Precise repeatable setting of color characteristics for lighting applications

• US 7,497,590 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Optical Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Rains, Jack C. Jr., Bates, Christopher, Brown, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US10/555,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20060203483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 250/228, 315/291
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/10 of iris type
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 2200/13 the light being emitted at the end of the guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0254 Spectrometers, other than colorimeters, making use of an integrating sphere
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/501 Colorimeters using spectrally-selective light sources, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0252 : using holographic or diffractive means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0278 : used in transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0284 : used in reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 : the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/06 : Special arrangements of screening, diffusing, or reflecting devices, e.g. in studio
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 : the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/06 : using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/14 : Arrangements of reflectors therein
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 : electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 : Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 : Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 45/395 : Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 : Signs

Abstract

A desired color of illumination of a subject is achieved by determining settings for color inputs and applying those setting to one or more systems that generate and mix colors of light, so as to provide combined light of the desired character. In the examples of appropriate systems, an optical integrating cavity diffusely reflects light of three or more colors, and combined light emerging from an aperture of the cavity illuminates the subject. System settings for amounts of the different colors of the input lights are easily recorded for reuse or for transfer and use in other systems.

Claims

1. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength, wherein the setting step comprises;

(1) setting an intensity of illumination of a source of the light of the first wavelength for the lighting system to the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength; and

(2) setting an intensity of illumination of a source of the light of the second wavelength for the lighting system to the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength,

wherein the sources comprise light emitting diodes of different colors;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination, wherein the step of optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system, comprises;

(a) diffusely reflecting the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system within a cavity; and

(b) emitting the light of the first and second wavelengths through an aperture of the cavity as the combined light output; and

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system.

2. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination; and

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system,

wherein the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system provides substantially white light of a selected color temperature having a difference in chromaticity from the selected temperature on the black body curve.

3. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject, wherein the recording of the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject comprises recording chromaticity coordinates corresponding to the desired illumination;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination; and

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system.

4. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject, wherein the recording of the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject comprises recording proportional amounts for three primary colors, for producing a chromaticity corresponding to the desired illumination;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination; and

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system.

5. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination;

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system;

sensing color of the combined light of the lighting system; and

adjusting the operation of the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light, in response to the sensed color.

6. A method of illuminating a subject, comprising:

generating a variable amount of light of a first wavelength and a variable amount of light of a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength;

optically combining the light of the first wavelength with the light of the second wavelength;

illuminating the subject with the combined light;

adjusting the amount of the light of the first wavelength or the amount of the light of the second wavelength, to achieve a color characteristic of a desired illumination of the subject with the combined light;

recording the amount of the light of the first wavelength and the amount of the light of the second wavelength contained in the combined light used to achieve the desired illumination of the subject;

setting a lighting system to generate the recorded amount of the light of the first wavelength and to generate the recorded amount of the light of the second wavelength;

operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths;

optically combining the light of the first and second wavelengths generated by the lighting system to produce a combined light output corresponding to the desired illumination; and

irradiating the subject or a similar subject with the combined light output from the lighting system, to achieve the desired illumination of the subject using the lighting system,

wherein the step of operating the lighting system to generate the set recorded amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths includes activating at least one initially inactive source of light of one of the wavelengths.

7. A method of illuminating a subject with light of a desired color characteristic, comprising:

setting a first amount for light of a first wavelength;

generating light of the first wavelength from a first source, in a first intensity corresponding to the first set amount;

setting a second amount for light of a second wavelength;

generating light of the second wavelength from a second source, in a second intensity corresponding to the second set amount,

wherein the first and second sources comprise first and second light emitting diodes, of different colors, the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, and the first and second set amounts correspond to the desired color characteristic for the illumination of the subject;

diffusely reflecting the generated light of the first and second wavelengths from the first and second sources within a cavity, to produce combined light containing amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths in proportion to the first and second set amounts; and

emitting at least a portion of the combined light through an aperture of the cavity to illuminate the subject with light of the desired color characteristic.

8. A method of illuminating a subject with light of a desired color characteristic, comprising:

setting a first amount for light of a first wavelength;

generating light of the first wavelength from a first source, in a first intensity corresponding to the first set amount;

setting a second amount for light of a second wavelength;

generating light of the second wavelength from a second source, in a second intensity corresponding to the second set amount,

wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, and the first and second set amounts correspond to the desired color characteristic for the illumination of the subject;

diffusely reflecting the generated light of the first and second wavelengths from the first and second sources within a cavity, to produce combined light containing amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths in proportion to the first and second set amounts;

emitting at least a portion of the combined light through an aperture of the cavity to illuminate the subject with light of the desired color characteristic; and

determining the first and second amounts so as to provide the color characteristic of the desired illumination of the subject with the combined light, before performing the setting and generating steps.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the combined light provides substantially white light of a selected color temperature with a difference in chromaticity from the selected temperature on the black body curve.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining step comprises recording chromaticity coordinates representing the color characteristic of the desired illumination, for use in setting the first amount of light of the first wavelength and the second amount of light of the second wavelength.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining step comprises recording a first color intensity for the first wavelength and a second color intensity for the second wavelength, for producing the color characteristic of the desired illumination.

12. A method of illuminating a subject with light of a desired color characteristic, comprising:

setting a first amount for light of a first wavelength;

generating light of the first wavelength from a first source, in a first intensity corresponding to the first set amount;

setting a second amount for light of a second wavelength;

generating light of the second wavelength from a second source, in a second intensity corresponding to the second set amount,

wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, and the first and second set amounts correspond to the desired color characteristic for the illumination of the subject;

diffusely reflecting the generated light of the first and second wavelengths from the first and second sources within a cavity, to produce combined light containing amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths in proportion to the first and second set amounts;

emitting at least a portion of the combined light through an aperture of the cavity to illuminate the subject with light of the desired color characteristic;

sensing color of the combined light of the lighting system; and

controlling intensity of light of the first wavelength generated from the first source or intensity of light of the second wavelength generated from the second source, to generate the set amount of light of at least one of the wavelengths, in response to the sensed color.

13. A method of illuminating a subject with light of a desired color characteristic, comprising:

setting a first amount for light of a first wavelength;

generating light of the first wavelength from a first source, in a first intensity corresponding to the first set amount;

setting a second amount for light of a second wavelength;

generating light of the second wavelength from a second source, in a second intensity corresponding to the second set amount,

wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, and the first and second set amounts correspond to the desired color characteristic for the illumination of the subject;

diffusely reflecting the generated light of the first and second wavelengths from the first and second sources within a cavity, to produce combined light containing amounts of light of the first and second wavelengths in proportion to the first and second set amounts; and

emitting at least a portion of the combined light through an aperture of the cavity to illuminate the subject with light of the desired color characteristic,

wherein at least one of the generating steps includes activating at least one initially inactive source of light of one of the wavelengths.

14. A method of illuminating a subject with light of a desired color characteristic, comprising:

determining settings relating to amounts of three colors of light for providing the desired color characteristic for illumination of the subject;

recording data corresponding to the determined settings;

transferring the recorded data to a lighting system for use in illuminating the subject;

responsive to the transferred data, generating light of the three colors in amounts corresponding to the determined settings;

diffusely reflecting the generated light of the three colors within an optical integrating cavity, to produce combined light containing the three colors of light in amounts proportional to the determined settings; and

emitting at least a portion of the combined light through a passage through a wall of the optical integrating cavity to illuminate the subject with light of the desired color characteristic, for human observation of the illuminated subject.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the combined light is substantially white.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the three colors of light comprise three primary colors of light.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the three colors of light comprise white light and two or more primary colors of light.