VAN DE VEN ANTONY (TH)
| US20190297704A1 | 2019-09-26 | |||
| CN106664765A | 2017-05-10 | |||
| CN106090706A | 2016-11-09 | |||
| US20070115662A1 | 2007-05-24 | |||
| CN107926091A | 2018-04-17 | |||
| US20150312990A1 | 2015-10-29 |
| Claims 1. A lighting device comprising: a first group of solid state light emitters; and a second group of solid state light emitters, wherein: the first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one first group solid state light emitter, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, the second group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one second group solid state light emitter, each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm. 2. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string. 3. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string. 4. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 470 run to about 510 nm. 5. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 480 nm to about 510 nm. 6. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 586 nm to about 670 nm. 7. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 586 nm to about 600 nm. 8. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, the lighting device is capable of emitting white light or near-white light. 9. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device is capable of emitting white light or near-white light. 10. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, the lighting device is capable of emitting light of a color temperature, or correlated color temperature, of not greater than about 3,000 K exits the lighting device. 11. The lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device is capable of emitting light of a color temperature, or correlated color temperature, of not greater than 3,000 K. 12. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a full width at half maximum of at least about 60 nm. 13. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters. 14. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device. 15. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, a sum of light emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. 16. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in at least a first of the lighting device settings, the lighting device emits light that has a first amel,v value, in at least a second of the lighting device settings, the lighting device emits light that has a second amel,v value, and the second amel,v value is at least 1.2 times the first amel,v value. 17. The lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein the plurality of lighting device settings comprise a substantially continuous range of amel,v value settings. 18. The lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one other lighting device setting, in which the lighting device emits light that has an amel,v value that is between the first amel,v value and the second amel,v value. 19. The lighting device as recited in claim 16, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, in said second lighting device setting, the lighting device emits light that has a CRI Ra of at least 70. 20. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a color temperature, or a correlated color temperature, of at least 5,000 K. 21. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a color temperature, or a correlated color temperature, of at least 7,500 K. 22. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, the lighting device is capable of emitting white light or near- white light. 23. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device. 24. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. 25. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters and the third group of solid state light emitters. 26. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string. 27. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string. 28. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string. 29. The lighting device as recited in claim 20, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string. 30. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 nm to about 535 nm. 31. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of not greater than about 515 nm. 32. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of not greater than about 525 nm. 33. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device. 34. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. 35. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters and the third group of solid state light emitters. 36. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string. 37. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string. 38. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string. 39. The lighting device as recited in claim 30, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string. 40. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, a fourth group of solid state light emitters and a fifth group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, the fourth group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one fourth group solid state light emitter, the fifth group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one fifth group solid state light emitter, each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light that is about 6500K, each of the fourth group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 615 nm to about 635 nm, and each of the fifth group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 nm to about 535 nm. 41. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of not greater than about 490 nm. 42. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device. 43. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. 44. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters, the fourth group of solid state light emitters and the fifth group of solid state light emitters. 45. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string, a third string, a fourth string and a fifth string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string, each of the fourth group of solid state light emitters is on the fourth string, and each of the fifth group of solid state light emitters is on the fifth string. 46. The lighting device as recited in claim 40, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and at least one ratio equal to a quantity of one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth groups of solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of another of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth groups solid state light emitters on the first string differs from said ratio on the second string. 47. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least one additional group of solid state light emitters, the additional group of solid state light emitters selected from among: a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a color temperature in the range of about 1,200 K to about 10,00K with Duv from the blackbody curve not greater than 0.01 ; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 630 nm to about 750 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 610 nm to about 630 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 595 nm to about 610 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 550 nm to about 595 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 510 nm to about 550 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 run; and a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 380 nm to about 430 nm. 48. The lighting device as recited in claim 47, wherein upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, and the at least one additional group of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device. 49. The lighting device as recited in claim 47, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, and the at least one additional group of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. 50. The lighting device as recited in claim 47, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string. 51. The lighting device as recited in claim 47, wherein: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string. 52. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, and changes in a local time of day. 53. The lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation. 54. The lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 55. The lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein: the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 56. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, changes in a geographical location of the lighting device, and changes in a time of day. 57. The lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation. 58. The lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 59. The lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein: the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 60. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, changes in a geographical location of the lighting device, changes in a time of year, and changes in a time of day. 61. The lighting device as recited in claim 60, wherein at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation. 