Regulating a Light Source Using a Light-to-Frequency Converter

• US 20070262731A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joon Lee, Kevin Lim, Rizal Jaffar
• Original Assignee: Joon Lee, Kevin Lim, Rizal Jaffar
• Inventors: Jaffar, Rizal, Lee, Joon, Lim, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/765,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262731A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/042 by measuring the incident light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3922 and measurement of the incident light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback

Abstract

An apparatus and method thereof for regulating a light source are described. The apparatus includes a light-to-frequency converter that converts light received from the light source into a signal having a corresponding frequency. A circuit coupled to the light-to-frequency converter uses the frequency to regulate light that is emitted from the light source.

Claims

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16. A method of regulating a light source, said method comprising:

receiving light that is emitted from said light source;

converting said light into a first signal having a frequency corresponding to the output of said light source; and

regulating said light source by manipulating a second signal that drives said light source, said second signal adjusted according to said frequency of said first signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said regulating comprises changing the brightness of said light.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said regulating comprises controlling a color produced by said light source.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising counting said frequency of said first signal.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising adjusting said frequency of said first signal to within a range of a frequency counter.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising processing said first signal to determine whether an adjustment to said second signal is needed.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

determining the period of said first signal using said frequency of said first signal.