Variable frequency LEDs and time-based frequency-variable drivers for LED lighting

• US 10,136,506 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2018
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynotron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynotron, Inc.
• Inventors: Saffari, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thuy Vinh
• Application Number:
  US15/898,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20180177034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 315185 R, 315291
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/20 Forcing-frames; Lights , i.e. glass panels covering the forcing-frames
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/677 the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/18 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/305 Frequency-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/58 involving end of life detection of LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

An adjustable LED lighting system includes a plurality of LEDs, at least one driver, and a programmable signal generator to control a drive frequency. The signal generator includes a clock, an input module to receive commands for driving the LEDs, and a frequency adjustment module to drive the frequency of the one or more LEDs. The LEDS are driven at a target or specified frequency for a time period that is specified with a start time and/or an end time. The LED lighting system allows for a variable frequency of outputs during different time periods and/or in response to specific use commands. The LED lighting system includes one or more target frequencies for one or more target time periods. The LED lighting system stores the target frequencies and target time periods and make the frequency modifications at the user-specified times.

Claims

1. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs);

at least one driver to drive the plurality of LEDs at a drive frequency; and

a programmable signal generator to control the drive frequency, comprising;

a clock,

an input module to receive commands to modify the drive frequency of one or more of the plurality of LEDs to a target frequency during a time period, and

a frequency adjustment module to modify the drive frequency of the one or more of the plurality of LEDs to the target frequency during the time period.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive frequency has a range of about 1 kilohertz to about 20 kilohertz.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the input module comprises a storage device having stored thereon a plurality of target frequencies associated with a plurality of time periods.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the input module is configured to receive use commands that specify a purpose of the plurality of LEDs, and the input module is configured to create the target frequency during the time period based on the received use commands.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reporting module configured to communicate an estimated remaining life of the plurality of LEDs via a wireless communication interface.

6. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs);

at least one driver to drive the plurality of LEDs at a drive frequency; and

a programmable signal generator to control the drive frequency, comprising;

a clock;

an input module to receive commands specifying;

(i) a nonzero first target drive frequency of the plurality of LEDs during a first time period, and

(ii) a nonzero second target drive frequency of the plurality of LEDs during a second time period;

a frequency adjustment module to modify the drive frequency of the plurality of LEDs to the first target frequency during the first time period and the second target frequency during the second time period.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the drive frequency has a range of about 1 kilohertz to about 20 kilohertz.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the first target drive frequency is between 1 kilohertz and 10 kilohertz, and the second target drive frequency is between 10 kilohertz and 20 kilohertz.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the first target drive frequency is between 60 hertz and 1 kilohertz, and the second target drive frequency is between 10 kilohertz and 20 kilohertz.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the input module comprises a storage device having stored thereon a plurality of target frequencies associated with a plurality of time periods.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the input module is configured to receive use commands that specify a purpose of the plurality of LEDs during each of a plurality of time periods, and the input module is configured to generate a target frequency during each of the plurality of time periods based on the received use commands.

12. The system of claim 6, further comprising a reporting module configured to communicate an estimated remaining life of the LEDs via a wireless communication interface.

13. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a light-emitting diode (LED);

a driver to drive the LED at a drive frequency; and

a programmable signal generator to control the drive frequency, comprising;

an input module storing;

(iii) a nonzero first target drive frequency of the LED during a first time period, and

(iv) a nonzero second target drive frequency of the LED during a second time period;

a frequency adjustment module to modify the drive frequency of the LED to the first target frequency during the first time period and the second target frequency during the second time period.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the drive frequency has a range of approximately 1 kilohertz to about 20 kilohertz.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first target drive frequency is between 1 kilohertz and 10 kilohertz, and the second target drive frequency is between 10 kilohertz and 20 kilohertz.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first target drive frequency is less than 1 kilohertz, and the second target drive frequency is between 10 kilohertz and 20 kilohertz.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the input module comprises a storage device having stored thereon a plurality of target frequencies associated with a plurality of time periods.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the input module is configured to receive use commands that specify a purpose of the plurality of LEDs during each of a plurality of time periods, and the input module is configured to generate a target frequency during each of the plurality of time periods based on the received use commands.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising a reporting module configured to communicate an estimated remaining life of the LEDs via a wireless communication interface.