LED Illumination Device Optical Sensing Color Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting systems face challenges in controlling color over process variations, temperature, and aging, while also being costly and complex due to the need for additional photodetectors and temperature sensors. Additionally, existing dimming solutions, such as triac dimmers, are not efficient in reducing power consumption for utility companies and require additional circuitry for LED lights.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent illumination device that uses LEDs to perform bi-directional communication with a controller, enabling power-saving features like remote control operation, dimming, and color adjustment. The device periodically turns off its LEDs to receive commands optically, allowing for ambient light measurement and color calibration without the need for additional sensors or wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LED lighting systems use additional photodetectors and temperature sensors to control color over process variations, temperature, and aging, then color stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LED package itself performs the sensing function by detecting its own emitted light intensity and characteristics. The LED serves dual purposes: as the light source and as the sensor, eliminating the need for separate photodetectors and temperature sensors. This self-service approach maintains color stability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED component is made multi-functional by enabling it to both emit light and detect light characteristics. The same LED structure that produces light also senses its own emission, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions (illumination and sensing) without requiring additional specialized sensors.
2Ease of operation
If triac dimmers are used for LED dimming, then dimming functionality is achieved, but power efficiency deteriorates and additional circuitry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical triac dimming system with an optical sensing and control system. Instead of using triacs to chop the power waveform, the system uses the LED's own light emission characteristics and optical feedback to achieve dimming control, substituting electrical switching with optical-based control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED system performs self-dimming by detecting its own light output characteristics and automatically adjusting its operation. The LED senses its own emission and uses this information to regulate its brightness without requiring external triac circuitry or additional power control components.
3Device complexity
If LEDs are connected through a series resistor for simple dimming, then circuit complexity is reduced, but power efficiency deteriorates due to substantial power dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The LED performs self-regulation by detecting its own light output and using this feedback to control its current draw. This eliminates the need for series resistors that dissipate power, as the LED automatically adjusts its operation based on its own emission characteristics, maintaining both simplicity and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the LED detects its own light emission and uses this information to regulate its current consumption. This feedback mechanism replaces the passive series resistor approach with an active control loop that minimizes power loss while maintaining circuit simplicity.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and efficient means of controlling LED lighting systems, reducing complexity and the need for additional components. It enables precise control over color and brightness, improves power efficiency, and allows for remote operation without additional wiring, making it suitable for various applications including solar-powered systems in developing regions.
Implementation Method 1
An intelligent illumination device that uses LEDs to perform bi-directional communication with a controller
Implementation Method 2
The illumination device periodically turns off its LEDs to receive commands optically, allowing for ambient light measurement
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.