Load Device Irradiating The Radiant Energy Responsive Device Patents (Class 315/151)
  • Patent number: 9425896
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device transmits information by receiving an amount of digital data and modulating a color of light emitted from the LED based illumination device based on the digital data. The luminous flux of the emitted light remains approximately constant while the color of light varies. A receiver may receive the emitted light and demodulate a signal indicative of the color of emitted light to determine the digital data. The color of the light may be modulated by varying current provided to different LEDs, where the different LEDs cause different color of light to be emitted from the LED based illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge
  • Patent number: 9408271
    Abstract: A lighting system includes an external sensor that is configured to measure a characteristic value of light received from the lighting system in a location of an environment that is illuminated by the lighting system, and a lighting device. The lighting device includes a plurality of LEDs that include a first group of LEDs that exhibit a first color temperature and a second group of LEDs that exhibit a second color temperature, a housing, and a device controller containing control circuitry that is configured to receive data from the external sensor and automatically alter a characteristic of light emitted by one or more of the LEDs in response to the received data. The housing may include an opening that receives and secures the plurality of LEDs, a body portion that provides a heat sink for the plurality of LEDs, and a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ephesus Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph J. Witkowski, Jeff R. Shuster, Brian M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9300287
    Abstract: A solid state relay includes a light-receiving element, output terminals configured to connect to an AC power supply and a load, a first connection line connecting a first end of the light-receiving element to a first output terminal, a second connection line that connects a second end of the light-receiving element to a second output terminal, a switching element between the first connection line and the second connection and configured to be turned on by the current outputted from the light-receiving element, and a snubber circuit in which a capacitor and a resistor are connected in series. The resistor of the snubber circuit connects to the first connection line between one of the first and second end of the light-receiving element and an end of the switching element, and an over-current protection element connects to the first connection line between the resistor and an end of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kitahara, Takeshi Shimbaba
  • Patent number: 9288873
    Abstract: A line voltage signal at a first voltage and a first current supplied by a line voltage switching device responsive to a sensed or detected event can be provided to a first node of a regulator. A portion of the line voltage signal can be passed at the first voltage through a capacitive device in the regulator and provided at a second node for return to an electrical circuit containing a load device. The remaining portion of the line voltage signal can be passed to a voltage divider comprising at least a first resistive device and a second resistive device. A signal output at a second voltage and a second current that is suitable for introduction to a high-impedance controller input can be obtained at a third node electrically coupled to a point between the first resistive device and the second resistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9271374
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system comprising a luminaire which is configured to provide light according to a plurality of preset combinations of illumination level and color temperature, controlled via a control protocol. The system further comprises a user interface comprising means to (manually) select the illumination level and color temperature from said plurality of preset combinations. The number of preset combinations is at least three. The control protocol comprises transition times for transitions between said preset combinations, said transition times being in the range of about 2 seconds to about 5 minutes. The invention further relates to an illumination method using the illumination system and to a controller uploaded with said preset lighting settings. The use of the system in dependence on the activity, time of day or atmosphere in the classroom has been proven to improve the learning behavior of children. It therefore is a learning tool for teachers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bianca Maria Irma Van Der Zande, Peter Johannus Cornelis Sleegers, Nienke Marcella Moolenaar, Mirjam Galetzka
  • Patent number: 9253857
    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: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Van Der Werff
  • Patent number: 9253855
