Systems and methods for synchronizing lighting effects
Contents
1. 35 The method of claim 34 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing fre quency 36 The method of claim 34 wherein the transient signal comprises a transient voltage signal 37 The method of claim 34 wherein the transient signal comprises a transient current signal 38 The method of claim 34 wherein the transient signal comprises a transient power signal 39 The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of adjusting the synchronization of the generation of the light ing effect with the at least one parameter 40 The method of claim 34 wherein the lighting effect comprises a color changing lighting effect 41 The method of claim 34 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing cur rent 42 The method of claim 34 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing volt age2. 60 65 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment ofthe present invention is a lighting appa ratus The lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to control a color changing light ing effect generated by the lighting apparatus wherein the processor is further configured to monitor an operating power source and wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize the color changing lighting effect in coordina tion with a parameter of the operating power source An embodiment ofthe present invention is a lighting appa ratus The lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to execute a program to control a lighting effect generated by the lighting apparatus the pro cessor is further configured to monitor an operating power source and the processor is further configured to synchronize the execution ofthe program in coordination with a parameter of the operating power source An embodiment ofthe present invention is a lighting appa ratus The lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to control a lighting effect gener ated by the lighting apparatus the processor is further con figured to monitor a parameter of an operating power source and the processor is further configured to synchronize the lighting effect in coordination with the parameter An embodiment of the present invention is a method of generating a lighting eff
3. A lighting system may be part of a network wired or wireless network and the lighting system may receive clock pulse signals from the network to coordinate the execution of a program from memory 114 The memory 114 may be self contained and several lighting systems associated with the network may be generating lighting effects from their own memory systems The network provided synchronization signals may be used by each ofthe lighting devices associated with the network to provide synchronized lighting effects While some embodi ments herein describe arrangements of master slave lighting systems it should be understood that a separate synchroniz ing signal source could be used to generate and communicate the signals through wired or wireless communication to the lighting system s While the LEDs 104A 104B and 104C in FIG 1 are indicated as red green and blue it should be understood that the LED s in a system according to the present invention might be any color including white ultraviolet infrared or other colors within the electromagnetic spectrum As used US 7 449 847 B2 11 herein the term LED should be understood to include light emitting diodes of all types light emitting polymers semi conductor dies that produce light in response to current organic LEDs electro luminescent strips and other such sys tems In an embodiment an LED may refer to a single light emitting diode having multiple semiconducto
4. Taylor et al Turnbull et al Small Vilanilam et al Callahan et al Pierce Gustafson Kanbar Doughty et al Knight et al Nadeau Ge et al Mikolajczak et al Fitch Chliwnyj et al Gustafson et al Eckel et al Strite Tubel et al Havel Gandar Mateescu Kitagawa et al Mueller et al Havel Kehat Kato Ishiharada et al Recknagel et al Spiller Robertson et al Allen Lebens et al Zavracky et al Pashley et al Turnbull et al Lin Mueller et al Lys et al Sid Neubert Ruthenberg Ruthenberg Lys et al Blach Begemann et al Xydis et al Lys et al Lys et al Mateescu et al 6 445 139 B1 9 2002 Marshall et al 6 459 919 B1 10 2002 Lys et al 6 469 457 B2 10 2002 Callahan 6 495 964 B1 12 2002 Muthu et al 6 801 003 B2 10 2004 Schanberger etal 315 291 6 811 286 B2 11 2004 Mateescu et al 2001 0033488 Al 10 2001 Chliwnyj et al FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS CA 2 178 432 12 1996 DE 19942177 Al 3 2001 EP 0495305 A2 7 1992 EP 0534710 B1 1 1996 EP 0752632 A2 1 1997 EP 0752632 A3 8 1997 EP 0823812 A2 2 1998 EP 0935234 A1 8 1999 EP 0942631 A2 9 1999 EP 1020352 A2 7 2000 EP 1113215 A2 7 2001 FR 88 17359 12 1998 GB 1439924 A 6 1976 GB 2029135 A 3 1980 GB 2045098 A 10 1980 GB 2135536 A 8 1984 GB 1439924 6 1986 GB 2176042 A 12 1986 GB 2355841 A 5 2001 JP 02 007393 1 1990 JP 06043830 2 1994 JP 7 39120 7 1995 JP 07 282614 10 1995 JP 8 106264 4 1996 JP 08180978 7 1996 JP 9 320766 12
5. U S Patent US 7 449 847 B2 Sheet 3 of 3 Nov 11 2008 U S Patent 6 N NN 200 FIG 4 US 7 449 847 B2 1 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING LIGHTING EFFECTS CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit under 35 U S C 120as a continuation CON of U S Non provisional application Ser No 10 143 549 filed May 10 2002 now U S Pat No 6 801 003 entitled Systems and Methods for Synchronizing Lighting Effects Ser No 10 143 549 in turn claims the benefit of U S provisional application Ser No 60 290 101 filed May 10 2001 entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYN CHRONIZING ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS Ser No 10 143 549 also claims the benefit under 35 U S C 120 as a continuation in part CIP of the following U S non provisional applications Ser No 10 040 253 filed Oct 25 2001 now U S Pat No 6 781 329 entitled METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATION OF LIQUIDS Ser No 10 040 291 filed Oct 25 2001 now U S Pat No 6 936 978 entitled METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLED ILLUMINATION OF LIQ UIDS Ser No 10 040 292 filed Oct 25 2001 entitled LIGHT SOURCES FOR ILLUMINATION OF LIQUIDS Ser No 10 040 266 filed Oct 25 2001 now U S Pat No 6 774 584 entitled METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SENSOR RESPONSIVE ILLUMINATION OF LIQUIDS Ser No 10 045 629 filed Oct 25 2001 now U S Pat No 6 967 448 entitled METHO
6. 1997 JP 3076701 1 2001 WO WO 89 05086 6 1989 WO WO 94 18809 8 1994 WO WO 95 13498 5 1995 WO WO 96 41098 12 1996 OTHER PUBLICATIONS DS96177 RS 485 RS 422 Differential Bus Repeater National Semiconductor Corporation Feb 1996 pp 1 8 DS2003 DA9667 DS2004 High Current Voltage Darlington Drivers National Semiconductor Corporation Dec 1995 pp 1 8 LMI40A LM140 LM340A LM7800C Series 3 Terminal Positive Regulators National Semiconductor Corporation Jan 1995 pp 1 14 High End Systems Inc Trackspot User Manual Aug 1997 Excerpts Cover Title page pp ii through iii and 2 13 through 2 14 Artistic License AL4000 DMX512 Processors Revision 3 4 Jun 2000 Excerpts Cover pp 7 92 through 102 Artistic License Miscellaneous Drawings 3 sheets Jan 12 1995 Artistic License Miscellaneous Documents 2 sheets Feb 1995 and Apr 1996 Newnes s Dictionary of Electronics Fourth Edition S W Amos et al Preface to First Edition pp 278 279 http www luminus cx projects chaser Nov 13 2000 pp 1 16 cited by examiner US 7 449 847 B2 Sheet 1 of 3 Nov 11 2008 U S Patent eel 35 LYOd WOO OSI YOLINOW 2FOI Jj3MOd Es eel 308 H am 870 LINDYIO N3349 H 1 YOSS300Nd s fem 7 201 3OV 4NSLNI 43sn an P EN are 001 p bk ONINLL US 7 449 847 B2 Sheet 2 of 3 Nov 11 2008
