Abstract: An LED backlight controller is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a luminance regulator to generate a luminance control signal to adjust a luminance level in a LED backlight assembly, a timing controller to generate a dimming control signal to adjust a dimming level in the LED backlight assembly, wherein the dimming control signal is a pulse width modulated signal, and an LED driver circuit to receive the luminance control signal and the dimming control signal, the LED driver circuit further to generate an LED driver signal to provide to the LED backlight assembly, wherein the LED driver circuit is configured to control luminance by adjusting the current of the LED driver signal, and wherein the LED driver circuit is configured to adjust a dimming level in the LED backlight assembly by a change in the duty cycle for the dimming control signal. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to increase or optimize the illumination used with a sensor to measure printed ink colors on a substrate at high speed (up to 3 m/s) and high resolution. By modifying the number of light sources, their wavelengths and/or their relative intensities, the optical contrast can be increased or optimized to yield a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved accuracy for the measurement of multiple colors. In one implementation, multiple LEDs with selected output peak wavelength may be used to achieve higher contrast imaging for each color.

Abstract: It is presented a method for controlling a light level of light emitting diodes, LEDs, comprised in a light sensor segment comprising a light sensor and a plurality of LEDs, the method comprising the steps of: turning on all LEDs in an LED segment, comprising at least one of the plurality of LEDs, detecting a light level associated with the LED segment, by detecting a light level using the light sensor, repeating the steps of turning on all LEDs in an LED segment and detecting a light level, until all of the plurality of LEDs are turned on, and for each LED of the plurality of LEDs, controlling a light intensity of the each LED of the plurality of LEDs, the intensity control depending on the detected light level associated with an LED segment containing the each LED of the plurality of LEDs. A corresponding light sensor array, backlight for a display system and liquid crystal display are also presented.

Abstract: An LED array and a method for controlling such an array is described. The array includes one or more LED-optical sensor pairs in which the optical sensor measures the light output of the associated LED. In some forms of the invention, the optical sensors are provided with filters to attenuate light at a wavelength different to that of the LED associated with that optical sensor. In some forms of the invention, the LED-optical sensor pairs are at least partially shielded from extraneous light. In one form of the invention a plurality of sets of LEDs is provided, each set outputting light having a different frequency and each set being controllable to provide a desired light output.

Abstract: The LED-radiance source is a suitable replacement of lamp-based integrating sphere sources where they are used as stable and uniform radiance sources. The LED-based radiance source includes an array of LEDs having substantially similar radiance output wavelengths and a radiation detector such as a photodiode that detects and monitors radiation directed from the LEDs. Temperature of the LEDs can be controlled by feedback from a photodiode, thereby allowing for control and stabilization of temperature-dependent radiation output.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a plurality of light emission units which emit light; a scattering unit which scatters at least a part of light received from the plural light emission units; a light detecting unit which detects a part of light emitted from the plural light emission units and scattered by the scattering unit; and a control unit which controls the plural light emission units based on detection result from the light detecting unit.

Abstract: Provided are an organic light emitting display device coupled to a photoelectric transistor. The organic light emitting display device includes an anode and a cathode separated from each other, a plurality of organic material layers formed between the anode and the cathode and including an organic light emitting layer, a light source applying an excitation pulse to the organic material layers, and a light receiving unit measuring changes in photoluminescence (PL) signals that are emitted from the organic material layers.

Abstract: A controlling system for illumination of a golf course and a controlling method thereof are provided. The illumination controlling system is used for a golf course that has multiple holes. The illumination controlling system has multiple groups of lighting modules respectively corresponding to the multiple holes. Each group of lighting module comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices, a plurality of power devices having control circuit units and chargeable batteries, a plurality of solar panels, and a plurality of motion sensors. Each chargeable battery provides a first working voltage for each light-emitting device. Each control circuit unit connects electrically to utility power to supplies a second working voltage for each light-emitting device. Each motion sensor connects electrically with the control circuit unit of each power device for switching each light-emitting device. The controlling system and method are provided for saving energy of golf course.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a plurality of light sources, a light guide plate that has plate surfaces on front and rear sides and a plurality of end faces formed around the plate surfaces, receives light emitted from the plurality of light sources through a light incident surface, which is at least one end face among the plurality of end faces, and emits the light through a light-emitting surface, which is one of the plate surfaces, a plurality of photodetectors that are disposed to face the end faces or the plate surfaces of the light guide plate, and a light source control unit that controls light emission of the plurality of light sources on the basis of the output of the plurality of photodetectors. The plurality of photodetectors include at least two photodetectors including light receiving surfaces that face the end faces or the plate surfaces in different directions from each other.

