Energy efficiency has become an area of interest for energy consuming devices. One class of energy consuming devices is lighting devices. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) show promise as energy efficient light sources for lighting devices. But control over light output by lighting devices that use LEDs or similar light sources can be an issue, particularly in implementations that demand versatility with respect to light output distribution and/or spectrum output.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a lighting assembly includes a light guide including: a first major surface; a second major surface opposed the first major surface; at least one light input edge extending between the first major surface and the second major surface, the first major surface and the second major surface configured to propagate light input to the light guide through the at least one light input edge therebetween by total internal reflection, the at least one light input edge including a first light input region and a second light input region; a first light guide region including first light extracting elements at at least one of the major surfaces, the first light guide region configured to extract light input to the light guide through the first light input region; and a second light guide region including second light extracting elements at at least one of the major surfaces, the second light guide region configured to extract light input to the light guide through the second light input region; a light source adjacent the at least one light input edge, the light source including a first light source segment of solid-state light emitters and a second light source segment of solid-state light emitters, the first light source segment arranged to input light through the first light input region and into the first light guide region, the second light source segment arranged to input light through the second light input region and into the second light guide region, the first light source segment and the second light source segment independently controllable to control an illumination state of the solid-state light emitters.
In some embodiments, an ON/OFF state of the first light source segment is controlled independent of the ON/OFF state of the second light source segment.
In some embodiments, the first light source segment is dimmable independent of the second light source segment.
In some embodiments, an ON/OFF state of the respective solid-state light emitters within the first light source segment are controlled independent of one another and an ON/OFF state of the respective solid-state light emitters within the second light source segment are controlled independent of one another.
In some embodiments, respective solid-state light emitters within the first light source segment are dimmable and respective solid-state light emitters within the second light source segment are dimmable.
In some embodiments, the lighting assembly further includes a controller configured to selectively control the illumination state of the solid-state light emitters of first light source segment and the second light source segment.
In some embodiments, each of the solid-state light emitters emit light have nominally the same spectrum.
In some embodiments, the solid-state light emitters of the first light guide segment emit light at a different spectrum than the second group of solid-state light emitters.
In some embodiments, the solid-state light emitters of the first group emit light at different respective spectrums.
In some embodiments, the first light source segment includes solid-state light emitters configured to emit light at about 400 nm to about 500 nm, and the second light source segment includes solid-state light emitters configured to emit light at about 600 nm to about 700 nm.
In some embodiments, the first light extracting elements of the first light guide region are configured to output light in a first light output distribution, and the second light extracting elements of the second light guide region are configured to output light in a second light output distribution different than the first light output distribution.
In some embodiments, the first light extracting elements of the first light guide region and the light extracting elements of the second light guide region are configured to output light in nominally the same light output distribution.
In some embodiments, the light guide includes a slot at least partially separating the first light guide region and the second light guide region. In some embodiments, the lighting assembly further includes a reflective material disposed in the slot.
In some embodiments, the light guide includes light guide segments, one of the light guide segments includes the first light guide region and another of the light guide segments includes the second light guide region.
In some embodiments, the first light guide region is adjacent the second light guide region, and each of the first light guide region and the second light guide region extend from the light input edge to an end edge opposite the light input edge.
In some embodiments, the first light guide region at least partially surrounds the second light guide region.
In some embodiments, the first light guide region at least partially overlaps the second light guide region.
In some embodiments, the lighting assembly further includes a housing configured to retain the light guide, wherein the light guide is removably attached to the housing.
In some embodiments, the lighting assembly further includes a cover element adjacent one of the major surfaces of the light guide, the cover element including a first cover element region aligned with the first light guide region and a second cover element region aligned with the second light guide region, at least one of the first and second cover element regions configured to impart an optical modifying characteristic to the light extracted from the light guide.
Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. In this disclosure, angles of incidence, reflection, and refraction and output angles are measured relative to the normal to the surface (e.g., the major surface).