62. The lighting device as recited in claim 60, wherein: the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 63. The lighting device as recited in claim 60, wherein: the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. 64. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first amel,v value and a first color point, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second amel,v value and a second color point, the distance between the second color point and the first color point is not more than 0.005, and the second amel,v value is at least 1.2 times the first amel,v value. 65. The lighting device as recited in claim 64, wherein: in a third setting, the lighting device emits light that has a third amel,v value and a third color point, the distance between the third color point and the first color point is not more than 0.005, and the third amel,v value is at least 1.3 times the first amel,v value. 66. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first amel,v value and that creates a first visual effect, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second amel,v value and that creates a second visual effect, and the second visual effect differs from the first visual effect. 67. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that is perceived as white or near- white and that has a first amel,v value, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that is perceived as white or near-white and that has a second amel,v value, and the second amel,v value is at least 1.2 times the first amel,v value. 68. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least a first sensor. 69. The lighting device as recited in claim 68, wherein the first sensor senses a color point of light emitted from the lighting device. 70. The lighting device as recited in claim 68, wherein the first sensor is configured to provide information from which an amel,v value of light emitted from the lighting device can be determined. 71. The lighting device as recited in claim 68, wherein the first sensor is a temperature sensor. 72. The lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in at least a first of the lighting device settings, the current supplied to the second group of solid state light emitters is at least 2.5 times the current supplied to the first group of solid state light emitters, and the CRI Ra of light exiting the lighting device is less than 90. 73. A method, comprising: supplying current to at least a first group of solid state light emitters and a second group of solid state light emitters in a lighting device, the first group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one first group solid state light emitter and the second group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one second group solid state light emitter, so that each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm. 74. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method further comprises adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device. 75. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein: the lighting device comprises a plurality of lighting device settings, the plurality of lighting device settings comprises at least a first lighting device setting and a second lighting device setting, in the first lighting device setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first amel,v value, in the second lighting device setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second amel,v value, the second amel,v value is at least 1.05 times the first amel,v value, the method comprises changing the lighting device from the first lighting device setting to the second lighting device setting, which results in adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter selected from among the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters. 76. The method as recited in claim 75, wherein: the second amel,v value is at least 1.20 times the first amel,v value. 77. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein: the lighting device comprises a plurality of lighting device settings, the method further comprises adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device, and said adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter selected from among the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters is performed automatically by the lighting device in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, and changes in a local time of day. 78. The method as recited in claim 77, wherein at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation. 79. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method further comprises: the lighting device receiving a request from a user, the request comprising at least one feature selected from among a desired degree of melanopsin activation and a desired visual effect, the lighting device transmitting an outgoing signal to a processor, the outgoing signal comprising the request from the user, the lighting device receiving from the processor an incoming signal comprising instructions, the instructions causing the lighting device to adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device in order to provide the at least one feature. 80. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request. 81. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein: the outgoing signal further comprises the location of the lighting device, and the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request, the current time of day, and the location of the lighting device. 82. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein: the outgoing signal further comprises the location of the lighting device, and the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request, the current time of day, the current time of year, and the location of the lighting device. 83. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the outgoing signal further comprises the current spectral flux of cunent ambient light at the lighting device. 84. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the outgoing signal further comprises the current spectral flux of ambient light at the lighting device. 85. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein: the outgoing signal further comprises information regarding a number of strings on the lighting device and characteristics of the solid state light emitters on each string in the lighting device, said characteristics comprising respective radiant fluxes of solid state light emitters upon being supplied with current of different magnitudes. 86. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the outgoing signal and the incoming signal both travel through the internet. 87. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the processor is remote from the lighting device. 88. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the processor is directly connected to the lighting device. 89. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the processor comprises a database that contains data that is capable of being used in calculating adjustments to current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device needed in order to satisfy at least one user request. 90. The method as recited in claim 79, wherein the desired feature consists of a lighting device output previously provided. 91. The method as recited in claim 90, wherein the lighting device output previously provided comprises information regarding the magnitudes of current supplied to solid state light emitters and/or strings. 92. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method further comprises the lighting device automatically adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device based on at least one of a change in current time of day, a change in current time of year, and a change in a geographical location of the lighting device. 93. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method comprises illuminating at least one animal or at least one plant with light emitted from the lighting device. 94. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method comprises adjusting an amel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining a current color point of light being emitted from the lighting device within a distance of 0.005 from an initial color point. 95. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method comprises adjusting an amel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining a specific visual effect. 96. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein the method comprises adjusting an amel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining light being emitted from the lighting device perceived as white or perceived as near-white. 97. The method as recited in claim 73, wherein a sum of light being emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light being emitted from the lighting device. |
Cross-reference to Related
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,025, filed December 31, 2020 (the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference).