    Abstract: A method for providing a light output from a lighting system (100) capable of emitting light within a lighting system color gamut (202) in an x-y color plane, comprising the steps of: receiving (302) a light output target comprising a target color point (210, 219) and a target flux; comparing (304) the target color point with the lighting system color gamut (202); and if the target color point is outside of the color gamut: determining (310) a first approximation color point (212, 220) inside the color gamut based on a minimization of a distance in the x-y color plane between the target color point and the first approximation color point; determining (312) a highest possible flux achievable by the lighting system at the first approximation color point; if the highest possible flux achievable by the lighting system at the first approximation color point is equal to or larger than the target flux, control (309) the lighting system to provide light defined by the first approximation color point and the target fl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Jan Van Kaathoven, Erik Martinus Hubertus Petrus Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 9161403
    Abstract: A driving circuit for driving a diode includes at least one differential pair including a first output node and a second output node and configured to switch an output current, a current source configured to adjust the output current, a dummy load coupled to the second output node, a first termination resistor coupled between the first output node and a termination ground, and a second termination resistor coupled between the second output node and the termination ground. The output current is supplied to the diode through the first output node by at least one differential pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Mariko Sugawara, Yukito Tsunoda, Satoshi Ide
  • Patent number: 9146447
    Abstract: A compact camera with a compact camera body integrated with a lens, a direct flash module and an indirect flash module. The direct flash unit includes a flash light emission window arranged to project direct illumination in a first direction toward an object to be photographed. The indirect flash unit includes an indirect flash light emission window arranged to project indirect bounce illumination in a second direction off of an indirect reflecting surface to the object. The camera also has a controller that receives a first signal containing information from a first light sensor connected to the direct flash unit, and a second signal containing information from a second light sensor connected to the indirect flash unit. In response to the received first and second signals, the controller selectively adjusts the amount of flash illumination projected from the direct and indirect flash units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Alok Khuntia
  • Patent number: 9074733
    Abstract: Multi-chip sources and related methods are disclosed. A single multi-chip lamp source can include a substrate and at least three light emitting diode (LED) chips operably configured to the substrate to form a single LED package. The LED chips can include at least three different colored LED chips. The LED chips can be configured to be actuatable either individually or together to provide selectable colored light beams. The LED chips can be positioned on the substrate such that an emitted light beam remains concentric without shifting regardless of the chip or chips emitting the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McMillan
  • Publication number: 20150145417
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a semiconductor light source and to a method for controlling the brightness thereof are provided. When a pulse width modulated semiconductor light source reaches a duty cycle threshold value, the voltage is increased or decreased through a variable voltage source in order to achieve a higher dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Bernd Woelfing, Andreas Hatzenbuehler
  • Patent number: 9041300
    Abstract: A driving circuit and method for a pixel unit, the pixel unit and a display apparatus. The driving circuit for the pixel unit includes a switching unit, a storage capacitor (Cst), a first transistor (T1), a second transistor (T2) and a sixth transistor (T6). The switching unit includes a third transistor (T3), a fourth transistor (T4) and a fifth transistor (T5) for controlling a data signal current (Idata) to charge the storage capacitor (Cst). The driving circuit for the pixel unit expedites the speed for charging the storage capacitor (Cst); further, it has an excellent negative feedback function for the leak current of the storage capacitor (Cst), and ensures the stable operation of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haigang Qing, Xiaojing Qi
  • Patent number: 9041296
    Abstract: A controller for a lighting arrangement is provided, comprising a detector unit having a field of view and a pointing direction. The controller furthermore includes an interface unit for interfacing with the lighting arrangement, and a processing unit connected to the detector unit and the interface unit. The detector unit is arranged to provide detection data including parameters related to one or more identifiable beacons within the field of view of the detector unit. The processing unit is arranged to associate the detection data with a set of lighting parameters for the lighting arrangement and to control the lighting arrangement via the interface unit in accordance with the set of lighting parameters. Also a method of controlling alighting arrangement is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijkle Philips N.V.
