Marketplace illumination methods and apparatus

• US 20050151489A1
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Mueller, George G., Blackwell, Michael K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,453,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/308
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/18 for varying the light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/85 for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity
• 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 45/28 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing illumination in a marketplace. In one example, radiation comprising variable color light is generated using a plurality of LEDs. One or more articles in the marketplace are illuminated with the generated radiation, and the spectral content of the generated radiation is controllably varied over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives a change in color and/or an illusion of motion associated with the article(s) due to a selective color interaction between the generated radiation and the article(s). Examples of marketplaces include, but are not limited to, consumer environments, work environments, sporting environments, entertainment environments, retail establishments, restaurants, museums, art galleries and the like.

Claims

1. A method of providing illumination in a marketplace, comprising:

a) generating radiation using a plurality of LEDs, the radiation comprising variable color light and having an adjustable spectral content;

b) illuminating at least one article in the marketplace with the generated radiation, the marketplace comprising a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services; and

c) controlling the spectral content of the generated radiation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the generated radiation over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives a change in color of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the generated radiation and the at least one article.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the generated radiation over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives an illusion of motion in at least a portion of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the generated radiation and the at least one article.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling one of a UV component and an IR component of the generated radiation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content in response to at least one sensed condition.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content in response to at least one action of a person in a vicinity of the at least one article.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content in response to at least one action of a customer viewing the at least one article.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content based on a time of day.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content based on ambient light in a vicinity of the at least one article.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step c) comprises:

controlling the spectral content in response to execution of a program.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the marketplace comprises a restaurant.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the marketplace comprises a sporting environment.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the marketplace comprises a work environment.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one article comprises at least one of a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, and a piece of artwork.

11. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

18. A marketplace, comprising:

a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services;

at least one article to be viewed by a customer in the consumer environment;

at least one LED-based light source configured such that radiation comprising variable color light, when generated by the source, impinges on the at least one article; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one LED-based light source and configured to control a spectral content of the radiation.

21. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment.

22. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the marketplace comprises a restaurant.

24. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the marketplace comprises a sporting environment.

25. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the marketplace comprises a work environment.

26. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the least one controller is configured to dynamically vary the spectral content of the radiation.

27. The marketplace of claim 26, wherein the at least one controller is configured to vary the spectral content of the radiation over a period of time so that the customer perceives a change in color of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the radiation and the at least one article.

28. The marketplace of claim 26, wherein the at least one controller is configured to vary the spectral content of the radiation over a period of time so that the customer perceives an illusion of motion in at least a portion of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the radiation and the at least one article.

29. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control at least one of a UV component and an IR component of the radiation.

30. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one article comprises at least one of a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph and a piece of artwork.

32. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation in response to at least one sensed condition.

33. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation based on a time of day.

34. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation based on ambient light in a vicinity of the at least one article.

35. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation in response to execution of a program.

36. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation in response to at least one action of a person in the vicinity of the at least one article.

37. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the spectral content of the radiation in response to at least one action of the customer.

38. The marketplace of claim 37, further comprising at least one user interface coupled to the at least one controller and configured to allow the customer to control the spectral content of the radiation.

39. The marketplace of claim 18, wherein the at least one LED-based light source comprises a first LED-based light source and a second LED-based light source, the first LED-based light source and the second LED-based light source constituting a networked lighting system and each being adapted to be controlled by at least one network control signal.

19. (canceled)

20. The marketplace of claim 19, wherein the at least one article is for sale to the customer.

23. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

40. A method of illuminating a region of a marketplace, comprising:

providing a customer with an interface configured to facilitate an adjustment of a spectral content of variable color light in the region of the marketplace;

locating at least one article in the region of the marketplace such that at least some of the variable color light, when generated, impinges on the at least one article; and

varying the spectral content of the variable color light in response to customer operation of the interface.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises a consumer environment configured for the purchase of goods or services.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one article is for sale to the customer.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises a restauarant.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises one of a museum and an art gallery.

46. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises one of a sporting environment and an entertainment environment.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the marketplace comprises a work environment.

48. The method of claim 40, wherein the at least one article comprises at least one of a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, and a piece of artwork.

49. The method of claim 40, wherein the region of the marketplace comprises a display area.

50. The method of claim 40, wherein the variable color light is generated by a plurality of LEDs comprising a first LED having a first spectrum and a second LED having a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum, and wherein the step of varying the spectral content of the variable color light comprises a step of varying an output of at least one of the first LED and the second LED.

51. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of varying the spectral content of the variable color light comprises a step of varying at least one of a UV content and an IR content of the variable color light.

52. A method of providing illumination in a marketplace, comprising:

a) illuminating at least one article in the marketplace with variable color light from a plurality of LEDs, the marketplace comprising a consumer environment configured for the sale or purchase of goods or services the plurality of LEDs comprising a first LED providing a first output having a first spectrum and a second LED providing a second output having a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum; and

b) independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output so as to vary a spectral content of the variable color light.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises dynamically varying over time at least one of the first output and the second output, whereby the spectral content of the variable color light varies over time.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step b) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the variable color light over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives a change in color of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the variable color light and the at least one article.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the step b) comprises:

varying the spectral content of the variable color light over a period of time so that a customer of the marketplace perceives an illusion of motion in at least a portion of the at least one article due to a selective color interaction between the variable color light and the at least one article.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output in response to execution of a program.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output in response to at least one sensed condition.

58. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises a step of independently controlling at least one of the first output and the second output in response to at least one action of a person in the vicinity of the at least one article.

59. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises:

controlling the first output and the second output in response to at least one action of a customer viewing the at least one article.

60. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises:

controlling the first output and the second output based on a time of day.

61. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises:

controlling the first output and the second output based on ambient light in a vicinity of the at least one article.

62. The method of claim 52, wherein the step b) comprises independently controlling one of a UV component and an IR component of the variable color light.

64. The method of claim 52, wherein the marketplace comprises a retail establishment.

65. The method of claim 52, wherein the marketplace comprises a restaurant.

67. The method of claim 52, wherein the marketplace comprises a sporting environment.

68. The method of claim 52, wherein the marketplace comprises a work environment.

69. The method of claim 52, wherein the at least one article comprises at least one of a food item, an article of clothing, a photograph, and a piece of artwork.

63. (canceled)

66. (canceled)