Illuminating display systems

• US 9,526,148 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2015
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• 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:
  US14/831,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20150366033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 40/1, 404/46, 362/34, 362/382, 362/457, 362/559, 362/576, 362/806, 362/812, 312/324
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 energizing an emitting apparatus, the emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the system comprising:

a power regulator magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising;

a primary inductor;

a second, feedback secondary inductor; and

a controller coupled to the primary inductor and to the second, feedback secondary inductor, the controller adapted to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator has a circuit configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an AC-AC converter configuration;

an AC-DC converter configuration;

a DC-AC converter configuration;

a DC-DC converter configuration; and

combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator has a circuit configuration selected from the group consisting of:

a flyback configuration;

a boost configuration;

a buck configuration;

a buck-boost configuration;

a quadratic configuration;

a cascaded configuration;

a two-stage configuration;

a forward configuration;

a resonant configuration; and

combinations thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises:

a memory coupled to the controller.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the memory stores 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.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is adapted to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the power regulator further comprises a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted 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.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

10. 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.

11. The system of claim 10, 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.

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

13. 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 magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator having a circuit configuration selected from the group consisting of;

a flyback configuration;

a boost configuration;

a buck configuration;

a buck-boost configuration;

a quadratic configuration;

a cascaded configuration;

a two-stage configuration;

a forward configuration;

a resonant configuration; and

combinations thereof;

the power regulator comprising;

a primary inductor;

a second, feedback secondary inductor; and

a controller coupled to the primary inductor and to the second, feedback secondary inductor, the controller adapted to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises a full-bridge or half-bridge rectifier.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is adapted to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.

17. The system of claim 13, 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.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the power regulator further comprises a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is adapted to determine or modify an on-time duration or a switching frequency of the plurality of switches or transistors.

20. 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

at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at

least one light emitting diode;

a power regulator electromagnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising;

a primary inductor;

a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor;

a second, feedback secondary inductor; and

a controller coupled to the second, feedback secondary inductor and to the plurality of switches or transistors, the controller adapted to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage, and to determine or modify an on-time duration or a switching frequency of the plurality of switches or transistors using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.