguide, which is displaced from said waveguide edge support structure. A sensor is fixed in the anchor opening of said light waveguide so as to be responsive to conditions in the space below the luminaire. The sensor, which will have minimal impact on the aesthetic qualities of the luminaire, is in communication with light switching means for adjusting the light output from the luminaire in response to changes in conditions in the space below the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoping Wu, Nicholas R. Trincia, Mohammad Zafar Shahbaz
  • Patent number: 9532434
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter provide to detect the signature of a light source through either electrical signature on a circuit or external light signatures output by the light source, and a switch can change modes and features to match the capabilities of the connected light source. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide a light source, a sensor to determine a type of the light source, and a switch, including a processor, to determine a set of operations according to the determined type of light source, and to control the light source to perform a selected operation from the determined set of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: David William Keith
  • Patent number: 9521726
    Abstract: A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts
  • Patent number: 9479228
    Abstract: In a unit device, a setup unit sets arrangement information, which indicates the position of each unit device in a state where a plurality of unit devices configure a unit device group, according to a sequence that conforms to the arrangement information of adjacent devices after the aforementioned group is configured. A storage unit stores the arrangement information configured by the setup unit. A provision control unit specifies the content of the information providing command, and by collating the content of the specified information providing command with the arrangement information stored in the storage unit, provides either of at least two or more states by means of a provision unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Yoshida, Kiyohiko Sawada
  • Patent number: 9472955
    Abstract: A battery powered device that interfaces with the power source of a target device, such as a lamp, and detects when the primary power source has been removed. When the primary power source is available, the battery is charged and when the primary power source is not available, the battery drives an illumination device to provide emergency safety light to an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Keene Jones, Russie Jones
  • Patent number: 9459393
    Abstract: The present invention provides a backlight module structure, which includes a backplane (1), a light guide plate (3) arranged inside the backplane (1), and at least two backlight sources (5) arranged inside the backplane (1). The backplane (1) includes a bottom board (11) and a plurality of side boards (13) perpendicularly connected to the bottom board (11). The light guide plate (3) includes at least two sub light guide plates (4) that are sequentially connected in such a way that a recess (33) is formed in a connection between two adjacent ones of the sub light guide plates (4). The recess (33) has an opening facing the bottom board (11). The bottom board (11) includes a protrusion (111) formed thereon to correspond to the recess (33). The at least two backlight sources (5) are mounted on the protrusion (111) and located between the recess (33) and the protrusion (111) so that the two backlight sources (5) emit lights respectively toward the two adjacent sub light guide plates (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jianyu Chang
  • Patent number: 9461748
    Abstract: An LED light fixture includes one or more optical transceivers that have a light support having a plurality of light emitting diodes and one or more photodetectors attached thereto, and a processor in communication with the light emitting diodes and the one or more photodetectors. The processor is constructed and arranged to generate a communication or data transfer signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Pederson
  • Patent number: 9447960
    Abstract: A lighting fixture has a lighting fixture body in which a light device is mounted, the lighting fixture body including a positional information transmission part that transmits positional information of the lighting fixture to a wireless terminal; a terminal information reception part that receives identification information of the wireless information and the positional information from the wireless terminal that has received the positional information; a terminal information transmission part that transmits the identification information and the positional information to a management server which manages a position of the wireless terminal; and a voltage conversion part that converts a voltage supplied by an external power source and supplies the converted voltage to the positional information transmission part, the terminal information reception part and the terminal information transmission part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Kusakari
  • Patent number: 9439268
    Abstract: An imaging sensor determines an influence of artificial light from one or more artificial light sources and an influence of natural light in an area associated with a lighting system. On the basis of the influence of the natural light and the influence of the artificial light, the imaging sensor determines the location of the one or more artificial light sources with respect to the location of the imaging sensor. Further, the imaging sensor allocates a portion of the area as an area of influence of the imaging sensor based on a threshold change in luminescence of the area associated with switching on or switching off of the one or more artificial light sources. Responsively, the imaging sensor associates at least one artificial light source of the one or more light sources and occupancy sensors corresponding to the at least one artificial light source with the allocated area of influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Kenneth Dale Walma, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9433054
