Apparatuses for providing power for illumination of a display object

• US 8,739,441 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2011
• 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 D., Ray, William Johnstone, Bowden, David R., Bray, Peter Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US13/158,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20120074861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 40/1, 404/46, 404/47, 404/49, 404/50, 404/51, 404/52, 362/34, 362/382, 362/457, 362/559, 362/576, 362/806, 362/812, 312/234, 211/49.1, 211/57.1, 211/59.1, 315/209.R, 315/278, 315/283, 315/308
• US Class Current: 40/449
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the variable information is permanently attached to a movable support G09F11/00; abacus G06C1/00; slide-rules G06G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/245 for a plurality of lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/385 using flyback topology

Abstract

An exemplary power regulator apparatus provides power for illumination of a display object, such as a merchandise package or container, which has a light emitting apparatus comprising a secondary inductor and an illumination source. 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 primary inductor voltage. The controller may also comprise a plurality of switches and a memory adapted to store values for switching frequency or switch on-time durations or pulse widths. The illumination source emits 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing power to an emitting apparatus having a first secondary inductor and an illumination source, the apparatus comprising:

a primary inductor;

a controller coupled to the primary inductor, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage or current for the illumination source to emit visible light when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor; and

a feedback circuit coupled to the controller, the feedback circuit comprising a second, feedback secondary inductor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first primary inductor voltage has a first polarity, and wherein the controller further is to control the voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a second primary inductor voltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is to be supported by a support structure within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is disposed along or within a horizontal member of the support structure, or along or within a rear, vertical member of the support structure.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is couplable to an AC or DC power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary inductor is substantially planar.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feedback circuit further comprises a series resistance and capacitance coupled to the second, feedback secondary inductor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the series resistance and capacitance have respective resistance and capacitance values which are substantially similar to or substantially correspond to an illumination source series resistance and capacitance.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of a voltage or current of the feedback circuit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to the determined pulse duration.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to modify a pulse duration or frequency of energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor and to the controller.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current, and to modify an on-time duration or a switching frequency of the plurality of switches or transistors.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the controller, the memory to store a predetermined value for a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the induced voltage or current is in the primary inductor or a second, feedback secondary inductor.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller further is to determine the pulse duration of the induced voltage or current, to compare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, and using a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the controller, the memory to store values for switching frequency or switch on time durations or pulse widths.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the values are provided in the form of a look up table (LUT).

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor to control output brightness of the illumination source.

23. An apparatus for providing power to an emitting apparatus having a first secondary inductor and an illumination source, the apparatus comprising:

a primary inductor;

a controller comprising a control logic block coupled to a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches coupled to the primary inductor, the controller to switch a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage or current for the illumination source to emit visible light when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor; and

a memory coupled to the controller, the memory to store values for at least one switching frequency or at least one switch on-time duration or pulse width for the plurality of switches.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first primary inductor voltage has a first polarity, and wherein the controller further is to switch the voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a second primary inductor voltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus is to be supported by a support structure within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is disposed along or within a horizontal member of the support structure or wherein the apparatus is disposed along or within a rear, vertical member of the support structure.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the primary inductor is substantially planar.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a feedback circuit coupled to the controller, the feedback circuit comprising a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to a series resistance and capacitance.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the series resistance and capacitance have respective resistance and capacitance values which are substantially similar to or substantially correspond to an illumination source series resistance and capacitance.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of a voltage or current of the feedback circuit.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to the determined pulse duration.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

35. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller further is to modify a switch pulse duration or switching frequency of energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

36. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current, and to modify an switch on-time duration or a switching frequency of the plurality of switches.

37. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the predetermined value for a pulse duration is for an induced voltage or current, and wherein the induced voltage or current is in the primary inductor or a second, feedback secondary inductor.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the controller further is to determine the pulse duration of the induced voltage or current, to compare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, and using a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

39. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor to control output brightness of the illumination source.

40. An apparatus for providing power for illumination of a plurality of emitting apparatuses, each emitting apparatus having a first secondary inductor and an illumination source, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of primary inductors;

a feedback circuit comprising a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to a series resistance and capacitance; and

a controller coupled to the plurality of primary inductors and to the feedback circuit, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to a first primary inductor of the plurality of primary inductors to generate a first primary inductor voltage or current for an illumination source of a first emitting apparatus, of the plurality of emitting apparatuses, to emit visible light when the first secondary inductor of the first emitting apparatus is within a predetermined distance of the first primary inductor.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the controller further comprises:

a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the plurality of primary inductors; and

a memory to store values for switching frequency or switch on time durations or pulse widths for the plurality of switches or transistors.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of a corresponding emitting apparatus.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the series resistance and capacitance have respective resistance and capacitance values which are substantially similar to or substantially correspond to a selected illumination source resistance and capacitance.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current, to compare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, and using a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of a corresponding emitting apparatus.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of a selected primary inductor of the plurality of primary inductors to control output brightness of a corresponding illumination source.

46. An apparatus for providing power to an emitting apparatus having a first secondary inductor and an illumination source, the apparatus comprising:

a primary inductor;

a memory to store a predetermined value for a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current; and

a controller coupled to the primary inductor and to the memory, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage or current for the illumination source to emit visible light when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first primary inductor voltage has a first polarity, and wherein the controller further is to provide the voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a second primary inductor voltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the apparatus is to be supported by a support structure within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the apparatus is disposed along or within a horizontal member of the support structure, or wherein the apparatus is disposed along or within a rear, vertical member of the support structure, or wherein the apparatus is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.

50. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

51. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

a feedback circuit coupled to the controller, the feedback circuit comprising a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to a series resistance and capacitance.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the series resistance and capacitance have respective resistance and capacitance values which are substantially similar to or substantially correspond to an illumination source series resistance and capacitance.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of a voltage or current of the feedback circuit.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to the determined pulse duration.

55. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

56. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the controller further is to modify a pulse duration or frequency of energizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal from the feedback circuit.

57. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

a switch or transistor coupled to the primary inductor and to the controller.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current, and to modify an on-time duration or a switching frequency of the switch or transistor.

59. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the induced voltage or current is in the primary inductor or a second, feedback secondary inductor.

60. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the controller further is to determine the pulse duration of the induced voltage or current, to compare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, and using a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.

61. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory further is to store values for switching frequency or switch on time durations or pulse widths.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the values are provided in the form of a look up table (LUT).

63. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the primary inductor to control output brightness of the illumination source.

64. An apparatus for providing power for illumination of a plurality of emitting apparatuses, each emitting apparatus having a first secondary inductor and an illumination source, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of primary inductors;

one or more switches or transistors coupled to the plurality of primary inductors;

a memory to store values for switching frequency or switch on time duration or pulse width for the one or more switches or transistors; and

a controller coupled to the memory and to the one or more switches or transistors, the controller to control switching of the one or more switches or transistors to provide a voltage or current to a first primary inductor of the plurality of primary inductors to generate a primary inductor voltage or current for an illumination source of a first emitting apparatus, of the plurality of emitting apparatuses, to emit visible light when a first secondary inductor of the first emitting apparatus is within a predetermined distance of the first primary inductor.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of an emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising:

a feedback circuit coupled to the controller, the feedback circuit comprising a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to a series resistance and capacitance having respective resistance and capacitance values which are substantially similar to or substantially correspond to a selected illumination source series resistance and capacitance.

67. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the controller further is to determine a pulse duration of an induced voltage or current, to compare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, and using a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of an emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses.

68. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the controller further is to modify an energizing of the first primary inductor of the plurality of primary inductors to control output brightness of the illumination source of the first emitting apparatus.