Dynamic Visual Appearance Control via Dual-Spectrum Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for changing the visual appearance of objects, such as using projection systems or photoluminescent materials, often result in unwanted changes to the object's appearance or require expensive and complex installations, and may not effectively isolate the graphical representation from the rest of the object's surface.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system that uses a primary and secondary light output with different spectral power distributions, ensuring a color difference of ΔE T ≤ 20, allowing for dynamic changes in the visual appearance of an object without altering the appearance of other parts, by rapidly switching between the two light outputs to maintain a consistent perceived color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If photoluminescent materials are used to change visual appearance, then graphical representation becomes visible, but unwanted changes occur in other surfaces and clothing due to UV light scattering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearance controlVSAvoidunwanted photoluminescence in surrounding areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spectral parameters of the light source by using a combination of UV and visible light wavelengths. The visible light component is specifically tuned to match the reflectance properties of the target surface, thereby compensating for unwanted photoluminescence effects in surrounding areas while maintaining the graphical representation visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If projection systems are used to change visual appearance, then images can be projected onto surfaces, but the system becomes expensive and installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearance controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of visual appearance modification from complex projection systems. Instead of using full projection equipment, it employs a simplified light source configuration with UV and visible light components that directly illuminates the target surface to achieve the desired visual effect without the complexity of projection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a single light source is used to illuminate the target surface, then illumination is simple, but the visual appearance cannot be dynamically changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination simplicityVSAvoidvisual appearance variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the light source multi-functional by incorporating both UV and visible light components in a single illumination system. The UV component enables photoluminescence for graphical representation, while the visible light component allows for dynamic visual appearance changes by adjusting intensity and spectral distribution, thereby achieving both simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively changes the visual appearance of specific areas while maintaining the original appearance of other parts, reducing unwanted contrast changes and ensuring the visual effect is subtle or invisible, thus enhancing targeted visual displays without disturbing the overall appearance.

Implementation Method 1

illumination with a light source to induce an optical response in at least a part of the object's surface. An 'optical response' refers to a change of color due to the absorption of incident light. Absorption of light can for example be used to excite a photoluminescent compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

to reversibly transform a compound between two forms having different absorption spectra. In these cases, the optical response is referred to as 'photoluminescence' and 'photochromism', respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentEP2986905B1Arrangement for changing the visual appearance of a target object
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2986905B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP2986905B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2986905B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) comprising a lighting system (110) and a target object (120), wherein the lighting system (110) is arranged to illuminate a target surface of the target object (120) with a primary light output (111) and with a secondary light output (112). Each of these light outputs has an illumination spectrum representing a color. The two illumination spectra are different, but the two colors are substantially the same. The target surface has a first target surface area and a second target surface area. When the first and second target surface areas are illuminated with the primary light output (111), they have a contrast that is lower than when they are illuminated with the secondary light output (112). The arrangement of the invention can be used for atmosphere creation or for attracting attention to the target object (120).