7. Mar 13 2001 now Pat No 7 186 003 and a continuation in part of applica tion No 09 805 590 filed on Mar 13 2001 now Pat No 7 064 498 Provisional application No 60 290 101 filed on May 10 2001 118 USER INTERFACE TIMING CIRCUIT POWER MONITOR 132 130 124 MEMORY PROCESSOR COM PORT 51 Int Cl H05B 37 00 2006 01 52 US CL RE 315 312 315 317 315 362 315 360 362 227 362 236 58 Field of Classification Search 315 194 315 291 292 294 295 312 313 317 362 315 360 362 234 227 236 323 235 237 See application file for complete search history 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 2 848 671 A 8 1958 McDonald Continued FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS AU 6 2679 12 1996 Continued OTHER PUBLICATIONS T M117 LM317A LM317 3 Terminal Adjustable Regulator National Semiconductor Corporation May 1997 pp 1 20 Continued Primary Examiner Haissa Philogene 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Wolf Greenfield amp Sacks PC 57 ABSTRACT In one example a lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to control a color chang ing lighting effect generated by the lighting apparatus wherein the processor is further configured to monitor an operating power source and wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize the color changing lighting effect in coordination with a parameter of the o
8. effect slowly while it continues That is actuation of the adjustment system may result in changing the timing by just a few percent to slow down or speed up Ifthe adjustment device is a receiver or transceiver an external signal may be provided to the illumination device through IR RF micro wave telephone electromagnetic wire cable network or other signal For example a remote control device may be provided and the remote control device may have a button dial or other selection device such that when the selection device is activated a signal is communicated to the illumina tion system and the phase ofthe relation between the program execution and the clock pulse may be adjusted In an embodiment the lighting device may generate a sound to assist with the timing adjustment For example the sound may be similar to a metronome to provide the user with a reference by which to set the timing system For example several lighting systems may require synchronization and an audio tone e g timed chirps may be provided to assist in the setting Several lighting devices may be generating the audio tone anda user may go to each light and adjust the timing until the user hears synchronization of the tones In an embodiment an adjustment device may also be pro vided that shifts the phase of the program execution by a predetermined amount For example the first illumination device may remain in sync with the AC line while a second illumi
9. of an A C power distribution system and several outlets supplied by another phase of the A C power distribution The timing circuit may be configured to be adjusted to compensate for the phase difference such that the timing of the lighting effects from lighting systems on the two phases are in sync While many of the embodiments herein teach of synchro nizing the generation of lighting effect such as a color chang ing lighting effect in an embodiment the synchronization function may be used to synchronize other events as well For example the lighting system may be configured to generate a lighting effect at a given time and the time may be measured using the synchronization signal For example there may be several lighting systems in an installation and they may be generating a continuously color changing effect in sync The several lighting systems may be programmed to change modes into a fixed color mode for example after they have US 7 449 847 B2 5 generated the color changing effect for a period of five min utes A synchronizing signal may be generated from the peak zero crossing or some other parameter of an A C power line and this signal may be used to calculate or measure the five minute period In this example the several lighting systems would stop the generation of the color changing effect and go into the fixed color mode at the same time because they would be generating the lighting effect in sync with a synchr
10. of environments and the environments of FIGS 2 and 3 are provided for illustrative purposes only FIG 4 illustrates an environment according to the prin ciples of the present invention The environment may include a window 404 a window shade 402 and lights 200 The lights may be arranged as direct view lights as in the candle style lights on the sill of the window or the lights may be arranged as indirect view lights as with the wall mounted lights pro jecting light onto the shade 402 In this example the wall mounted lights 200 are arranged to project light onto the shade The light may be projected onto the front surface back surface or through the end of the surface This arrangement provides for lighted shades and may be used to create lighting effects to be viewed from the outside of a house for example The several lights 200 may be synchronized to provide syn chronized lighting effects For example the user may want to generate a lighting effect that sequentially generates red white and blue light The user may want all ofthe windows to display the same colors at the same time or the user may want to have the colors appear to move from window to window While many of the embodiments disclosed herein teach of synchronizing lighting systems without the use of a network a network may provide the communication system used to communicate coordinating signals between lighting systems according to the principles of the present invention
11. 0 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 10 pulse it is communicating the pulse to other device s The other device s may not be monitoring a parameter ofa power source because it will synchronize the generation of its light ing effect in coordination with the received pulse signal In an embodiment a slave lighting system may be configured to retransmit the clock pulse it received as a way of coordinating several lighting systems This may be useful where the com munication medium is limited and cannot otherwise reach particular lighting systems In an embodiment the clock pulse generator may reside separately from a lighting system FIGS 2 and 3 illustrate environments where a system s according to the principles of the present invention would be useful FIG 2 illustrates a wall 202 with several lights 200 In an embodiment the lights 200 include a lighting system 100 and are adapted to be connected to a wall electrical outlet not shown There are many adapters that may be used to connect the light 200 with power such as a spade plug adapter screw base adapter Edison base adapter wedge base adapter pin base adapter or any number of other adapters FIG 3 illus trate a swimming pool hot tub spa or the like wherein there are lights 200 that may be generating synchronized lighting effects through systems as described herein Systems accord ing to principles of the present invention may be used in a vast variety