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light emitting apparatus. The light emitting apparatus includes a first light emitting unit including a first light emitting diode and a first phosphor; a second light emitting unit including a second light emitting diode and a second phosphor; an ambient light sensor, and a controller. The ambient light sensor detects a spectrum distribution of ambient light, and the controller operates the first and second light emitting units with reference to the spectrum distribution of the ambient light detected by the ambient light sensor. A light emitting unit is divided into two or more light emitting units and the ambient light sensor is provided to operate the first and second light emitting units corresponding to the spectrum distribution of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bennike Jesper, Ektay Eminovski
  • Patent number: 9423095
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light source, a cooling fan configured to cool the light source, a light source power supply module configured to drive the light source for emission of light, and a control module configured to execute an abnormal rotation detection of the cooling fan and to control the light source power supply module so that the quantity of light emitted from the light source is reduced in response to a detection of abnormal rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tomokazu Suzuki, Takanori Namba, Toshiyuki Tsuchiya, Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9414804
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging device is provided that includes a display panel, a set of switches including at least one of a proximity switch and a capacitive switch, and a one-piece non-flexible facade covering the display panel and the set of switches. The facade is transparent over at least a portion of the display panel and configured such that the set of switches are operable by a user. A method for cleaning the imaging system includes operating the diagnostic imaging device, including the set of switches, by touching the one-piece non-flexible facade with human fingers or a stylus over selected switches, and, after said operating the diagnostic imaging device, disinfecting the diagnostic imaging device by cleaning the one-piece non-flexible facade with quaternary ammonium or isopropyl alcohol, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew David Stonefield, Liu Lanping, Aurelie Roncaglioni
  • Patent number: 9404624
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a lighting apparatus including a control module supplying an electric power; a heat sink receiving the control module; a light source module mounted on the heat sink and including a light source connected to the control module; and an antenna device disposed on the light source module and connected to the control module. Since the lighting apparatus is wirelessly controllable, a user of the lighting apparatus can easily control the lighting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Won Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 9408279
    Abstract: An intelligent system for controlling an exterior landscape lighting system by self calibration and self adjustments in real-time includes a plurality of lighting units, each lighting unit comprising a light sensor, a clocking device is electrically connected to each lighting unit, a power supply means operable to provide electrical power for operation of the clocking device, and a controller unit comprising a memory for storing a pre-recorded historical data and executing a set of instructions to control on and off times of each lighting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: MYREKA TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
    Inventors: Eu Beng Lee, Kian Meng Tey
  • Patent number: 9396686
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel body that has a display surface emitting light, and a brightness sensor unit that is fixed on the display surface of the display panel body and includes a brightness sensor detecting a brightness of the light from the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ito, Yoshihito Mochizuki, Naoki Itakura, Yasuki Sato, Kiyofumi Natori
  • Patent number: 9398662
    Abstract: A LED control circuit is disclose which comprises a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) configured to control a first current supplied to a LED light bulb, and a dynamic current maintenance module serially coupled to the SCR and configured to draw a second current from the SCR, the second current being inversely proportional to the first current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LUCIS TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Shan Guan
  • Patent number: 9386665
    Abstract: A mechanism for control and configuration of a lighting system from a user interface. For instance, a wall module designed as a user interface for a tenant to control the system may be implemented so as to be used not only to control the lighting system but also to configure it. The lighting system may involve a controller, circuits of lights, relays, motion and ambient detectors, scenes, schedules, and more. An additional user interface such as a wall module may be connected to the lighting system for control and configuration of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Nelson, John Marden
  • Patent number: 9357621
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lighting control apparatus, a lighting control method, and a lighting control system. The lighting control apparatus makes communication with lighting devices, registers at least one of the lighting devices according to received signal strengths of the lighting devices, and controls the registered lighting device. The lighting control apparatus easily registers and controls the lighting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Taek Lim, Ja Hong Ku
  • Patent number: 9351378
    Abstract: Networked intelligent lighting devices and other elements connected to the network of a lighting system are readily adaptable to desirable networking arrangements as well as logical functional groups, for example by each storing communication provisioning data and/or configuration data for logically associating system elements into one or more groupings or sub-networks. The exemplary systems and system elements may also enable such enhanced network arrangement via autonomous discovery and device commissioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk Aggarwal, Jason Rogers, David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9351375
    Abstract: A method for designing a lighting system, including: obtaining a selection of a color temperature (CT); obtaining, for the CT, a first spectral power distribution (SPD) corresponding to a low value color rendering index (CRI) and having a first plurality of peak wavelengths; obtaining, for the CT, a second SPD corresponding to a high value CRI and having a second plurality of peak wavelengths; and identifying a plurality of common peak wavelengths shared by the first SPD and the second SPD, where the lighting system includes a first plurality of light sources corresponding to the plurality of common peak wavelengths and a second plurality of light sources corresponding to a plurality of remaining peak wavelengths of the second plurality of peak wavelengths, and where the lighting system activates the second plurality of light sources in response to an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA LABORATORY U.S.A., INC.
    Inventor: Po-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 9345106
    Abstract: Various gestures, or aspects of the situation, such as location, attitude and/or movement, of a handheld controller are used to control various parameters of lighting, such as brightness or color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Greenwave Systems PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Karl S. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9345109
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lighting apparatus and methods for controlling lighting apparatus using ambient light levels. A controller within a lighting apparatus is used to activate and deactivate one or more light radiating devices within a duty cycle. In a first stage, the controller uses a light detection apparatus to sample the ambient light level at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated. The light level when the light radiating devices are deactivated is an indication of the ambient light levels within the surrounding area of the lighting apparatus. The sampling times occur in different duty cycles within a survey time period. The controller determines an average for the light levels sampled over the survey time period, thus generating an averaged ambient light level over the survey time period. In a second stage, the controller adjusts an intensity of the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the averaged ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ARKALUMEN INC.
    Inventor: Gerald Edward Briggs
  • Patent number: 9332619
    Abstract: A luminaire having a plurality of power sockets arranged over its housing is disclosed. In some embodiments, the luminaire includes a driver operatively coupled with all (or some sub-set) of the power sockets and configured to control the light output of a modular solid-state light source operatively interfaced therewith. In some such embodiments, the luminaire also includes a power-line communication (PLC) module configured to output a PLC signal utilized by the driver in controlling the modular light source's output. In some other embodiments, the modular light source includes the driver, which may utilize a PLC signal, a command signal received from a remote source, or both, in controlling light output. In some cases, the modular solid-state light sources may allow the luminaire to produce a target light beam distribution utilizing a minimal or otherwise reduced quantity of such light sources, reducing cost and difficulty of installation and commissioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Olsen, Michael Quilici, Seung Cheol Ryu
  • Patent number: 9326360
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lighting control apparatus, a lighting control method, and a lighting control system. The lighting control apparatus makes communication with lighting devices, registers at least one of the lighting devices according to received signal strengths of the lighting devices, and controls the registered lighting device. The lighting control apparatus easily registers and controls the lighting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Taek Lim, Ja Hong Ku
  • Patent number: 9322525
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a daylight harvesting system (1). The daylight harvesting system comprises a light distribution device comprising a light inlet (2) for receiving incident light (3), and a light outlet (4) for providing output light (5) received by the light inlet into an interior space. A light sensor (6) is arranged to receive and measure a light level of the incident light and to provide a measurement signal representative thereof. Control circuitry (7) is arranged to receive the measurement signal, and to provide a control signal based on the measurement signal to an artificial light source (8) placed at the light outlet. The light sensor is placed relative the light inlet such that the incident light received by the light sensor exclusively is affected by the incident light as received by the light inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Hubertus Petrus Gommans, Eduard Johannes Meijer
