Power allocation methods for lighting devices having multiple source spectrums, and apparatus employing same
First Claim
1. In an apparatus comprising at least one first light source to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, at least one second light source to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and at least one structure coupled to the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source, the at least one structure having a maximum power handling capability, a method comprising acts of:
- A) setting the maximum available operating power for each of the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source equal to the maximum power handling capability;
B) receiving at least one lighting command including at least a first channel command representing a prescribed first operating power for the at least one first light source and a second channel command representing a prescribed second operating power for the at least one second light source;
C) determining one of at least the first channel command and the second channel command having a maximum value;
D) multiplying each of at least the first channel command and the second channel command by the maximum value; and
E) dividing each of at least the first channel command and the second channel command by a sum of at least the first channel command and the second channel command, so as to optimize the first and second operating powers without exceeding the maximum power handling capability.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for allocating power amongst different source spectrums, or “channels,” of a multi-channel lighting unit, and apparatus that employ such methods. Power allocation methods exploit the total light-generating capability of a lighting unit while maintaining safe operating power conditions, so as to avoid damage to the lighting unit due to excessive thermal power generation. In one example, a power allocation method ensures that a lighting unit operates at or near its maximum power handling capability for a variety of possible high brightness lighting conditions by ascribing a maximum per channel operating power equal to the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit. The power allocation method then reapportions, if necessary, prescribed operating powers for multiple channels, in response to a given lighting command, such that the ratio of the prescribed powers remains the same but the sum of the channel operating powers does not exceed the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit.
208 Citations
36 Claims
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1. In an apparatus comprising at least one first light source to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, at least one second light source to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and at least one structure coupled to the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source, the at least one structure having a maximum power handling capability, a method comprising acts of:
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A) setting the maximum available operating power for each of the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source equal to the maximum power handling capability;
B) receiving at least one lighting command including at least a first channel command representing a prescribed first operating power for the at least one first light source and a second channel command representing a prescribed second operating power for the at least one second light source;
C) determining one of at least the first channel command and the second channel command having a maximum value;
D) multiplying each of at least the first channel command and the second channel command by the maximum value; and
E) dividing each of at least the first channel command and the second channel command by a sum of at least the first channel command and the second channel command, so as to optimize the first and second operating powers without exceeding the maximum power handling capability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In an apparatus comprising at least one first light source to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, at least one second light source to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and at least one structure coupled to the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source, the at least one structure having a maximum power handling capability, a method comprising an act of:
A) allocating a first operating power for the at least one first light source and a second operating power for the at least one second light source so as to optimize the first and second operating powers without exceeding the maximum power handling capability. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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at least one first light source to generate first radiation having a first spectrum;
at least one second light source to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum;
at least one structure coupled to the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source, the at least one structure having a maximum power handling capability; and
at least one controller configured to allocate a first operating power for the at least one first light source and a second operating power for the at least one second light source so as to optimize the first and second operating powers without exceeding the maximum power handling capability. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification