LED Illumination Device Optical Data Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting systems face challenges in cost-effectively controlling color and power efficiency, particularly in managing color variations, temperature, and aging, and require additional components like photodiodes and sensors, while also lacking efficient dimming and remote control features without increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent illumination device that uses LEDs to receive and transmit data optically, allowing for remote control and automation of lighting functions such as dimming, color adjustment, and timing, using the LEDs themselves to measure ambient light and power levels, and incorporating a remote controller for bi-directional communication and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate electronic units are used for remote control, dimming, photo-sensing, timing, and color adjustment, then these features are achievable, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (remote control, dimming, photo-sensing, timing, color adjustment) into the LED driver circuit itself. The driver circuit integrates a microcontroller that handles all these functions through a single communication interface, eliminating the need for separate electronic units and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver circuit is designed as a universal control platform that can perform multiple functions through software configuration. A single driver circuit can adapt to different control modes (remote control, dimming, photo-sensing, timing, color adjustment) by receiving different command sequences, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function
2Ease of manufacture
If LEDs are connected through a series resistor for simplicity, then circuit implementation is easier, but power efficiency deteriorates due to substantial power dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive resistor-based current limiting approach with an active electronic control system. The LED driver circuit uses electronic switching and PWM (pulse width modulation) techniques to regulate current through the LEDs, substituting the energy-wasting mechanical/resistive method with an efficient electronic control method that maintains ease of implementation through integrated circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit dynamically adjusts electrical parameters (current, duty cycle) to optimize power efficiency. By changing the operating parameters of the LEDs through electronic control rather than fixed resistive limiting, the system achieves both ease of manufacture and reduced energy loss
3Power
If AC mains connected power supply is used for LED lighting, then power conversion from 85-240V is achieved, but power factor is poor since LEDs only conduct during peaks in AC waveform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism in the power supply circuit. The driver circuit monitors the AC waveform and uses feedback to adjust the switching timing and duty cycle, ensuring proper power factor correction. This allows the system to maintain good power factor while still achieving efficient power conversion from 85-240V AC mains
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 enables cost-effective, efficient control of LED lighting systems with reduced complexity, improving power management and color accuracy, and allowing for remote operation and automation without additional wiring or sensors, enhancing energy efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The initial cost of the LED light may be high, but over time the power savings can reduce the overall cost of lighting substantially
Implementation Method 2
When the illumination device is enabled to produce light, the illumination device briefly and periodically stops emitting light to detect commands from the remote control or ambient light from the environment
Implementation Method 3
White LEDs are typically made with a blue LED covered in some type of yellow phosphor. Much of the blue light from the LED is absorbed by the phosphor and re-emitted at lower frequencies corresponding to green, yellow, and some red colors
Data Source
AI summary
Intelligent illumination device are disclosed that use components in an LED light to perform one or more of a wide variety of desirable lighting functions for very low cost. The LEDs that produce light can be periodically turned off momentarily, for example, for a duration that the human eye cannot perceive, in order for the light to receive commands optically. The optically transmitted commands can be sent to the light, for example, using a remove control device. The illumination device can use the LEDs that are currently off to receive the data and then configure the light accordingly, or to measure light. Such light can be ambient light for a photosensor function, or light from other LEDs in the illumination device to adjust the color mix.