Patent Application
20170130929
The described embodiments relate generally to a light fixture and specifically to a light fixture that produces light having particular color characteristics.
Light fixtures may be used to provide light, for example, in a retail setting.
The present disclosure details systems, apparatuses, and methods related to light fixtures that produce light with particular color characteristics. A light fixture may include a frame, a light source disposed within and coupled to the frame, a lens coupled to the light source, a first fabric layer coupled to the frame at a first distance from the lens and having a plurality of dots printed thereon, and a second fabric layer coupled to the frame at a second distance from the lens.
In some embodiments, the second fabric layer encloses the light source, the lens, and the first fabric layer within the frame. In some embodiments, the dots comprise ink. In some embodiments, the dots form a matrix. In some embodiments, the dots are uniformly distributed on the first fabric layer.
In some embodiments, the first fabric layer comprises a lightly woven fabric. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer comprises a translucent fabric. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer comprises gauze. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer comprises a sheer fabric.
In some embodiments, the second fabric layer comprises a finished fabric. In some embodiments, the light source comprises a light-emitting diode. In some embodiments, the frame comprises an acoustical panel. In some embodiments, the lens comprises a diverging lens. In some embodiments, the second fabric layer comprises a light diffuser. In some embodiments, the second fabric layer comprises glass fiber. In some embodiments, the second fabric layer comprises polyester.
In some embodiments, the first fabric layer is configured to adjust a color characteristic of light emanating from the light source by interaction with the dots. In some embodiments, the color characteristic comprises color temperature. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer is configured to adjust a color characteristic of light emanating from the light source by a combination of reflecting light, passing light through areas of the first fabric layer without dots, and passing light through the dots.
According to some embodiments, a method of producing light with desired color characteristics includes diverging light emanating from a light source through a lens, passing the light through a first fabric layer having a plurality of dots disposed thereon, and passing the light through a second fabric layer configured to diffuse the light. In some embodiments, the color characteristics of the light are altered by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.
In some embodiments, the dots comprise ink. In some embodiments, the dots are printed on the first fabric layer. In some embodiments, the dots are disposed in a pattern on the first fabric layer. In some embodiments, the color characteristics comprise color temperature. In some embodiments, the produced light is homogeneous throughout the second fabric layer.
According to some embodiments, a method of making a light capable of producing light with desired color characteristics includes selecting a light source that approximates the desired color characteristics, printing a plurality of ink dots on a first fabric layer, passing light emanating from the light source through a lens, the first fabric layer, and a second fabric layer, measuring color characteristics of the light, and adjusting a parameter of the plurality of printed ink dots based on measuring the color characteristics.
In some embodiments, adjusting a parameter comprises adjusting a pattern of the printed ink dots. In some embodiments, adjusting a parameter comprises adjusting a color of the printed ink dots. In some embodiments, adjusting a parameter comprises adjusting a shape of the printed ink dots. In some embodiments, adjusting a parameter comprises adjusting a size of the printed ink dots. In some embodiments, adjusting a parameter comprises adjusting a density of the printed ink dots. In some embodiments, the method further includes adjusting a color of the second fabric layer.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims.
Retailers may use light fixtures to promote visibility and to enhance and contribute to the look and feel of the retail space. In some settings, particular light characteristics may be desired to convey certain messages or feelings to a customer. These characteristics can include a light's chromaticity coordinates as well as luminous flux. Chromaticity coordinates correspond to a particular correlated color temperature (CCT) and Duv value. Manufacturers of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to industry standards, categorize each LED into a bin that corresponds to a range of CCT and Duv values. Because the bins cover a range of values, commercially-available LEDs are not guaranteed to produce light having an exact CCT and Duv value. Accordingly, to provide light in the retail space having a particular CCT and Duv value, modifications to the color characteristics of an LED must be made. Thus, the inventors have found it desirable to provide a light fixture that can modify the color characteristics of commercially-available LEDs, as described herein.
The following disclosure relates to light fixtures that produce light having particular color characteristics. Light fixtures according to embodiments of the present invention may be used in a retail setting, as well as in other settings. For example, a light fixture may be used in a library, office, school, or home setting. Light fixtures may be provided as a ceiling light, wall light, or other type of fixture.
In some embodiments, light fixtures may include a frame, a light source (such as an LED), a lens, a first filter layer (e.g., a first fabric layer), and a second filter layer (e.g., a second fabric layer). As light emanates from the light source and passes through the lens and fabric layers, characteristics of the light are altered so that the light output produced by the light fixture has the desired characteristics.
