Marketplace illumination methods and apparatus

• US 7,453,217 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Solid State Lighting Solutions Inc (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Mueller, George G., Blackwell, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu; Jimmy T
• Application Number:
  US10/990,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/209.R, 315/312, 315/314, 315/318, 362/800, 362/27, 362/101, 405/41, 405/42, 405/44, 405/59, 405/60, 405/81
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• 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 3/80 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: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/28 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing illumination in a marketplace. In one example, radiation comprising variable color light is generated using a plurality of LEDs. One or more articles in the marketplace are illuminated with the generated radiation, and the spectral content of the generated radiation is controllably varied over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives a change in color and/or an illusion of motion associated with the article(s) due to a selective color interaction between the generated radiation and the article(s). Examples of marketplaces include, but are not limited to, consumer environments, work environments, sporting environments, entertainment environments, retail establishments, restaurants, museums, art galleries and the like.

Claims

1. A method of providing illumination in a marketplace, comprising:

a) illuminating at least one article in the marketplace with variable color light from a plurality of LEDs, the marketplace comprising a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services, the plurality of LEDs comprising a first LED providing a first output having a first spectrum and a second LED providing a second output having a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum; and

b) independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output so as to vary a spectral content of the variable color light,

wherein the step b) comprises dynamically varying over a period of time at least one of the first output and the second output, whereby the spectral content of the variable color light varies over the period of time in response to at least one action of a person in a vicinity of the at least one article.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the variable color light over the period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives a change in color of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the variable color light and the at least one article.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the variable color light over the period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives an illusion of motion in at least a portion of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the variable color light and the at least one article.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output in response to execution of a program.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises independently controlling one of a UV component and an IR component of the variable color light.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment, a restaurant, a sporting environment or a work environment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one article comprises at least one of a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, and a piece of artwork.

8. A method of providing illumination in a marketplace, comprising:

a) illuminating at least one article in the marketplace with variable color light from a plurality of LEDs, the marketplace comprising a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services, the plurality of LEDs comprising a first LED providing a first output having a first spectrum and a second LED providing a second output having a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum; and

b) independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output so as to vary a spectral content of the variable color light,

wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output (i) in response to at least one sensed condition, (ii) based on a time of day, or (iii) based on ambient light in a vicinity of the at least one article.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensed condition relates to at least one action of a person in the vicinity of the at least one article.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment, a restaurant, a sporting environment or a work environment.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one article comprises a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, or a piece of artwork.

12. A method of providing illumination in a marketplace, comprising:

a) illuminating at least one article in the marketplace with variable color light from a plurality of LEDs, the marketplace comprising a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services, the plurality of LEDs comprising a first LED providing a first output having a first spectrum and a second LED providing a second output having a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum; and

b) independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output so as to vary a spectral content of the variable color light,

wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output in response to at least one action of a customer viewing the at least one article.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment, a restaurant, a sporting environment or a work environment.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one article comprises a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, or a piece of artwork.