12. 7 Korkala US 7 449 847 B2 Page3 5 629 607 5 640 061 5 642 129 5 661 645 5 672 941 5 673 059 5 701 058 5 721 471 5 725 761 5 734 590 5 751 118 5 752 766 5 769 527 5 803 579 5 808 689 5 821 695 5 821 703 5 823 431 5 848 837 5 850 126 5 851 063 5 852 658 RE36 030 5 859 508 5 896 010 5 912 653 5 924 784 5 927 845 5 946 209 5 952 680 5 959 547 5 963 185 5 974 553 6 002 216 6 008 783 6 016 038 6 018 237 6 021 960 6 025 550 6 030 108 6 031 343 6 036 333 6 068 383 6 072 280 6 095 661 6 097 352 6 127 783 6 132 072 6 135 604 6 150 774 6 166 496 6 175 201 6 183 086 6 184 628 6 196 471 6 211 626 6 215 409 6 250 774 6 252 358 6 292 901 6 340 868 6 379 025 a ed 5 1997 6 1997 6 1997 8 1997 9 1997 9 1997 12 1997 2 1998 3 1998 3 1998 5 1998 5 1998 6 1998 9 1998 9 1998 10 1998 10 1998 10 1998 12 1998 12 1998 12 1998 12 1998 1 1999 1 1999 4 1999 6 1999 7 1999 7 1999 8 1999 9 1999 9 1999 10 1999 10 1999 12 1999 12 1999 1 2000 1 2000 2 2000 2 2000 2 2000 2 2000 3 2000 5 2000 6 2000 8 2000 8 2000 10 2000 10 2000 10 2000 11 2000 12 2000 1 2001 2 2001 2 2001 3 2001 4 2001 4 2001 6 2001 6 2001 9 2001 1 2002 4 2002 Callahan et al Bornhorst et al Zavracky et al Hochstein Callahan et al Zavracky et al Roth Begemann et al Phillips Tebbe Mortimer Bailey et al
13. A 2 1995 Malita 4 675 575 A 6 1987 Smith et al 315 185 S 5 402 702 4 1995 Hata 4 682 079 A 7 1987 Sanders et al 5 404 282 A 4 1995 Klinke et al 4 686 425 A 8 1987 Havel 5 406 176 A 4 1995 Sugden 4 687 340 A 8 1987 Havel 5 410 328 A 4 1995 Yoksza et al 4 688 154 A 8 1987 Nilssen 5 412 284 A 5 1995 Moore et al 4 688 869 A 8 1987 Kelly 5 412 552 A 5 1995 Fernandes 4 695 769 A 9 1987 Schweickardt 5 420 482 A 5 1995 Phares 4 701 669 A 10 1987 Head et al 5 421 059 A 6 1995 Leffers Jr 4 704 660 11 1987 Robbins 5 432408 A 7 1995 Matsuda et al 4 705 406 A 11 1987 Havel 5 436 535 A 7 1995 Yang 4 707 141 A 11 1987 Havel 5 455 490 10 1995 Callahan et al 4 727 289 A 2 1988 Uchida 5 461 188 A 10 1995 Drago et al 4 740 882 A 4 1988 Miller 5 463 280 10 1995 Johnson 4 753 148 A 6 1988 Johnson 5 465 144 11 1995 Parker et al 4 771 274 A 9 1988 Havel 5 489 827 A 2 1996 Xia 4 780 621 A 10 1988 Bartleucci et al 5 491 402 A 2 1996 Small 4 780 917 11 1988 Hancock 5 504 395 A 4 1996 Johnson et al 4 818 072 A 4 1989 Mohebban 5 530 322 A 6 1996 Ference et al 4 823 069 A 4 1989 Callahan et al 5 539 624 A 7 1996 Dougherty 4 837 565 A 6 1989 White 5 545 950 A 8 1996 Cho 4 843 627 A 6 1989 Stebbins 5 561 346 A 10 1996 Byrne 4 844 333 A 7 1989 Davis 5 569 371 A 10 1996 Perling 4 845 481 A 7 1989 Havel 5 575 459 A 11 1996 Anderson 4 845 745 A 7 1989 Havel 5 575 554 A 11 1996 Guritz 4 863 223 A 9 1989 Weissenbach et al 5 592 051 A 1 199
14. DS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATION Ser No 10 040 252 filed Oct 25 2001 now U S Pat No 6 869 204 entitled LIGHT FIXTURES FOR ILLUMINA TION OF LIQUIDS Ser No 09 805 368 filed Mar 13 2001 now U S Pat No 7 186 003 entitled LIGHT EMITTING DIODE BASED PRODUCTS and Ser No 09 805 590 filed Mar 13 2001 now U S Pat No 7 064 498 entitled LIGHT EMITTING DIODE BASED PRODUCTS Each of the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to light emitting diode devices More particularly various embodiments of the invention relate to illumination systems and methods for con trolling such systems DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART There are specialized lighting systems that can be arranged to provide color changing lighting effects e g color chang ing LED lighting systems or lighting systems with moving filters or the like Some such systems may be arranged in a network configurations to generate coordinated lighting effects Lighting systems to generate coordinated lighting effects typically are popular in theater lighting and are also becoming popular in other venues where color changing lighting effects are desirable There are also color changing lighting systems that are not associated with a network Such systems may include a number of lighting components that may not be synchronized 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
15. For example the timing circuit may be associated with a user interface to allow a user to adjust the timing as desired The adjustment may be provided as a substantially continuous adjustment seg mented adjustment predetermined period adjustments or any other desirable adjustment Most homes and offices will have a number of branch circuits on separate circuit breakers or fuses With prior art devices it is difficult in these situations and undesirable to switch entire circuits on and off to provide the synchronizing power up Ifthe individual elements are plugged into separate outlets and they are on separate circuits this makes it difficult to then synchronize the individual devices and fixtures An aspect of the invention is to provide a system to adjust the cycle that each device is operating on In effect this adjusts the phase ofthe generated lighting effect such that the devices can be synchronized This can take the form of an encoder button switch dial linear switch rotary dial trimmer pot receiver transceiver or other such device which when turned pressed activated or communicated to adjusts and shifts the part ofthe cycle that the device is in A button push for example can halt the action of the device and the user can wait for another device to catch up with the halted device and release at the correct part ofthe cycle Ifthe effect is rapid as in a fast color wash then the button push can be used to shift the
16. accom plished through wired or wireless transmission The proces sor 102 may be associated with memory 114 for example such that the processor executes a lighting program that was stored in memory The user interface may be configured to selecta program or lighting effect from memory 114 such that the processor 102 can execute the selected program The lighting system 100 may also include sensors and or transducers and or other signal generators collectively referred to hereinafter as sensors The sensors may be asso ciated with the processor 102 through wired or wireless trans mission systems Much like the user interface and network control systems the sensor s may provide signals to the processor and the processor may respond by selecting new LED control signals from memory 114 modifying LED con trol signals generating control signals or otherwise change the output of the LED s In an embodiment the lighting system 100 includes a communication port 124 such that control signals can be communicated to the lighting system The communication port 124 may be used for any number of reasons For example the communication port 124 may be configured to receive new programs to be stored in memory or receive program information to modify a program in memory The communication port 124 may also be used to transmit information to another lighting or non lighting system For US 7 449 847 B2 7 example a lighting system 100 may be arran
