Radiant Energy Controlled Regulation Of The Current Supply For The Load Device Patents (Class 315/158)
  • Patent number: 8942572
    Abstract: A lighting system includes light fixtures not in communications with and not synchronized with one another, and one or more light sensors. Each light fixture separately emits data encoded visible light including light fixture information encoded therein in a manner that avoids visually perceptible flicker and enables light fixture information emitted by one light fixture to be distinguished from light fixture information emitted by other light fixtures. The light fixture information is encoded into data encoded visible light such that a difference between different levels of the data encoded visible light is indicative of an illumination capability of the light fixture and such that visually perceptible flicker is avoided. Each light sensor separately receives portions of data encoded light visible light emitted by multiple light fixtures and separately determines the identity of and the maximum and present illumination contributions for each light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Bret Rothenberg
  • 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: 20150015147
    Abstract: Illumination devices and related systems and methods are disclosed that can be used for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) backlights, LED lamps, or other applications. The illumination devices can include a photo detector, such as a photodiode or an LED or other light detecting device, and one or more LEDs of different colors. A related method can be implemented using these illumination devices to maintain precise color produced by the blended emissions from such LEDs. One application for the illumination devices is backlighting for FSC (Field Sequential Color) LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays). FSC LCDs temporally mix the colors in an image by sequentially loading the red, green, and blue pixel data of an image in the panel and flashing the different colors of an RGB backlight. Precise and uniform color temperature across such a display can be advantageously maintained by continually monitoring ratios of photodiode currents induced by the different colored LEDs in each illumination device as each color is flashed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20150003034
    Abstract: To provide a light-emitting device whose amount of light can be adjusted, or the like. The amount of light emitted from the light-emitting device can be adjusted by controlling the magnitude of the constant current pulse by a control signal. Specifically, the light-emitting device includes a constant current supply configured to be supplied with a control signal and a control pulse signal and configured to supply a constant current pulse; a control device configured to supply the control signal; a driver circuit configured to supply the control pulse signal; and a light-emitting panel configured to be supplied with the constant current pulse. The control signal is a signal for controlling the magnitude of the constant current pulse. The light-emitting panel includes a light-emitting element. The current density of the light-emitting element is greater than or equal to 10 mA/cm2 and less than or equal to 1000 mA/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Daiki NAKAMURA, Nobuharu OHSAWA, Hisao IKEDA, Akihiro KAITA, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20150002030
    Abstract: A lighting device for use in creating light, e.g., for replacing a light bulb. The device is in a bulb shaped housing, having an element emitting light. That element can be a FIPEL element. The device has a signal generator, outputting a signal having a frequency. The element has a light emitting layer that receives the signal from the signal generator, and outputs light of a wavelength that is dependent on said frequency emitted by said signal generator. A sensor senses ambient light adjacent said housing, and adjusts said signal generator based on said ambient light that is sensed. This maintains a constant ambient light level and color temperature as observed by a user as the actual ambient light levels vary over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew McRae
  • Publication number: 20140375206
    Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of individually addressable radio frequency (RF) modules, any of which can be installed with any electrical device such as an ambient condition sensor or an ambient condition modifier. A prime example would be a light fixture, whether with or without a dimmable light source efficient dimming and integrated smart sensor networking related to the lighting system itself or to other systems such as parking monitors, fire alarm monitors or security alarm monitors. Independent control processing in each lighting fixture or electrical device allows a multiplicity of sensors to be locally employed and their data to control local conditions or communicate to adjoining fixtures and electrical devices and thereby control larger portions of the lighting system network or network to several unrelated systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony Holland, Ion Toma
  • Publication number: 20140375222
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function. Responsive to user input, sensed activity, and/or acquired information, the source(s) are controlled by the controller in accordance with a lighting control function which may be modified based on learning by a device or system including the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, JR., Januk Aggarwal, David P. Ramer
  • Publication number: 20140375221
    Abstract: A battery-powered light level sensing device comprises a light level sensor 1 and a wireless transmitter 3 in data communication with the light level sensor and configured to transmit light level information from the light level sensor 1 to a lighting controller for a room. The sensing device also includes attachment means adapted to attach the sensing device to the glass of a window defining a boundary of the room with the light level sensor positioned to sense the ambient light level outside the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: C.P. Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mans, Merlin Milner
