Incremental color blending illumination system using LEDs

• US 20040263094A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Lister, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 6,897,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits

Abstract

A plurality of color LEDs are commonly coupled to a source of operating supply. A plurality of switching transistors and current limiting resistors in series therewith are coupled to the color LEDs to control the current there through in response to switching transistor conduction. A microcontroller having an input signal and a plurality of outputs configured in response thereto is operatively coupled to the plurality of switching transistors to control the conduction and thereby illumination output of the color LEDs to achieve incremental color blending.

Claims

1. An incremental color-blending illumination system comprising:

a plurality of color LEDs each having a first electrode coupled to a source of operation supply and a second electrode;

a plurality of transistor switches;

a plurality of resistors coupling said transistor switches to said second electrodes; and

a microcontroller having a plurality of outputs coupled to said plurality of switching transistors, said microcontrolled providing incremental color blending of light produced by said color LEDs by selectively activating one or more of said switching transistors.

2. The incremental color-blending illumination system set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of color LEDs include a trio of color LEDs each producing a different color light when activated.

3. The incremental color-blending illumination system set forth in claim 2 wherein at lease one of said color LEDs is coupled to a plurality of said resistors.

4. The incremental color-blending illumination system set forth in claim 2 wherein said microcontroller includes three outputs each coupled one of said switching transistors.

5. The incremental color-blending illumination system set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of resistors and switching transistors are coupled in pairs to each of said color LEDs.

6. An incremental color-blending illumination system comprising:

a plurality of color LEDs;

a plurality of switching elements;

a plurality of resistors; and

a microcontroller coupled to said switching elements,

each of said resistors and switching elements being serially coupled to said color LED, said microcontroller selectively activating said switching elements to incrementally blend the illumination of said color LEDs.

7. The incremental color-blending illumination system set forth in claim 6 wherein said switching elements are transistors.