17. ample such a housed lighting system may be mounted on the exterior of a building where an Observer may view the lighted section of the lighting system directly The housing may include optics such that the light from the LED s 104 is projected through the optics This may aid in the mixing redirecting or otherwise changing the light patters generated by the LEDs The LED s 104 may be arranged within the housing on the housing or otherwise mounted as desired in the particular application In an embodiment the housing and lighting system 100 may be arranged as a device that plugs into a standard wall electrical outlet The system may be arranged to project light into the environment In an embodiment the system is arranged to project light onto a wall floor ceiling or other portion of the environment In an embodiment the lighting system is con figured to project light into a diffusing optic such that the optic appears to glow in the color projected The color may be a mixed filtered or otherwise altered color of light and the system may be configured to change the color of the light projected onto the optic The lighting system 100 may also include memory 114 wherein one or more lighting programs and or data may be stored The lighting system 100 may also include a user interface 118 used to change and or select the lighting effects generated by the lighting system 100 The communication between the user interface and the processor may be
18. ams Jr 5 128 595 A 7 1992 Hara 4 272 689 A 6 1981 Crosby et al 5 134 387 A 7 1992 Smith et al 4 273 999 A 6 1981 Pierpoint 5 142 199 A 8 1992 Elwell 4 298 869 A 11 1981 Okuno 5 154 641 A 10 1992 McLaughlin 4 305 117 12 1981 Evans 5 164 715 A 11 1992 Kashiwabara et al 4 317 071 A 2 1982 Murad 5 171 429 A 12 1992 Yasuo 4 329 625 A 5 1982 Nishizawa et al 5 184 114 A 2 1993 Brown 4 367 464 A 1 1983 Kurahashi et al 5 194 854 A 3 1993 Havel 4 388 567 A 6 1983 Yamazaki et al 5 209 560 A 5 1993 Taylor et al 4 388 589 A 6 1983 Molldrem Jr 5 225 765 A 7 1993 Callahan et al 4 392 187 A 7 1983 Bornhorst 5 226 723 A 7 1993 Chen 4 394 716 A 7 1983 Campagna et al 5 254 910 A 10 1993 Yang 4 396 871 A 8 1983 Scheuermann 5 256 948 A 10 1993 Boldin et al 4 420 711 A 12 1983 Takahashi et al 5 267 129 A 11 1993 Anderson 4 500 796 A 2 1985 Quin 5 282 121 A 1 1994 Bornhorst et al 4 564 889 A 1 1986 Bolson 5 294 865 A 3 1994 Haraden 4 616 298 A 10 1986 Bolson 5 301 090 A 4 1994 Hed 4 617 498 10 1986 Ruppert 5 307 295 A 4 1994 Taylor et al 4 622 881 A 11 1986 Rand 5 319 301 A 6 1994 Callahan et al 4 625 152 A 11 1986 Nakai 5 329 431 A 7 1994 Taylor et al 4 633 161 A 12 1986 Callahan et al 5 350 977 A 9 1994 Hamamoto et al 4 635 052 A 1 1987 Aoike et al 5 357 170 A 10 1994 Luchaco et al 4 647 217 A 3 1987 Havel 5 371 618 A 12 1994 Tai etal 4 656 398 A 4 1987 Michael et al 5 374 876 12 1994 Horibata et al 4 668 895 A 5 1987 Schneiter 5 388 357
19. az United States Patent Schanberger et al US007449847B2 US 7 449 847 B2 Nov 11 2008 10 Patent No 45 Date of Patent 54 75 73 p Q1 Q2 65 63 60 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING LIGHTING EFFECTS Inventors Eric K Schanberger Cambridge MA US Kevin J Dowling Westford MA US Assignee Philips Solid State Lighting Solutions Inc Burlington MA US Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 874 days Appl No 10 915 947 Filed Aug 11 2004 Prior Publication Data US 2005 0035728 A1 Feb 17 2005 Related U S Application Data Continuation of application No 10 143 549 filed on May 10 2002 now Pat No 6 801 003 and a continu ation in part of application No 10 040 253 filed on Oct 25 2001 now Pat No 6 781 329 and a continu ation in part of application No 10 040 291 filed on Oct 25 2001 now Pat No 6 936 978 and a continu ation in part of application No 10 040 292 filed on Oct 25 2001 and a continuation in part of applica tion No 10 040 266 filed on Oct 25 2001 now Pat No 6 774 584 and a continuation in part of applica tion No 10 045 629 filed on Oct 25 2001 now Pat No 6 967 448 and a continuation in part of applica tion No 10 040 252 filed on Oct 25 2001 now Pat No 6 869 204 and a continuation in part of applica tion No 09 805 368 filed on
20. dinates light output from theatleasttwo LED lighting apparatuses based on the at least one parameter of the A C power source without requiring an additional coordinating signal 2 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to execute a program to control the lighting effect generated by the LED lighting appa ratus and the processor is further configured to synchronize the execution of the program with the parameter of the power source 3 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to monitor the periodically changing parameter of the A C power source 4 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the lighting effect comprises a substantially continuously color changing lighting effect 5 The lighting system of claim 3 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing volt age 6 The lighting system of claim 3 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing fre quency 7 The lighting system of claim 3 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing cur rent 8 The lighting system of claim 3 wherein the periodically changing parameter comprises a periodically changing power 9 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the lighting effect comprises an abruptly color changing lighting effect 10 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the frequency ofthe A C power source is approximate
21. ect The method comprises the steps of providing an lighting apparatus providing power to the lighting apparatus causing the lighting apparatus to monitor at least one parameter of the power provided to the lighting apparatus and causing the lighting apparatus to generate a color changing lighting effect in sync with the at least one parameter An embodiment ofthe present invention is a lighting appa ratus The lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to execute a program to control a lighting effect generated by the lighting apparatus the pro cessor is further configured to receive a synchronizing signal from an external source and the processor is further config ured to synchronize the execution of the program in coordi nation the synchronizing signal BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The following figures depict certain illustrative embodi ments ofthe invention in which like reference numerals refer to like elements These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way FIG 1 is a lighting apparatus according to the principles of the present invention FIG 2 illustrates an environment with lights according to the principles of the present invention FIG 3 illustrates an environment with lights according to the principles of the present invention FIG 4 illustrates an environment with lights according to the principles of the pre
22. em to provide a high logic signal or a low logic signal The energy storage element could be associated with a power supply and with the processor in the system When the power to the system is de energized and re energized within a predetermined period of time the sys tem could go into a synchronous mode The power cycle could also cause the phase of the execution of the program with respect to a clock pulse to be changed In an embodiment the adjustment ofthe timing circuit can be used to provide a phase adjustment for other pleasing effects For example if a number of nightlights or other lighting fixtures are plugged into outlets along a hallway it may be desirable to have a rainbow move down the hallway such that the red orange yellow green blue indigo violet ROYGBIV sequence slowly moves and shifts down the hall over time By powering up all the units in a hallway and the using the phase adjustment to select the part ofa cycle to be in the effect can be generated without additional means of com munication or control Another solution is a fixed adjustment for phase control a dial for example that provides a fixed setting or onboard memory that stores phase information In this way a power flicker or failure or an inadvertently switched light switch won t require resetting all of the devices In an embodiment a lighting system may include memory wherein timing phase adjustment or other informa tion is stored In an embodi
