Diffuse illumination systems and methods

• US 7,352,339 B2
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor, Morgan, Frederick Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Henry N
• Application Number:
  US09/333,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20030076281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,213 Days
• Field of Search: 345 30- 32, 345 82- 84, 345/611, 345616-618, 345/211, 345/215, 345/102, 313/116, 313/500, 349 61- 64, 349/112, 340/815.68, 340/815.54, 340/815.55, 340/815.56, 340/701, 340/703, 340/767, 340/793, 340/815.1, 340/815.3, 340/815.01, 359/599, 359/707, 359/613, 362/72, 362/78, 362/241, 362/249, 362/612, 362/615, 362/623, 362/800, 362/558, 362/246, 362/268, 362/355
• US Class Current: 345/31
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/004 simulating flames

Abstract

The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to sources of diffuse illumination for providing substantially uniform illumination to a surface. The diffuse illumination arises from varying the diffusion angle of light generated by an LED system. To vary the diffusion angle, a translucent member is placed between the LED system and the surface. Light emitted from the LED system across the translucent member can subsequently can uniformly cover the surface.

Claims

1. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines a color of light generated by the plurality of LEDs; and

an elongate translucent member having an at least partially cylindrical cross-section, wherein the elongate translucent member is associated with the LEDs for adjusting a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED.

2. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member increases the diffusion angle of light emitted from at least one LED.

3. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member decreases the diffusion angle of light emitted from at least one LED.

4. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a translucent lens that is part of each LED.

5. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the translucent member increases the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

6. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the translucent member decreases the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

7. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein.

8. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the translucent cylindrical member is adapted to affect the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs.

9. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the translucent cylindrical member includes individually distinct areas, each distinct area being positioned over at least one LED to alter the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

10. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes an array of lenticular lenses disposed on the member.

11. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a plurality of individual lenticular lenses.

12. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 11, wherein each lenticular lens includes a recess adapted to complementarily receive at least one LED.

13. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a substantially linear array.

14. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

15. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a three-dimensional array.

16. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are disposed on a cylindrical member.

17. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the LED system.

18. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the processor is configured as an addressable processor capable of receiving data from a network.

19. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to control the plurality of LEDs using a plurality of bi-level signals having logic low and logic high levels.

20. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a variable focal length lens made from a translucent shape changing polymer.

21. The modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes at least a first color LED and a second color LED, wherein the electrical current includes a first current supplied to the first color LED and a second current supplied to the second color LED, and wherein the processor controls respective amounts of the first and second currents to vary the color of the light generated by the plurality of LEDs.

30. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, 7, 9, 24, 10 or 11, wherein the distribution of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to a surface is substantially uniform.

31. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, 7, 9, 24, 10 or 11, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

32. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

a connector for removably coupling the modular LED system to another modular LED system.

22. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines a color of light generated by the plurality of LEDs; and

a translucent member associated with the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED,

wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein,

wherein the translucent cylindrical member is adapted to affect the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs, and

wherein the translucent cylindrical member is adapted to vary the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs as the cylindrical member is axially rotated about the LEDs.

23. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines a color of light generated by the plurality of LEDs; and

a translucent member associated with the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED,

wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein,

wherein the translucent cylindrical member includes individually distinct areas, each distinct area being positioned over at least one LED to alter the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED, and

wherein each individually distinct area extends circumferentially about the housing.

24. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 23, wherein each individually distinct area is adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis independent of the other individually distinct areas.

25. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines the relative brightness of different LEDs;

a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the plurality of LEDs; and

an elongate translucent member having an at least partially cylindrical cross-section, wherein the elongate translucent member is disposed in spaced relation to the LEDs for adjusting a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED.

26. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the translucent member includes an array of lenticular lenses disposed on the member.

27. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein.

