Light source calibration

• US 20060000963A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ng, Kee Yean, Cheng, Heng Yow, Lee, Joon Chock
• Application Number:
  US10/880,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20060000963A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/205
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/32 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry

Abstract

A light source is calibrated and operated. During calibration of the light source, calibration light is provided from a calibration light source. The calibration light is detected. A representation of the detected calibration light is stored. During operation of the light source, light is generated by the light source. The light generated by the light source is detected. The detected light generated by the light source is compared with the stored representation of the detected calibration light to generate information used to control color of the light generated by the light source.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating and operating a light source comprising:

performing the following during calibration of the light source;

providing calibration light from a calibration light source,

detecting the calibration light, and

storing a representation of the detected calibration light; and

,

performing the following during operation of the light source;

generating light by the light source,

detecting the light generated by the light source, and

comparing the light generated by the light source with the stored representation of the detected calibration light to generate information used to control color of the light generated by the light source.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the calibration light is a color that is a color temperature of white.

3. A method as in claim 1:

wherein detecting the calibration light comprises detecting color components of the calibration light;

wherein storing the representation of the detected calibration light comprises storing representations of the color components of the calibration light; and

,

wherein comparing the light generated by the light source with the stored representations of the detected calibration light comprises comparing color components of the light generated by the light source with the stored representations of the detected color components of the calibration light.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the light source is implemented using a red light emitting diode, a green light emitting diode and a blue light emitting diode.

5. A method for calibrating a light source comprising:

providing first calibration light of a first color from a calibration light source;

detecting the first calibration light;

storing a representation of the detected first calibration light;

providing second calibration light of a second color;

detecting the second calibration light; and

,

storing a representation of the detected second calibration light.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein the first calibration light and the second calibration light are each white light of different color temperatures.

7. A method as in claim 5 wherein the light source is implemented using a plurality of different color light emitting diodes.

8. A method as in claim 5:

wherein detecting the first calibration light comprises detecting color components of the first calibration light;

wherein storing the representation of the first calibration light comprises storing the color components of the first calibration light;

wherein detecting the second calibration light comprises detecting color components of the second calibration light; and

,

wherein storing the representation of the second calibration light comprises storing the color components of the second calibration light.

9. A lighting system comprising:

a light source;

a light detector;

a memory used to store a representation of calibration light detected by the light detector, the calibration light being provided from a calibration light source; and

,

a comparator block that compares light generated by the light source and detected by the light detector with the stored representation of the calibration light to provide information to the light source.

10. A lighting system as in claim 9 wherein the light source is at least one of the following:

backlighting for a display;

backlighting for automotive interior display;

automotive interior lighting;

indoor illumination;

outdoor illumination.

11. A lighting system as in claim 9 wherein the calibration light is a color that is a color temperature of white.

12. A lighting system as in claim 9 wherein the light source is implemented using a plurality of different color light emitting diodes.

13. A lighting system as in claim 9 wherein the light source is implemented using a red light emitting diode, a green light emitting diode and a blue light emitting diode.

14. A lighting system as in claim 9:

wherein the stored representation of calibration light comprises color components of the calibration light; and

wherein the comparator block compares color components of the light generated by the light source and detected by the light detector with the stored representations of the color components of the calibration light to provide information to the light source.

15. A lighting system as in claim 14 wherein the memory stores a plurality of entries, each entry including color components for a different color calibration light detected by the light detector.

16. A lighting system as in claim 15 wherein the memory and the comparator block are within a controller, the controller including a selection input that allows a user to select one of the entries stored in the memory to be used by the comparator block to generate the information.

17. A lighting system as in claim 14 wherein the light detector includes a plurality of photosensors, one photosensor being used for reach color component detected by the light detector.

18. A lighting system as in claim 14:

wherein the light detector includes a plurality of photosensors, one photosensor being used for reach color component detected by the light detector; and

,

wherein the color components are red, green and blue.

19. A lighting system as in claim 14 additionally comprising:

a converter that converts the color components detected by the light detector in the representations of the color components stored in the memory.

20. A lighting system as in claim 19 wherein the memory, the converter and the comparator block are within a controller.