Color control system for color changing lights

• US 20070064419A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samir Gandhi
• Original Assignee: Samir Gandhi
• Inventors: Gandhi, Samir
• Granted Patent: US 7,489,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A system and method for color changing lighting comprising a pre-programmed controller along with driver circuit, a single or combination of LEDs and an OFF/ON switch which is used for making selection of mode of operation as well as switching the system ON/OFF. Brightness is changed using pulse width modulation. The LED'"'"'s are selectively activated by programmed variable pulse to generate desired color mixing effect. The resulting illumination may be controlled by a computer/micro-controller program to provide pre-designed complex patterns of light in virtually any environment.

Claims

1. A color changing light system, comprising;

a power supply;

an input means consisting of an on/off switch connected to the power supply for selecting continuous cycling, static, or selectable modes of operation and color and synchronizing a plurality of units;

a controller connected to the input means for controlling the operation of the system;

a drive circuit connected to the power supply and the controller; and

a plurality of light-emitting-diodes connected to the drive circuit to provide both illumination, and to serve as indicator lights that reflect the current mode of operation.

2. The color control system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a regulated or unregulated line voltage;

AC or DC.

3. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the drive circuit is provided with an external resistor to set the drive current for different LED arrays.

4. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the lighting mode and color of the LEDs.

5. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the controller uses 8 bits of data in one embodiment, to provide maximum of 256 intensity levels per LED thereby giving a smooth transition from one color to other.

6. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the controller uses an external crystal or internal oscillator, allowing all light modules to be synchronized.

7. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the controller is capable of detecting a power failure.

8. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the input means is an on/off switch for switching the system on and off and making the selection of the mode and color of operation of the system.

9. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein the drive circuit maintains equal current in each LED, in varying forward voltage.

10. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein said controller is capable of generating different colors and modes of operation.

11. The color changing system of claim 1, wherein said controller is capable of storing the mode and color, or combination of colors of the operation at the time of switching off.

17. The color changing light system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of systems may be synchronized over a large area by incorporating them into a common circuit.

12. A method of providing a variable lighting means by selecting a mode and changing the colors of a color changing lighting system comprising the steps of;

(i) providing a power supply for powering the system,

(ii) providing an inputting means that accepts inputting directives to control the selection of a mode of operation in the system;

(iii) providing a controller circuit connected to the inputting means to sense mode selections;

(iv) providing a drive circuit connected to the power supply and said controller circuit;

(v) providing a plurality of light emitting diodes connected to the drive circuit;

(vi) powering on the system to start a first predetermined time wherein a mode of operation may be selected;

(vii) selecting a mode of operation using the inputting means and indicator lights within the first predetermined time by powering the system off and on within a shorter, second predetermined time while still within the range of the first predetermined time;

(a) if a mode of operation is selected that produces a static light pattern or color, leaving the system on, and when powering the system off, doing so for more than the second predetermined time to preserve the mode;

(b) if a mode of operation is selected that produces a continuous cyclic range of light patterns or colors, allowing the continuous range of light patterns or colors to continue to cycle, and powering the system off for more than the second predetermined time period prior to powering it back on again to preserve the mode;

(c) if a mode of operation is selected that produces a selectable light pattern or color within a range of light patterns or colors, allowing the color cycle to continue until the desired pattern or color is reached, and powering off the system for more than the second predetermined time before powering it back on again to set the appropriate pattern or color and preserve that static pattern or color along with the mode;

(viii) resetting the modes of operation, by powering the system off and on within the second predetermined time while it is in any mode;

(xi) selecting a new mode of operation by following step (vii);

13. The method for providing a variable lighting means of claim 12, wherein said first predetermined time is 10 seconds.

14. The method for providing a variable lighting means of claim 12, wherein said second predetermined time is 5 seconds.

15. The method for providing a variable lighting means of claim 12, wherein said third predetermined time is between 30 and 60 seconds.

16. The method for providing a variable lighting means of claim 12, wherein the inputting means is the power switch for the system.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein a plurality of systems may be synchronized over a large area by incorporating them into a common circuit.