Illumination System

• US 20080062713A1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iSky Panel Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iSky Panel Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Graham, Jeff, Dwyer, Daniel, Hildebrant, J. Boyd
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/605
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/0435 having connection means at the edges
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/045 being laminated
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 2200/13 the light being emitted at the end of the guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/005 Diaphragms for cameras G03B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre

Abstract

Disclosed is an illumination device. The device includes a light engine in an acoustic tile that introduces light into a plurality of optical fibers using an LED. In between the LED and the fiber ends, an LCD is used to modify the light introduced. To do this, the LCD is programmed to display petal-shaped sections which individually change in contrast to become more occluded and then more transparent. This creates an aesthetically pleasing effect resembling stars.

Claims

1. An illumination system comprising:

at least one light emitting diode (LED);

at least one fiber optic device, said fiber optic device oriented to receive light from said LED; and

a liquid crystal display (LCD) located to be optically between said LED and said fiber optic device, said LCD being adapted to change a characteristic in said light received into said fiber optic device from said LED.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic device is an optical fiber.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic device includes a plurality of optical fibers.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said characteristic is one of intensity, wavelength, color, and frequency.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said LCD systematically (i) allows the passage of said light, and then (ii) at least partially occludes said light.

6. The systems of claim 1 wherein said LCD is coupled with a programmable processor, said processor being adapted to display a moving pattern, said pattern interfering with said light to change said characteristic.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said pattern includes a series of darkened then lightened sectors.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said sectors are configured as a plurality of petals which rotate.

9. A member including the system of claim 1, said member being adapted for installation on a mounting surface in a building, said one or more fiber optic device being used to create an ornamental effect on or around said member.

10. The member of claim 9 wherein said optical effect resembles a twinkling star.

11. The member of claim 9 comprising:

an outside edge; and

a source of edge lighting proximate said edge.

12. The member of claim 11 wherein said source of edge lighting includes a group of laterally dispersed LEDs.

13. The member of claim 11 wherein said source of edge lighting bounces said edge lighting off of said mounting surface for the purpose of creating an indirect lighting effect.

14. The member of claim 11 wherein said source of edge lighting directs said light off laterally out from said member for the purpose of creating an indirect lighting effect.

15. The member of claim 9 wherein said member includes a plurality of downlighting LEDs which provide illuminating a location in said building in a conventional manner.

16. The member of claim 9, wherein said member is constructed of acoustical tile.

17. A device adapted for mounting on a mounding surface in a building including a member, said member having a lower surface and an outside edge, said member comprising:

a first light source;

a light modifier, said modifier being oriented to create a change in an optical characteristic in an emission of light from said lower surface of said member;

said optical characteristic being one of color and brightness; and

an edge lighting arrangement, said edge lighting arrangement causing light to be received from one of said first light source and another light source and then one of;

(i) bounced up and off of said mounting surface; and

(ii) laterally outward from said member.

18. The device of claim 17 including an optical fiber, said optical fiber being positioned to receive light from said first light source through said light modifier, said light modifier being an LCD display, said optical fiber being oriented to receive light from said first light source and create said change in said light characteristic.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein a processor is used to create a display which creates said change in said light characteristic.

20. An ornamental device adapted to be mounted on a wall in a building, said device having a mounting surface and an exposed surface, said device comprising:

means to create a twinkling effect on said exposed surface; and

means to create an edge-lighting effect about an edge of said device.