Tile lighting methods and systems

• US 20050116667A1
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Roberge, Brian, Piepgras, Colin, Logan, Derek, Cella, Charles H., Mueller, George G., Dowling, Kevin J., Morgan, Frederick M., Kim, Hern
• Granted Patent: US 7,358,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/08 composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements, E04F13/072 takes precedence; borders, skirtings E04F19/02; of webs or fabrics E04F13/002; fixing strips E04F19/06; separate provisional spacers between adjacent tiles E04F21/0092; implements or means for setting tiles E04F21/18
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02 Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of webs E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2290/026 for lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/032 the surface being a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3026 Video wall, i.e. stackable semiconductor matrix display modules video wall control systems G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 : Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/33 : Pulse-amplitude modulation [PAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 : Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 : Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 : Modular display

Abstract

A tile lighting system is provided in which an interior space of a tile is lit by LEDs, such as in a grid or edge-lit formation, and a light diffusing panel is disposed over the interior space. The tile lighting system can be combined with others to tile any surface, such as a floor, ceiling, wall, or building exterior. Lighting control signals can be supplied to generate a wide range of effects on the tile lighting units, including effects coordinated among different tile lighting units. Two- and three-dimensional embodiments are contemplated.

Claims

1. A tile lighting system, comprising:

a plurality of addressable lighting units disposed in a grid;

a controller for controlling the illumination from the addressable lighting units; and

a light diffusing cover for covering the grid.

2. A system of claim 1, wherein the light diffusing cover includes a phosphorescent material.

3. A system of claim 1, wherein the light diffusing cover is substantially translucent.

4. A system of claim 1, wherein the light diffusing cover is provided with a geometric shape.

5. A system of claim 1, wherein the light diffusing cover is provided with an irregular pattern.

6. A system of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is configured to be disposed in proximity to similar lighting systems in a tile arrangement.

7. A lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting units are controlled using a string light protocol.

8. A system of claim 1, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects on the tile lighting system.

9. A system of claim 1 wherein the lighting system is capable of coordinating effects with another similar lighting system.

10. A system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed in an architectural environment.

11. A system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed on a building exterior.

12. A tile light, comprising:

a plurality of LED lighting units disposed on a circuit board in an array, wherein the LED lighting units respond to control signals to produce mixed light of varying colors; and

a diffuser for receiving light from the lighting units.

13. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the diffuser includes a phosphorescent material.

14. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the diffuser is substantially translucent.

15. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the diffuser is provided with a geometric shape.

16. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the diffuser is provided with an irregular pattern.

17. A tile light of claim 12, further comprising an authoring facility for authoring effects for the lighting system.

18. A tile light of claim 17, wherein the authoring facility is an object-oriented authoring facility.

19. A tile light of claim 17, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

20. A tile light of claim 17, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to an incoming video signal.

21. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the tile light is disposed in an architectural environment.

22. A tile light of claim 12, wherein the tile light is disposed on a building exterior.

23. A tile light, comprising

a plurality of linear LED lighting units disposed about the perimeter of a substantially rectangular housing;

and

a diffuser for diffusing light from the lighting units.

24. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the diffuser includes a phosphorescent material.

25. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the diffuser is substantially translucent.

26. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the diffuser is provided with a geometric shape.

27. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the diffuser is provided with an irregular pattern.

28. A tile light of claim 23, further comprising a reflector interior to the housing for providing a consistent level of light output to different portions of the diffuser.

29. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the housing is divided into a plurality of cells.

30. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the cells are rectangular.

31. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the cells are triangular.

32. A tile light of claim 23, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

33. A tile light of claim 32, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

34. A tile light of claim 32, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

35. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the tile light is disposed in an architectural environment.

36. A tile light of claim 23, wherein the tile light is disposed on a building exterior.

37. A lighting system, comprising:

a series of LED-based lighting units, wherein each lighting unit is configured to respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol, wherein the series of lighting units is configured in a flexible string; and

a fastening facility for holding the flexible string in a predetermined configuration.

38. A lighting system of claim 37, wherein the fastening facility is a substantially linear channel for holding the flexible string.

39. A lighting system of claim 37, wherein the fastening facility holds the flexible string in an array.

40. A lighting system of claim 37, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

41. A lighting system of claim 40, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

42. A lighting system of claim 41, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

43. A lighting system of claim 39, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to an incoming video signal.

44. A lighting system of claim 39, wherein the array is disposed in an architectural environment.

45. A lighting system of claim 39, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.

47. A modular component for a lighting system, comprising:

a series of LED-based lighting units disposed in an array on a circuit board, wherein each lighting unit is configured to respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol.

48. A component of claim 47, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

49. A component of claim 48, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

50. A component of claim 48, wherein an effect displayed on the component corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

51. A component of claim 48, wherein an effect displayed on the component corresponds to an incoming video signal.

52. A component of claim 47, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

53. A component of claim 47, wherein the circuit board is a printed circuit board.

54. A component of claim 47, wherein the component is disposed in an architectural environment.

55. A component of claim 47, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.

56. A lighting system, comprising:

a plurality of modular components, wherein each modular component includes a series of LED-based lighting units disposed in an array on a circuit board, wherein each lighting unit is configured to respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol.

57. A system of claim 56, wherein the modular components are disposed adjacent to each other to form a large array of modular components.

