Led Lamp

• US 6,348,766 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AVIX, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AVIX, Inc., Central Japan Railway Company
• Inventors: Ohishi, Masatoshi, Tokimoto, Toyotaro, Imai, Fumio
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US09/706,633
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/292, 315/293, 315/294, 315/295, 315/312, 315/360, 315/200.A, 315/185.R, 315/316, 362/800, 362/806, 362/812
• US Class Current: 315/200.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/46 having LEDs disposed in parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/58 involving end of life detection of LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A LED lamp with an integrally build-in a function for preannouncement end of life time in a LED lamp per se and to realize the LED lamp having such function with simple construction and at low cost. The LED lamp system has an alternating current power source connecting portion for receiving an alternating current, a power source converting portion for receiving the alternating current and rectifying the received alternating current for generating a direct current power, LED group consisted of a plurality of LEDs and received a direct current power output from the power source converting portion, the LED group having a life time preannouncement portion for integrating power supply period for issuing preannouncement indicative of approaching to the end of the life. The life time preannouncement portion includes counting means for measuring the power supply period on the basis of a frequency of the alternating power source, integrating means for integrating the power supply period measured by the counting means and storing the integrated value in a non-volatile memory, and power supply mode control means for controlling illumination of LEDs at different modes including a normal lighting modes, the power supply mode control means being responsive to an integrated value of the integrating means in excess of a predetermined criterion to operate in a predetermined life time preannouncement mode.

Claims

1. A LED lamp system comprising:

an alternating current power source connecting portion for receiving an alternating current;

a power source converting portion for receiving said alternating current and rectifying the received alternating current for generating a direct current power;

LED group consisted of a plurality of LEDs and receiving a direct current power output from said power source converting portion, said LED group having a life time preannouncement portion for integrating power supply period for issuing preannouncement indicative of approaching to the end of the life,

said life time preannouncement portion including;

counting means for measuring said power supply period on the basis of a frequency of the alternating power source,

integrating means for integrating the power supply period measured by said counting means and storing the integrated value in a non-volatile memory, and

power supply mode control means for controlling illumination of LEDs at different modes including a normal lighting modes, said power supply mode control means being responsive to an integrated value of said integrating means in excess of a predetermined criterion to operate in a predetermined life time preannouncement mode.

2. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 1, which includes a plurality of LED groups, each of which is consisted of a large number of LEDs of a color distinct from that of LEDs in other LED groups, and said power supply mode control means controls power supply modes of each color of LEDs.

3. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises light adjusting means for variably controlling illumination color of said LED groups by operating said power supply mode control means on the basis of an adjustment signal for illumination color and light amount applied externally.

4. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power supply mode control means is set a plurality of criteria corresponding to a plurality of life time preannouncement levels for a plurality of mutually distinct preannouncement modes.

5. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 4, which includes a plurality of LED groups, each of which is consisted of a large number of LEDs of a color distinct from that of LEDs in other LED groups, and said power supply mode control means controls power supply modes of each color of LEDs.

6. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 5, wherein which further comprises light adjusting means for variably controlling illumination color of said LED groups by operating said power supply mode control means on the basis of an adjustment signal for illumination color and light amount applied externally.

7. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power supply mode control means checks the integrated value stored in said non-volatile memory upon initiation of power supply so that said LED group is operated in said life time preannouncement mode for a predetermined period and in said normal lighting mode when said integrated value is in excess of said criterion.

8. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said power supply mode control means is set a plurality of criteria corresponding to a plurality of life time preannouncement levels for a plurality of mutually distinct preannouncement modes.

9. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 7, which includes a plurality of LED groups, each of which is consisted of a large number of LEDs of a color distinct from that of LEDs in other LED groups, and said power supply mode control means controls power supply modes of each color of LEDs.

10. A LED lamp system as set forth in claim 9, wherein which further comprises light adjusting means for variably controlling illumination color of said LED groups by operating said power supply mode control means on the basis of an adjustment signal for illumination color and light amount applied externally.