The present disclosure sets forth lighting assemblies that may provide versatility with respect to light output distribution and/or spectrum output. This may make the lighting assemblies of the present disclosure particularly applicable to implementations where such versatility is needed. One exemplary implementation is in the area of plant growth (i.e., grow lights), where lighting assemblies of the present disclosure may be controlled to provide different light output distributions and/or spectrum output during different stages of plant growth and development, and/or during different times of the day. Another example is in the medical field (e.g., an examination room or operating room), where lighting assemblies of the present disclosure may be controlled to provide, for example, a diffuse warm light output distribution throughout the room; and may also be controlled to provide, for example, a more directional distribution of cooler light that can be used to provide lighting during examinations and other tasks that require higher levels of lighting. Other examples include implementations of general or architectural lighting (e.g., a conference room), where lighting assemblies of the present disclosure may be controlled to provide different light output distributions depending on how the meeting room is being utilized (e.g., a presentation, a board meeting, etc.).
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a lighting assembly includes a light guide including a first major surface; a second major surface opposed the first major surface; at least one light input edge extending between the first major surface and the second major surface, the first major surface and the second major surface configured to propagate light input to the light guide through the at least one light input edge therebetween by total internal reflection, the at least one light input edge including a first light input region and a second light input region; a first light guide region including first light extracting elements at at least one of the major surfaces, the first light guide region associated with the first light input region and configured to extract light input to the light guide through the first light input region; and a second light guide region including second light extracting elements at at least one of the major surfaces, the second light guide region associated with the second light input region and configured to extract light input to the light guide through the second light input region; a light source adjacent the at least one light input edge, the light source including a first light source segment of solid-state light emitters and a second light source segment of solid-state light emitters, the first light source segment arranged to input light through the first light input region and into the first light guide region, the second light source segment arranged to input light through the second light input region and into the second light guide region, the first light source segment and the second light source segment independently controllable to control an illumination state of the solid-state light emitters.
With initial reference to
At least one edge surface extends between the major surfaces 106, 108 of the light guide in the thickness direction. The total number of edge surfaces depends on the configuration of the light guide. In the case where the light guide is rectangular (e.g., as exemplified in
In the embodiment shown in
With continued reference to
The light source 104 may include one or more solid-state light emitters 118. The solid-state light emitters 118 constituting the light source 104 are arranged linearly or in another suitable pattern depending on the shape of the light input edge of the light guide 102 to which the light source 104 supplies light. Exemplary solid-state light emitters 118 include such devices as LEDs, laser diodes, and organic LEDs (OLEDs). In an embodiment where the solid-state light emitters 118 are LEDs, the LEDs may be top-fire LEDs or side-fire LEDs, and may be broad spectrum LEDs (e.g., white light emitters) or LEDs that emit light of a desired color or spectrum (e.g., red light, green light, blue light, or ultraviolet light), or a mixture of broad-spectrum LEDs and LEDs that emit narrow-band light of a desired color. In one embodiment, the solid-state light emitters 118 emit light with no operably-effective intensity at wavelengths greater than 500 nanometers (nm) (i.e., the solid-state light emitters 118 emit light at wavelengths that are predominantly less than 500 nm). In some embodiments, the solid-state light emitters 118 constituting light source 104 all generate light having the same nominal spectrum. The term “nominally” as used herein encompasses variations of one or more parameters that fall within acceptable tolerances in design and/or manufacture. In other embodiments, at least some of the solid-state light emitters 118 constituting light source 104 generate light that differs in spectrum from the light generated by the remaining solid-state light emitters 118. For example, the light source may include light source segments including groupings of solid-state light emitters, each of the solid-state light emitters in a given light source segment generating a particular spectrum that may be different from the particular spectrum generated by the solid-state light emitters of another one of the light source segments. In another example, the light source may include light source segments including groupings of solid-state light emitters, wherein at least a portion of the solid-state light emitters within a given light source segment may generate light at a spectrum that is different than the other solid-state light emitters within the given light source segment. As described in more detail below, the light source segments and the solid-state light emitters within the respective light source segments may be controlled by controller 121.
The lighting assembly 100 may include one or more additional components. For example, although not specifically shown in detail, in some embodiments of the lighting assembly, the light source 104 includes structural components to retain the solid-state light emitters 118. In the example shown in
The lighting assembly 100 may include a housing 122 for retaining the light source 104 and the light guide 102. The housing 122 may retain a heat sink or may itself function as a heat sink. In some embodiments, the lighting assembly 100 includes a mounting mechanism to mount the lighting assembly to a retaining structure (e.g., a ceiling, a wall, etc.). For example,
The lighting assembly 100 may include a reflector (not shown) adjacent at least a portion of at least one of the major surfaces 106, 108. The reflector may be a specular reflector, a diffuse reflector, or a patterned reflector. The light extracted through the major surface adjacent the reflector may be reflected by the reflector, re-enter the light guide 102 at the major surface, and be output from the light guide 102 through the other major surface.