28. The modular LED system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the plurality of LEDs includes at least a first color LED and a second color LED, wherein the electrical current includes a first current supplied to the first color LED and a second current supplied to the second color LED, and wherein the processor controls respective amounts of the first and second currents to vary a color of the light generated by the plurality of LEDs.

33. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 26, 27, or 29, wherein distribution of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to a surface is substantially uniform.

34. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 26, 27, or 29, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

35. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 26, 27, or 29, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

29. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines the relative brightness of different LEDs;

a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the plurality of LEDs; and

a translucent member disposed in spaced relation to the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED,

wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein, and

wherein the translucent member is adapted to affect the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs as the translucent member is axially rotated about the LEDs.

36. A method for illuminating a surface, comprising:

providing a plurality of LEDs, and

disposing between the LEDs and the surface at least one translucent member to affect a diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs to the surface, so as to substantially uniformly illuminate the surface,

wherein the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member having distinct areas that extend circumferentially about the member.

37. A method for illuminating a surface, comprising:

providing a plurality of LEDs; and

disposing between the LEDs and the surface at least one translucent member to affect a diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs to the surface, so as to substantially uniformly illuminate the surface, wherein the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member having distinct areas that extend circumferentially about the member, which distinct areas are independently rotatable.

38. A method for manufacturing a modular LED system, comprising:

arranging a plurality of LEDs in a predetermined array;

providing a member having a plurality of lenses arranged in an array similar to that of the plurality of LEDs, each lens having a recess to complementarily receive an LED, wherein the plurality of lenses are spatially adjustable with respect to each other on the member; and

engaging the plurality of LEDs with the plurality of lenses so that each lens complementarily receives an LED.

39. A method as set forth in claim 38 further including spatially adjusting each lens not in alignment with its corresponding LED to permit subsequent engagement between the lens and the LED.

40. A method as set forth in claim 38 further including disengaging the lenses from the member.

41. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source, the radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate a space, the source being adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum;

(b) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation; and

(c) optically processing the generated radiation so as to change at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation; and

(d) varying the act of optically processing in (c) so as to variably change at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

42. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act b) includes an act of:

b1) independently controlling at least the first intensity and the second intensity via at least one microprocessor.

43. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act b) includes an act of:

using a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity and the second intensity.

44. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act b) includes an act of:

b1) independently controlling at least the first intensity and the second intensity via at least one user interface.

45. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (b) further comprises independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to vary a color of the generated radiation as perceived by an observer.

46. The illumination method of claim 45, wherein the act (b) further comprises independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to vary an overall intensity of the generated radiation.

47. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (c) further comprises optically processing the generated radiation so as to change at least a diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

48. The illumination method of claim 47, wherein the act (c) further comprises optically processing the generated radiation so as to increase at least the diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

49. The illumination method of claim 47, wherein the act (c) further comprises optically processing the generated radiation so as to decrease at least the diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

50. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (c) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through a translucent material.

51. The illumination method of claim 50, wherein the act (d) further comprises varying a thickness of at least a portion of the translucent material through which at least some of the generated radiation passes.

52. The illumination method of claim 50, wherein the act (d) further comprises varying an index of dispersion of at least a portion of the translucent material through which at least some of the generated radiation passes.

53. The illumination method of claim 50, wherein the translucent material includes at least one lens, and wherein the act (c) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through the at least one lens.

54. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act (d) further comprises varying a thickness of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

55. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act (d) further comprises varying a diameter of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

56. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act (d) further comprises varying a focal length of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

57. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (d) further comprises controllably varying the act of optically processing in (c) so as to variably change at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

58. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (d) further comprises mechanically varying the act of optically processing in (c) so as to variably change at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

59. The illumination method of claim 58, wherein the act (d) further comprises acts of:

(d1) passing the generated radiation through a translucent material having at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion; and

(d2) moving the translucent material relative to the generated radiation such that the generated radiation passes through different portions of the translucent material.