  • Patent number: 8912725
    Abstract: A photoswitch includes a DC power supply, a luminance controlling circuit and a lightening apparatus. The luminance controlling circuit includes a relay RL1, a trigger circuit module, a delay discharge circuit module, a photosensitive element and an adjusting circuit module. The trigger circuit module includes a NPN triode Q1, a NPN triode Q2, NPN triode Q3, a resistor R3 and a resistor R6; the adjusting circuit module includes a resistor R4 and a resistor R5 and a resistor R7, one end of which is in connection with the current output end of the resistor R4 and the other of is in connection with the current input end of the relay RL1; a current value of a subcircuit with the resistor R7 and the relay RL1 is smaller than a pull-in current value or a release current value of the relay RL1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Qicheng Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xuanfeng Ye
  • Patent number: 8912735
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures for use in a lighting network where the lighting fixtures and other elements are able to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication techniques. When the lighting network is being formed or modified, a lighting fixture is selected to act as a coordinator for forming the lighting network. For example, a user may employ a commissioning tool to select a particular lighting fixture as the coordinator. The coordinator will send out one or more ‘join my network’ messages toward the other elements of the lighting network. The elements that receive the ‘join my network’ message may respond in order to make the coordinator aware of their presence and join them to a lighting network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Chobot, John J. Trainor
  • Patent number: 8907735
    Abstract: A PWM circuit that can have two refresh rates, including: a first PWM signal generator and a second PWM signal generator; wherein the first PWM signal generator and the second PWM signal generator respectively control refresh rates in two dimensions of an output data generated from a target apparatus. A PWM signal generation method that can have two refresh rates, including: generating a first PWM signal; generating a second PWM signal; and controlling refresh rates in different dimensions of an output data generated from a target apparatus respectively by using the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Touch Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Yuan Chin, Kuei-Jyun Chen
  • Patent number: 8901845
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus may include a plurality of light emitting devices, a temperature sensor, and a compensation circuit. The plurality of light emitting devices may include a first light emitting device configured to emit light having a first chromaticity, a second light emitting device configured to emit light having a second chromaticity different than the first chromaticity, and a third light emitting device configured to emit light having the second chromaticity. Moreover, the first, second, and third light emitting devices may be electrically coupled in series. The temperature sensor may be configured to generate a temperature sense signal responsive to heat generated by at least one of the plurality of light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Pickard, Joseph P. Chobot, Mark D. Edmond
  • Publication number: 20140346958
    Abstract: A load driving device disclosed in the specification includes a power supply circuit for supplying to a load an output voltage converted from an input voltage, a detection voltage generation circuit for generating a detection voltage which varies depending on a magnitude of a voltage drop which across the load, and a control circuit for controlling the power supply circuit so that it performs output feedback control of the output voltage, on the basis of the detection voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Sadakazu MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20140339986
    Abstract: An optical sensor circuit comprises an optical sensor (DET) designed to provide a sensor signal indicative of light incident on the optical sensor (DET). A clock terminal (CLK) is used to receive a clocked control signal comprising high and low states. A controller unit (CU) is connected to the optical sensor (DET) and to the clock terminal (CLK). 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 high state, and process the sensor signal as an ambient light signal (ALS) in a second mode if the clocked control signal is in low state, and further designed to generate a driving signal (PWM) to drive a light emitting device (LED) to be connected at a control terminal (OUT). The driving signal (PWM) depends on the color and ambient light signal (CTS, ALS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Curd TRATTLER, Peter TRATTLER
  • Patent number: 8884521
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight element is specified which has at least one light-emitting diode and at least one control apparatus. The control apparatus is suitable for processing a signal which is dependent on a measurement variable and for applying a current, corresponding to the signal, to the light-emitting diode. The control apparatus and the light-emitting diode are arranged on a common mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Behr, Alois Biebl, Moritz Engl, Heinz Haas, Stefan Hackenbuchner, Peter Helbig, Günther Hirschmann, Markus Hofmann, Rainer Huber, Joachim Reill, Thomas Reiners, Ralf Vollmer