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lighting devices that comprise solid state light emitters, systems that comprise such lighting devices, methods that comprise supplying current to solid state light emitters in lighting devices, and components for such lighting devices and lighting systems.
Background
As ASHRAE guidelines stated (ASHRAE, 2010), since people spend about 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, and studies have indicated that a range of comfort and health related effects are linked to characteristics of the building, there has been a growth in interest in both academic and practitioner literature on occupant health and building design.
Research indicates that the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and well-being is complicated. A range of indoor factors such as thermal, visual, acoustic, and chemical can impact the well-being of the occupants (Apte et al., 2000, Jantunen et al., 1998, WHO, 2002).
Brief Summary of the Invention
This section (i.e., “Brief Summary of the Invention”) presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Included in this section are some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Visual comfort is very important for well-being and productivity of the occupants in buildings (Leech et al., 2002, Serghides et al., 2015). Several past studies have analyzed the effect of visual comfort on occupant work performance, productivity, comfort and satisfaction (Veitch, 2001). Visual comfort defines lighting conditions and the views from one's workspace. Insufficient light and especially daylight or glare reduces the ability to see objects or details clearly (Leech et al., 2002). Architectural design has a direct impact on office lighting and office lighting has a direct impact on well-being and productivity. The access to natural lighting as well as artificial lighting is essential in order to ensure the well-being of occupants in areas where natural lighting is missing or during evening when the natural lighting fades (Aries et al., 2010).
Visual comfort at work has an impact on comfort after work as well (Chang and Chen, 2005). There are studies that have looked at the impact of visual comfort on sleep quality at home after work. These studies have documented differences in impacts by gender, age, and seasons on the overall discomfort levels and impacts on health (Serghides et al., 2015). Several visual comfort criteria such as view type, view quality and social density have an impact on physical and psychological health of the occupants (Chang and Chen, 2005).
Visual comfort plays such a vital role in the overall productivity, comfort and well-being of the occupants that buildings need to avoid excessive use of artificial lighting yet still maintain some level of optimality (Yun et al., 2012). Studying daylight, artificial lighting, glare and visual comfort together provides a more holistic picture (Van Den Wymelenberg and Inanici, 2014, Huang et al., 2012).
The light spectrum of indoor artificial lighting differs significantly from natural sunlight. Sunlight contains some important wavelengths that affect the human body significantly. In addition, the sunlight spectrum is constantly varying from sunrise to sunset, and this variety affects human moods significantly.
Melanopsin is one of a group of light-sensitive retinal proteins found in mammals. In humans, melanopsin is found in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). ipRGCs are photoreceptor cells that are particularly sensitive to the absorption of short- wavelength (blue) visible light and that communicate information directly to the brain, in particular, to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the brain, also known as the central "body clock", in mammals. At different times of the day, clock genes in the SCN send signals to regulate activity throughout the body.
Melanopsin-containing ganglion cells, like rods and cones, exhibit both light and dark adaptation; they adjust their sensitivity according to the recent history of light exposure. While rods and cones are responsible for the reception of images (as well as patterns, motion, and color), melanopsin-containing ipRGCs contribute to various reflexive responses of the brain and body to light.