60. The illumination method of claim 41, wherein the act (d) further comprises electrically varying the act of optically processing in (c) so as to variably change at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

61. The illumination method of claim 60, wherein the act (d) further comprises acts of:

(d1) passing the generated radiation through at least a portion of a translucent material; and

(d2) varying at least one of a thickness and an index of dispersion of the translucent material, in response to at least one electric signal, during the act (d1).

62. The illumination method of claim 61, wherein the translucent material has at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion, wherein at least one of the LED-based light source and the translucent material is coupled to at least one electromagnetic actuator, and wherein the act (d2) includes applying the at least one electric signal to the at least one electromagnetic actuator so as to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation such that the generated radiation passes through different portions of the translucent material.

63. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

an LED-based light source adapted to generate radiation having a sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate a space, and adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum;

a controller adapted to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation; and

an optical processor adapted to optically process the generated radiation so as to change at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation, wherein the optical processor is adapted to variably change at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

64. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller includes at least one microprocessor.

65. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is adapted to implement a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity and the second intensity.

66. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, further comprising at least one user interface coupled to the controller and adapted to permit a user to facilitate independent control of at least the first intensity and the second intensity.

67. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is further adapted to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to vary a color of the generated radiation as perceived by an observer.

68. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the controller is further adapted 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 intensity of the generated radiation.

69. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to optically process the generated radiation so as to change at least a diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

70. The illumination apparatus of claim 69, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to optically process the generated radiation so as to increase at least a diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

71. The illumination apparatus of claim 69, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to optically process the generated radiation so as to decrease at least a diffusion angle of the generated radiation.

72. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the optical processor includes a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material.

73. The illumination apparatus of claim 72, wherein the optical processor is adapted so as to vary a thickness of at least a portion of the translucent material through which the generated radiation passes.

74. The illumination apparatus of claim 72, wherein the optical processor is adapted so as to vary an index of dispersion of at least a portion of the translucent material through which the generated radiation passes.

75. The illumination apparatus of claim 72, wherein the translucent material includes at least one lens positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the at least one lens.

76. The illumination apparatus of claim 75, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable thickness lens.

77. The illumination apparatus of claim 75, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable diameter lens.

78. The illumination apparatus of claim 75, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable focal length lens.

79. The illumination apparatus of claim 75, wherein the at least one lens is made at least in part from a pliable translucent polymer.

80. The illumination apparatus of claim 75, wherein the at least one lens includes an optical gel.

81. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to controllably vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

82. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to mechanically vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

83. The illumination apparatus of claim 82, wherein the optical processor comprises:

a translucent material having at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion, the translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material; and

at least one mechanism to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation such that the generated radiation passes through different portions of the translucent material.

84. The illumination apparatus of claim 63, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to electrically vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

85. The illumination apparatus of claim 84, wherein the optical processor comprises:

a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material, the translucent material having at least one of a thickness and an index of dispersion that is variable, in response to at least one electric signal, as the generated radiation passes through the translucent material.

86. The illumination apparatus of claim 85, wherein the optical processor further comprises at least one electromagnetic actuator coupled to at least one of the LED-based light source and the translucent material, the at least one electromagnetic actuator adapted to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation in response to the at least one electric signal.

87. The illumination apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator includes at least one stepper motor.

88. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source; and

(b) passing the generated radiation through at least one variable optical element so as to facilitate a variable changing over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the act (b) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through a translucent material and varying a thickness of at least a portion of the translucent material through which at least some of the generated radiation passes.

89. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source; and

(b) passing the generated radiation through at least one variable optical element so as to facilitate a variable changing over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the act (b) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through a translucent material and wherein the act (b) further comprises varying an index of dispersion of at least a portion of the translucent material through which at least some of the generated radiation passes.

90. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source; and

(b) passing the generated radiation through at least one variable optical element so as to facilitate a variable changing over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the act (b) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through a translucent material; and

wherein the translucent material includes at least one lens, and wherein the act (b) further comprises passing at least some of the generated radiation through the at least one lens and varying at least one of a thickness, diameter, and focal length of at least a portion thereof.

