Multiple light-source illuminating system

• US 8,100,552 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yechezkal Evan Spero
• Original Assignee: Yechezkal Evan Spero
• Inventors: Spero, Yechezkal Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US10/604,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20040105264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,116 Days
• Field of Search: 362/276, 362/234, 362/230, 362/231, 362/800, 362/249.02, 362/235, 362/545, 362/227
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/00 Housing animals; Equipment therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/116 Vehicle at a stop
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/134 Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/142 Turn signal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/23 Driver's line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/322 Road curvature
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/00 Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps reversing lights F21S43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/141 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 : arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/663 : by switching light sources by switching incandescent light sources F21S41/162
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 : by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 : Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 : activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 : the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/60 : characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/677 : the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 : characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/00 : Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/13 : for high-beam region or low-beam region
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/023 : for pedestrian walkways
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 : for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 : for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 : of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 : Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 : Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 : Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 : following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 : Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for a multiple light-source illuminating device, the design and construction of which is derived from the lighting requirements of a specific lighting application. The resulting illuminating device (16) provides illumination according to the principles of lighting practice for the optimal performance of visual tasks. Coupling with sensors (21) and logical control (20) allows illumination intensity and spectrum to be varied according to changing user needs. The illuminating device includes multiple discrete light emitting components of different spatial intensity distribution and color spectrum mounted in specific orientations such that the application oriented combined lighting effect is created. The control is provided via a differentiated power supply (19) capable of affecting the current, voltage and duty cycle determining the relative contribution of each light source effecting a different spatial intensity distribution and color spectrum.

Claims

1. An illuminating device intended for positioning relative to one or more predetermined surface areas having an overall light distribution pattern calculated to efficiently illuminate the predetermined surface areas with a design illuminance and color, comprising:

a) a multiplicity of light sources having respective spectral distributions and respective light intensity distribution patterns which are directional about an axis and subtend lesser angles than those of the overall light distribution pattern, and

b) a light source mounting structure configured to mount the light sources.

c) a positioning apparatus to uniquely affix the structure relative to the predetermined surface areas to be illuminated,

d) where said light sources are uniquely disposed on the structure relative to the positioning apparatus and angularly mounted on the structure with the light distribution axis having a vertical angle α

from the nadir and a radial angle β

relative to the positioning apparatus and

e) where said unique disposition and angular mounting is determined by the greater or lesser luminous intensity required from portions of the relatively positioned lighting fixture structure so as to substantially illuminate the predetermined surface areas with the design illuminance,

whereby the respective directional light distribution patterns and the respective sectral distributions combine to form the overall light distribution pattern calculated to efficiently provide the predetermined surface areas with the design illuminance.

2. The illuminating device of claim 1 further including apparatus uniquely orienting the structure relative to the predetermined surface areas.

3. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the respective spectral distributions combine to form the overall light distribution pattern calculated to efficiently provide the predetermined surfaces with the design illuminance and color.

4. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined surface areas are equidistant from the light source and the design illuminance on the respective predetermined surface areas are not equal.

5. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined surface areas are non-equidistant and the design illuminance on the respective predetermined surface areas are equal.

6. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein any of the design illuminance and color is any of different and similar combinations for respective predetermined surface areas.

7. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the design illuminance level is uniform illumination over to at least one of the surface areas and a certain height relative to the surface areas irrespective if the surface area is directly below the illuminating device or off in a distant corner of a room.

8. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the design illuminance level is increased task lighting illuminance on certain surface areas and general lighting illuminance level over the rest of the surface areas.

9. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the light source is at least one of substantially monochromatic LEDs and white LEDs.

10. The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the illuminating device is a luminaire based on specific lighting application criteria according to principles of correct lighting practice to provide the design illuminance and color such that the luminaire provides a controlled illumination intensity, spectrum, luminous exitance and spatial distribution of intensity and spectrum, suited to the specific lighting application, and optionally where the luminaire design criterion includes any items from the list comprised of:

a requirement of maintaining an acceptable continuum of spatial illumination and a requirement of maintaining an acceptable continuum of spatial color effects and the requirement for maintaining an acceptable glare rating for the luminaire.

11. The illuminating device of claim 10 wherein the intensity, spectrum, and spatial distribution of intensity and spectrum is adjusted for changes in a living space to be illuminated in accordance with the lighting application comprising:

(a) a means for sensing the changes; and

(b) a means for changing the light emanating characteristics of the light sources, thereby providing the correct intensity, spectrum, and spatial distribution of intensity and spectrum as a function of time.

12. The luminaire of claim 10, further including any digital lighting fixture accessory items from the list comprised of:

(a) a power connection apparatus in communication with the mains power;

(b) a power supply element providing current at a voltage to the light sources and other ancillary equipment;

(c) a differentiated power supply element capable of varying power to the respective light sources said power supply arranged to effect an independent electric power signal differentiated in voltage, current or frequency to the respective light sources or group of light sources;

(d) a controller for adjusting the power signal to the light sources such that a particular amount of power supplied to the light source generates a corresponding intensity and provides the correct intensity, spectrum, and spatial distribution of intensity and spectrum for the lighting application;

(e) a storage media device capable of storing and recalling stored data relating to performance, algorithms and lighting parameters;

(f) a controller capable of receiving inputs and by means of recalling stored parameters, processing algorithms, and calculating results, generates output control signals to adjust the illuminance according to the correct lighting practice;

(g) a photosensor for providing light spectrum and intensity information to the controller, said information for use in said adjusting;

(h) a motion detector for providing occupant sensing information to the controller, said information for use in said adjusting;

(i) a communications element coupled to the controller comprised of a receiver for receiving a data signal from an external device;

(j) a communications element coupled to the controller comprised of a transmitter for transmitting a data signal to an external device;

(k) a remote control man-machine interface input device capable of communicating data with the communications element;

(l) a machine vision system comprised of an imaging device, and object recognition coupled to the controller and

(m) a mechanical assembly for the support of light sources, power supplies, controllers, sensors and other ancillary equipment.

13. The illuminating device of claim 10, having a controller for adjusting a power signal to the light sources is selected from the list consisting of:

(a) an open-loop controller, factory programmed, for use in general lighting according to correct lighting practice;

(b) an open-loop controller, user-programmed, by use of a programming method taking into account the lighting requirements of the environment in which the luminaire is to be used;

(c) a closed loop controller, user-programmed, by use of a programming method taking into account the lighting requirements of the environment in which the luminaire is to be used;

(d) a closed loop controller user-programmed, by use of a programming method taking into account the lighting requirements of the environment and self-adjusting in response to the changing lighting requirements of the environment in which the luminaire is located;

(e) a closed loop controller, self-adjusting in response to the lighting requirements of the environment in which the luminaire is located, without pre-programming.