23. equencies in the infrared and ultraviolet areas of the spectrum and in other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum It should also be understood that the color of light can be described as its hue saturation and or brightness While many of the embodiments herein describe systems using LEDs it should be understood that other illumination sources may be used As the terms are used herein illumina tion sources and lighting sources should be understood to include all illumination sources including LED systems as well as incandescent sources including filament lamps pyro luminescent sources such as flames candle luminescent sources such as gas mantles and carbon arch radiation sources as well as photo luminescent sources including gas eous discharges fluorescent sources phosphorescence sources lasers electro luminescent sources such as electro luminescent lamps light emitting diodes and cathode lumi nescent sources using electronic satiation as well as miscel laneous luminescent sources including galvano luminescent sources crystallo luminescent sources kine luminescent sources thermo luminescent sources triboluminescent sources sonoluminescent sources and radioluminescent sources Illumination sources may also include luminescent polymers capable of producing primary colors While many ofthe embodiments illustrated herein describe the color wash effect it should be understood that the present invention encompasses
24. fect generated by the lighting system 100 For example the processor 102 of the lighting system 100 may be configured to execute a lighting program from memory 114 and the timing of the execution may be synchronized with the clock pulse While this embodiment teaches of generating clock pulses from a periodically occur ring condition or parameter ofthe power source it should be understood that a momentary condition of the power source may be used as well For example the power source may transmit transients from any number of sources and the light ing system may be configured to monitor such transients and coordinate the generation of the lighting effects with the transients Generally the transients will be communicated or passed to all ofthe devices associated with the power source so all of the lighting systems associated with a given power source will receive the same transient at effectively the same 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 8 time such that all the lighting devices will remained synchro nized A transient may be a voltage current power or other transient Another aspect of the present invention is a system and method for adjusting the timing ofthe generation of a lighting effect In an embodiment the processor 102 of a lighting system 100 may be associated with a timing circuit 132 The timing circuit may be arranged to provide an adjustable tim ing of the generation of the lighting effect
25. g program The timing ofthe program execu tion may becoordinated with the frequency ofthe A C power voltage or current In an embodiment the lighting system may coordinate the lighting effect with a transient parameter of the power source or other randomly periodically or other wise occurring parameter of the power source This provides for a synchronized lighting effect without the need for net work communication In an embodiment the lighting system may include one or more pre programmed lighting effects and a user interface for selecting one of the lighting effects Once the effect has been selected the processor may execute the program in coordination with a parameter of the power source causing a synchronized generation of the lighting effect In one embodiment a lighting system according to the present invention generates lighting effects in coordination with a reference value In one aspect several such lighting systems may be associated with a power source and all of the systems would be coordinated with one another because they would be coordinated with a parameter of the power source For example you could attach several lighting systems to a power source in a hallway Each of the lighting systems may be monitoring and coordinating the execution of their lighting effects with the power source such that each of them is pro 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 ducing the effects in coordination with
26. ged as a master where ittransmits information to other lighting systems either through a network or through the power lines The master lighting system may generate a signal that is multiplexed with the power signal such that another lighting systems on the same power system will monitor and react to the parameter This may take the form ofa timing gun in the system where all of the lighting systems are generating their own lighting effects from memory but the timing of the lighting effects is accomplished by monitoring the parameter on the power source In an embodiment the lighting system 100 includes a power monitoring system 130 The power monitoring system may be associated with a power source not shown In an embodiment the system 130 is associated with a power source that is also supplying the lighting system 100 with power In an embodiment the processor 102 is associated with a clock pulse generator not shown The clock pulse generator may generate clock pulses from an A C power source that is associated with the power monitoring circuit The clock generator may filter the AC power and form a clock pulse in sync with the AC power cycle In an embodiment the clock pulse may be generated in phase with a portion of the AC wave A method of generating the clock pulse may com prise detecting and filtering a 110 VAC 60 Hz waveform to provide a 60 Hz 120 Hz or other frequency clock pulse The clock pulse may then be used to provide a sy
27. l clocks staying in syn chronization and some event to start the effect typically power up Over time the lights become out of phase with one another and may no longer be synchronous This is due to slight variations over time or drift in the timing elements common to all microprocessor circuits These elements are subject to variation because of the manufacturing process temperature variations etc This drift while slow is observ able and if the timing of the events controlled by the micro processor is rapid it will be evident within tens of minutes or certainly within hours It should be appreciated that the above discussion of a color wash lighting effect is for purposes of illustration only and that any of a variety of lighting effects may be subject to similar synchronization issues In view ofthe fore going Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be useful to provide lighting systems that can produce synchronized lighting effects without necessarily requiring a network configuration Accordingly one aspect of the present invention is directed to a lighting system that generates synchronized lighting effects In an embodiment the lighting system monitors a power source and synchronizes the lighting effects it gener ates with a parameter of the power source For example the lighting system may be attached to an A C power source and the lighting system may include a processor configured to execute a lightin
