Linear lighting apparatus and methods

• US 7,221,104 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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., Morgan, Frederick M., Blackwell, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Wilson
• Application Number:
  US10/159,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20030011538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 315291-296, 315/312, 315/318, 315/316, 315/324, 315/185.S, 315/185.R, 315/200.A
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• 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 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/06 Passive matrix structure, i.e. with direct application of both column and row voltages to the light emitting or modulating elements, other than LCD or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3283 : in which the data driver supplies a variable data current for setting the current through, or the voltage across, the light-emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 : Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 : Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 : using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/46 : having LEDs disposed in parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 : Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 : Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 : via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

Linear lighting systems and methods. In one example, two or more lighting elements having an essentially linear or curvilinear shape are coupled together to form a lighting system. Each lighting element includes a group of LEDs arranged so as to illuminate the essentially linear or curvilinear shape of the lighting element. Each element may include LEDs to generate the same color light, and/or LEDs to generate light of different colors. Additionally, each element may include one or more controllers to control the LEDs so as to create a variety of temporal and/or color-oriented lighting effects. The controller(s) may employ one or more of a variety of control techniques to control the LEDs, such as those involving analog control signals or pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signals. The lighting elements of the system may each be configured as a “stand alone” unit working within the system, producing respective lighting effects that may or may not be coordinated with each other. Alternatively, two or more elements of the system may be configured as addressable lighting elements to facilitate coordination of the elements as a networked lighting system. Any of the foregoing linear lighting systems may be used in a variety of interior or exterior, as well as direct or indirect, lighting applications. In one example, such lighting systems are particularly well-suited as replacements or substitutes for neon lighting installations.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

at least two lighting elements including a first lighting element and a second lighting element adapted to be arranged in close proximity to each other, the first lighting element comprising a first plurality of LEDs arranged on a first linear platform, and the second lighting element comprising a second plurality of LEDs arranged on a second linear platform; and

a connection system adapted to connect together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form an interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements,

wherein the first lighting element includes a first controller to output at least one first control signal to control light generated by the first plurality of LEDs;

wherein the second lighting element includes a second controller to output at least one second control signal to control light generated by the second plurality of LEDs; and

wherein at least one of the first controller and the second controller is an addressable controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first linear platform and the second linear platform is a curvilinear platform.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is an interconnected curvilinear array.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lighting element and the second lighting element are configured to generate substantially a same perceivable color of light.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each LED of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is substantially a same color.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs includes at least two LEDs having different respective colors.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lighting element and the second lighting element are configured to generate different respective perceivable colors of light.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each LED of the first plurality of LEDs is a first color, and wherein each LED of the second plurality of LEDs is a second color different from the first color.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs includes at least two LEDs having different respective colors.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first lighting element and the second lighting element includes a housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the connection system is adapted to connect together the respective housings of the first lighting element and the second lighting element to form the interconnected linear array.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing is formed from a plastic material.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing is formed from a substantially transparent material.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the substantially transparent material is adapted to diffuse light passing through the material.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the respective housings of the first lighting element and the second lighting element.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the respective housings have substantially linear shapes; and

the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the substantially linear shapes.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein:

at least one housing has a substantially curvilinear shape; and

at least one of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is arranged so as to illuminate the substantially curvilinear shape.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system includes means for coupling at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system includes an electrical connection system.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system includes a mechanical connection system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the mechanical connection system includes means for interlocking at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system is adapted to both mechanically and electrically connect together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal includes at least one analog control signal.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal includes at least one pulse width modulated control signal.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal is time varying so as to vary the light generated by a corresponding plurality of LEDs.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal varies an intensity of at least some of the light generated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal varies a temporal characteristic of the light generated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs to create a dynamic lighting effect.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal varies a perceivable color of the light generated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs.

29. A cove including the lighting system of claim 1, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is arranged to illuminate the cove.

30. The cove of claim 29, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting element is arranged adjacent to the cove.

31. The cove of claim 29, wherein:

at least the first lighting element includes a housing; and

the housing is placed adjacent to the cove.