  • Patent number: 9316529
    Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor device that, even when the frame is slimmed, can cause the sensor unit to leave or enter the frame smoothly, as well as can accommodate position shifts of the image display panel caused by activation and resulting heat generation thereof. An optical sensor device 1 includes a main body frame 2, a sensor unit 3 including an optical sensor 108, guide members 16 configured to guide the sensor unit 3, and drive means configured to move the sensor unit 3 to a measurement position. The sensor unit 3 is provided with, on both sides thereof, slide members 31. The sensor unit 3 moves obliquely forward along slopes 162 formed on front portions of the guide members 16, and a shading member 9 disposed on the sensor unit 3 contacts a display screen 101a of the image display panel. After making a measurement, the sensor unit 3 moves obliquely backward and is stored in the main body frame 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: EIZO Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekazu Hogo, Kentaro Kojima, Kenichi Amemiya
  • Patent number: 9313859
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 9307605
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic lighting system comprises a first light source (L1) adapted to emit light with a first brightness as a function of a first driving signal (PWM1) having a first frequency (f1), at least one second light source (L2) having a main light sensor (Als2) for providing an brightness of light surrounding the second light source (L2), wherein the first light source (L1) is arranged in visual connection with the at least one second light source (L2). Thereby, the second light source (L2) is prepared to emit light with a second brightness as a function of a second driving signal (PWM2) with a second frequency (f2), the second frequency (f2) of the second driving signal (PWM2) being adjusted to a light frequency (fL) of the light emitted by the first light source (L1), the light frequency (fL) being detected by means of the main light sensor (Als2). Furthermore, a method for lighting synchronization is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Werner Schoegler, Manfred Pauritsch
  • Patent number: 9288882
    Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for determining lighting contributions of light fixtures to an environment. In one embodiment, a system includes a light sensor and a controller. The light sensor generates light level data based on measured light levels. The controller determines a nominal light level based on the light level data, and identifies an optical burst pattern in the light level data generated by a light fixture. The controller then determines a lighting contribution of the light fixture based on the optical burst pattern and the nominal light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Morgan Jones
    Inventor: Morgan Jones
  • Patent number: 9237624
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a number of light emitting diodes emitting light of different colors arranged adjacent to each other for additive color mixing to provide a desired color. A temperature sensing circuit is configured to provide a temperature signal representing temperature(s) of the light emitting diodes. Current sources are configured to provide the light emitting diodes with respective load currents in accordance with corresponding control signals received by the current sources. First and second modulator units are configured to generate the control signals which are modulated such that a time average value of each control signal corresponds to the value of a corresponding input signal of the respective sigma-delta modulator. A calibration circuit is configured to provide the input signals dependent on a color signal defining the desired color and dependent on the temperature signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Andrea Logiudice
  • Patent number: 9215774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a lamp comprising a first light for direct lighting and a second light for indirect lighting of an object, as well as a controller controlling the first and second light emitting means separately, and at least one light sensor is mounted on the lamp and connected to the controller for detecting the amount of light in the area, including any extraneous light. The controller has means to subtract the indirect amount of light reaching the light sensor from the total amount of light coming from the second light emitting means as detected by the light sensor, and the amount of direct light produced by the first light emitting means reaching the light sensor, as well as any existing extraneous light reaching the light sensor, in order to control the lamp, in particular by switching it on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marc Stockburger
  • Patent number: 9208727
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display device is disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a plurality of pixels provided at a region sectioned by scan lines and data lines and an initialization power unit. The plurality of pixels are configured to control the amount of a current flowing from a first power source to a second power source through an organic light emitting diode in response to a data signal. The initialization power unit supplies initialization power to a driving transistor within each pixel circuit. The initialization power unit further controls the voltage of the initialization power supply to maintain a substantially constant voltage difference between the second power source and the initialization power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyun Lee, Jong-Woon Kim