28. ly 60 Hz 11 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the frequency ofthe A C power source is approximately 50 Hz 12 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to monitor the transient signal of the A C power source 13 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the lighting effect comprises a plurality of lighting effects 14 The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the transient signal comprises a voltage transient signal 15 The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the transient signal comprises a current transient signal 16 The lighting system of claim 12 wherein the transient signal comprises a power transient signal 17 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the power source is adapted to supply power to the apparatus 18 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the at least two LED lighting apparatuses comprises ared LED a green LED and a blue LED US 7 449 847 B2 13 19 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the at least two LED lighting apparatuses each comprises at least two LEDs of different colors wherein the at least two LEDs are inde pendently controlled by the processor s configured to con trolthe lighting effect s generated by the at least two lighting apparatuses 20 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the at least two LED lighting apparatuses each comprises at least three LEDs of different colors wherein the at least three LEDs are inde pendently controlled by the pr
29. many different lighting effects For example the present invention encompasses continually changing lighting effects substantially continually changing lighting effects abruptly changing lighting effects color changing lighting effects intensity changing lighting effects gradually changing lighting effects or any other desirable or useful lighting effect While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art Accord 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 12 ingly the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims We claim 1 A lighting system comprising a plurality of non net worked LED lighting apparatuses connected to an A C power source at least two LED lighting apparatuses of the plurality of non networked LED lighting apparatus each comprising a processor for monitoring at least one parameter of the A C power source the at least one parameter selected from one of a periodically changing parameter of the A C power source and a transient signal of the A C power source wherein the processor controls a lighting effect generated by the LED lighting apparatus by syn chronizing the lighting effect in coordination with the at least one parameter of the power source whereby the lighting system coor
30. ment the memory may be non volatile battery backed or otherwise arranged to provide recall of the information upon re energization of the system Phase adjustment can be accomplished through a button for example that is added to the device that allows the user to press and stop the effect until another light fixture catches up with the current display In this way only one other light needs to be visible to any other to allowing synchronization when a user is accomplishing the task by him or herself Another mode is to allow a fast forward of the display until it catches up to the reference display When the two are at the same point in the sequence then the button is released and the two will remain in synchronization from that point on Another aspect of the present invention is a system and method for generating and communicating clock pulses from amaster lighting system to a slave system In an embodiment the processor 102 may generate a clock pulse signal either associated with a power source or not and then communicate a clock pulse signal through the communication port 124 or over the power line to another device The communication may be accomplished through wired or wireless communica tion systems In this embodiment the clock pulse does not need to be generated from a parameter of the power source although it could be because the master i e the lighting device generating the clock pulse is not only generating the 2
31. nation system could be set to begin the cycle thirty seconds after the first and then a third device thirty seconds after the second This may be used for example to generate a moving or chasing rainbow effect in a hallway A predeter mined amount may be a portion of the phase of the power waveform such as ninety degree one hundred eighty degree two hundred seventy degree or other phase shift ofthe power waveform US 7 449 847 B2 9 An illumination system according to the principles of the present invention may include a user interface 118 wherein the user interface 118 is used to select a program program parameter make an adjustment or make another user selec tion One of the user selections could be a synchronization mode where the system coordinates its activities with a clock pulse The user interface 118 could be used to select a syn chronization mode and or a color effects mode In an embodi ment the user interface may be a button The button may be held down for a predetermined period to set the unit into the synchronization mode The button could then be used to select the program to play in sync with the clock pulse Several buttons dials switches or other user interfaces could also be used to accomplish these effects In an embodiment a power cycle could also initiate a synchronous mode or change the phase ofthe sync An energy storage element not shown could also be used e g capacitor in an RC circuit in the syst
32. nchronizing clock to the circuit of an illumination device For example a peak threshold circuit combined with monostable multivibra tor is an example of such a circuit A person with ordinary skill in the art will know of other methods of creating a clock pulse from an AC line and that generating the clock pulse may be timed with other parameters of the power source such as the voltage current frequency or other parameter For example a system may utilize a single resistor connected between the AC line and a microprocessor input pin This allows a microprocessor to determine at any point in time whether the AC voltage is positive or negative and software methods can then be used to count transitions from one state to the other establishing a timing reference Various other characteristics of an AC waveform may be monitored to establish a timing reference including for example moni toring changes in waveform slope thresholding at various voltages either constant or varying thresholding ofthe cur rent drawn by a load including the lamp itself and other methods It should also be understood that there are a virtually unlimited number of circuits which can be designed to extract timing information from the AC line and that the purposes here is not to suggest a limited subset of such circuits but rather to provide some illustrative examples In an embodiment the clock pulse is used to synchronize the generation of the lighting ef