With continued reference to
Each light extracting element 124 functions to disrupt the total internal reflection of the light propagating in the light guide and incident thereon. In one embodiment, the light extracting elements 124 reflect light toward the opposing major surface so that the light exits the light guide 102 through the opposing major surface. Alternatively, the light extracting elements 124 transmit light through the light extracting elements 124 and out of the major surface of the light guide 102 having the light extracting elements 124. In another embodiment, both types of light extracting elements 124 are present. In yet another embodiment, the light extracting elements 124 reflect some of the light and refract the remainder of the light incident thereon, and therefore the light extracting elements 124 are configured to extract light from the light guide 102 through one or both of the major surfaces 106, 108.
Exemplary light extracting elements 124 include light-scattering elements, which are typically features of indistinct shape or surface texture, such as printed features, ink-jet printed features, selectively-deposited features, chemically etched features, laser etched features, and so forth. Other exemplary light extracting elements 124 include features of well-defined shape, such as grooves (e.g., V-grooves and/or truncated V-grooves) that are recessed into or protrude from the major surface. Other exemplary light extracting elements 124 include micro-optical elements, which are features of well-defined shape that are small relative to the linear dimensions of the major surfaces 106, 108. The smaller of the length and width of a micro-optical element is less than one-tenth of the longer of the length and width (or circumference) of the light guide 102 and the larger of the length and width of the micro-optical element is less than one-half of the smaller of the length and width (or circumference) of the light guide 102. The length and width of the micro-optical element is measured in a plane parallel to the major surface 106, 108 of the light guide 102 for planar light guides or along a surface contour for non-planar light guides 102.
Light extracting elements 124 of well-defined shape (e.g., the above-described grooves and micro-optical elements) are shaped to predictably reflect and/or refract the light propagating in the light guide 102. In some embodiments, at least one of the light extracting elements 124 is an indentation (depression) of well-defined shape in the major surface 106, 108. In other embodiments, at least one of the light extracting elements 124 is a protrusion of well-defined shape from the major surface 106, 108. The light extracting elements of well-defined shape have distinct surfaces on a scale larger than the surface roughness of the major surfaces 106, 108. Light extracting elements of well-defined shape exclude features of indistinct shape or surface textures, such as printed features of indistinct shape, ink-jet printed features of indistinct shape, selectively-deposited features of indistinct shape, and features of indistinct shape wholly formed by chemical etching or laser etching.
The light extracting elements 124 are configured to extract light in a defined intensity profile (e.g., a uniform intensity profile) and with a defined light ray angle distribution from one or both of the major surfaces 106, 108. In this disclosure, intensity profile refers to the variation of intensity with regard to position within a light-emitting region (such as the major surface or a light output region of the major surface). The term light ray angle distribution is used to describe the variation of the intensity of light with ray angle (typically a solid angle) over a defined range of light ray angles. In an example in which the light is emitted from an edge-lit light guide, the light ray angles can range from −90° to +90° relative to the normal to the major surface. Each light extracting element 124 of well defined shape includes at least one surface configured to refract and/or reflect light propagating in the light guide 102 and incident thereon such that the light is extracted from the light guide. Such surface(s) is also herein referred to as a light-redirecting surface.
Exemplary micro-optical element shapes include cones, truncated cones, pyramids, truncated pyramids, and football shapes.
With continued reference to
In the embodiments shown, the sizes of the respective light guide regions are nominally the same. In other embodiments, the light guide regions of the light guide may be different respective sizes. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown, the respective light guide regions are shown at the major surface as rectangular regions. In other embodiments (e.g., such as those shown in
In some embodiments, the light guide is a single (e.g., monolithic) element in which adjacent light guide regions abut one another. In the exemplary embodiments shown in
The light guide 102 may be configured such that the majority of light input to a given light guide region will propagate in and be extracted from that given light guide region. As an example, the light input regions of the light guide may include light input features (e.g., lenticular elements, not shown) in order to focus/direct the light in a given manner within an associated light guide region. As another example, the light extracting elements 124 of a given light guide region may be arranged to extract light input to the given light guide region (e.g., light propagating within a defined range of angles relative to perpendicular to the light input edge), while not extracting light crossing from one light guide region to another (e.g., light propagating outside a define range of angles relative to perpendicular to the light input edge). In some embodiments, at least 80% of the light input to a given light guide region is extracted from light extracting elements present in the given light guide region. In another example, at least 90% of the light input to a given light guide region is extracted from light extracting elements present in the given light guide region.