    Inventors: George Frederic Yianni, Gerardus Henricus Adrianus Johannes Broeksteeg, Lorenzo Feri
  • Patent number: 9041295
    Abstract: A retrofit light emitting diode (LED) module may include a carrier with at least one LED, a retrofit connection for mechanical and electrical contact-connection to conventional lamp holders, and an electronic system for driving the at least one LED. At least one part of the electronic system is integrated into the carrier, and the electronic system comprises a sensor system. A retrofit LED module system may include at least two retrofit LED modules and at least one control unit which regulates the retrofit LED modules in an adaptive and synchronized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tridonic Jennersdorf GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Hartmann, Hans Hoschopf, Stefan Gianordoli, Stefan Tasch
  • Patent number: 9030103
    Abstract: Solid state light emitting devices include multiple LED components separately arranged to generate spectral output having different ratios of scotopic to photopic light (S/P ratios) but similar chromaticities preferably within seven MacAdam ellipses. A light emitting device may be controlled to permit transitioning between different modes of operation of multiple LED components, with aggregated output of different modes having different S/P ratios but similar chromaticities. Multiple LED components of a light emitting device may be simultaneously controlled with different dimming profiles to effect increased color rendering at maximum emissive output of the apparatus, and to effect increased aggregated S/P ratio at minimum emissive output of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: 9030104
    Abstract: A method and system for adjusting power supply and display screen brightness of an electronic device with a thin-film solar panel are introduced. The method includes configuring the electronic device with a first threshold level and a second threshold level, wherein the first threshold level and the second threshold level are voltage levels or current levels; attaching the thin-film solar panel to a casing of the electronic device for enabling the electronic device to convert an external light into a transformed voltage or current; and determining whether the transformed voltage or current lies between the first threshold level and the second threshold level to decide whether to allow the display screen to operate at an existing brightness level thereof continuously. The method and system enable the electronic device to receive the external light for supplementing power supple and sense the external light for adjusting power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Charn-Ying Chen, Chi-Yuan Chang, Cheng-Si Tsao, Chih-Min Chuang, Hou-Chin Cha, Yu-Ching Huang, Yeong-Der Lin, Fan-Hsuan Hsu, Chia-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9024529
    Abstract: The color of an LED-based lamp can be tuned to a desired color or color temperature. The lamp can include two or more independently addressable groups of LEDs associated with different colors or color temperatures and a total-internal-reflection (TIR) color-mixing lens to produce light of a uniform color by mixing the light from the different groups of LEDs. The color of the output light is tuned by controllably dividing an input current among the groups of LEDs. Tuning can be performed once, e.g., during manufacture, and the lamp does not require active feedback components for maintaining color temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LedEngin, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiantao Yan, Kachun Lee, Zequn Mei
  • Publication number: 20150102728
    Abstract: A light emitting module testing apparatus includes a sensing unit and a controller. The sensing unit includes a photodiode array sensing light emitted from a light emitting module serving as a test object. The controller generates luminance information based on light sensed by the sensing unit, and sets an operating condition of the light emitting module serving as the test object by comparing the generated luminance information with a pre-set reference range. The light emitting module testing apparatus thereby senses luminance of light emitted from the light emitting module serving as a test object, and sets the operating condition of the light emitting module to have an appropriate luminance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Sun Ki KIM
  • Patent number: 9006983
    Abstract: One exemplary implementation of the present disclosure is directed to a lighting system for detecting the source of glare in imagery. The lighting system includes a first illumination light and a second illumination light each having an associated signal light. Each illumination light is configured to be illuminated independent of the other illumination light and both signal lights. Each signal light has a different spectral peak from the other signal light. The lighting system further includes a control system configured to control the illumination of the first and second illumination lights and associated signal lights based at least in part on identified glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Gregory Brueckner, Matthew Thomas Valente
  • Publication number: 20150076990
    Abstract: A system includes: a splitter to branch an optical signal output by a wavelength-tunable light source into first to third optical signals; a first photodiode to perform an optical electrical conversion of the first optical signal transmitting a first etalon; a second photodiode to perform an optical electrical conversion of the second optical signal transmitting a second etalon, an FSR of the second etalon being identical to that of the first etalon, peak wavelengths of intensity of a transmitted light of the second etalon being different from those of the first etalon; a third photodiode to perform an optical electrical conversion of the third optical signal; and a controller to control the wavelength-tunable light source with use of a coefficient calculated by following formulas (1) or (2), Coefficient=(PD1?A·PD3)/(PD2?B·PD3) (1) and Coefficient=(PD2?B·PD3)/(PD1?A·PD3) (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Katsumi UESAKA, Eiichi BANNO, Hajime SHOJI, Hiroyuki MATSUURA, Haruhiko KUWATSUKA, Ken TANIZAWA, Shu NAMIKI
