LEDs Switching Between Emission and Detection Modes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems require complex and expensive hardware with dedicated optical sensors for optical feedback and control, which is not efficient for photonic emission and detection, especially in covering the visible spectrum and measuring light intensity accurately.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that uses light-emitting elements to switch between emission and detection modes, allowing them to function as both emitters and detectors without the need for spectrally selective filters or optics, leveraging their responsivity to incident light for feedback and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated photodetectors and spectrally selective filters are used for optical feedback, then measurement precision of light intensity and spectral power distribution is improved, but device complexity and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling light-emitting diodes to perform both light emission and light detection functions. The same LED components that emit light are also configured to detect light intensity and spectral power distribution by measuring photocurrent generated when the LED is reverse-biased or unbiased, eliminating the need for separate dedicated photodetectors and spectrally selective filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of light emission and light detection into a single component system. By combining the LED emission function with the photodetector detection function in the same device, the system integrates multiple functions into one component, thereby reducing device complexity and hardware assembly while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated photodetectors and spectrally selective filters are used for optical feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling light-emitting diodes to perform both light emission and light detection functions. The same LED components that emit light are also configured to detect light intensity and spectral power distribution by measuring photocurrent generated when the LED is reverse-biased or unbiased, eliminating the need for separate dedicated photodetectors and spectrally selective filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard light-emitting diodes that are already mass-produced and inexpensive for the detection function. By using these readily available, low-cost components for both emission and detection, the system avoids the need for expensive specialized photodetectors and filters, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple colored LEDs are used to cover the visible spectrum, then adaptability for spectral measurement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling light-emitting diodes to perform both light emission and light detection functions. The same LED components that emit light are also configured to detect light intensity and spectral power distribution by measuring photocurrent generated when the LED is reverse-biased or unbiased, eliminating the need for separate dedicated photodetectors and spectrally selective filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between emission mode and detection mode for each LED. By sequentially turning LEDs on for emission and off for detection, the system enables multiple colored LEDs to cover the visible spectrum adaptably while managing complexity through time-division multiplexing rather than simultaneous operation.
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 simple, cost-effective, and compact lighting systems capable of photonic emission and detection across the visible spectrum, improving light intensity and color balance control with reduced hardware complexity.
Implementation Method 1
light-emitting elements for emission and detection of light
Implementation Method 2
light-emitting elements may be used as photodiodes in either an unbiased photovoltaic mode or a reverse-biased photoconductive mode
Implementation Method 3
light-emitting elements may be used as photodiodes in either an unbiased photovoltaic mode
Implementation Method 4
light-emitting elements may be used as photodiodes in either an unbiased photovoltaic mode or a reverse-biased photoconductive mode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for generating light using light-emitting elements and detecting the intensity and spectral power distribution of light using the same light-emitting elements as spectrally sensitive photodetectors. The light-emitting elements function in two modes, an ON mode and an OFF mode, wherein in the ON mode the light-emitting elements are activated and emit light of a particular frequency or range of frequencies. When in the OFF mode, the light-emitting elements are deactivated, wherein they do not emit light but serve to detect photons incident upon them thus generating an electrical signal representative of the intensity and spectral power distribution of the incident photons. The detected signal from the deactivated light-emitting elements can be used to provide photonic feedback to a lighting system, and thereby may be used to control the brightness and color balance of the lighting system. In addition, the light-emitting elements may be arranged such that no spectrally selective filters or optics are necessary to block or focus light onto the light-emitting elements when in the detection or OFF mode.