With reference to
Although not specifically shown, in some embodiments, one or more of the light guide segments 103A, 103B, 103C shown in
As exemplified in the embodiments shown in
As described above, the light source 104 includes solid-state light emitters 118. In the embodiments shown, the light source 104 includes light source segments, each light source segment associated with a given light guide region and having a grouping of one or more solid-state light emitters 118 that may be controlled (e.g., by the controller 121) to input light into a given light input region. In the example shown in
Light emitted from a given light source segment may be incident a respective one of the light input regions, may enter the light guide, and may be emitted from the associated light guide region. For example, if the light source segment 104A of solid-state light emitters associated with light guide region 102A is controlled to emit light into the light guide, light may enter the light guide through the light input segment 110A of the input edge and propagate in the light guide region 102A where it is extracted from the light guide in a light output distribution defined by the light extracting elements in region 102A.
The controller 121 of the lighting assembly may be configured to selectively control the illumination state of the solid-state light emitters 118. As an example, the controller may selectively control the ON/OFF state of the solid-state light emitters 118. In some embodiments, the controller may control the ON/OFF state of the respective light source segments independent of one another. For example, with reference to
The lighting assemblies of the present disclosure may provide versatility with respect to the light output therefrom. In some embodiments, such versatility may be at least in part provided by different light output distributions that may be provided by the different light guide regions, together with control of the light source (e.g., provided by the controller 121).
The light extracting elements 124 of each respective light guide region are configured to output light in a defined light output distribution. In some embodiments, the defined light output distribution for a given light guide region may be different than the light output distribution for one or more of the other respective light guide regions. In an example, each respective light guide region may be configured to output light in a defined light output distribution different from the other light guide regions. Control of the light source segments via the controller 121 may provide different respective light output distributions being emitted from the lighting assembly.
For example, each light guide region may be configured to produce a specific distribution that can be used by itself, or the respective distributions from multiple light guide regions can be collectively utilized by illuminating more than one light guide region. In an example, light guide region 102A may provide a relatively narrow output distribution; light guide region 102B may provide an output distribution that is wider than the output distribution of light guide region 102A; and light guide region 102C may provide an output distribution that is wider than the output distribution of either of light guide regions 102A or 102B. If a narrow light output distribution is desired, the light source may be controlled by the controller to only emit light from the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A associated with region 102A. If a wide light output distribution is desired, the light source may be controlled by the controller to only emit light from the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104C associated with region 102C; or may be controlled to emit light from all three light source segments 104A, 104B 104C so as to illuminate all three regions (to collectively produce the light output distribution). Hence, the regions can be utilized in an individual or collective manner.
One exemplary implementation of such a lighting assembly is in the context of general lighting for a room, where the lighting assembly can provide different light output distributions depending on how the room is being utilized. For example, the lighting assembly used as an overhead light in a conference room may provide a narrow light output distribution focused on an object such as the conference table (e.g., which may be suitable during a presentation), and may provide a wide light output distribution for ambient lighting in the room (e.g., which may be suitable during a general meeting).
In some embodiments, each of the solid-state light emitters 118 of the light source 104 emit light having nominally the same spectrum. Accordingly, nominally the same spectrum of light may be input to the respective light guide regions. In one example, nominally the same spectrum of light may be emitted from the respective light guide regions, and the regions may provide different respective light output distributions. Control of the light source segments may result in different light output distributions of light.
In other embodiments, the solid-state light emitters 118 of the light source 104 may have different respective emission spectrums. In one example, each of the solid-state light emitters in a given light source segment may emit light having nominally the same spectrum, and the spectrum of a given light source segment (e.g., segment 104A) may be different than the spectrum of one or more of the other light source segments (e.g., segment 104B and segment 104C). Control of the light source segments may result in light of different respective spectra being output from different light guide segments. In another example, the solid-state light emitters within a given light source segment may have different respective spectrums, and the solid-state light emitters for a given light source segment may be controlled to vary the spectrum of light emitted and input to a given light guide region.
Accordingly, the versatility provided by the lighting assembly may be at least in part be provided by different output spectrums of the light source segments, together with control of the light source (e.g., provided by the controller 121).