  • Patent number: 8981650
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for programming lighting devices. In one example, a lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED). The lighting device also includes a microcontroller configured to receive a programming signal generated by the LED in response to illumination of the LED with an externally-supplied light signal modulated with the programming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: SureFire, LLC
    Inventors: Ammar Burayez, Ivan Ivanov, William A. Hunt, John W. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8981651
    Abstract: A building lighting control system includes a central building server, distributed zone controllers, and light sensors and control units in each zone. Using occupant lighting preferences, occupancy state, and light levels, each zone controller computes a utility curve which represents the relationship between energy use and service level in the zone. The building server zone receives utility curves from all the zones and allocates energy units to the zones based on the utility curves using a utility-based trading algorithm in order to optimize service levels with minimal energy. Each zone controller then distributes energy to lights in its zone based on energy units allocated to the zone by the building server and based also on influence matrices representing the influences of the lights in the zone upon the sensors in the zone. The building server may also compute and output long-term operational information of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Amanda C. Askin, Kincho H. Law
  • Publication number: 20150069917
    Abstract: A light compensating system in accordance with this invention comprises a plurality of light emitting devices, an image capturing device, and a processing device. The processing device is respectively coupled to the plurality of light emitting devices and the image capturing device. Each light emitting device is used for emitting light to illuminate a certain area in space. The image capturing device is used for capturing a first image, which can be defined as a plurality of image blocks. Each image block is affected by the light from at least one corresponding light emitting device. The processing device is used for analyzing a brightness value of at least one of the plurality image block and adjusting at least one light emitting device corresponding to the analyzed image block based on the brightness value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Li-Shan SHIH, Yi-Chuan CHEN, Chih-Hung CHANG, Wen-Yuan LI
  • Publication number: 20150069918
    Abstract: An optical sensor circuit comprises an optical sensor (DET) designed to provide a sensor signal indicative of a color of light incident on the optical sensor (DET), a clock designed to provide a clocked control signal comprising consecutive high and low states, and a controller unit (CU) connected to the optical sensor (DET) and comprising the clock. The controller unit (CU) is designed to process the sensor signal as a color signal (CTS) in a first mode if the clocked control signal is in a high state, wherein the color signal (CTS) is indicative of a color of light emitted by a light emitting device (LED) to be connected at a control terminal (OUT). The controller unit (CU is further designed to process the sensor signal as an ambient color light signal (aCTS) in a second mode if the clocked control signal is in a low state, wherein the ambient color light signal (aCTS) is indicative of a color of ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Curd TRATTLER
  • Publication number: 20150069915
    Abstract: A method for controlling a communications terminal is provided. The method includes causing a computer included in the communications terminal to store first illumination setting information and second illumination setting information in the memory; causing the computer of the communications terminal to transmit, at a certain illumination start time at which the illumination device is to be turned on, a first control signal corresponding to the first illumination setting information to the illumination device such that the illumination device is set to the first illumination state; and causing the computer of the communications terminal to transmit, in a case where the sensor senses a motion of the communications terminal after the certain illumination start time has passed, a second control signal corresponding to the second illumination setting information to the illumination device such that the illumination device is set to the second illumination state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: KENTO OGAWA, TORU TANIGAWA
  • Publication number: 20150061504
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are provided for operating a display and/or an illumination source based upon the direction of a user's gaze and/or a desired illumination level in a monitored area. One or more elements may be controlled with sensor input and application lighting preferences. For example, when a user receives a video call, light may be activated to illuminate their face. When the user is looking at the display, the display will be at the brightness necessary for the lighting conditions. When the user looks away from the screen, the screen may dim further and the lighting elements for the desk can brighten. Similarly, embodiments may adjust the lighting in a monitored location based upon lighting levels identified in other areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Emory Krall, Ruiqing Ma, Michael Hack, Eoin Billings, Duncan Jackson
  • Patent number: 8970472
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for driving a light emitting diode (LED) array and an LCD device using the same. The apparatus for driving the LED array includes a current amount setter configured to have a resistance value which varies according to a selection signal inputted from an external system, and a controller configured to generate a driving voltage and a driving current by using an input voltage inputted from the external system and the resistance value set by the current amount setter, and supply the driving voltage and the driving current to the LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: ByeongYun Ha
