Light Fixture System Mimicking Black-Body Radiator Color Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems cannot effectively describe or mimic the color temperature changes of non-ideal black-body radiators, such as LEDs, using discrete color light sources, as color temperature is undefined for these sources and they cannot produce non-white outputs that mimic black-body radiator color temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture system with four or more light sources and a controller that uses input parameters like target color and intensity to determine a white point color temperature setting, applies a color temperature transform, and adjusts light source output intensity values to mimic the color temperature changes of an ideal black-body radiator within a color space like CIE xyY.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If discrete color light sources (e.g., LEDs) are used to approximate white-light light sources, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to produce non-white output that mimics black-body radiator color temperature changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the white light approximation into multiple discrete color light sources (red, green, blue LEDs), each operating at high efficiency. By controlling individual color channels rather than using a single inefficient white LED or black-body radiator, the system achieves both energy efficiency and color versatility through additive color mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The same set of discrete color light sources serves multiple functions: they can produce white light approximations, generate non-white outputs with specific color temperatures, and mimic black-body radiator characteristics. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the energy-efficient LED system as versatile as traditional systems.
2Ease of operation
If color temperature is used to describe white-light light sources, then description convenience is improved, but the applicability to non-ideal black-body radiators (e.g., LEDs) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces color temperature as an intermediary parameter that bridges the gap between discrete LED color outputs and human perception of warmth/coolness. By mapping LED color combinations to equivalent black-body radiator color temperatures, the system maintains the convenience of color temperature description while extending it to non-ideal light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from direct color mixing ratios to color temperature equivalents. This allows users to specify desired output using familiar color temperature values (e.g., 2700K, 5000K), and the system automatically calculates the appropriate LED channel intensities, maintaining description convenience for non-ideal radiators.
3Measurement precision
If a light fixture uses four or more light sources with complex control logic, then color accuracy in mimicking black-body radiator is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of each light source's spectral output and stores this data. During operation, it retrieves pre-calculated color mixing ratios for desired color temperatures, avoiding complex real-time calculations. This preliminary preparation maintains color accuracy while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model (copy) of the black-body radiator's color temperature characteristics and reproduces it using discrete LED channels. By copying the essential color temperature behavior rather than physically implementing a black-body radiator, the system achieves color accuracy with simpler LED-based hardware and control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling an output of a light fixture. A light fixture of one construction includes four or more light sources and is configured to produce an output that mimics the color temperature changes of an ideal black-body radiator based on one or more input parameters. The input parameters correspond to, for example, a desired target color and an intensity for the desired target color. A white point setting is determined based on the one or more input parameters and a relationship between the one or more input parameters and the color temperature of an ideal black-body radiator. A color temperature transform is selected based on the white point color temperature setting, and is used to determine a color coordinate corresponding to a modified target color. A set of light source output values corresponding to the modified target color are identified, and the light sources are driven to the identified output values.