Illuminating display systems

• US 8,739,440 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Original Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Inventors: Lowenthal, Mark David, Ray, William Johnstone, Bray, Peter Michael, Bowden, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US13/787,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20130193846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 40/1, 404/46, 362/34, 362/382, 362/457, 362/559, 362/576, 362/806, 362/812, 312/234
• US Class Current: 40/446
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/37 being movable elements G09F9/302 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/028 Generation of voltages supplied to electrode drivers in a matrix display other than LCD
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/245 for a plurality of lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising:

an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; and

a power regulator having a flyback configuration and magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of;

a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a merchandise display system, further comprising:

a support structure to support the power regulator within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the power regulator is disposed along or within a horizontal member or a rear, vertical member of the support structure, or wherein the power regulator is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator is couplable to an AC or DC power source or to an Ethernet connection.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further is to determine or modify the pulse duration parameter of the induced voltage or current or is to determine or modify an on-time duration parameter or a switching frequency parameter of the plurality of switches or transistors.

11. A method of illuminating a display object, an illumination source coupled to or integrated with the display object, the method comprising:

retrieving from a memory at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of;

a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof;

using a power regulator having a flyback configuration, energizing a primary inductor to provide a first primary voltage;

receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a first secondary voltage in a first, planar secondary inductor;

applying the first secondary voltage to the illumination source; and

energizing the illumination source to emit visible light.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a second secondary voltage in a second secondary inductor; and

using the second secondary voltage, generating a feedback signal to a controller.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

using a controller, detecting a presence of the display object and detecting when the display object is no longer within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

using a controller, detecting a pulse duration of a voltage across the primary inductor; and

adjusting the first primary voltage.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

using a controller, adjusting a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage.

16. A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising:

an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; and

a power regulator having a flyback configuration and magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, a second, feedback secondary inductor, a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of;

a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof;

wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using the feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to adjust a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to a package or a container of the display object.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the illumination source is to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.