  • Publication number: 20150054410
    Abstract: One example solid state lighting type lamp for a three-way luminaire includes a power source, a controller, an output stage, switching logic circuitry and multiple sets of light emitters. The logic circuitry receives input signals from tip and ring power contacts on a lamp base. The controller provides power from the power source to the output stage which is controlled by the switch logic circuitry to selectively apply power to different ones of the sets of light emitters responsive to the input signals. Each set of light emitters emit light having different color temperatures. In another three-way luminaire example, the control circuitry is configured to control drive current in a sequence to toggle the lamp consecutively between an OFF state and ON state in response to inputs from a three-way socket. Another type of lamp includes circuitry to permanently disable the lamp on detection of an end-of-life condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chad N. Sanders, Steven S. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20150054411
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes: a light-emitting unit which includes a plurality of emission areas emitting light periodically at different phases and in which at least two light sources are disposed in each emission area; a detection unit configured to detect light from the light-emitting unit; and a control unit configured to select the plurality of light sources sequentially and to perform lighting-control of temporarily reducing emission brightness of light sources other than the selected light source, wherein the control unit selects lighting-control target light sources so that lighting-control is sequentially performed on light sources disposed in different emission areas among the plurality of emission areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hayato Denda, Makoto Onogi, Masanao Kurita
  • Patent number: 8946998
    Abstract: A light emitting system comprises an LED-based light emitting device and a controller for controlling operation of the device. The device comprises at least two LEDs that are operable to generate light of different colors that contribute to the emission product of the device. The controller is operable to control light emission from the LEDs in response to the measured intensity of the first and second color light contributions in the emission product. To measure the individual light contributions the controller is operable to interrupt, or at least change, light emission from one LED for a selected time period and during this time period to measure the intensity of the emission product of the device. The intensity of light of the first and second color can be determined by comparing the measured intensity with the measured intensity when the light emission from the other LED is interrupted or changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Owen Edwards, Gang Wang, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 8946996
    Abstract: An LED-based light tube for use in a conventional fluorescent fixture includes a housing including a light transmitting portion, at least one electrical connector attached to the housing and configured for engagement with the conventional fluorescent fixture, at least one LED arranged to produce light in a direction toward the light transmitting portion, a sensor operable to detect a brightness level and output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, and a controller in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector, operable to: compare the signal to a predetermined value corresponding to a desired brightness level and control an amount of power provided to the at least one LED in response to the signal to adjust the light produced by the at least one LED to achieve the desired brightness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: iLumisys, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ivey, David L Simon
  • Publication number: 20150028748
    Abstract: Compensating for disturbances in light output by a light source includes sensing light output by a light source and generating a light-sense signal based thereon, detecting a disturbance in the light-sense signal, and generating an output signal to compensate for the disturbance. An LED is driven in accordance with the periodic output signal to thereby compensate for the periodic disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Arthur Lionel Stevens
  • Publication number: 20150028749
    Abstract: A driving device is adapted to drive a light emitting device with stable optical power, and includes a feedback driving circuit, and a pulse wave generating circuit. The feedback driving circuit provides a driving current that is associated with a pulse-wave signal to the light emitting device, and outputs a feedback signal. The pulse wave generating circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter outputting a digital feedback signal according to the feedback signal, and a controller outputting the pulse-wave signal according to the digital feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: National Chi Nan University
    Inventors: Tai-Ping SUN, Hsiu-Li SHIEH, Chi-Neng HO
  • Patent number: 8941308
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus and methods for controlling lighting apparatus using ambient light levels are disclosed. A controller is used to activate and deactivate one or more light radiating devices within a duty cycle. The controller uses a light detection apparatus to sample ambient light levels at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated. The controller determines an average for the light levels sampled over a survey time period, thus generating an averaged ambient light level over the survey time period. The controller adjusts an intensity of the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the averaged ambient light level. The controller may generate a target light level using the averaged ambient light level over the survey time period and a desired light level and, over an adjustment time period, incrementally adjust the intensity of the light radiating devices towards the target light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Arkalumen Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Edward Briggs