32. The cove of claim 29, wherein:

the first lighting element includes a first housing and the second lighting element includes a second housing; and

the first and second housings are placed adjacent to the cove.

33. The cove of claim 32, wherein the connection system is adapted to connect together the first and second housings to form the interconnected linear array.

34. A building including the lighting system of claim 1, the building comprising a surface, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is mounted on the surface.

35. The building of claim 34, wherein the surface comprises an outer surface of the building, and wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is mounted on the outer surface of the building.

36. The building of claim 35, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is arranged on the outer surface of the building so as to attract the attention of an observer.

37. The building of claim 36, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is arranged to outline at least a portion of a perimeter of the building.

38. The building of claim 36, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is arranged to comprise at least one of a trademark, a brand, a service mark, and a logo on the outer surface of the building.

39. The building of claim 36, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements is arranged to comprise at least one of a graphic, a word, a symbol, a number and a character on the outer surface of the building.

40. An interior space including the system of claim 1, wherein the interconnected linear array of at least two lighting elements is arranged so as to illuminate the interior space.

41. The interior space of claim 40, wherein the interior space includes at least one of a hallway, a ceiling, a floor, a wall, a door, and a display.

90. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the addressable controller is configured such that at least one of the first and second control signals is based at least in part on information received from a network connection to which the addressable controller is coupled.

91. The lighting system of claim 90, wherein the information is received in a DMX protocol.

92. The lighting system of claim 90, wherein the information is received in an Ethernet protocol.

93. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the addressable controller is associated with at least one address; and

the at least one address uniquely identifies at least some of the first plurality of LEDs or the second plurality of LEDs.

42. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a first plurality of LEDs arranged on at least one linear platform;

at least one connection element adapted to facilitate a connection of the lighting apparatus to at least one other lighting apparatus having a substantially linear shape, so as to form an interconnected linear array of at least two lighting apparatus; and

at least one addressable controller for outputting at least one first control signal to control light generated by the first plurality of LEDs.

94. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least one addressable controller is configured such that the at least one first control signal is based at least in part on information received from a network connection to which the at least one addressable controller is coupled.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the information is received in a DMX protocol.

96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the information is received in an Ethernet protocol.

97. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:

the at least one addressable controller is associated with at least one address; and

the at least one address uniquely identifies at least some of the first plurality of LEDs.

43. In a lighting system including at least a first linearly-shaped lighting element and a second linearly-shaped lighting element, the first lighting element comprising a first plurality of LEDs and a first addressable controller that controls the first plurality of LEDs, and the second lighting element comprising a second plurality of LEDs and a second addressable controller that controls the second plurality of LEDs, a method comprising an act of:

(A) connecting together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form an interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein at least one of the first lighting element and the second lighting element is a curvilinear-shaped lighting element, and wherein the act (A) includes an act of:

connecting together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form an interconnected curvilinear array of lighting elements.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the first lighting element and the second lighting element are configured to generate substantially a same perceivable color of light when energized, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

energizing at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to generate the same perceivable color of light from the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the first lighting element and the second lighting element are configured to generate different respective perceivable colors of light when energized, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

energizing at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to generate at least two different perceivable colors of light from the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein at least one of the first lighting element and the second lighting element are configured to generate at least one dynamic lighting effect when energized, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

(B) energizing at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to generate the at least one dynamic lighting effect from the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the at least one dynamic lighting effect includes at least one variable color lighting effect, and wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

energizing at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to generate the at least one variable color lighting effect from the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein each of the first lighting element and the second lighting element includes a linearly-shaped housing, and wherein the act (A) includes an act of:

connecting together the respective linearly-shaped housings of the first lighting element and the second lighting element to form the interconnected linear array.

50. The method of claim 43, wherein the act (A) includes an act of:

electrically connecting together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

51. The method of claim 43, wherein the act (A) includes an act of:

mechanically connecting together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

52. The method of claim 43, wherein the act (A) includes an act of:

electrically and mechanically connecting together at least the first lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.

53. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(B) controlling the first plurality of LEDs so as to generate first light that is capable of being varied.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs via at least one analog control signal.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs via at least one pulse width modulated control signal.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs via at least one time varying control signal so as to vary the first light generated by the first plurality of LEDs.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs so as to vary an intensity of the first light.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs so as to vary a temporal characteristic of the first light to create a dynamic lighting effect.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

controlling the first plurality of LEDs so as to vary a perceivable color of the first light.

60. The method of claim 53, further comprising an act of:

controlling the second plurality of LEDs so as to generate second light that is capable of being varied.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising an act of:

independently controlling the first and second plurality of LEDs so as to independently generate the first and second light.

62. The method of claim 60, further comprising acts of:

coupling together at least the first and second lighting elements so as to form a lighting network; and

individually addressing at least the first and second lighting elements so as to control the first and second plurality of LEDs.

63. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(B) arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as to illuminate a cove.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements adjacent to the cove.

65. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(B) mounting the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on a surface of a building.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the surface comprises an outer surface of the building, and wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

(B1) mounting the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface of the building.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface of the building so as to attract the attention of an observer.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface of the building so as to outline at least a portion of a perimeter of the building.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface of the building so as to form at least one of a trademark, a brand, a service mark, and a logo on the outer surface of the building.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface of the building so as to form at least one of a graphic, a word, a symbol, a number and a character on the outer surface of the building.

71. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(B) arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as to illuminate an interior space.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the interior space includes at least one of a hallway, a ceiling, a floor, a wall, a door, and a display, and wherein the act (B) includes an act of:

arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as to illuminate the at least one of the hallway, the ceiling, the floor, the wall, the door, and the display.

73. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(E) disposing the interconnected linear array of lighting elements along a substantially linear feature of an object.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the substantially linear feature of the object includes a curvilinear feature of the object, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

disposing the interconnected linear array along the curvilinear feature of the object.

75. The method of claim 73, further comprising an act of:

(F) energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide a light output along the substantially linear feature of the object.

76. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(E) energizing the interconnected linear array of lighting elements along a substantially linear feature of an object so as to provide a light output along the substantially linear feature of the object.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the substantially linear feature of the object includes a curvilinear feature of the object, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array along the curvilinear feature of the object so as to provide the light output along the curvilinear feature of the object.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein each LED of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is adapted to generate a substantially same perceivable color of light, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide the light output along the substantially linear feature of the object with the substantially same perceivable color of light.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein at least two LEDs of each of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are adapted to generate different respective perceivable colors of light, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide the light output along the substantially linear feature of the object with a substantially same perceivable color of light based on a mixing of the different respective perceivable colors of light generated by the at least two LEDs.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein at least two LEDs of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are adapted to generate different respective perceivable colors of light, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide the light output along the substantially linear feature of the object with the different respective perceivable colors of light.

81. The method of claim 76, wherein the interconnected linear array is configured to generate at least one dynamic lighting effect when energized, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

(E1) energizing the interconnected linear array so as to generate the at least one dynamic lighting effect along the substantially linear feature of the object.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one dynamic lighting effect includes at least one variable color lighting effect, and wherein the act (E1) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to generate the at least one variable color lighting effect along the substantially linear feature of the object.

83. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(E) disposing the interconnected linear array along a substantially linear architectural feature of a space.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the linear architectural feature of the space includes a curvilinear architectural feature of the space, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

disposing the interconnected linear array along the curvilinear architectural feature of the space.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein the space is an exterior space, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

disposing the interconnected linear array along the substantially linear architectural feature of the exterior space.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the space is an interior space, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

disposing the interconnected linear array along the substantially linear architectural feature of the interior space.

87. The method of claim 83, further comprising an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide a light output along the substantially linear architectural feature of the space.

88. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of:

(E) energizing the interconnected linear array along a substantially linear architectural feature of a space so as to provide a light output along the substantially linear architectural feature of the space.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the substantially linear architectural feature of the space includes a curvilinear architectural feature of the space, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:

energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide the light output along the curvilinear architectural feature of the space.