In some embodiments, the respective light output distributions for the light guide regions may be nominally the same, and control of the light source segments may result in light of different respective spectrums being output from different light guide regions. For example, the solid-state light emitters of the first light source segment may emit light having a first spectrum; the solid-state light emitters of the second light source segment may emit light having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and the solid-state light emitters of the third light source segment may emit light having a third spectrum different than the first spectrum and the second spectrum. With exemplary reference to
In other embodiments, control of the different output spectrums may be provided in combination with control of the different light output distributions. The respective light output distributions for the light guide regions may differ from one another, and control of the light source segments may result in light of different respective spectrums being output from different light guide regions, the light guide regions providing different light output distributions. In examples where each of the solid-state light emitters in a given light source segment may emit light having nominally the same spectrum and the spectrum of a given light source segment is different than the spectrum of other light source segments, a particular color temperature (spectrum) may be associated with a given output distribution. For example, a light source segment that emits cool light may be associated with a light guide region that provides a narrow light output distribution; and a light source segment that emits warm light may be associated with a light guide region that provides a wide light output distribution. In examples where the solid-state light emitters in a given light source segment differ from one another with respect to output spectrum, the individual solid-state light emitters of a given light source segment may be controlled by the controller to input light having one of several possible spectrums into the light guide region (e.g., by turning ON or OFF individual solid-state light emitters 118 within the given light source segment).
One exemplary implementation of a lighting assembly providing varied output spectrum and light output distribution is in the context of grow lights (e.g., for plant growth), where the lighting assembly may provide different light output distributions and/or spectrum output during different stages of plant growth and development, and/or during different times of the day. As an example, multiple types of solid-state light emitters including monochromatic, phosphor-converted, and various mixes of the two may be provided in each light source segment in order to tune the spectrum of emitted light such as to elicit an optimized plant growth response. Some commonly used monochromatic wavelengths used for plant growth response are 450 nm, 660 nm, and 730 nm. The different light guide regions may also provide narrower or wider distributions of this output light, depending on the size/development stage of the plants.
Another exemplary implementation of a lighting assembly providing varied output spectrum and light output distribution is in the context of an examination room or operating room (e.g., in the medical field), where the lighting assembly may provide a diffuse warm light output distribution throughout the room; and may also be used to provide a more directional distribution of cooler light that can be used to provide lighting during examinations and other tasks that require focused lighting.
As described above, the lighting assembly may include a housing that retains the light guide. In some embodiments, the light guide may be mechanically fixed to and retained by the housing such that the light input edge is adjacent the solid-state light emitters. As an example, the light guide may be fixedly attached to the housing by a fastener such as one or more screws.
In other embodiments, and with reference to
In the example shown in
In an example, the lighting assembly having interchangeable light guides or light guide segments could be designed with different light guide lengths for the grow light applications. Shorter light guides with narrow distributions could be used for early stages of plant growth. Longer light guides with wide distributions could be used for later growth stages to provide light over the larger surface area of the plants.
In some embodiments, although not specifically shown, the housing may also provide the ability to rotate the light guide segments with respect to one another to further enhance the ability to meet distribution requirements. For example, with reference to
In some embodiments of the lighting assembly 100 such as that shown in
Of course, in other embodiments, the lighting assembly can be used in any other suitable orientation (e.g., horizontal or angled) depending on the particular application. As an example, the lighting assembly may be used in a troffer or by itself in a horizontal or angled arrangement where a mounting mechanism may mount the lighting assembly to the retaining structure (e.g., ceiling or wall). In some embodiments, the lighting assembly oriented in the horizontal or angled arrangement may include a reflector to redirect light exiting one of the surfaces (e.g., the top surface) back through the light guide.
Turning now to
With specific reference to
The configuration of the light guide regions, configuration of the light source segments, and control of the lighting assembly shown in
As shown, the slots 142 partially extend between the input edge and the center of the circle. The slots may minimize light crossing over into an adjacent light guide region. In the embodiment shown, a slot 142 between adjacent light guide regions may be embodied as an air gap. Light input to and propagating in a given light guide region that is incident the edge surface adjacent the slot may internally reflect and continue to propagate in the region. In some embodiments, an element such as a reflector or material having a different refractive index than the light guide regions may be disposed therein to redirect extracted light back into the light guide region.