Abstract: An illumination controller for controlling an illumination device that irradiates an object to be photographed with illumination light. The illumination controller includes an introducing unit that introduces ambient light emitted to the object from a light source other than the illumination device; a processing unit that processes the ambient light introduced by the introducing unit to have a same characteristic as that of the illumination light; and an irradiation controlling unit that controls the ambient light processed by the processing unit so as to irradiate the object therewith as illumination, from a same path as the irradiation path of the illumination light.

Abstract: An intelligent light, such as a light for connecting with a low voltage line, is provided. The intelligent light includes a light source for coupling with a low voltage line, and a processor in communication with the light source and the low voltage line. The processor determines a voltage on the low voltage line and operates intermittent switching of the light source as a function of the determined voltage and the intermittent switching used to maintain an output level of the light source.

Abstract: A circuit to appropriately adjust the emission intensity of LEDs of various colors. By means of a first optical sensor 11, the detection range of which includes the peak wavelengths of LEDs 10R, 10G, and 10B of multiple colors and the detectable peak wavelength of which is shorter than the shortest peak wavelength of the LEDs 10R, 10G, and 10B, and a second optical sensor 12 the detectable peak wavelength of which is longer than the longest peak wavelength of the LEDs 10R, 10G, and 10B, the LEDs 10R, 10G, and 10B of each color are lighted one color at a time and the emission intensity is measured. When the measurement result of the first optical sensor 11 indicates an increase and the measurement result of the second optical sensor indicates a decrease, it is known that the emitted light has shifted to a shorter wavelength, and in the opposite case, that it has shifted to a longer wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light emission control system including a plurality of light emitting modules each including a plurality of light emitting elements and each being a unit to be controlled, light emitting module controllers each provided for each of the light emitting modules and controlling a corresponding light emitting module, and central controller controlling the light emitting modules. The plurality of light emitting module controllers are divided into a plurality of groups, a plurality of light emitting module controllers belonging to each of the groups are connected in a cascade manner within the group, the plurality of groups are connected in parallel with the central controller, and control information transmitted from the central controller to each of the plurality of groups is sequentially transferred from a light emitting module controller to a following light emitting module controller in each of the groups.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which represents a grayscale by pulse-width modulation driving of a display element includes: a light source which illuminates the display element; a light source driving part which drives the light source; a photodetector which detects the emission intensity of light emitted from the light source; a sample-and-holder which obtains the emission intensity of the light source by the photodetector at a predetermined timing in a light emission period of the light source; and a compensation current generating part which (i) obtains the manner in which the emission intensity of the light source changes on the basis of a first sample value obtained at a first timing by the sample-and-holder and of a second sample value obtained at a second timing by the sample-and-holder or a predetermined target value of the emission intensity; and (ii) controls the light source driving part for compensating the emission intensity of the light source on the basis of the obtained manner in which the emissi

Abstract: A light emission device capable of holding a uniform color in various environments. A light source control device has a light detection device for detecting emission brightness of light sources that emit different colors and controlling emission brightness of at least one light source of the light sources based on the detection result of the light detection device. A through-hole is formed in a reflection member for reflecting light emitted from the light source, and the reflection is in a predetermined direction. The light detection device is provided across the reflection member from the light source, and the light propagation member is provided at the through-hole.

Abstract: A light source assembly includes a light source which emits light; a detector which detects the light and generates a light signal based on a property of the light; an operator operably connected to the detector and which receives the light signal and calculates a color coordinate of the light source based on the light signal; a comparator operably connected to the operator and which compares the color coordinate of the light source to a predetermined reference color coordinate; and a control unit operably connected to the comparator and which controls a pulse width modulation signal transmitted to the light source based on a result of the comparison of the comparator.