  • Publication number: 20140327364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile device (10) for the configuration of at least one operating device (20) for operating a lighting means (22) and/or a luminaire, wherein the mobile device (10) comprises at least one optical sensor (12) provided for detecting technical lighting parameters, e.g. by way of device-internal image processing, and/or at least one localizing unit (110) provided for detecting absolute and/or relative position parameters of the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device (10) comprises an interface (11) for communication with the at least one operating device, and more particularly is designed to exchange configuration parameters with the operating device (20) via the interface (11) and, on the basis of the detected technical lighting parameters and/or position parameters, to alter at least one configuration parameter that influences the light rendering of the lighting means (22) in the operating device (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerold Bischof, Anthony John Wood
  • Patent number: 8878440
    Abstract: An illumination system can provide at least a first state and a second state of a luminaire equipped with at least one lighting subsystem. In the first state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem is controlled based on the occurrence of a detected solar event or the occurrence of an expected solar event. In the second state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem forms a visually distinct pattern based on the detection of atmospheric electrical activity exceeding a defined threshold by an electrical activity sensor disposed within the luminaire. The visually distinctive luminous output can alert persons within line of sight of the luminaire of the proximity of threatening atmospheric electrical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 8872433
    Abstract: An electronic control system for operating lighting is rated and operable from normal AC mains supply voltages. A street light controller is adapted to activate a luminaire when ambient light levels are considered too dark and, conversely, when ambient light levels are sufficient, the luminaire is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hendon Semiconductors Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thi Bui, Mark Potter, Khanh Le, Stephen Francis
  • Patent number: 8872964
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Patent number: 8872431
    Abstract: A portable electronic device capable of assuming an open configuration and a closed configuration comprises a primary light sensor and a secondary light sensor. When the portable electronic device is in the open configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the primary light sensor, and when the portable electronic device is in the closed configuration, a light sensor signal is selected from the secondary light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Eric Gary Malo, Bergen Albert Fletcher, Ken Wu
  • Patent number: 8866392
    Abstract: A two-level LED security light with a motion sensor. At night, the LED is turned on for a low level illumination. When the motion sensor detects any intrusion, the LED is switched from the low level illumination to a high level illumination for a short duration time. After the short duration time, the LED security light returns to the low level illumination for saving energy. The LED security light includes a power supply unit, a light sensing control unit, a motion sensing unit, a loading and power control unit, and a lighting-emitting unit. The lighting-emitting unit includes one or a plurality of LEDs which may be turned-on or turned-off according to the sensing results from the light sensing control unit. When the motion sensing unit detects an intrusion, the illumination of the LED security light can be immediately turned on to the high level to scare away the intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Publication number: 20140300280
    Abstract: A color-changeable lamp includes a base, a control unit, a deformable lamp body, a color-sensing unit, a pressure-sensing unit and a light-emitting unit. The deformable lamp body is connected with the base and has a closed space. The control unit, the color-sensing unit and the light-emitting unit are disposed at the base. The pressure-sensing unit is disposed in the closed space. The color-sensing unit can sense a color of a target and generate a color signal corresponding to the color of the target, and the pressure-sensing unit can sense the air pressure in the closed space and send a pressure signal to the control unit when the deformable lamp body is deformed. When the pressure signal reaches a predetermined value, the control unit controls the light-emitting unit to emit the light corresponding to the color signal according to the color signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu-Chang CHEN, Kai-Chi SHIU, Chi-Han WANG, Hsin-Hao CHANG
  • Publication number: 20140300279
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system using an infrared ray for performing a variety of stage effect operations. In a light emitting system including a light emitting instruction apparatus and a light emitting device, the light emitting instruction apparatus includes an infrared output which outputs an infrared signal modulated by a control code, and the light emitting device includes a receiver which receives the infrared signal, an extractor which extracts the control code from the infrared signal acquired by the receiver, a light emitter which emits visible light in a plurality of colors, and a controller which executes drive control of the light emitter. The control code transmitted by the light emitting instruction apparatus includes a plurality of verification codes which verify whether to match with ID codes preliminarily stored in the light emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kuwagata
    Inventor: Noriaki YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8853952