33. ocessor configured to control the lighting effects generated by the at least two lighting apparatuses 21 The lighting system of claim 20 wherein the at least three colors comprise red green and blue 22 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein each of the at least two LED lighting apparatuses comprises at least one movable filter wherein the filter is configured and arranged such that light from the lighting apparatus is processed by the filter wherein the processor is configured to position the mov able filter with respect to the LED lighting apparatus 23 The lighting system of claim 22 wherein the at least one movable filter comprises at least two differently colored filters 24 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein each ofthe at least two LED lighting apparatuses further comprises atiming adjustment circuit configured to adjust a timing of the lighting effect with respect to the at least one param eter 25 The lighting system of claim 24 wherein the timing adjustment circuit is associated with a user interface 26 The lighting system of claim 25 wherein the user interface provides a range of adjustment 27 The lighting system of claim 25 wherein the user interface provides a plurality of adjustment settings 28 The lighting system of claim 27 wherein the plurality ofadjustment settings comprises a plurality of predetermined timing settings 29 The lighting system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the
34. one another Each of the lighting systems may be generating a color wash and the color wash effects from each of the lighting systems will remain in sync Another aspect of the present invention is an adjustable timing circuit configured to change the timing of the genera tion of a lighting effect In an embodiment a timing circuit is associated with a user interface such that a user can adjust the timing of the generation of the lighting effect For example several lighting systems may be associated with a power source in a hallway and each system may be set to a color wash effect A user may adjust the timing of each of the several systems to begin the execution of the lighting program ata different time The systems further down the hallway may be adjusted with a increasing delay such that the color wash is offset by certain amounts as the systems progress down the hall This would result in a staggered effect and in the case of the staggered color wash a washing rainbow down the hall way The timing could be arranged such that for example as the first lighting system cycles through blue into the next color the second system is cycling into blue In an embodi ment the timing circuit may be provided with a substantially continuous variable timing In an embodiment the timing circuit may be provided with predetermined offsets of time periods Another example of a useful or desirable lighting effect that appears to pass from one lighting
35. oniza tion signal In an embodiment the timing or synchronization of events may be made in absolute time e g knowing or measuring the frequency and generating a real time clock or known rate clock pulse or the timing may be in relative measures e g not knowing the real time occurrence of a parameter but synchronizing to the generation of the occur rence There are many environments where a system according to the present invention may be used such as indoor lighting outdoor lighting landscape lighting pool lighting spa light ing accent lighting general lighting walkway lighting path way lighting guidance lighting systems decorative lighting informative lighting or any other area or situation where synchronized lighting effects are desirable or useful FIG 1 illustrates a lighting system 100 according to the principles of the present invention Lighting system 100 may include one or more LEDs 104A 104B and 104C The LEDs 104 may be provided on a platform 128 Where more than one LED is used in the lighting system 100 the LEDs may be mounted on the platform 128 such that light projected from the LEDs is mixed to project a mixed color In an embodi ment the LEDs 104A 104B and 104C may produce differ ent colors e g 104A red 104B green and 104C blue The lighting system 100 may also include a processor 102 wherein the processor 102 may independently control the output of the LEDs 104A 104B and 104C The process
36. or may generate control signals to run the LEDs such as pulse modulated signals pulse width modulated signals PWM pulse amplitude modulated signals analog control signals or other control signals to vary the output of the LEDs In an embodiment the processor may control other circuitry to control the output ofthe LEDs The LEDs may be provided in strings of more than one LED that are controlled as a group and the processor 102 may control more than one string of LEDs A person with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatthere are many systems and methods that could be used to operate the LED s and or LED string s and the present invention encompasses such systems and methods In an embodiment a processor may be configured to control an illumination source that is not an LED For example the system may contain an incandescent halogen fluorescent high intensity discharge metal halide or other illumination source and the processor may be configured to control the intensity or other aspect of the illumination source In an embodiment the processor may be configured to control a filter filter wheel a filter including more than one color movable filters multiple filters or the like in order to filter light projected by the lighting system A lighting system 100 according to the principles of the present invention may generate a range of colors within a color spectrum For example the lighting system 100 may be provided with a
37. perating power source 42 Claims 3 Drawing Sheets 14 128 US 7 449 847 B2 Page2 U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 874 320 A 10 1989 Freed et al 4 887 074 A 12 1989 Simon et al 2 909 097 A 10 1959 Alden et al 4 920 465 A 4 1990 Sargent 3 104 815 A 9 1963 Schultz 4 922 154 A 5 1990 Cacoub 3 318 185 A 5 1967 4 934 852 A 6 1990 Havel 3 561 719 A 2 1971 Grindle 4 962 687 A 10 1990 Belliveau et al 3 586 936 A 6 1971 McLeroy 4 965 561 10 1990 Havel 3 601 621 A 8 1971 Ritchie 4 973 835 A 11 1990 Kurosu et al 3 643 088 A 2 1972 Osteen et al 4 975 629 A 12 1990 Callahan et al 3 746 918 A 7 1973 Drucker et al 4 979 081 12 1990 Leach et al 3 818 216 A 6 1974 Larraburu 4 980 806 A 12 1990 Taylor et al 3 832 503 8 1974 Crane 4 992 704 A 2 1991 Stinson 3 845291 10 1974 Portyrata 5 003 227 A 3 1991 Nilssen 3 858 086 A 12 1974 Anderson et al 5 008 595 A 4 1991 Kazar 3 909 670 A 9 1975 Wakamatsu et al 5 010 459 A 4 1991 Taylor et al 3 924 120 A 12 1975 Cox 5 027 262 A 6 1991 Freed 3 958 885 A 5 1976 Stockinger et al 5 034 807 A 7 1991 Von Kohorn 3 967 170 A 6 1976 MacDonald 5 072 216 A 12 1991 Grange 3 974 637 A 8 1976 Bergey et al 5 078 039 A 1 1992 Tulk et al 4 001 571 A 1 1977 Martin 5 083 063 A 1 1992 Brooks 4 054 814 10 1977 Fegley et al 5 117 233 A 5 1992 Hamos et al 4 082 395 A 4 1978 Donato et al 5 122 936 A 6 1992 Guthrie 4 096 349 A 6 1978 Donato 5 126 634 A 6 1992 Johnson 4 241 295 A 12 1980 Willi