58. A system of claim 56, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

59. A system of claim 58, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

60. A system of claim 58, wherein an effect displayed on the large array corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

61. A system of claim 58, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to an incoming video signal.

62. A system of claim 58, wherein the array is disposed in an architectural environment.

63. A system of claim 58, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.

64. A method of providing a tile lighting system, comprising:

providing a plurality of addressable lighting units disposed in a grid;

providing a controller for controlling the illumination from the addressable lighting units; and

covering the grid with a light diffusing cover.

65. A method of claim 64, wherein the light diffusing cover includes a phosphorescent material.

66. A method of claim 64, wherein the light diffusing cover is substantially translucent.

67. A method of claim 64, wherein the light diffusing cover is provided with a geometric shape.

68. A method of claim 64, wherein the light diffusing cover is provided with an irregular pattern.

69. A method of claim 64, wherein the lighting system is configured to be disposed in proximity to similar lighting systems in a tile arrangement.

70. A method of claim 64, wherein the lighting units are controlled using a string light protocol.

71. A method of claim 64, further comprising providing an authoring system for authoring effects on the tile lighting system.

72. A method of claim 64 wherein the lighting system is capable of coordinating effects with another similar lighting system.

73. A method of claim 64, wherein the system is disposed in an architectural environment.

74. A method of claim 64, wherein the system is disposed on a building exterior.

75. A method of providing a tile light, comprising:

providing a plurality of LED lighting units disposed on a circuit board in an array, wherein the LED lighting units respond to control signals to produce mixed light of varying colors; and

providing a diffuser for receiving light from the lighting units.

76. A method of claim 75, wherein the diff-user includes a phosphorescent material.

77. A method of claim 75, wherein the diffuser is substantially translucent.

78. A method of claim 75, wherein the diffuser is provided with a geometric shape.

79. A method of claim 75, wherein the diffuser is provided with an irregular pattern.

80. A method of claim 75, further comprising an authoring facility for authoring effects for the lighting system.

81. A method of claim 80, wherein the authoring facility is an object-oriented authoring facility.

82. A method of claim 80, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

83. A method of claim 80, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to an incoming video signal.

84. A method of claim 75, wherein the tile light is disposed in an architectural environment.

85. A method of claim 75, wherein the tile light is disposed on a building exterior.

86. A method of providing a tile light, comprising

providing a plurality of linear LED lighting units disposed about the perimeter of a substantially rectangular housing;

and

providing a diffuser for diffusing light from the lighting units.

87. A method of claim 86, wherein the diffuser includes a phosphorescent material.

88. A method of claim 86, wherein the diffuser is substantially translucent.

89. A method of claim 86, wherein the diffuser is provided with a geometric shape.

90. A method of claim 86, wherein the diffuser is provided with an irregular pattern.

91. A method of claim 86, further comprising a reflector interior to the housing for providing a consistent level of light output to different portions of the diffuser.

92. A method of claim 86, wherein the housing is divided into a plurality of cells.

93. A method of claim 86, wherein the cells are rectangular.

94. A method of claim 86, wherein the cells are triangular.

95. A method of claim 86, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

96. A method of claim 95, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

97. A method of claim 95, wherein an effect displayed on the tile light corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

98. A method of claim 86, wherein the tile light is disposed in an architectural environment.

99. A method of claim 86, wherein the tile light is disposed on a building exterior.

100. A method of providing lighting, comprising:

providing a series of LED-based lighting units, wherein each lighting unit is configured respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol, wherein the series of lighting units is configured in a flexible string; and

providing a fastening facility for holding the flexible string in a predetermined configuration.

101. A lighting method of claim 100, wherein the fastening facility is a substantially linear channel for holding the flexible string.

102. A lighting method of claim 100, wherein the fastening facility holds the flexible string in an array.

103. A lighting method of claim 100, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

104. A lighting method of claim 103, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

105. A lighting method of claim 104, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

106. A lighting method of claim 103, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to an incoming video signal.

107. A lighting method of claim 103, wherein the array is disposed in an architectural environment.

108. A lighting method of claim 103, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.

109. A method of providing a modular component for a lighting system, comprising:

providing a series of LED-based lighting units disposed in an array on a circuit board, wherein each lighting unit is configured respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol.

110. A method of claim 109, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

111. A method of claim 110, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

112. A method of claim 110, wherein an effect displayed on the component corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

113. A method of claim 110, wherein an effect displayed on the component corresponds to an incoming video signal.

114. A method of claim 109, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

115. A method of claim 109, wherein the circuit board is a printed circuit board.

116. A method of claim 109, wherein the component is disposed in an architectural environment.

117. A method of claim 109, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.

118. A method of providing a lighting system, comprising:

providing a plurality of modular components, wherein each modular component includes a series of LED-based lighting units disposed in an array on a circuit board, wherein each lighting unit is configured respond to data addressed to it in a serial addressing protocol.

119. A method of claim 118, wherein the modular components are disposed adjacent to each other to form a large array of modular components.

120. A method of claim 118, further comprising an authoring system for authoring effects for the lighting system.

121. A method of claim 120, wherein the authoring system is an object-oriented authoring facility.

122. A method of claim 120, wherein an effect displayed on the large array corresponds to a graphical representation of the authoring facility.

123. A method of claim 120, wherein an effect displayed on the array corresponds to an incoming video signal.

124. A method of claim 120, wherein the array is disposed in an architectural environment.

125. A method of claim 118, wherein the array is disposed on a building exterior.