Information systems

• US 7,385,359 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Morgan, Frederick, Lys, Ihor A., Chemel, Brian, Mincheva, Adriana, Dowling, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/989,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20020152045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,394 Days
• Field of Search: 315/292, 315/297, 315/362, 315/360, 315/307, 315/82, 315/295, 315/79, 315/80, 315/312, 315/316, 340/453, 340/458, 340/479, 340/815.45, 340/815.47, 340/815.65, 340/814.49, 362/372, 362/471, 362/489, 362/800, 362/806, 362/227, 362/231, 250/205, 463/1, 463/30, 463/31, 463/40, 706/10, 706/22, 706/23
• US Class Current: 315/292
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/18 for varying the light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/85 for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity
• 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: 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: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• 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 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 : via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An embodiment of this invention relates to an intelligent lighting device that can receive signals and change the illumination conditions as a result of the received signals. The lighting device can change hue, saturation, and brightness as a response to received signals. One example of using such a lighting device is to display particular colors as a response to certain events. Among others, embodiments may include vehicle lighting systems, an information cube, a back lighting system for a display panel, and an indicator of a condition of a package.

Claims

1. A method of providing information, comprising:

receiving an information signal representing information that is not associated with color;

monitoring the information signal to obtain signal parameter values;

providing an LED illumination device wherein the illumination device further comprises an input connection;

providing a processor for converting the signal parameter values into color parameters of an illumination control signal; and

communicating the illumination control signal to the input connection to control a light output of the illumination device to correspond to the color parameters of the illumination control signal so as to convey the information received in the information signal.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein the information signal is received from at least one of a world wide web and a network connection.

3. A method of claim 2 wherein the information signal comprises of at least one of financial information, environmental information, computer status information, notification information, email notification information, and status information.

4. A method of claim 1 wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

5. A method of claim 1 wherein the LED illumination device comprises:

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a second processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the illumination processor;

the at least two controllers are responsive to signals communicated to the signal input; and

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material.

6. A method of providing information comprising:

providing an LED illumination device wherein the illumination device comprises at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

providing a processor;

providing at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs, the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input connection wherein the signal input connection is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers being responsive to signals communicated to the signal input connection; and

providing a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material;

providing an information signal to the signal input connection, wherein the information signal represents scalar information;

wherein the processor converts the information signal into an illumination control signal; and

the illumination device changes color corresponding to the information signal.

7. A method of claim 6 wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

8. An information system comprising:

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers are responsive to signals communicated to the signal input;

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material;

an information signal input wherein the information signal input is associated with the processor; and

a second processor, wherein the second processor is associated with the processor, and wherein the second processor converts an information signal representing scalar information to lighting control signals representing color and communicates the lighting control signals to the processor.

9. An information system of claim 8 wherein the second processor is at least one of a computer, microcomputer, microprocessor, and laptop computer.

10. An information system of claim 8 further comprising a user interface wherein the user interface is associated with the second processor.

11. An information system of claim 10 wherein the user interface is at least one of a computer, web browser, web site, touch screen, LCD screen, plasma screen, and laptop computer.

12. An information system, comprising:

an LED illumination device configured to generate light having a variable color; and

a controller, coupled to the LED illumination device, to receive an information signal formatted as a lighting control signal having hue, saturation and intensity parameters and to control the illumination device so as to vary at least the color of the generated light in response to the information signal, wherein at least one of a hue, a saturation and an intensity of the generated light represent information encoded in the received information signal, wherein the LED illumination device comprises;

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs,

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor, the at least two controllers being responsive to signals communicated to the signal input; and

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material,

wherein the signal input receives an illumination control signal representing scalar information, and wherein the processor converts the information signal into an illumination control signal and the illumination device changes color corresponding to the information signal.