38. plurality of LEDs e g 104A C and the processor 102 may control the output of the LEDs such that the light from two or more of the LEDs combine to produce a mixed colored light Such a lighting system may be used in a variety of applications including displays room illumination decorative illumination special effects illumination direct illumination indirect illumination or any other application 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 where it would be desirable Many such lighting systems may be networked together to form large networked lighting appli cations In an embodiment the LEDs 104 and or other components comprising a lighting system 100 may be arranged in a hous ing The housing may be configured to provide illumination to an area and may be arranged to provide linear lighting patterns circular lighting patterns rectangular square or other lighting patterns within a space or environment For example a linear arrangement may be provided at the upper edge of a wall along the wall ceiling interface and the light may be projected down the wall or along the ceiling to gen erate certain lighting effects In an embodiment the intensity of the generated light may be sufficient to provide a surface e g a wall with enough light that the lighting effects can be seen in general ambient lighting conditions In an embodi ment such a housed lighting system may be used as a direct view lighting system For ex
39. plurality of lighting effects is selectable through a user interface 30 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the predeter mined timing settings comprises a 90 degree phase shift from the phase of the A C power source 20 25 30 35 40 14 31 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the predeter mined timing settings comprises a 180 degree phase shift from the phase of the A C power source 32 The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the predeter mined timing settings comprises a 270 degree phase shift from the phase of the A C power source 33 The lighting system of claim 29 wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize a selected lighting effect of the plurality of lighting effects with the parameter of the A C power source 34 A method of generating a lighting effect comprising steps of monitoring at least one parameter of an A C power source provided to a plurality of non networked LED lighting apparatus configured to generate the lighting effect the at least one parameter being selected from one of a periodic changing parameter of the A C power source and a transient signal of the A C power source and generating the lighting effect in synchronization with the at least one parameter whereby light output from the plu rality of non networked LED lighting apparatuses is coordinated based on the at least one parameter of the A C power source without requiring an additional coor dinating signal
40. r dies that are individually controlled It should also be understood that the term LED does not restrict the package type of the LED The term LED includes packaged LEDs non packaged LEDs surface mount LEDs chip on board LEDs and LEDs of all other configurations The term LED also includes LEDs packaged or associated with material e g a phosphor wherein the material may convert energy from the LED to a different wavelength The term processor may refer to any system for process ing electrical analog or digital signals The term processor should be understood to encompass microprocessors micro controllers integrated circuits computers and other process ing systems as well as any circuit designed to perform the intended function For example a processor may be made of discrete circuitry such as passiveor active analog components including resistors capacitors inductors transistors opera tional amplifiers and so forth and or discrete digital compo nents such as logic components shift registers latches or any other component for realizing a digital function The term illuminate should be understood to refer to the production of a frequency of radiation by an illumination source The term color should be understood to refer to any frequency of radiation within a spectrum that is a color as used herein should be understood to encompass frequencies not only of the visible spectrum but also fr
41. sent invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION The description below pertains to several illustrative embodiments of the invention Although many variations of the invention may be envisioned by one skilled in the art such variations and improvements are intended to fall within the compass ofthis disclosure Thus the scope ofthe invention is not to be limited in any way by the disclosure below US 7 449 847 B2 3 Applicants have recognized and appreciated that there are lighting applications in which it may be desirable to coordi nate the light output of multiple light sources that are not necessarily configured in a network environment as dis cussed above For example it may be desirable to change all the non networked lights in a room or section of a room simultaneously so they are the same color at any one time but continually changing at a particular rate Such an effect is termed a color wash A color wash might provide the fol lowing sequence red to orange to yellow to green to blue to orange and so on Upon power up all the lights may initiate the same state and the color wash may appear synchronized Ifthe color wash speed is relatively slow and the duration of the cycle through the wash is significant say a minute or more than the lights will appear synchronized But the appearance is deceiving there is no coordinating signal to insure that the lights are in fact synchronized The scheme depends on the independent interna
42. system to another is a chasing effect The chasing effect may appear to pass a red light for example from a first light to a second light to a third The timing of the generation of the red light may be synchronized via systems according to the principles of the present invention So a first light may generate red light fora predetermined time five seconds or a number of sync cycles or the like During this period a second light may be off i e generating no effect and following this period the second light may generate the red lighting effect for the same period This effect may appear to propagate through many lighting systems and appear to be chasing the red light down a hall way for example In an embodiment there may be a delay imposed between two lighting systems generating the effect For example the program the lighting system is executing may generate the delay period such that it does not generate the red lighting effect until two seconds or a number of cycles have passed In another embodiment a user adjustable timer may be used to generate the delay The adjustment may be used to create the appearance that it took time to pass the red lighting effect from a first lighting system to a second and so on In an embodiment an adjustable timing circuit may be used to compensate for phase or frequency differences in a given installation For example a room may be provided with several electrical outlets supplied by one phase
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