    Abstract: An optical sensor controlled lighting system comprises an ambient light sensor responsive to ambient light levels for generating an output signal proportional to the ambient light level. A light source having on and off states is controlled by circuit elements providing for developing a rate of change for the output signal and further providing for, responsive to the rate of change, selectively switching the light source between on and off states based on characteristics of the rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Jenesis International Incorporated
    Inventors: Kim I. McCavit, Roger D. Bentley
  • Patent number: 8847491
    Abstract: An electric light bulb type light source apparatus includes a light source unit, a power source substrate, a drive substrate, a base, and a casing. On the power source substrate, a power source circuit is mounted, and the power source substrate has one of a through hole and a cutout. On the drive substrate, a drive circuit of at least the light source unit is mounted, and the drive substrate includes a part disposed in the one of the through hole and the cutout of the power source substrate. The base is used to supply power to the power source substrate. The casing is configured to contain the light source unit, the power source substrate, and the drive substrate, and the casing has a translucent cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Yotsumoto, Kouji Miyata
  • Publication number: 20140285096
    Abstract: There is provides an illumination system which comprises a plurality of luminaries or light sources. Each luminary or light source comprises a light driver capable of receiving and storing a dynamic light effect pattern, and from the dynamic light effect pattern creating a light effect. The color and/or intensity of the luminary or light source is thereby dynamically varied. The light driver is further arranged to embed data in the light effect. Each luminary or light source further comprises a light emitter for emitting the light effect comprising the encoded data. A light detector is arranged to receive light emitted by other luminaries or light sources in the illumination system. A light decoder is arranged to decode data out of light received by the detector and arranged to determine the intensity of the light received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Roel Peter Geert Cuppen, Winfried Antonius Henricus Berkvens, Angelique Carin Johanna Maria Brosens-Kessels
  • Publication number: 20140265883
    Abstract: An electrical device such as a switch includes a light source and light sensor to detect ambient light and actuate the light source when the ambient light is below a predetermined level. The light switch has a pivotally mounted rocker actuator with a first outer face on one side of the pivot axis at a first end of the housing and a second outer face on a second side of the pivot axis at a second end of the housing. The light source is positioned in the housing to illuminate a light transmitting area of the first outer face of the actuator. The light sensor and a light sensor lens for directing ambient light to the light sensor are positioned at or near the second outer face at the second end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sorin MORTUN
  • Publication number: 20140265882
    Abstract: A system for controlling a light source to enhance the appearance of one or more objects within an environment illuminated by the light source. The system includes a tunable white light source to illuminate an object and a camera configured to capture one or more digital images the object and identify attributes of the object, including object color values. The system further includes a light control module configured to determine at least one optimal lighting condition for the light source based, at least in part, on the object attributes, wherein the optimal lighting condition is configured to enhance the appearance of the object illuminated by the light source while maintaining the overall appearance of light within the environment. The light control module is further configured to adjust the spectral composition of the light source based on the optimal lighting condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Laski, Makarand Chipalkatti, Maria Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140265880
    Abstract: A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Taipale, Timothy P. Gredler, Akshay Bhat
  • Publication number: 20140265881
    Abstract: A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Karc, Ankit Bhutani, Galen Edgar Knode, Jamie Steffie
  • Publication number: 20140252961
    Abstract: Exemplary lighting devices have sensors, intelligence in the form of programmed processors and communication capabilities. Such a device is configured to monitor one or more conditions external to a lighting device not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting device. One or more such devices can work in a networked system, to support a variety of applications separate and in addition to the lighting related functions of the devices(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Patent number: 8829815
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment relates to controlling the amount of backlight 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 in the backlight cavity and the amount of ambient light. The embodiments are especially useful in electronic displays which are subjected to cold or warm temperatures and displays which are placed in very bright environments. Exemplary embodiments allow the display to remain visible, while avoiding possible damage due to high levels of heat or cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, John Schuch, David Williams
  • Patent number: 8829798
    Abstract: A first current amount which has been preset so that the light amount of an LED element reaches a target light amount value at a predetermined reference ambient temperature, and a thermal correction coefficient for correcting the first current amount so that the light amount of the element reaches the target light amount value at an ambient temperature different from the reference ambient temperature are stored. Furthermore, when the light amount of the LED element reaches the target light amount value, an aging correction coefficient for correcting the first current amount to correct aging at the reference ambient temperature is calculated from a second current amount supplied to the LED element and the thermal correction coefficient corresponding to the ambient temperature of the LED element, and is then stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 8820963
