Light emitting diode based products

• US 6,965,205 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Piepgras, Colin, Mueller, George G., Dowling, Kevin J., Morgan, Frederick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US10/245,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 315/292, 315/295, 315/312, 315/318, 315/86, 315/76, 362/800, 362/95, 362/20, 340/815.65, 340/815.75
• US Class Current: 315/318
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/006 for illumination or simulation of snowy or iced items, e.g. icicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/28 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Various exemplary implementations of light emitting diode (LED) based illumination products and methods are disclosed including, but not limited to, glow sticks, key chains, toys, balls, various game accessories, light bulbs, night lights, wall lights, wall switches, wall sockets, wall panels, modular lights, flexible lights, automotive lights, wearable accessories, light ropes, decorative lights such as icicles and icicle strings, light tubes, insect control lights and methods, and lighted air fresheners/scent dispensers. Any of the foregoing devices may be equipped with various types of user interfaces (both “local” and “remote”) to control light generated from the device. Additionally, devices may be controlled via light control information or programs stored in device memory and/or transmitted or downloaded to the devices (e.g., devices may be controlled individually or collectively in groups via a network, glow sticks or other products may be downloaded with programming information that is stored in memory, etc.). Devices also may include sensors so that the generated light may change in response to various operating and/or environmental conditions or a user input. Various optical processing devices which may be used with any of the devices (e.g., reflectors, diffusers, etc.) also are disclosed.

Claims

1. An illuminated wall panel apparatus, comprising:

an essentially planar member; and

an LED-based light source adapted to be positioned with respect to the essentially planar member so as to be behind the essentially planar member when the essentially planar member is mounted on a wall, the LED-based light source configured to generate light that is perceived by an observer while viewing the essentially planar member,

wherein the LED-based light source is adapted to output at least first radiation having a first wavelength and second radiation having a second wavelength.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the LED-based light source includes a plurality of LEDs adapted to output at least the first radiation having a first spectrum and the second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

the essentially planar member includes at least one geometric panel disposed with respect to the plurality of LEDs so as to at least partially diffuse the first radiation and the second radiation to provide a mixed spectrum when both the first radiation and the second radiation are generated,

and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one controller coupled to the plurality of LEDs and configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation at a plurality of graduated intensities from a minimum intensity to a maximum intensity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light source includes a controller to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to vary an overall color of the light perceived by the observer.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to vary an overall brightness of the light perceived by the observer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member is adapted to be essentially flush-mounted on the wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member is adapted as a panel to form a portion of the wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member includes a shaped portion so as to direct at least some of the light generated by the LED-based light source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member is formed so as to optically alter at least some of the light generated by the LED-based light source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one fiber optic to direct at least some of the light generated by the LED-based light source to the essentially planar member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one switch mounted thereon or extending therethrough, and wherein the LED-based light source is positioned so as to illuminate at least the at least one switch, such that at least some of the light is perceived by the observer via the at least one switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one socket mounted thereon or extending therethrough, and wherein the LED-based light source is positioned so as to illuminate at least the at least one socket, such that at least some of the light is perceived by the observer via the at least one socket.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one user interface adapted to facilitate control of the LED-based light source.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one user interface is mounted on or extends through the essentially planar member.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light source is adapted to receive at least one control signal from an external or remote device or a network to facilitate control of the LED-based light source.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one user interface includes one of a setscrew and a thumbscrew.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one power adapter to facilitate at least an electrical coupling of the apparatus to a source of power.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one power adapter includes a conventional multi-pronged plug to facilitate at least an electrical coupling of the apparatus to an A.C. voltage source.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further including at least one fastener to facilitate a mechanical coupling of the apparatus to a conventional power outlet that provides the A.C. voltage source so as to prevent the apparatus from being removed from the conventional power outlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member is formed so as to diffuse at least some of the light generated by the LED-based light source.

21. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member is formed so as to reflect at least some of the light generated by the LED-based light source.

22. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member is formed so as to partially transmit the light generated by the LED-based light source.

23. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member is formed so as to affect the light such that the apparatus appears to glow to the observer.

24. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member includes a rough surface.

25. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one etched portion that affects the light perceived by the observer.

26. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one imperfection that affects the light perceived by the observer.

27. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one pattern that affects the light perceived by the observer.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one pattern includes at least one projection from the essentially planar member that affects the light perceived by the observer.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a base member on which the LED-based light source is mounted, wherein the essentially planar member includes an optic coupled to the base member and configured to transmit at least a portion of the light generated by the LED-based light source.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the optic includes at least one etched surface.

31. A building including the illuminated wall panel apparatus of claim 2, the building comprising the wall.

32. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes:

a first plurality of LEDs adapted to output at least the first radiation having the first spectrum; and

a second plurality of LEDs adapted to output at least the second radiation having the second spectrum.

33. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes at least one LED adapted to output at least the first radiation having the first spectrum and the second radiation having the second spectrum.

34. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to generate at least one time-varying lighting effect.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to generate at least one time-varying variable color lighting effect.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to generate sequential washes of different colors.

37. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the plurality of LEDs is adapted to output third radiation having a third spectrum different than the first spectrum and the second spectrum; and

the at least one controller is further adapted to independently control a third intensity of the third radiation.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes a third plurality of LEDs adapted to output at least the third radiation having the third spectrum.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes at least one LED adapted to output at least the first radiation having the first spectrum, the second radiation having the second spectrum, and the third radiation having the third spectrum.

40. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface.

41. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation in response to at least one detectable condition.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further including at least one sensor coupled to the at least one controller and configured to generate at least one signal in response to the at least one detectable condition.

43. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

44. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured as an addressable controller capable of receiving at least one control signal including address information and lighting information.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the at least one control signal includes address information and lighting information for a plurality of illuminated wall panel apparatus, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illuminated wall panel apparatus, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to process the at least one control signal based on an address of the addressable controller and the address information in the at least one control signal to recover from the lighting information intensity values for the plurality of LEDs of the wall panel apparatus.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one imperfection that affects the light perceived by the observer.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the essentially planar member includes at least one pattern that affects the light perceived by the observer.

48. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configured to form at least a portion of an interior or exterior architectural surface.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, in combination with at least one other illuminated wall panel apparatus to form an illuminated wall panel system.

50. The building of claim 31, wherein the wall comprises an outer wall of the building, and wherein the illuminated wall panel apparatus is arranged on the outer wall of the building.

51. The building of claim 31, wherein the wall comprises an interior wall of the building, and wherein the illuminated wall panel apparatus is arranged on the interior wall of the building.

52. The building of claim 50, wherein the illuminated wall panel apparatus is arranged on the outer wall of the building so as to attract the attention of an observer when at least one of the first radiation and the second radiation is generated.

53. The building of claim 52, further comprising at least one other illuminated wall panel apparatus to form an illuminated wall panel system for the building.

54. A method of illuminating at least a portion of a wall, comprising acts of:

A) generating from an LED-based light source at least first radiation having a first spectrum and second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum;

B) illuminating from behind, based on the act A), an essentially planar member mounted on the wall, such that an observer perceives light while viewing the essentially planar member; and

C) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation to control the light perceived by the observer.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the essentially planar member is configured to optically alter at least one of the first radiation and the second radiation to provide the light perceived by the observer.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the essentially planar member is configured to at least partially diffuse the first radiation and the second radiation to provide a mixed spectrum when both the first radiation and the second radiation are generated in the act A).

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising an act of:

D) coupling the at least one essentially planar member to at least a portion of an interior or exterior architectural surface.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to generate at least one time-varying variable color lighting effect.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to generate sequential washes of different colors.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

implementing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation based on at least one detectable condition.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein the act C) includes an act of:

receiving at least one control signal including address information and lighting information.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the at least one control signal includes address information and lighting information for a plurality of portions of the wall, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs disposed in the plurality of portions of the wall, and wherein the act C) includes an act of:

processing the at least one control signal based on the address information in the at least one control signal to recover from the lighting information intensity values for the plurality of LEDs in a given portion of the wall.

65. An illuminated wall panel system, comprising:

A) a first illuminated wall panel, comprising;

at least one first LED-based light source configured to output first light including at least one of first radiation having a first spectrum and second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum; and

a first essentially planar member positioned with respect to the first LED-based light source so as to be illuminated from behind by the first light, when generated;

B) a second illuminated wall panel, comprising;

at least one second LED-based light source configured to output second light including at least one of the first radiation having the first spectrum and the second radiation having the second spectrum; and

a second essentially planar member positioned with respect to the second LED-based light source so as to be illuminated from behind by the second light, when generated; and

C) at least one controller associated with the first illuminated wall panel and the second illuminated wall panel to control the at least one first LED-based light source and the at least second LED-based light source in a coordinated manner.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the system is configured to form at least a portion of an interior or exterior architectural surface.

67. The system of claim 65, wherein the first and second essentially planar members are adapted to be essentially flush-mounted on a wall.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein the first and second essentially planar members are adapted to form respective portions of a wall.

69. The system of claim 65, further including at least one fiber optic to direct at least one of the first light and the second light to a corresponding one of the first essentially planar member and the second essentially planar member.

70. The system of claim 65, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes at least one switch mounted thereon or extending therethrough, and wherein a corresponding at least one of the first and second LED-based light sources is positioned so as to illuminate at least the at least one switch.

71. The system of claim 65, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes at least one socket mounted thereon or extending therethrough, and wherein a corresponding at least one of the first and second LED-based light sources is positioned so as to illuminate at least the at least one socket.

72. The system of claim 65, wherein the first and second essentially planar members are formed so as to respectively optically alter at least some of the first light and the second light.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members is formed so as to diffuse at least some of a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members is formed so as to reflect at least some of a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members is formed so as to partially transmit a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

76. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members is formed so as to affect a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light such that a corresponding at least one of the first illuminated wall panel and the second illuminated wall panel appears to glow to an observer.

77. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes a rough surface.

78. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes at least one etched portion that affects a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

79. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes at least one imperfection that affects a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

80. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes a shaped portion.

81. The system of claim 72, wherein at least one of the first and second essentially planar members includes at least one pattern that affects a corresponding at least one of the first light and the second light.

82. The system of claim 72, wherein the at least one pattern includes at least one projection from at least one of the first and second essentially planar members.

83. The system of claim 65, wherein the at least one controller comprises:

a first addressable controller coupled to the first LED-based light source and configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation so as to control the first light; and

a second addressable controller coupled to the second LED-based light source and configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation so as to control the second light.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the first and second addressable controllers are configured to control the first light and the second light so as to generate sequential washes of different colors in a coordinated manner.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein the first and second addressable controllers are configured to control the first light and the second light in response to user operation of at least one user interface.

86. The system of claim 83, wherein the first and second addressable controllers are configured to control the first light and the second light in response to at least one detectable condition.

87. The system of claim 83, wherein the first and second addressable controllers are configured to implement a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control the first light and the second light.

88. A building including the illuminated wall panel system of claim 66.

89. The building of claim 88, wherein the illuminated wall panel system is arranged on the outer wall of the building.

90. The building of claim 88, wherein the illuminated wall panel system is arranged on an interior wall of the building.