13. A system of claim 12, wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

14. A method of providing information comprising:

receiving an information signal representing numeric information not associated with color;

formatting the information signal as a lighting control signal having hue, saturation and intensity parameters; and

varying at least a color of light generated by an LED illumination device in response to the information signal, wherein at least one of a hue, a saturation and an intensity of the generated light represent the numeric information encoded in the received information signal, wherein the LED illumination device comprises;

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers are responsive to signals communicated to the signal input; and

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material.

15. A method of providing a computer peripheral comprising:

providing at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

providing a processor;

providing at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs, the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor, the at least two controllers being responsive to signals communicated to the signal input;

providing a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material;

providing an information signal input wherein the information signal input is associated with the processor; and

converting scalar information received on the information signal input to color information provided to the signal input of the at least two controllers.

16. A method of claim 15 wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

17. A method of claim 15 wherein the at least two controllers are at least one of a pulse width modulator, pulse amplitude modulator, pulse displacement modulator, resistor ladder, current source, voltage source, voltage ladder, and voltage controller.

18. A computer peripheral comprising:

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers are responsive to signals communicated to the signal input;

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material; and

an information signal input wherein the information signal input is associated with the processor,

wherein the processor converts scalar information received on the information signal input to color information provided to the signal input of the at least two controllers.

19. A computer peripheral of claim 18 wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

20. A computer peripheral of claim 18 wherein the at least two controllers are at least one of a pulse width modulator, pulse amplitude modulator, pulse displacement modulator, resistor ladder, current source, voltage source, voltage ladder, and voltage controller.

21. An information system, comprising:

a receiver for receiving an information signal representing information that is not associated with color;

an LED illumination device wherein the illumination device further comprises an input connection;

a processor for monitoring the information signal to obtain signal parameter values and for converting the signal parameter values into color parameters of an illumination control signal; and

a controller for communicating the illumination control signal to the input connection to control a light output of the illumination device to conespond to the color parameters of the illumination control signal so as to convey the information received in the information signal.

22. A system of claim 21 wherein the information signal is received from at least one of a world wide web and a network connection.

23. A system of claim 22 wherein the information signal comprises of at least one of financial information, environmental information, computer status information, notification information, email notification information, and status information.

24. A system of claim 21 wherein the processor is at least one of a controller, addressable controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, addressable microprocessor, computer, programmable processor, programmable controller, dedicated processor, dedicated controller, computer, and laptop computer.

25. A system of claim 21 wherein the LED illumination device comprises:

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a second processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the illumination processor;

the at least two controllers are responsive to signals communicated to the signal input; and

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material.

26. A method of providing an information system comprising:

providing at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

providing a processor;

providing at least two controllers wherein the at least two controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers being responsive to signals communicated to the signal input;

providing a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material;

providing an information signal input wherein the information signal input is associated with the processor

providing a second processor, wherein the second processor is associated with the processor, and wherein the second processor converts an information signal representing scalar information to lighting control signals representing color and communicates the lighting control signals to the processor.

27. A method of claim 26 further comprising providing a user interface wherein the user interface is associated with the second processor.

28. A method of claim 27 wherein the user interface is at least one of a computer, web browser, web site, touch screen, LCD screen, plasma screen, and laptop computer.

29. A method of claim 28 wherein the second processor is at least one of a computer, microcomputer, microprocessor, and laptop computer.

30. An information system, comprising:

an LED illumination device configured to generate light having a variable color; and

a controller, coupled to the LED illumination device, to receive an information signal representing numeric information not associated with color, the controller configured to format the information signal as a lighting control signal having hue, saturation and intensity parameters and to control the illumination device so as to vary at least the color of the generated light in response to the information signal, wherein at least one of a hue, a saturation and an intensity of the generated light represent the numeric information encoded in the received information signal, wherein the LED illumination device comprises;

at least two LEDs wherein the at least two LEDs produce at least two different spectra;

a processor;

at least two controllers wherein the controllers independently control power delivered to the at least two LEDs;

the at least two controllers further comprising a signal input wherein the signal input is associated with the processor;

the at least two controllers being responsive to signals communicated to the signal input; and

a light transmissive material wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate the light transmissive material.