Abstract: The invention teaches a new method to provide lighting for photography and other purposes. A consistent, stable, high intensity line-light source is created by using a cylindrical lens and a line-light source using feedback control. The positioning of the line-light source is adjustable to produce parallel, convergence, and divergence beams depending on the desired lighting characteristics. The invention also teaches a new apparatus using the current invention.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a plurality of light sources, a light guide plate that has plate surfaces on front and rear sides and a plurality of end faces formed around the plate surfaces, receives light emitted from the plurality of light sources through a light incident surface, which is at least one end face among the plurality of end faces, and emits the light through a light-emitting surface, which is one of the plate surfaces, a plurality of photodetectors that are disposed to face the end faces or the plate surfaces of the light guide plate, and a light source control unit that controls light emission of the plurality of light sources on the basis of the output of the plurality of photodetectors. The plurality of photodetectors include at least two photodetectors including light receiving surfaces that face the end faces or the plate surfaces in different directions from each other.

Abstract: An exemplary backlight control circuit includes a lamp, a transformer, and a lamp driving circuit. The lamp driving circuit includes a duty ratio determining unit, a duty ratio adjusting unit, and an output unit. The output unit is configured for outputting two pulse signals having a same duty ratio and opposite phases to the transformer. The transformer is configured for generating an alternating voltage for driving the lamp. The duty ratio determining unit is configured for determining if the duty ratio of the pulse signals is in a predetermined duty ratio range. The duty ratio adjusting unit is configured for adjusting the duty ratio of the pulse signals in order to adjust a brightness of the lamp.

Abstract: In a lighting device for a display device, sensor output determination portions determine whether color sensor output signals are greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Variable gain amplifiers amplify the color sensor output signals with a predetermined gain. A color control portion performs color control based on post-amplification signal and obtains luminances of three types of LEDs. Constant current circuits and the PWM circuits drive the three types of LEDs in accordance with control from the color control portion. Gains of the variable gain amplifiers are switched in a stepwise manner so as to become higher as the color sensor output signals become lower. Thus, it is possible to perform color control with high accuracy even when darker light is provided.

Abstract: In a high luminance, long-life luminous body, a method for manufacturing the luminous body, and a light-emitting apparatus according to the present invention, an inorganic EL device, which is formed by stacking a back electrode, a dielectric layer, a luminescent layer, a dielectric layer, and a transparent electrode in that order, is used. An activator containing Pr, Mn, and Au is mixed into a base material comprised of strontium sulfide (SrS) and the resulting mixture is heated to activate the base material. Then GaAs and InP are added to the mixture, following which the mixture thus prepared is baked in a nitrogen atmosphere containing sulfur gas to produce the luminous body. By mixing the luminous body thus prepared and an ultraviolet curing dielectric substance, the luminescent layer can be obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for providing illumination from at least one light emitting diode lighting fixture. Each lighting fixture includes a respective LED array and the method includes the steps of determining at least one parameter associated with the LED array and supplying drive signals to light LEDs in the LED array responsive to the parameter thereby providing illumination having a desired characteristic from said lighting fixture.

Abstract: A system for luminance characterization of a luminaire includes a ballast coil and a multi-tap capacitor connected in series with the ballast coil. The multi-tap capacitor has a plurality of tap capacitors integrated into a capacitor housing. A plurality of switches are each coupled to one of the plurality of tap capacitors for selectively coupling the tap capacitors together to produce a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to a configuration of the plurality of switches. A lamp is connected in series with the multi-tap capacitor and the ballast coil. A photometer is located to measure light intensity of the lamp and to produce a lumen output measurement. A memory is used to store a database having a plurality of lumen output measurements, each corresponding to a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to all configurations of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A LED driving circuit that may control current flow into an LED on a current path according to the amount of light sensed from the LED. An LED driving circuit for driving at least one LED may include at least one of: An optical sensor for receiving light emitted from the LED and generating a feedback signal having a level corresponding to an amount of the received light. A current regulator provided on a path through which current of the LED flows for regulating an amount of current flowing into the LED according to a comparison of the feedback signal with a first reference signal.