The configuration of the light guide regions, configuration of the light source segments, and control of the lighting assembly shown in
In some embodiments, the lighting assembly 100 may include a cover element adjacent one of the major surfaces 106, 108 of the light guide. The cover element may increase the versatility of the lighting assembly by modifying the light output from one or more of the light guide regions.
The cover element may be a solid article of manufacture (e.g., a substrate) made from, for example, polycarbonate, poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), glass, or other appropriate material; and may include a first major surface 172 and a second major surface 174 opposite the first major surface. A major surface 172, 174 of the cover element may be located adjacent one of the major surfaces 106, 108 of the light guide 102. At least one edge surface extends between the major surfaces 172174 of the cover element (e.g., in the thickness direction 119). The total number of edge surfaces depends on the configuration of the cover element 170. The configuration of the cover element may correspond to the configuration of the light guide such that a major surface of the cover element conforms to the shape of the adjacent major surface of the light guide. For example, in the case where the light guide is rectangular (
As shown in
As exemplified by the embodiment shown in
In the embodiments shown in
Although not specifically shown, in some embodiments where light is extracted from both major surfaces 106, 108 of the light guide, the lighting assembly may include at least two cover elements, one cover element adjacent the major surface 106 and another cover element adjacent the major surface 108. In some embodiments, the cover elements may be the same. In other embodiments, the cover elements may differ, for example, with respect to the optical modifying characteristic(s) imparted to the light passed therethrough.
In embodiments described above, the light guide regions of the light guide may be arranged adjacent one another. In other embodiments such as that shown in
The lighting assembly 100 includes a first light source segment 104A located at side edge 110 and a second light source segment 104B located at side edge 116. In the example shown, side edges 110 and 116 are perpendicular to one another. The first light source segment 104A is associated with first light guide region 102A and the second light source segment 104B is associated with the second light guide region 102B. But due to the arrangement of the regions, light input to the light guide region 102A also propagates in the light guide region 102B. Also, light input to the light guide from light source segment 104B must pass through light guide region 102A to reach light guide region 102B.
As shown in
The light source segments may be controlled by the controller 121 in a manner similar to that described above. As an example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B. This may illuminate the light guide region 102A surrounding the arrow, but the arrow region 102B itself may not be illuminated. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A. This may illuminate the arrow region 102B, but not the light guide region 102A surrounding the arrow region. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of both light source segment 104A and 104B. This may illuminate both the arrow region 102B and the region 102A surrounding the arrow region.
In some embodiments, the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B may emit light having a different spectrum than the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A. As an example, the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B may emit red light, whereas the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A may emit white light. Accordingly, turning ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B may result in illuminating a red arrow and turning ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A may result in illumination a white region surrounding the arrow.
The light source segments may be controlled by the controller 121 in a manner similar to that described above. Furthermore, the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B may emit light having a different spectrum (e.g., red) than the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A (e.g., white). As an example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B. This may illuminate the region surrounding the arrow, as well as the arrow region with white light. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104B, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A. This may illuminate the arrow region with red light, but not the region surrounding the arrow region. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of both light source segment 104A and 104B. This may illuminate both the arrow region in red and the region surrounding the arrow region in white.
The light source segments may be controlled by the controller 121 in a manner similar to that described above. Furthermore, the solid-state light emitters of the respective light source segment may emit light having different respective spectrums. As an example, light source segment 104A may emit red light, light source segment 104B may emit yellow light, and light source segment 104C may emit blue light. The controller may control operation of the light source segments to obtain a light output having a desired spectrum. For example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segments 104B and 104C. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of light source segments 104B and 104C, and may keep OFF the solid-state light emitters of light source segment 104A. This may provide a combined spectrum of light that is output from the lighting assembly. As another example, the controller may turn ON the solid-state light emitters of all of light source segments 104A, 104B, and 104C. The controller may also dim the light source segments and/or control the operation state or dimming of individual solid-state light emitters within the light source segments in order to provide a combined desired output spectrum of the light.
In this disclosure, the phrase “one of” followed by a list is intended to mean the elements of the list in the alterative. For example, “one of A, B and C” means A or B or C. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list is intended to mean one or more of the elements of the list in the alterative. For example, “at least one of A, B and C” means A or B or C or (A and B) or (A and C) or (B and C) or (A and B and C).
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/323,345, filed Apr. 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62323345 | Apr 2016 | US |