    Abstract: A light fixture may include LEDs that each emits light into a particular zone on a lens, where each zone has its own focal properties. Each LED may be grouped into one (or more) subset(s) that corresponds to the zone(s) struck by its emitted light. The LEDs may be selectively electrically controllable, so that the amount of light transmitted through each zone may be controllable by the electrical control system of the fixture. Because light transmitted through different zones emerges from the fixture having different widths, the electrical control system can directly control the amount of light emerging at each width. By mixing relatively narrow light with relatively wide light in the proper proportions, the electrical control system of the fixture may produce light having any desired angular profile between “narrow” and “wide”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Olsen, Michael Quilici
  • Publication number: 20140239822
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a lighting control method is conceived for controlling the illumination of a working area, wherein an RFID-enabled light sensor attached to said working area measures incident light on the working area, and wherein an RFID-enabled luminary periodically reads the measured incident light from said RFID-enabled light sensor and adapts its light level in dependence on the measured incident light, such that a predefined illumination level on the working area is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ewout Brandsma
  • Publication number: 20140239821
    Abstract: A system has a lighting fixture has a first connector electrically coupled to a power supply, the first connector being separately electrically coupled to a load, an occupancy sensor having a second connector adapted and configured to engage the first connector, the occupancy sensor being capable of detecting a presence of a person within a monitored space, the first and second connectors forming a disconnect for the lighting fixture, and a switch located in the occupancy sensor arranged to electrically couple the power supply and the load when the first connector is coupled to the second connector and when the occupancy sensor detected a person's presence within the monitored space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8816592
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to an active damper and a driving method thereof. An AC input passed through a dimmer is transmitted to an active damper through a rectification circuit. The active damper includes a damper resistor connected to the rectification circuit, a damper switch connected to the damper resistor in parallel, and a delay circuit delaying a turn-on time of the damper switch by a predetermined initial period from a turn-on time of the dimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Chul Eom, Seunguk Yang, Gye-Hyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20140217903
    Abstract: A programmable lighting control system integrates time-based, sensor-based, and manual control of lighting and other loads. The system includes one or more groups of controlled lighting areas, which may be, e.g., floors of a building. Each group may have one or more lighting zones, which may be, e.g., individual rooms or offices on a building floor. Each lighting zone includes occupancy and/or daylight sensors that may be wirelessly coupled to a gateway of the group. Each gateway is coupled to a network, such as, e.g., a local area network (LAN). Control software, residing on a computer (e.g., a personal computer or a server) coupled to the network and accessible via the network, remotely communicates with and controls the lighting zones either individually, groupwise, or globally. Each lighting zone can also be locally controlled at the gateway and can function independently of the control software and the gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. Platner, William J. Fassbender, Ryan A. Zaveruha, Frank J. Ramirez, Philip S. Gross, Raymond A. Frigon
  • Patent number: 8796936
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor integrated in a compact fluorescent lamp that, in turn, may include a controller and a radiation source. The ambient light sensor may include a radiation receiver to receive and filter incident radiation to obtain a value of the level of infrared radiation, and an electronic module to determine if the value is above a reference threshold value to enable the controller to switch the state of the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Raynor
  • Publication number: 20140209800
    Abstract: An NDIR gas detector includes a photodetector for detecting a portion of stray visible light emitted from an incandescent lamp so as to generate an induced electrical signal, which is compared with a preset reference signal associated with a predetermined constant level of the stray visible light corresponding to a constant temperature of the lamp so as to obtain a level difference between the induced electrical signal and the reference signal. Electrical power supplied to the lamp is repeatedly regulated based on the level difference until the induced electrical signal and the reference signal have the same level, thereby stabilizing IR emission of the lamp in response to the lamp being kept at the constant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ORIENTAL SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Jin-Shown SHIE, Chien-Hsun WANG
  • Publication number: 20140203939