91. The illumination method of claim 90, wherein the act (b) comprises varying a thickness of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

92. The illumination method of claim 90, wherein the act (b) comprises varying a diameter of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

93. The illumination method of claim 90, wherein the act (b) comprises varying a focal length of at least a portion of the at least one lens.

94. The illumination method of claim 90, wherein the act (b) further comprises controllably variably changing at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

95. The illumination method of claim 94, wherein the act (b) further comprises mechanically variably changing at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

96. The illumination method of claim 94, wherein the act (b) further comprises electrically variably changing at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

97. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source; and

(b) passing the generated radiation through at least one variable optical element so as to facilitate a variable changing over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the act (b) further comprises controllably and mechanically variably changing at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation; and

wherein the act (b) further comprises acts of;

(b1) passing the generated radiation through a translucent material having at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion; and

(b2) moving the translucent material relative to the generated radiation.

98. An illumination method, comprising acts of:

(a) generating radiation from an LED-based light source; and

(b) passing the generated radiation through at least one variable optical element so as to facilitate a variable changing over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the act (b) further comprises controllably and electrically variably changing at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation; and

wherein the act (b) further comprises acts of;

(b1) passing the generated radiation through at least a portion of a translucent material; and

(b2) varying at least one of a thickness and an index of dispersion of the translucent material, in response to at least one electric signal, during the act (b1).

99. The illumination method of claim 98, wherein the translucent material has at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion, wherein at least one of the LED-based light source and the translucent material is coupled to at least one electromagnetic actuator, and wherein the act (b2) includes applying the at least one electric signal to the at least one electromagnetic actuator so as to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation.

100. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

an LED-based light source to generate radiation; and

a variable optical processor adapted to facilitate a variable change over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the variable optical processor includes a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material; and

wherein the variable optical processor is adapted so as to vary a thickness of at least a portion of the translucent material through which the generated radiation passes.

101. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

an LED-based light source to generate radiation; and

a variable optical processor adapted to facilitate a variable change over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the variable optical processor includes a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material; and

wherein the variable optical processor is adapted so as to vary an index of dispersion of at least a portion of the translucent material through which the generated radiation passes.

102. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

an LED-based light source to generate radiation; and

a variable optical processor adapted to facilitate a variable change over time of at least a spatial distribution of the generated radiation;

wherein the variable optical processor includes a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material; and

wherein the translucent material includes at least one lens positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the at least one lens, and the at least one lens comprises at least one of a variable thickness lens a variable diameter lens, and a variable focal length lens.

103. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable thickness lens.

104. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable diameter lens.

105. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one variable focal length lens.

106. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one lens is made at least in part from a pliable translucent polymer.

107. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one lens includes an optical gel.

108. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to controllably vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

109. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to mechanically vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

110. The illumination apparatus of claim 109, wherein the optical processor comprises:

a translucent material having at least one of a varying thickness and a varying index of dispersion, the translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material; and

at least one mechanism to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation such that the generated radiation passes through different portions of the translucent material.

111. The illumination apparatus of claim 102, wherein the optical processor is further adapted to electrically vary at least the spatial distribution of the generated radiation.

112. The illumination apparatus of claim 111, wherein the optical processor comprises:

a translucent material positioned such that at least some of the generated radiation passes through the translucent material, the translucent material having at least one of a thickness and an index of dispersion that is variable, in response to at least one electric signal, as the generated radiation passes through the translucent material.

113. The illumination apparatus of claim 112, wherein the optical processor further comprises at least one electromagnetic actuator coupled to at least one of the LED-based light source and the translucent material, the at least one electromagnetic actuator adapted to move the translucent material relative to the generated radiation in response to the at least one electric signal.

114. The illumination apparatus of claim 113, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator includes at least one stepper motor.