System and method for providing multi-functional lighting using high-efficiency lighting elements in an environment

• US 7,824,065 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prostar Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Maxik, Fredric
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US10/915,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20050207159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,276 Days
• Field of Search: 362/225, 362/252, 362/293, 362/317, 362/221, 362/217.1, 36221714-21717, 362/227, 362/234, 362/236, 362/249.01, 362/249.02, 362/282, 362/287, 703/1, 703/13, 703/4
• US Class Current: 362/234
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• 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 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/20 on convex supports or substrates, e.g. on the outer surface of spheres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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]

Abstract

A system and method for providing multi-functional lighting in a lighting system in an environment is disclosed. The system uses high-efficiency lighting elements for providing multi-functional lighting in the environment. The types and quantity of high-efficiency lighting elements is determined based upon information entered provided to the system by a user according to their functional desires for the environment. Among the functions provided to the environment include: lighting, bacteriological control, biological control, pest control, and pollution control. In one embodiment of the high-efficiency lighting elements are light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment of the multi-functional lighting system, the system further determines location of the lighting elements to be used within the environment based on the information provided by a user.

Claims

1. A system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements, comprising:

means for selecting at least one high-efficiency lighting element for producing a desired function, the desired function including providing sterilization;

means for tuning said at least one high-efficiency lighting element substantially disposed over said at least one high-efficiency lighting element for providing high-efficiency lighting; and

means for arranging said at least one high-efficiency lighting element located within said environment.

2. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said means for selecting comprises:

means for calculating an area of a portion of said environment for determining the quantity of at least one high-efficiency lighting elements to provide said desired function for said portion of said environment.

3. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high efficiency lighting elements of claim 2 wherein said means for selecting further comprises:

means, responsive to said calculated area of said portion of said environment, for determining said at least one high-efficiency lighting element for providing the desired function in said environment.

4. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said means for tuning comprises:

means for adjusting the angle of dispersion of light emitted from said at least one high-efficiency lighting element.

5. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said means for tuning comprises:

thin film for shaping the light emitted from said at least one high-efficiency lighting element.

6. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 further comprising:

means, responsive to a command, for adjusting the output of said at least one high-efficiency lighting element.

7. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said at least one high-efficiency lighting element comprises at least one light emitting element providing light in a visible wavelength range.

8. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said at least one high-efficiency lighting element comprises at least one light emitting element providing light in an invisible wavelength range.

9. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein providing sterilization includes at least one of providing bacteriological control, biological control, pest control, and pollution control.

10. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 wherein said at least one high-efficiency lighting element comprises at least one light emitting diode.

11. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 10 wherein said means for selecting comprises:

means for selecting among at least two different of said at least one light emitting diode of said high-efficiency lighting element, one light emitting diode of said at least two different light emitting diodes providing sterilization in said environment.

12. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 1 further comprising:

means for energizing said at least one high-efficiency lighting element for providing light to said environment.

13. The system for providing a desired function in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 12 wherein said means for energizing comprises:

means for supplying a peak current above the maximum forward current rating of at least one of said at least one high-efficiency lighting element.

14. A multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements, comprising;

receiving means for receiving environmental information related to said environment;

receiving means for receiving function information related to said environment;

means, responsive to receiving said functional information, for determining a type and a quantity of said high-efficiency lighting elements for said environment; and

providing means for providing said high-efficiency lighting elements and for providing sterilization.

15. The multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 14 wherein said receiving means for receiving environmental information further comprises:

receiving environmental information selected from a group consisting of dimensional information and location information.

16. The multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 14 wherein said receiving means for receiving functional information further comprises:

receiving functional information selected from a group consisting of lighting, bacteriological control, pest control, and pollution control.

17. The multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 14 wherein said determining means for determining a type and a quantity of said high efficiency lighting elements further comprises:

determining said high-efficiency lighting elements selected from a group consisting of mood lighting, wall wash lighting, spot lighting, flood lighting, bacteriological control, bacterial control, biological control, pest control, and pollution control.

19. The multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of claim 14 wherein said high-efficiency lighting elements are light emitting diodes.

18. The multi-functional lighting system in an environment using high-efficiency lighting elements of clam 14 wherein said means, responsive to receiving said functional information, for determining a type and a quantity of said high-efficiency lighting elements further comprises:

determining a location for said high-efficiency lighting elements within said environment for providing said multi-functional lighting.