Patent · US Active

Luminance control for illumination devices

US8749172B2 · kind B2 · utility

70Cited by
78References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 8, 2011
Grant dateJun 10, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05B45/22
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An illumination device is provided having one or more illumination LEDs configured to provide illumination for the device. Along with the illumination LED is a reference LED. The illumination LED provide illumination during normal operation of the device, whereas the reference LED provides a reference illumination, but does not provide illumination during normal operation. A light detector can detect light from the illumination LED and the reference LED, and control circuitry can be used to compare light detected from the reference LED and the illumination LED to adjust a brightness for the device. The light detector can comprise a photo-detector or can comprise an LED, such as one of the illumination LEDs if more than one illumination LED is utilized. A method is also provided for controlling brightness of an illumination device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.