Adaptive Area Lamp with Multiplexed Emitter Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional area lamps lack the ability to control illumination levels within different portions of a field of view, leading to increased complexity and cost when multiple lamps are used to achieve desired lighting effects, and may decrease energy efficiency and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An area lamp with an emitter array of solid-state light emitters and driver circuitry that allows independent control of each emitter, using a multiplexing scheme to reduce the number of drive signals needed, enabling selective illumination of various portions of the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional area lamps are used to provide selective illumination to different portions of a field of view, then the granularity of illumination control is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single area lamp into multiple independently controllable light emitting elements arranged in an array. Each element can be controlled separately to illuminate different portions of the field of view, replacing the need for multiple conventional area lamps while maintaining fine-grained illumination control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial arrangement dimension by organizing light emitting elements in a two-dimensional array pattern. This allows selective activation of specific elements based on their position in the array, enabling precise control over which portions of the field of view are illuminated without adding multiple separate lamp fixtures.
2Measurement precision
If each solid-state light emitter is independently controlled, then the illumination precision is improved, but the number of drive signals required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where drive signals are applied sequentially to different groups of light emitting elements at different time intervals. By rapidly switching between groups in a periodic manner, the system maintains independent control precision for each element while reducing the total number of simultaneous drive signals required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control strategies where the activation state and drive signal parameters for each light emitting element are continuously adjusted based on real-time illumination requirements. This dynamic approach allows precise illumination control while optimizing the number of active drive signals at any given moment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the complexity and cost of the lighting system while maintaining independent control over each emitter, allowing for dynamic and efficient illumination of specific areas, replacing multiple conventional lamps with a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter array includes a number of solid-state light emitters. Each one of the solid-state light emitters is configured to provide light suitable for general illumination within a field of view
Data Source
AI summary
An area lamp includes an emitter array and driver circuitry. The emitter array includes a number of solid-state light emitters. Each one of the solid-state light emitters is configured to provide light suitable for general illumination within a field of view such that light emitted from a first subset of the number of solid-state light emitters is provided to a different portion of the field of view than light emitted from a second subset of the number of solid-state light emitters. The driver circuitry is coupled to the emitter array and configured to provide drive signals to the emitter array such that the light provided from each one of the solid-state light emitters is independently controllable and a number of drive signals is less than the number of solid-state light emitters.