Abstract: The techniques of the present invention relate to automatically controlling display intensity. The present invention includes a calibration step in which the display intensity settings are correlated to the ambient light intensity conditions. The present invention also includes an automatic adjustment step in which the ambient light intensity is measured and the display intensity is automatically adjusted according to a correlation defined in the calibration step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining characteristics of a lighting unit, comprising at least two flux sensor each having different wavelength characteristics and being arranged to measure light emitted from the lighting unit, yielding two measurements, and means for calculating a dominant wavelength and a real flux for the lighting unit based on the measurements and the sensors' wavelength characteristics. The present invention provides for a direct calculation of dominant wavelength and real flux without the need for predefined data about the light source or without performing additional measurements such as using temperature measurements. The present invention also relates to a system using such a device, and a corresponding method for determining characteristics of a lighting unit.

Abstract: In a method of driving a light source, light generated by a light source is sensed in order to detect color coordinates of a red color, color coordinates of a green color and color coordinates of a blue color. A light source color space formed by the color coordinates of the red, green and blue colors is compared with a reference color space formed by red reference color coordinates, green reference color coordinates and blue reference color coordinates. Then, color temperature of the light generated by the light source is controlled so that the light source color space covers the reference color space.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling at least one lighting arrangement (2), in which the lighting arrangement modulates the light (6, 16, 18) it emits by lighting arrangement data, which contains an identification code identifying the lighting arrangement, a user control device (12) is suitable to receive the light from the lighting arrangement and to derive therefrom the lighting arrangement data, the user control device measures a property of the received light, apart from it representing data, to provide additional data which is associated with the lighting arrangement which is associated with the identification code contained in the received data, the user control device transmits the lighting arrangement data and the additional data, and a main control device (10) is suitable to receive the data transmitted by the user control device and to therewith control the operation of the lighting arrangement.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling at least one lighting arrangement (2), in which the lighting arrangement modulates the light it emits by lighting arrangement data, which contains an identification code identifying the lighting arrangement, a user control device (12) is suitable to receive the light from the lighting arrangement and to derive therefrom the lighting arrangement data, the user controlled device measures a property of the received light, apart from it representing data, to provide additional data which is associated with the lighting arrangement which is associated with the identification code contained in the received data, data about a location of the user control device is determined, the user controlled device transmits the data it gained, and a main control device (10) is suitable to receive the data transmitted by the user control device and to control the at least one lighting arrangement dependent on all said data.

Abstract: A flashlight has a body containing control circuitry, with a lamp connected to the body and to the control circuitry. A photodetector is connected to the body and the control circuitry, and faces the lamp to sense an operating condition of the lamp. The control circuitry operates the lamp in a start up mode until signaled by the photodetector that the lamp is properly operating. After this, the lamp is operated in a normal mode. The flashlight may have a switch with a button that moves through a range of positions. The switch may have several contact elements, and the button may have an actuator registered with each of the contact elements. The actuators may be of different heights, to provide a sequence of switch operation. Some of the actuators may be movable to allow the button to be actuated further after an initial contact is made.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a plurality of fluorescent bulbs wherein a light intensity of each of the plurality of fluorescent bulbs is related to the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs, a sensor for sensing a physical parameter related to the light intensity, and a circuit adapted for monitoring the sensor and controlling the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs to maintain the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs within a range having a lower temperature and an upper temperature. A method of maintaining light intensity of fluorescent bulbs in an environmental chamber includes monitoring a physical parameter associated with the light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs in an environmental chamber and adjusting temperature of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber to maintain an optimum light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling lighting are described. In general, the system and method may be used for controlling generation of light from the one or more lighting devices within a lighting system, in response to an external input. The control system generally comprises a control interface module and a light generation module. The control interface module is configured to receive the external input and convert same in accordance with a predefined internal control protocol. The light generation module is communicatively linked to the control interface module to receive the converted input and is operatively linked to the one or more light-emitting element modules for controlling generation of light thereby in accordance with the converted input. In one example, the light generation module is either interchangeable or interchangeably adaptable to receive the external input in accordance with one of two or more control protocols.