In some embodiments, the light first passes through the lens, which diverges the light to emanate at a wider angle. The first fabric layer is disposed at a first distance from the lens and includes a plurality of dots disposed (e.g., printed) thereon. The dots may be a certain color, shape, and size. In addition, the dots may be printed in a pattern with a particular density. As the light passes through the first fabric layer, the characteristics of the light change. The light beams that pass through the dots mix with the light beams that only pass through the fabric itself.
The second fabric layer is disposed at a second distance from the lens and acts as a light diffuser. Some of the light reflects back towards the first fabric layer, thus further altering the color characteristics as some beams pass through the dots (for a first or second time). The mixture of the beams of various color characteristics produces light that passes through the second fabric layer having the desired characteristics.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.
A light fixture 100 according to some embodiments may be used in rooms 10, as shown, for example, in
Light fixture 100 according to some embodiments is illustrated, for example, in
Frame 110, according to some embodiments, is the structure that supports light fixture 100 and provides an interface between light fixture 100 and the portion of the retail area that holds light fixture 100, such as a ceiling or a wall. In some embodiments, frame 110 includes acoustical panels 115. According to some embodiments, acoustical panels 115 may be disposed on the ceiling or the wall as part of frame 110. In some embodiments, frame 110 partially encloses other components of light fixture 100, such as light source 120, lens 130, and first fabric layer 140.
In some embodiments, frame 110 is a rectangular shape. In some embodiments, frame 110 may be circular, oval, square, or other polygonal shape. Various lengths and widths may be used for frame 110. In some embodiments, frame 110 may have a length that extends across a ceiling from one end to another end. See
In some embodiments, the inner surface 112 of frame 110 comprises a reflective material. For example, in some embodiments, the inner surface of frame 110 may be equipped with a reflective paint.
Light source 120, according to some embodiments, is disposed within frame 110. In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in
In some embodiments, light source 120 is an LED. Light source 120 may be an LED having chromaticity coordinates that approximate the desired chromaticity coordinates for the light in the retail setting. Lens 130, according to some embodiments, is coupled to light source 120. In some embodiments, lens 130 is a diverging lens, thus providing a wide light emission angle for light from light source 120. In some embodiments, lens 130 emits light at a light emission angle of at least 150 degrees. For example, lens 130 may emit light at a light emission angle of 150, 155, or 160 degrees.
First filter layer 140 may be any material that allows light to pass through, including, for example, plastic, glass, and fabric as in first fabric layer 140. First fabric layer 140, according to some embodiments, is disposed within frame 110 at a first distance from lens 130. In some embodiments, first fabric layer 140 is disposed between two and twelve inches away from lens 130. For example, first fabric layer 140 may be disposed two, three, six, nine, or twelve inches away from lens 130. In some embodiments, first fabric layer 140 extends across the width and length of frame 110.
In some embodiments, first fabric layer 140 includes a plurality of dots 145 disposed on first fabric layer 140, as shown, for example, in
In some embodiments, dots 145 are disposed in a pattern, such as a matrix. In some embodiments, dots 145 are printed on first fabric layer 140. For example, dots 145 may be printed on first fabric layer 140 with a digital printer. In some embodiments, the digital printer is specifically designed for printing on fabric material. In some embodiments, dots 145 comprise ink. Dots 145 may be circular, oval, square, rectangular, or other polygonal shape. The color, shape, and size of the dots may influence the chromaticity coordinates of the light emanating from light source 100. In addition, the density of the pattern of dots 145 (e.g., a measure of the distance between adjacent dots 145), also may affect the chromaticity coordinates of the light emanating from light source 100.
According to some embodiments, first fabric layer 140 is a lightly woven fabric, such as a sheer fabric or gauze. In some embodiments, first fabric layer 140 is translucent. For example, first fabric layer 140 may be loosely-woven so that it gives the impression that dots 145 are floating in air. For example, first fabric layer 140 may appear transparent. Some light passes through first fabric layer 140 while some light reflects back within frame 110. In some embodiments, at least fifty percent of the light passes through first fabric layer 140 (e.g., 75%-90%). In some embodiments, at least ninety percent of the light passes through first fabric layer 140.
Second filter layer 150 may be any material that allows light to pass through, including, for example, plastic, glass, and fabric as in second fabric layer 150. Second fabric layer 150, according to some embodiments, is disposed within frame 110 at a second distance from lens 130. In some embodiments, the second distance from lens 130 is greater than the first distance from lens 130. In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 is disposed between six and twenty-four inches away from lens 130. For example, second fabric layer 150 may be disposed six, nine, fifteen, eighteen, or twenty-four inches away from lens 130. In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 extends across the width and length of frame 110. In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 encloses light source 120, lens 130, and first fabric layer 140 within frame 110.