    Abstract: A smart light-emitting-diode (LED) bulb includes apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed without the use of a wall switch. Such apparatus may include circuitry responsive to rotating the LED portion of the bulb, circuitry responsive to touching or tapping on the bulb, or a Bluetooth or WiFi interconnection enabling the bulb to be controlled using a smartphone or other device executing a bulb-control application. Other apparatus may include a microphone enabling the bulb to be controlled with a voice, sound or music. In other embodiments, apparatus enabling the bulb to be turned ON, OFF, or dimmed may include a power line communication (PLC) interface enabling the bulb or bulbs to be controlled via the Internet. A camera or image sensor may be provided enabling the bulb to be gesture-controlled. A system may include a plurality of smart LED light bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: RTC INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Harrington, Charles W. Krapf
  • Publication number: 20140203713
    Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8786196
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprises a rotary actuator, such as a rotary knob or a rotary wheel. The load control device increases and decreases the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to rotations of the rotary knob in first and second directions, respectively. The load control device accelerates the rate of change of the amount of power delivered to the load in response to the angular velocity of the rotary actuator. The load control device generates a ratcheting sound when the rotary actuator is rotated in the first direction at a high-end intensity of the load control device. The load control device is operable to control the electrical load in response to both actuations of the rotary actuator and digital messages received via a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Maureen E. Flowers, Galen Edgar Knode
  • Patent number: 8786209
    Abstract: Reduction of luminance dispersion of a plurality of light-emitting panels combined into one light-emitting device is achieved by the use of a new light-emitting device which has a photosensor, a plurality of light-emitting panels, DC/DC converters connected to their respective light-emitting panels, and a control circuit configured to control output currents of the DC/DC converters in accordance with illuminance data acquired with the photosensor. The control circuit successively turns on the plurality of light-emitting panels, and controls the output currents of the DC/DC converters in accordance with differences of the illuminance data acquired with the photosensor when the light-emitting panels are turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8786197
    Abstract: A system having a light guide adapted to collect light from a light source, a light detector attached to the light guide, a controller electrically connected to an output of the light detector, and a driver for driving the light source detachably connected to an output of the controller. The driver includes a memory that stores a calibration value for the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TSMC Solid State Lighting Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 8779340
    Abstract: A lighting fixture system for fluorescent lamps includes one or more fluorescent lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the fluorescent lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more fluorescent lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the fluorescent lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
  • Publication number: 20140191665
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Hubertus Petrus Gommans, Eduard Johannes Meijer
  • Publication number: 20140191667
    Abstract: A light source control system using output feedback, comparing the current output to a previous output level of a light source and modulating a control signal to maintain the light source output at a predetermined percentage of its maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Oldenburg Group Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher M. Glandt
  • Publication number: 20140184084
    Abstract: An electronic incense assembly includes a burning chamber, an electronic stick, a camera module, an image processor and a controller. The burning chamber includes a sidewall. The electronic stick is positioned on the burning chamber, and includes a light guide bar and a light source. The light guide bar includes a first end and a second end away from the first end. The light source is positioned on the second end. The camera module is positioned on the sidewall. The image processor includes an environment brightness sensor. The controller is electrically connected to the camera module and the image processor. The environment brightness sensor is configured to sense an environment brightness based on a captured image captured by the camera module. The controller is configured to receive the environment brightness and to drive the light source to emit suitable light according to the environment brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: CHIH-CHEN LAI
  • Patent number: 8760058
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) illuminating apparatus including a heat sink, a light emitting module, a power connection portion, a translucent cover and a wiring path. The heat sink has a plurality of heat dissipation fins. The light emitting module is positioned on an upper portion of the heat sink. The power connection portion is positioned below a lower portion of the heat sink. The translucent cover is mounted to cover an upper portion of the light emitting module. The wiring path is formed in the heat sink so as to accommodate a wire for electrically connecting the power connection portion and the light emitting module. In the LED illuminating apparatus, the light emitting module emits light by directly receiving AC power supplied through the wire accommodated in the wiring path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Posco LED Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Hoon Song, Min Uk Yoo, Dae Won Kim, Jung Hwa Kim, Sun Hwa Lee