Abstract: An illuminating device and a luminance switching device thereof for controlling luminance of light emitting states of LED light source are provided.

Abstract: A backlight control module includes a gain module, a variable voltage reference, a comparator, and a pulse width modulator. The gain module is coupled to amplify a representation of LED current to produce an amplified current sense signal. The variable voltage reference source is coupled to produce a reference voltage based on the backlight setting to produce a representation of the backlight setting. The comparator is coupled to compare the reference voltage with the amplified current sense signal to produce the comparison signal. The pulse width modulator is coupled to produce a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal as the brightness control signal based on the comparison signal, wherein the brightness control signal is provided to an off-chip variable supply voltage source that provides power to the off-chip LED.

Abstract: A display apparatus having a displaying part on which an image is displayed, includes: a backlight unit comprising a plurality of light emitting elements that emit different color light which illuminates the displaying part, the plurality of light emitting elements being arranged in a predetermined pattern; a driving part that applies driving current to the backlight unit to control the operation of the light emitting elements and the intensity of light emitted from each of the light emitting elements; a sensing part that senses the amount of light emitted from the backlight unit; and a controller that detects a level of driving current applied to the backlight unit by the driving part, and if the detected level of driving current exceeds a predetermined reference current level, controls the driving part to adjust the backlight unit based on the amount of light sensed by the sensing part.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for measuring cathode fall within a fluorescent lamp that contains an electrode and a gas. A level of cathode fall associated with the electrode may be identified based on an intensity and wavelength of radiation emitted by the gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods can provide, in one aspect, a method for modulating the pulse width of control signals generated on a plurality of separate channels. In one practice, the methods described herein are suitable for execution on a microprocessor or micro controller platform that includes a timer interrupt mechanism which will generate an interrupt in response to a timer counting down a selected time interval or time period. In one practice, the timer is set to count down a period of time that is representative of a portion, or sub period, of the PWM cycle. Upon expiration of that time period, the timer executes an interrupt that causes the micro controller to enter an interrupt service routine (ISR) that can further modulate the PWM cycle of one or more signals.

Abstract: The invention concerns thermoelastic designs incorporating and expansive element formed from material selected in accordance a procedure involving the derivation of an indicator of the material's potential effectiveness for each application.

Abstract: A driving apparatus (2) for cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) includes a primary and a secondary driving circuits (22, 21), a primary and a secondary light tubes (24, 23), a primary and a secondary feedback circuits (26, 27), and two photosensitive elements (25) corresponding to the primary and the secondary light tubes, respectively. The primary and the secondary driving circuits provide power to drive the primary and the secondary light tubes, respectively. The primary feedback circuit receives photoelectric current of a corresponding photosensitive element and provides an output signal to the primary driving circuit. The secondary feedback circuit receives currents of both photosensitive elements, and provides an output signal to the secondary driving circuit to keep a brightness of the secondary light tube the same as the brightness of the primary light tube.

Abstract: An illuminance calibrating method includes a light-receiving intensity measuring step (ST100) for measuring a relationship between an applied current value and a light-receiving intensity of a CCD camera of which exposure time is capable of being changed by taking an image of an illumination from an illuminator by the CCD camera while changing the exposure time of the CCD camera, a characteristic curve calculating step (ST200) for calculating a characteristic curve of the illumination intensity of the illuminator and the applied current value based on the result obtained in the light-receiving intensity measuring step (ST100), and a command-value/current-value table generating step (ST300) for generating a table of the command value and the applied current value based on the calculated characteristic curve.

Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system having a single electrical cable that supplies operating voltages from a power supply to a lamp head. The single electrical cable may provide high voltage to a magnetron of the lamp head and a lesser voltage to an internal blower of the lamp head. The electrical cable may incorporate conductors for transferring communications signals between the power supply and sensors associated with the lamp head.