In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 comprises glass fiber. In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 comprises polyester. According to some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 is a finished fabric. For example, second fabric layer 150 may comprise a chemical finish or may go through a mechanical finishing process. In some embodiments, the fabric finish may give second fabric layer 150 a consistent appearance across its surface. In some embodiments, second fabric layer 150 acts as a light diffuser. Thus, some light passes through second fabric layer 150 while some light reflects back within frame 110. In some embodiments, at least fifty percent of the light that passed through first fabric layer 140 passes through second fabric layer 150 (e.g., 70%-80%). In some embodiments, at least eighty percent of it passes through second fabric layer 150. Accordingly, the light produced by light fixture 100 is homogenous throughout second fabric layer 150 instead of having a bright spot at the position of light source 120. In some embodiments, the fabric finish may improve the function of second fabric layer 150 as a light diffuser by providing a uniform surface from which to emanate through or reflect from.
According to some embodiments, light fixture 100 may be used to adjust overall chromaticity coordinates of a commercially available LED to reach specified target coordinates.
As shown in
Light beams either pass through a layer (refract) or reflect back. Originally, light beam 200 has particular chromaticity coordinates. In
The schematic in
In operation 400, target chromaticity coordinates are defined. The target chromaticity coordinates, in some embodiments, may be defined to convey a particular message or feeling to a consumer in the retail store. For example, the warmth or coolness of the light may affect the feeling of a consumer. In operation 410, the light source 120 and lens 130 are selected. In some embodiments, the light source 120 selected is an LED that approximates the target chromaticity coordinates. However, as described above, because LEDs are divided into commercially available LED bins that cover a range of chromaticity coordinates, the LED may not be an exact match to the target chromaticity coordinates.
In operation 420, the size, shape, color, and density of dots 145 printed on first fabric layer 140 are selected. In operation 430, the selected size and shape are used to test the resulting chromaticity coordinates. In operation 440, it is determined by measuring the light output whether the chromaticity coordinates meet the target values.
If the chromaticity coordinates meet the target values in operation 440, then it is determined by measuring the light output whether the luminous flux is acceptable in operation 450. If the luminous flux is acceptable in operation 450, then the appropriate light fixture 100 has been designed to successfully reach the target chromaticity coordinates in operation 460. Because the luminous flux relates to the efficiency of light fixture 100, whether the luminous flux is acceptable depends on the desired efficiency for light fixture 100. If the luminous flux is too small with respect to the LED used in light fixture 100 then the light is inefficiently passing through light fixture 100. In operation 452, if the luminous flux is not acceptable, it is determined whether to try again by simply adjusting the dot print density, as in operation 454, or to also re-select the size, shape, and color of dots 145, by returning to operation 420. If the dot print density is modified in operation 454, then the process continues by determining whether the chromaticity coordinates now meet the target values in operation 440.
If the chromaticity coordinates do not meet the target values in operation 450, then the dot print color is modified in operation 442. The process continues by determining whether the chromaticity coordinates now meet the target values in operation 444. If the answer is yes, then it is determined whether the luminous flux is acceptable in operation 450. If the answer is no, it is determined in operation 446 whether to modify the dot print color again, as in operation 442, or to also re-select the size, shape, and density of dots 145, by returning to operation 420. The process continues until the target values have been reached. Operations 446 and 452 are part of the process for situations where the optimization after several cycles does not sufficiently converge to the target values. In these situations, rather than only modifying the dot print density or color, the shape and size of the dots 445 may also be modified.
An exemplary modification to dots 145 is illustrated in
The following general guidelines may assist in determining selection and modification of parameters in operations 420, 442, and 454. As the area of first fabric layer 130 containing dots 145 increases, the more the chromaticity coordinates are shifted and the luminous flux reduced. Thus, an increase in the size of dots 145 leads to an increased change of chromaticity coordinates and a decrease in luminous flux. Similarly, an increase in the density of dots 145 (i.e., less space between dots 145) leads to an increased change of chromaticity coordinates and a decrease in luminous flux. In addition, the more intense the color of dots 145, the more the chromaticity coordinates are shifted. Whether the chromaticity coordinates will shift to be warmer or colder depends on the selected dot color. Using a dot color above the chromaticity coordinates of the light without dots 145 will tend to make the resulting light colder, while a dot color below the chromaticity coordinates of the light without dots 145 will tend to make the resulting light warmer. Both fabric layers 140 and 150 themselves will also affect the chromaticity coordinates of the light emanating from light fixture 100.
A method for producing light with desired color characteristics according to some embodiments is illustrated, for example, in
A method for making a light capable of producing light with desired color characteristics according to some embodiments is illustrated, for example, in
The foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. These exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. All specific details described are not required in order to practice the described embodiments.
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings, and that by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, one may readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.
The detailed description section is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The summary and abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the claims.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan.
The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.