Upon sunlight entering a human eye, some of the light (i.e., light of wavelengths for which absorption by melanopsin is high) activates the melanopsin contained in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), triggering an action potential. These neuronal electrical signals travel through neuronal axons to specific brain targets. Stimulation by light of melanopsin in ipRGCs mediates behavioral and physiological responses, including inhibition of melatonin release from the pineal gland (as well as other responses, e.g., pupil constriction). Melanopsin thus plays an important non-image-forming role in the setting of circadian rhythms as well as other functions. Accordingly, the expression “melanopsin activation” (or “activating” or “activate”) relates to suppression of melatonin (i.e., a greater extent of melanopsin activation results in greater suppression of melatonin, and thus a greater degree of alertness).
In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise at least one light emitter that emits light specifically tailored to absorption by melanopsin (i.e., specifically tailored to trigger reflexive responses of the brain and body that are regulated by light reception by melanopsin). In some of such aspects, the devices or systems further comprise one or more light emitters that emit light of wavelength(s) that differ from that of the light emitters tailored to trigger melanopsin absorption, and that provide a desired mixture of light, e.g., light emitters that: allow for adjustment of the overall color point of light emitted from the device or system, enhance overall efficiency of a device or system, allow for wider ranges of light treatments, visual effects, light prescriptions, etc. For example, in some embodiments, there are provided at least first and second groups of solid state light emitters, one of the groups emitting light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm (this light being specifically tailored to absorption by melanopsin), the at least one other group emitting light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm.
A number of so-called "circadian lighting" products are on the market that provide for color temperature adjustment. In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, merely providing for color temperature adjustment is completely inadequate in comparison with the performance provided by devices, systems and methods in accordance with the present invention (e.g., some embodiments simulate, approximate or change in sync with more features of sunlight spectra, etc.).
In many conventional white lights, there is a wavelength range of low points in the emission spectrum chart (spectral flux vs. wavelength) between a blue peak and a yellow peak. In many cases, the wavelength range of low points coincides with wavelengths that contribute significantly to melanopsin activation. Some embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide light emission that fills more of the emission spectrum chart between the blue peak and the yellow peak, and that provides excellent melanopsin activation.
In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a more comprehensive true circadian lighting system that simulates specific aspects of sunlight with multiple wavelengths of visible light. Some embodiments provide systems that contain a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., in groups having respective different wavelengths), a series of Bluetooth® multi-channel LED drivers, and a light prescription database (different wavelength combinations for different sunlight simulations, daily activities, special purposes, and/or treatments). In some aspects, the present invention provides hardware and/or software components that are connected, e.g., to a central cloud, and that can be easily adjusted or controlled by an Al central control platform automatically and/or by a user.
A representative example of a daily schedule for a user comprises deepest sleep at 2 am, lowest body temperature at 4:30 am, sharpest blood pressure rise at 6:45 am, melatonin secretion stops (or reaches a significantly low rate) at 7:30 am, bowel movement suppression removed at 8:30 am, highest testosterone secretion at 9 am, highest alertness at 10 am, best coordination at 2:30 pm, fastest reaction time at 3:30 pm, greatest cardiovascular efficiency and muscle strength at 5 pm, highest blood pressure at 6:30 pm, highest body temperature at 7 pm, melatonin secretion starts (or increases significantly) at 9 pm, and bowel movements suppressed at 10:30 pm.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device that comprises at least one light emitter that emits light specifically tailored to melanopsin absorption, the lighting device comprising: a first group of solid state light emitters; and a second group of solid state light emitters, wherein: the first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one first group solid state light emitter, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, the second group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one second group solid state light emitter, each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm. In some of such embodiments, for example, the second group of solid state light emitters can emit light having a dominant wavelength of 480 nm (or about 480 nm); melanopsin photoreceptors are sensitive to a range of wavelengths and reach peak light absorption at blue light wavelengths around 480 nanometers.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: supplying current to at least a first group of solid state light emitters and a second group of solid state light emitters in a lighting device, the first group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one first group solid state light emitter and the second group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one second group solid state light emitter, so that each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm.
In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a lighting system that provides "Full White Light" technology. This "Full White Light" technology contains a plurality of specifically-selected light wavelength distributions. To provide emission that contains the different colors of light, aspects of the present invention also provide new LED components and optical devices for integrating the colors into different lighting fixtures. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, there is provided a driver (e.g., a Bluetooth 5.0 mesh multi-channel LED driver with high resolution (16 bit/65536 steps) PWM dimming function) to control the lighting effect by receiving commands, e.g., from the central cloud.
