Indication systems and methods

• US 20020145869A1
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Dowling, Kevin J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,883,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/026 rechargeable by using wind power, e.g. using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/04 the power supply being a generator
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/043 driven by wind power, e.g. by wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/00 Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for generating an information signal. Exemplary methods and apparatus may comprise (A) electrically associating at least one LED with a Seebeck power generator; (B) thermally associating the Seebeck power generator with a surface; and (C) heating the surface to cause the Seebeck power generator to generate electricity to energize the at least one LED. In one example, such methods and apparatus may be used to provide an indication of the temperature of a surface.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a Seebeck power generator; and

at least one LED electrically associated with the Seebeck power generator.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor electrically associated with the Seebeck power generator and the at least one LED.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one second LED electrically associated with the processor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor independently controls the at least one LED and the at least one second LED.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor controls the at least one LED with pulse width modulation.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor controls the at least one LED with analog control.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising a material, wherein the at least one LED and the at least one second LED are arranged to illuminate the material.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the material is translucent.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the material is a colored material.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the material is an etched material.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the material is a transparent material.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED is remotely located from the Seebeck power generator.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device associated with the Seebeck power generator.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the energy storage device comprises a rechargeable battery.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the energy storage device comprises an energy storage circuit.

17. The system of claim 2, further comprising a feedback system to monitor at least one of a voltage, a current and a power generated by the Seebeck power generator and to communicate a feedback signal to the processor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor changes an intensity of light produced by the lighting system according to the feedback signal.

19. The system of claim 3, further comprising a feedback system to monitor at least one of a voltage, a current and a power generated by the Seebeck power generator and to communicate a feedback signal to the processor.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor changes an intensity of light produced by the lighting system according to the feedback signal.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor changes a color of light produced by the lighting system according to the feedback signal.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a surface, wherein the Seebeck power generator is thermally associated with the surface.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a surface of an iron.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a surface of a stove.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a surface of an oven.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a surface of a cooking pot.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a cooking element.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises a heated surface.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the Seebeck power generator is housed and wherein the LED is associated.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a portable housing.

31. The system of claim 2, further comprising memory associated with the processor.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the memory is preprogrammed with at least one lighting program.

33. A method for generating an information signal, comprising steps of:

A. electrically associating at least one LED with a Seebeck power generator;

B. thermally associating the Seebeck power generator with a surface; and

C. heating the surface to cause the Seebeck power generator to generate electricity to energize the at least one LED.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step A comprises electrically associating a processor with a Seebeck power generator and electrically associating at least one LED with the processor;

and the step C comprises heating the surface to cause the Seebeck power generator to generate electricity to energize the processor and the at least one LED.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the processor controls the output of the at least one LED.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the processor further controls the output of at least one second LED.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein light generated by the energized LED comprises a warning signal.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one LED includes at least two LEDs, and wherein the light emitted from the at least two LEDs mixes to form a mixed color.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the processor controls the color of the mixed light in accordance with the generated electricity.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the processor controls the color of the mixed light as the generated electricity varies.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises a surface of an iron.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises a surface of a stove.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises a surface of an oven.

44. The method of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises a surface of a cooking pot.

45. The method of claim 33, wherein the step A comprises electrically associating at least one LED with a Seebeck power generator in a portable housing.

46. The method of claim 33, wherein the step A comprises electrically associating a boost converter with a Seebeck power generator and electrically associating at least one LED with the boost power converter.

47. An indication system for a thermal surface, comprising:

at least one indicator; and

at least one power source coupled to the at least one indicator and the thermal surface, the at least one power source providing electrical power to the at least one indicator based on a temperature of the thermal surface, such that the at least one indicator provides at least one indication representative of the temperature of the thermal surface.

48. A thermal indication method, comprising steps of:

(a) generating electrical power based on a temperature of a thermal surface; and

(b) providing at least one indication, based on the generated electrical power, representative of the temperature of the thermal surface.