Lamp assembly incorporating optical feedback

• US 6,498,440 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Roberts, John K., Stam, Joseph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Chuc
• Application Number:
  US09/818,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20020047624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/316, 315/318, 315/292, 315/295, 315/362, 315/309, 315/293, 315/317, 340/825.07, 340/825.18, 340/815.45, 362/800
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

An illuminator assembly that is capable of utilizing a plurality of light sources to produce a desired resultant hue, includes a processor, a memory, a plurality of light sources and a detector. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores data and information. Each of the plurality of light sources are coupled to the processor and produce a different color. The processor is capable of independently controlling the intensity of each light source so as to produce a desired resultant hue. The detector is also coupled to the processor. The detector provides the processor with information which the processor utilizes in determining how to adjust the intensity of each of the light sources to provide the desired resultant hue.

Claims

1. An illuminator assembly that produces light of a desired resultant hue, comprising:

a processor;

a memory for storing data and information coupled to the processor;

a plurality of light sources, wherein each of the light sources produces a different color, and wherein the processor is capable of individually controlling the optical radiation of each light source so as to produce a desired resultant hue; and

a detector coupled to the processor, wherein the detector is positioned such that the optical radiation of each light source is individually measurable and said detector provides the processor with information which the processor utilizes in determining how to individually adjust the optical radiation of each of the light sources.

2. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, further including:

a diffuser positioned for diffusing light from the light sources, the diffuser further reflecting a portion of the light to the detector.

3. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector includes a silicon photodiode.

4. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector includes a CdS photoresistor.

5. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

6. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of light source drivers, wherein each of the light source drivers are coupled between a different output of the processor and one of the light sources.

7. The illuminator assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector provides an ambient light level measurement which the processor utilizes in determining how to adjust an optical radiation of the plurality of light sources.

8. A method that allows a wide range of light sources of varying intensity and color to produce a desired resultant hue, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of light sources, wherein each of the light sources produces light of a different color;

determining the optical radiation of the light from each of the light sources; and

controlling the optical radiation of each of the light sources.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the step of:

diffusing the light from the light sources.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the optical radiation of the light from each of the light sources is determined by a detector that includes a silicon photodiode.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the optical radiation of the light from each of the light sources are determined by a detector that includes a CdS photoresistor.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

13. An automotive illuminator assembly that allows a wide range of light sources with varying intensity and color to produce a desired resultant hue, comprising:

a control circuit;

a plurality of light sources, wherein each of the light sources produces a different color, and wherein the control circuit is capable of individually controlling the optical radiation of each light source so as to produce a desired resultant hue; and

A detector coupled to the control circuit, wherein the detector is positioned such that the optical radiation of each light source is individually measurable and said detector provides the control circuit with information which the control circuit utilizes in determining how the optical radiation of each light source should be individually adjusted.

14. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, further including:

a diffuser positioned for diffusing light from the light sources, the diffuser further reflecting a portion of the light to the detector.

15. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, wherein the detector includes a silicon photodiode.

16. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, wherein the detector includes a CdS photoresistor.

17. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED.

18. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, further including:

a plurality of light source drivers, wherein each of the light source drivers are coupled between a different output of the control circuit and one of the light sources.

19. The illuminator assembly of claim 13, wherein the detector provides an ambient light level measurement which the control circuit utilizes in determining how to adjust an optical radiation of the plurality of light sources.