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, there is provided an innovative "Light Prescription Database." The “Light Prescription Database” contains a plurality of different light prescriptions, i.e., light wavelength combinations (and/or spectra), that: (1) provide desired light phenomena, e.g., a high lumen content within a particular wavelength range (e.g., to activate melanopsin), or a low lumen content within a particular wavelength range (e.g., to minimize melanopsin activation), and/or light that is perceived as white or near-white, and/or light that is within a particular range of temperature or CCT (correlated color temperature), and/or (2) provide spectra similar to (in at least some wavelength ranges) spectra that would be provided in any of a variety of circumstances (e.g., sunrise, high noon, sunset, etc.), and/or (3) simulate any of a variety of visual effects, e.g., sunrise, sunset, martian sun, and/or (4) provide light that is suitable and/or desirable for different people engaged in specific activities, and/or (5) provide light that is effective for controlling or adjusting the mood, energy level or degree of agitation of different people (i.e., a particular effect might be achievable with respective different light prescriptions for different people).
In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, this "Light Prescription Database" can be continually updated, e.g., by adding new light prescriptions (since new light-wavelength related research will always be coming out), and/or by storing combinations of light set by a user. In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, new or updated wavelength combinations are real-time synchronized to lighting systems for users to use.
In various aspects, the present invention provides lighting devices and systems in which one or more of the following are provided (and/or the lighting devices and systems of the present invention automatically provide one or more of the following, and/or are able to efficaciously provide one or more of the following): artificial lighting in interior spaces that is dynamic, with light quantity and CCT both variable during the day in a similar way to natural light; lighting ensures a contribution of short wavelengths (e.g., cool CCT) in at least two phases of the day: in the first half of the morning and in the first half of the afternoon; in periods of lighting with cool CCT, higher lighting levels are used; in moments of relaxation and before the evening, a warm CCT is be used with lower lighting levels; and the circadian stimulation of light is greater in the morning and almost absent as the evening approaches.
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, some of the lighting devices and systems provide smart dynamic lighting, e.g., comprising one or more of the following features (and/or the lighting devices and systems of the present invention automatically provide one or more of the following features, and/or are able to efficaciously provide one or more of the following features): increased lighting levels are provided in an energy-sustainable way, as a result of the greater efficiency of the light emitters, and their smart control as described herein; sensors and/or components in the lighting devices and/or systems detect the characteristics of ambient lighting and human presence, the position of an individual (or individuals), one or more physiological conditions (or any overall physiological assessment) of any individual (or individuals), quantities and quality of light received by an individual (or individuals) during a day (or days); the ability to adjust or control the flow and the CCT of light emission, and/or to adjust or control the direction of light emission, and/or to adjust or control respective directions of portions of light emission, and/or to adjust or control degree of uniformity of direction of light emission (e.g., percentage of collimation, direction of collimation, etc.), as well as the ability to vary the ratio between direct and indirect lighting, thus facilitating visual comfort; and connectable to learning management software (LMS) and/or can be part of a smart home via the Internet of Things.
In addition, bearing in mind that the non-image-forming (NIF) effects of light include circadian effects through the adjustment of melatonin, but also other direct effects on the nervous system, some aspects of the present invention provide devices and systems that focus on relations of the human body (and/or human nature, thinking, etc.) to its/their environment, for example: in some embodiments, lighting cycles to which people are exposed during the day is provided, to avoid disruption of their circadian rhythm, and to avoid negative effects of detraction from the duration and quality of sleep, along with the resulting potential repercussions on health and productivity; in some embodiments, light prescriptions take into account the users’ ages, e.g., for elderly and/or visually impaired people, light prescriptions are provided that are tailored to such individuals’ particular needs (indeed, lighting for the elderly and the visually impaired involves requirements higher than that for normal-sighted people); for normal-sighted people, light prescriptions that are tailored to those individuals are provided; for infants, babies, toddlers, children, youths, adults etc., light prescriptions that are tailored to each are provided; in some embodiments, the quantity and characteristics of the spectral power distribution (SPD) of light can be adjusted or controlled, to influence people's ability to maintain attention and good cognitive performance during the day (and/or at night for persons who do night work); in some embodiments, quantifications of circadian effects of light are performed using the level of light that arrives - on average - to the user's eyes, rather the level of light that arrives on a work surface; in some embodiments, influences of the internal environment are factored into lighting selections, e.g., effects on the real CCT of the light that reaches the eyes (such CCT is generally lower than that of the light emitted from the installed light emitters); in some embodiments, influences of lighting settings on people's assessment of lighting and interior spaces where they are located are factored into lighting selections - in many cases, light settings preferred by individuals show substantial individual-to-individual variations; and in some embodiments, an interface is provided that makes it possible (and in some cases, easy) to customize the lighting.