  • Publication number: 20150022093
    Abstract: A method controls the light exposure of an individual during a given time period. A control unit is provided for controlling lights. A first sensor is worn by the individual and gathers light exposure data including lighting intensity data and Kelvin temperature data experienced by the individual. Second sensors are disposed in a building for collecting emitted light data emitted in the building. The emitted light data and the light exposure data are transmitted to the control unit. The light data, along with desired data including desired light intensity and desired Kelvin temperature are stored. The optimal light exposure for the individual is determined based on the light data or the desired data, and an output signal is generated based on the optimal light exposure. The lights are controlled based on the output signal to produce an overall light intensity and Kelvin temperature pattern per day for the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Rodney G. Smith, Harry Zuker
  • Publication number: 20150002025
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a lighting assembly is provided. The lighting assembly includes a first light unit configured to operate at a first duty cycle and a second light unit configured to operate at a second duty cycle. The second duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the first and second light units emit light having a same wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Danijel Maricic, Ramanujam Ramabhadran, John Thomas Garrity
  • Publication number: 20150002026
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source control method using a light detector (100) comprising an image sensor (104), a display (106), a user interface (114), and a decoder (103), the light source control method comprising: performing a capturing sequence, comprising capturing an image of a set of light sources and displaying the image; requesting a user to point the light detector at least a subset of the set of light sources, capturing a sub-image for each pointing; and, for each sub-image, detecting individually coded light emitted from any light source emitting individually coded light and being present in the sub-image; performing a selection sequence comprising displaying a panoramic image showing a combination of the sub-images and information related to decoded light sources overlaid on the corresponding light sources in the panoramic image; and receiving user input representing user selection of a portion of the panoramic image; and performing a control sequence comprising controlling at leas
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Tommaso Gritti
  • Patent number: 8922137
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes an illuminance sensor, a dimming control device and a light source. The lighting apparatus calculates a light output characteristic of the light source based on an illuminance measurement value when the light source is turned off and an illuminance measurement value when the light source is lit with a predetermined output, and calculates an ambient illuminance based on the light output characteristic. The illuminance measurement by the illuminance sensor is performed every predetermined period, and dimming control is performed on the light source based on the calculated ambient illuminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinobu Sawada
  • Publication number: 20140375217
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a lighting system comprises a remote control unit (4) and at least one lighting device (2a, 2b, 2c) comprising a light driver (13) and a light emitter (14). The remote control unit (4) comprises an image capturing unit (5) and is arranged to control the lighting device (2a, 2b, 2c). To do so, the remote control unit (4) receives information relating to current/present settings of the image capturing unit (5), then determines one or more properties of signals for visible light communications based on these settings. The one or more properties are then communicated to the at least one lighting device (2a, 2b, 2c). Upon reception thereof the light driver (13) generates a light emitting control signal based on the received properties and visible light communications based on the light emitting control signal is emitted by the light emitter (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Lorenzo Feri, Stephanus Joseph Johannes Nijssen, Constant Paul Marie Jozef Baggen, Tommaso Gritti, Ruben Rajagopalan, Frederik Jan De Bruijn, Hongming Yang
  • Patent number: 8917023
    Abstract: This invention relates to an illumination system (100) comprising a plurality of luminaires (101a-d). The luminaires are each arranged to transmit in the light emitted an identification code ID. To ensure sufficient detection of the identification codes during selection with a selection device (120), the system further comprises a control unit (130) which is arranged for identification of any luminaire which has a nominal drive value equal to or below a minimum preset value, or equal to or above a maximum preset value. The control unit sets (or instructs a driver to set) the nominal drive value of such identified luminaire to a predetermined value to achieve a corresponding predetermined light output from the luminaire ensuring a sufficient signal for the transmission of the identification code ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Cornelis Talstra, Hendricus Theodorus Gerardus Maria Penning De Vries, George Frederic Yianni, Lucius Theodorus Vinkenvleugel, Franciscus Wilhelmus Adrianus Alphonsus Van Leeuwen
  • Patent number: 8902150
