Methods and apparatus for controlling illumination

• US 6,967,448 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2001
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• 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., Mueller, George G., Dowling, Kevin J., Morgan, Frederick M., Holmes, Timothy, Warwick, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US10/045,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20020171378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 315291-295, 315/297, 315/308, 315/312, 315/316, 315/317, 315/318, 362/227, 362/225, 362/231, 362/240, 362/800, 362/293
• US Class Current: 315/295
• 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: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/06 Passive matrix structure, i.e. with direct application of both column and row voltages to the light emitting or modulating elements, other than LCD or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0272 Details of drivers for data electrodes, the drivers communicating data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling illumination. In one example, one or more multi-color light sources are controlled based on one or more interruptions of power supplied to the light source(s). In another example, a pool or spa is illuminated by one or more multi-color light sources that may be employed as individually and independently controllable devices that may be controlled based on one or more interruptions in power. In another example, the selection of a particular illumination program for such light sources (e.g., by one or more interruptions in power) is indicated to a user via the radiation generated by the light sources.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one light source to generate variable color radiation without requiring the use of a color filter; and

at least one controller, coupled to the at least one light source, to control at least a color of the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source based on at least one interruption of power supplied to the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one LED.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one LED includes at least two differently colored LEDs.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one LED includes at least one red LED, at least one green LED, and at least one blue LED.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is adapted to be supported by one of a pool and a spa so as to illuminate with the variable color radiation a liquid contained in the one of the pool and the spa.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, in combination with the one of the pool and the spa.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one storage device, coupled to the at least one controller, to store at least one illumination program, wherein:

the at least one controller is adapted to modify at least one variable parameter of the at least one illumination program based on the at least one interruption in the power supplied to the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is adapted to control the variable color radiation based on at least one interruption in the power having an interruption duration that is less than or equal to a predetermined duration.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one controller is adapted such that the variable color radiation is not changed if the interruption duration of the at least one interruption in the power is greater than the predetermined duration.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one controller includes at least one timing circuit to maintain a charge based on an application of the power supplied to the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a time constant of the at least one timing circuit is selected based on the predetermined duration.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one storage device, coupled to the at least one controller, to store at least one illumination program, wherein:

the at least one controller is adapted to execute the at least one illumination program, based on the at least one interruption in the power supplied to the apparatus, so as to control the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one illumination program includes a plurality of illumination programs, wherein the at least one storage device stores the plurality of illumination programs, and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to select and execute a particular illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs based on the at least one interruption in the power supplied to the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one interruption includes a plurality of interruptions, and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to select and execute different illumination programs of the plurality of illumination programs based on successive interruptions of the plurality of interruptions.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to indicate to a user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to indicate to the user via the variable color radiation that the particular illumination program has been selected.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to temporarily modify at least one variable parameter of the particular illumination program so as to indicate to the user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the particular illumination program includes a dynamic color variation program, wherein the at least one variable parameter includes a color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program, and wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to temporarily modify the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to temporarily increase the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each interruption of the plurality of interruptions has an interruption duration, and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to select and execute a different illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs if the interruption duration of at least one interruption is less than or equal to a predetermined duration.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs is associated with one identifier in a sequence of identifiers, and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to sequentially select and execute the different illumination programs based on the sequence of identifiers and the successive interruptions.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one controller is adapted not to select and execute a different illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs if the interruption duration of the at least one interruption is greater than the predetermined duration.

23. A method, comprising acts of:

a) providing at least one light source capable of generating variable color radiation without using a color filter; and

b) controlling at least a color of the variable color radiation based on at least one interruption of power supplied to the at least one light source,

wherein the act b) comprises acts of;

executing at least one illumination program to control the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source; and

modifying at least one variable parameter of the at least one illumination program based on the at least one interruption in the power.