Abstract: A light-receiving circuit of an optical coupling device may include a dummy photodiode arranged in a vicinity of a photodiode. The dummy photodiode and photodiode may convert received optical signals to photoelectric current. Amplified photoelectric current outputs from current-to-voltage converting amplifiers may be compared and subjected to waveform shaping by a hysterisis comparator for improving a common mode rejection ratio. Negative feedback paths and/or circuits of the converting amplifiers may include impedance variable circuits. The impedance variable circuits may reduce impedance based on the level of the input photoelectric current.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp includes a plurality of gas discharge bulbs arranged on a base along a perimeter defining a middle region and at least one reflective mirror positioned in the middle region and operative to reflect light outward from the middle region. Alternatively, at least one light pipe can be positioned in the middle region and configured to gather light and redirect the light outward from the middle region.

Abstract: A device for driving a light-emitting element via three transistors includes a driving circuit, a negative voltage circuit, and a protection circuit. The driving circuit has a first transistor and a second transistor for producing a first signal. The negative voltage circuit electrically connected to the driving circuit for transforming the first signal into a second signal to be transmitted to the light-emitting element, and the light-emitting element is driven in response to an operating voltage resulted from the voltage of the second signal and a power voltage. The protection circuit includes a third transistor having two terminals connected to the light-emitting element and the third terminal connected to a base of an NPN transistor for controlling the operating voltage so as to stabilize an output of the light-emitting element.

Abstract: An igniter circuit for an arc discharge lamp comprises a DC to AC converter, a transformer, an AC to DC converter and high-voltage DC energy storage which is capable of discharging electrical energy to ignite the arc discharge lamp. In an embodiment, the igniter circuit is capable of producing arc discharge by using a low-voltage DC power supply and is suitable for implementation in a lightweight compact portable projector.

Abstract: A multichip light-emitting-diode package having a support member, at least two light-emitting-diode chips disposed on the support member, at least one sensor disposed on the support member for reporting quantitative and spectral information to a controller, relating to the light output of the light-emitting-diodes, and a signal processing circuit, including an analog-to-digital converter logic circuit, disposed on the support member for converting the analog signal output produced by the sensors to a digital signal output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, comprising an exposure apparatus and a control mean electrically connected to the exposure apparatus, for calculating exposure energy (Ee). The control mean executes an exposure energy calculation program according to mask data, comprising an actual transparency percentage parameter (Ta) and a mask error, and a critical dimension (CD) specification, comprising at least a basic transparency percentage parameter (Tb), a transparency constant (Tc), a CD energy constant (Cc) and a basic exposure energy, to calculate the exposure energy and output the exposure energy to the exposure apparatus. In the exposure energy calculation program, the basic transparency percentage parameter (Tb) is firstly subtracted from the actual transparency percentage parameter (Ta). The resulting difference is then multiplied together with the transparency constant (Tc) parameter to calculate a transparency percentage difference energy.

Abstract: A drive current Ip used to control the light output from a laser diode LD is controlled by using an output Vsft from a level shift circuit 3. By inserting the level shift circuit 3 between a drive source (V+) and a switch buffer 5, the lower limit (V+)−(V−) of the drive voltage in the circuit is lowered to enable the laser diode drive circuit to be driven at a lower voltage and to achieve a reduction in power consumption.

Abstract: A starting aid for a luminaires includes a trigger circuit for supplying a trigger voltage pulse to a lamp in response to the presence of a line voltage signal supplied by a photodetector, a feedback circuit for detecting the lamp voltage and means, responsive to the line voltage signal and the feedback circuit, for comparing the voltage on the lamp to a nominal voltage level for disabling the trigger circuit and terminating the trigger voltage pulse in the presence of a lamp cycling or lamp out condition.

Abstract: Flash light is repeatedly emitted in a pulse state by intermittently turning on and off an IGBT. The flash light reflected by a subject is received by a phototransistor to integrate a received light amount with a capacitor. While the IGBT is turned off, a charging voltage of the capacitor is converted to digital data. Based on the obtained data, it is judged whether emitting the flash light is stopped or not.