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus has a plurality of light emission block group and a detection unit for each light emission block group, wherein light emission blocks selected from different light emission block groups are grouped as sets, and light emission blocks belonging to a same set are caused to emit light simultaneously. The grouping is such that a minimum value, in all the sets, of a detection value ratio becomes as large as possible, wherein the detection value ratio is a ratio between an amount of light due to a light emission from one light emission block belonging to a light emission block group corresponding to each detection unit, and an amount of light due to a light emission from another light emission block emitting light simultaneously with the one light emission block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanao Kurita
  • Publication number: 20140339985
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lighting control. In some embodiments methods and apparatus are provided that sense a low lighting condition at a location and direct light toward that location after detection of the low lighting condition. In some embodiments apparatus are provided that include a plurality of networked LEDs (20, 30, 220, 230, 320, 330, 420, 430, 520, 530). Some of the LEDs may be illuminated in response to sensed light conditions at certain locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Dirk Valentinus René Engelen, Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina, Tim Dekker
  • Publication number: 20140340375
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment relates to controlling the amount of backlight power in an electronic display to account for the temperature in the backlight cavity. Another embodiment relates to a system for controlling the amount of backlight based on both the temperature of the backlight and the amount of ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: William DUNN, John Schuch, David Williams
  • Patent number: 8890418
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for lighting fixture determining its power usage and monitoring its operational health are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of a lighting fixture determining its power usage. The method includes sensing, by an ambient light sensor, an intensity of light emitted from the lighting fixture, and estimating power usage of the lighting fixture based on the sensed intensity of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanuj Mohan, Zachary Gentry
  • Patent number: 8884529
    Abstract: An integrated photonic device includes a number of LEDs and a feedback mechanism that measures individual LED light outputs using a photo sensor via a light transmitter disposed in the vicinity of individual LEDs. A controller or driver adjusts a current driven to each LED using the detected values according to various logic based on the device application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 8884528
    Abstract: An objective is to provide a vase-shaped device, a light wall device, and a system which accentuate the beauty of flowers by implementing “interactive flower arrangement” in which the color of the vase-shaped device and that of a space around the vase-shaped device change according to the color of the arranged flowers so as to entertain users. To achieve the above objective, provided is a vase-shaped device including light-emitting devices as an output unit configured to output a signal as controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Sachiko Muromura
  • Publication number: 20140327360
    Abstract: The light source apparatus includes: a light source substrate having a light emission unit; an optical sheet facing the light emission unit; a plurality of detection units configured to detect light; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust light emission brightness of the light emission unit on the basis of detection values of two or more of the detection units, the two or more detection units including the detection unit arranged at a position at which a change in the detection value due to a deflection of the optical sheet is positive when the light emission unit emits the light and the detection unit arranged at a position at which the change in the detection value due to the deflection of the optical sheet is negative when the light emission unit emits the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironobu Hoshino, Masanao Kurita
  • Publication number: 20140327361
    Abstract: A colour tunable lighting module is described which includes at least three solid state lighting emitters (such as light emitting diodes) and at least two wavelength converting elements (such as phosphors). The three solid state lighting emitters are formed of the same semiconductor material system and the light generated by them has dominant wavelengths in the blue-green-orange range of the optical spectrum. The two wavelengths converters are used re-emit some of the light from two of the emitters in broader spectra having longer dominant wavelengths, while the third emitter is selected to emit light at a wavelength between the dominant wavelengths of the light from the two emitters and the two converters. A control system may be employed to monitor and control the module and the lighting module can be optimised for tunable high colour quality white light applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: PHOTONSTAR LED LIMITED
    Inventors: Majd Zoorob, Thomas David Matthew Lee
  • Publication number: 20140312778
    Abstract: A backlight device includes: a light emitting unit that includes a plurality of light sources having different light emission colors from each other; a detection unit that detects light emission states of the plurality of light sources; a temperature sensor that measures a temperature in a proximity of the plurality of light sources; a brightness conversion unit that converts values indicating the detected light emission states to obtain a detection value for each color of the light emission colors; and a calculation unit that corrects the obtained detection value for each of the light emission colors by using information indicating a relationship between the measured temperature and a correction value, and determines drive values for the light sources based on the corrected detection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140312777
    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: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shearer, Arya Abraham, Ethan Charles Biery, Timothy P. Gredler, Juha Mikko Hakkarainen