24. A method, comprising acts of:

a) providing at least one light source capable of generating variable color radiation without using a color filter; and

b) controlling at least a color of the variable color radiation based on at least one interruption of power supplied to the at least one light source,

wherein the act b) comprises an act of;

b1) controlling the variable color radiation based on at least one interruption in the power having an interruption duration that is less than or equal to a predetermined duration.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one light source includes at least two differently colored LEDs, and wherein the act b) includes an act of:

independently controlling each LED of the at least two differently colored LEDs based on the at least one interruption of the power supplied to the at least one light source.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one red LED, at least one green LED, and at least one blue LED, and wherein the act b) includes an act of:

independently controlling the at least one red LED, the at least one green LED, and the at least one blue LED based on the at least one interruption of the power supplied to the at least one light source.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one light source is further adapted to be supported by one of a pool and a spa containing a liquid, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

c) illuminating the liquid in the one of the pool and the spa with the variable color radiation.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the act b) comprises an act of:

b3) charging at least one timing circuit based on an application of the power supplied to the apparatus.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the act b) further comprises an act of:

b2) not changing the variable color radiation if the interruption duration of the at least one interruption in the power is greater than the predetermined duration.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the act b3) comprises an act of:

selecting a time constant of the at least one timing circuit based on the predetermined duration.

31. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one light source adapted to be supported by one of a pool and a spa so as to illuminate a liquid contained in the one of the pool and the spa, the at least one light source being further adapted to generate variable color radiation without requiring the use of a color filter; and

at least one controller, coupled to the at least one light source, to control at least a color of the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source based on at least one interruption of power supplied to the apparatus.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

one of a pool and a spa to contain a liquid; and

at least one light source supported by the one of the pool and the spa to illuminate the liquid, the at least one light source being adapted to generate variable color radiation without requiring the use of a color filter; and

at least one controller, coupled to the at least one light source, to control at least a color of the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source based on at least one interruption of power supplied to the apparatus.

33. A method, comprising acts of:

a) providing at least one light source capable of generating variable color radiation without using a color filter; and

b) controlling at least a color of the variable color radiation based on at least one interruption of sower supplied to the at least one light source,

wherein the act b) comprises an act of;

b4) selecting and executing at least one illumination program, based on the at least one interruption in the power, so as to control the variable color radiation generated by the at least one light source.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one illumination program includes a plurality of illumination programs, and wherein the act b4) comprises an act of:

b5) selecting and executing a particular illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs based on the at least one interruption in the power supplied to the apparatus.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the act b4) further comprises an act of:

b6) indicating to a user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the act b6) comprises an act of:

b7) indicating to the user via the variable color radiation that the particular illumination program has been selected.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the act b7) comprises an act of:

b8) temporarily modifying at least one variable parameter of the particular illumination program so as to indicate to the user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the particular illumination program includes a dynamic color variation program, wherein the at least one variable parameter includes a color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program, and wherein the act b8) comprises an act of:

b9) temporarily modifying the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the act b9) comprises an act of:

temporarily increasing the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one interruption includes a plurality of interruptions, and wherein the act b5) comprises an act of:

b10) selecting and executing different illumination programs of the plurality of illumination programs based on successive interruptions of the plurality of interruptions.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein each illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs is associated with one identifier in a sequence of identifiers, and wherein the act b10) comprises an act of:

sequentially selecting and executing the different illumination programs based on the sequence of identifiers and the successive interruptions.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein each interruption of the plurality of interruptions has an interruption duration, and wherein the act b10) comprises an act of:

selecting and executing a different illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs if the interruption duration of at least one interruption is less than or equal to a predetermined duration.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the act b10) further comprises an act of:

not selecting and executing a different illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs if the interruption duration of the at least one interruption is greater than the predetermined duration.

44. In an illumination system in which a plurality of illumination programs may be executed to control a generation of variable color radiation, a method comprising an act of:

a) indicating to a user, via at least the variable color radiation, that a particular illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs has been selected.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the act a) comprises an act of:

b) temporarily modifying at least one variable parameter of the particular illumination program so as to indicate to the user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the particular illumination program includes a dynamic color variation program, wherein the at least one variable parameter includes a color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program, and wherein the act b) comprises an act of:

c) temporarily modifying the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the act c) comprises an act of:

temporarily increasing the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

48. In an illumination system in which a plurality of illumination programs may be executed to control a generation of variable color radiation, an apparatus, comprising:

at least one controller to indicate to a user, via at least the variable color radiation, that a particular illumination program of the plurality of illumination programs has been selected.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to temporarily modify at least one variable parameter of the particular illumination program so as to indicate to the user that the particular illumination program has been selected.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the particular illumination program includes a dynamic color variation program, wherein the at least one variable parameter includes a color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program, and wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to of temporarily modify the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to temporarily increase the color variation speed of the dynamic color variation program so as to indicate to the user that the dynamic color variation program has been selected.