Controllable Lighting System Using Electronic Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems that create moving light patterns are often bulky and thick due to the need for mechanical movement of light sources, making them unsuitable for thin and compact applications.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising controllable light emitting elements, a spreading optical element, and a controller that varies the light emission angle range without physical movement, allowing for adjustable illumination patterns, beam size, and color gradients using a two-dimensional array of collimated light sources and a sensor for automatic adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical arrangement is used to move light source for creating moving light patterns, then light pattern changeability is improved, but device size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement of light sources with electronic control of multiple light emitting elements arranged in an array. The controller selectively activates different elements to create the illusion of moving light patterns without any mechanical motion, thereby eliminating the need for bulky mechanical arrangements while maintaining pattern changeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is divided into multiple controllable light emitting elements arranged in an array. By segmenting the light source into individually controllable elements, the system can create various light patterns by selectively activating different segments, eliminating the need for mechanical movement of the entire light source.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple light emitting elements are used to create changeable patterns without mechanical movement, then device compactness is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages the electrical connections to individual light emitting elements, processes control signals to create various light patterns, and coordinates the activation timing of different elements. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex subsystems into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that simplifies the interaction between the user and the complex array of light emitting elements. The controller receives simple control inputs and translates them into coordinated activation patterns of the light elements, shielding the user from the underlying complexity while enabling sophisticated lighting effects.
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
Enables the creation of changeable lighting patterns in a thin and compact form, allowing for precise control of illumination and color without mechanical parts, with automatic adjustment capabilities for maintaining optimal light patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a spreading optical element arranged in front of the plurality of light emitting elements to shape the light emitted from the lighting elements
Implementation Method 2
The spreading optical element defines an available angular emission range, within which all light emitted by the system will be contained
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of controllable light emitting elements
Implementation Method 4
each comprising a plurality of said controllable light emitting elements
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system comprising a plurality of controllable light emitting elements is disclosed. The lighting system further comprising a spreading optical element arranged in front of the plurality of light emitting elements to shape the light emitted from the lighting elements, and a controller for varying a light emission angle range of light emitted from the spreading optical element by controlling each of the plurality of controllable light emitting elements. This allows the light emitted from the spreading optical element to be varied without varying any physical parts of the lighting system, because the controller now controls each of the light emitting elements, by e.g. dimming one or more of the light emitting elements or by switching one or more of the light emitting elements off.