In some aspects, the present invention provides devices and systems that provide the ability to deliver a variety of light prescriptions (such as to increase activation of melanopsin or to decrease activation of melanopsin), and some of those devices and systems also provide: unexpectedly favorable power efficiency, spectral flux availability, lifetime, color quality (e.g., CRI Ra), vividness, cost, spatial and/or temporal uniformity of emission, closeness to the blackbody curve (Duv, i.e., delta u,v), and/or availability of a range of color temperatures (or correlated color temperatures)(e.g., from 1,000 K to 7,500 K, or even 10,000 K or 15,000 K) or availability of specific wavelengths, and/or unexpectedly favorable control over (and/or ability to adjust) power efficiency, spectral flux, color quality, vividness, spatial and/or temporal uniformity of emission, closeness to the blackbody curve (Duv), and/or availability of a range of color temperatures (or correlated color temperatures)(e.g., from 1,000 K to 7,500 K, or even 10,000 K or 15,000 K) or availability of specific wavelengths, and/or unexpectedly favorable combinations of any of such parameters, e.g., exceptional overall power efficiency while affecting a user’s melanopsin activation according to a specified pattern over a 24-hour time period; or a device that provides the ability to readily adjust and/or control melanopsin activation over a range, and that achieves exceptional CRT Ra over that range (or significant portion(s) of that range), and/or that provides the ability to adjust and/or control color temperature (or correlated color temperature) over a range.
In some aspects, the present invention provides devices and systems that provide specific combinations of wavelengths and intensities (e.g., values that approximate particular plots of spectral flux vs. wavelength) for respective different specific sunlight spectra and specific light treatment spectra.
In any device or system in accordance with the present invention, a database and/or a processor can be built into the device (which also includes at least the first and second groups of solid state light emitters), or either or both of a database and/or a processor can be anywhere else, e.g., remote from the device and connected to the device so as to be able to communicate with the device wirelessly and/or through wire (with some or all of such communication being through the internet, or none of such communication being through the internet). Instead of a single processor, two or more processors can be employed, e.g., tasks (such as calculations) can be divided up (i.e., one or more tasks on one processor, one or more tasks on another processor, etc.). In any case, communication can be provided such that processors and/or databases can be local, remote or any combination.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems in which, with the device connected to a cloud, when (as one representative example) a user enters a visual effect desired by the user, a processor in the cloud calculates currents that, if applied on respective strings (i.e., at the current time of day, at the current time of year, in the location of the device, and/or under ambient conditions currently being sensed), will precisely create the entered visual effect, and those calculated currents are communicated to the device, so that the device applies the prescribed currents to the respective strings and generates the desired visual effect.
In some aspects, the present invention provides devices and systems that comprise LED components of different sizes and shapes, and/or that are capable of delivering "Full White Light" (discussed above) for different lighting fixtures. In some embodiments, vertical chip, eutectic bonding technology, and/or phosphor sheet attachment are employed, and by using such features or combinations of such features, compact multi-color LED components of a variety of sizes and shapes, and with sufficient spectral flux, are obtained.
In some aspects, the present invention provides devices and systems that comprise LED components with optical lenses with a variety of respective different output angles and sizes of optical lens. In some embodiments, microstructure on lens surfaces is provided to enhance extraction efficiency and color mixing effect. In some embodiments, such optical lenses are coupled with specific lighting fixtures to provide unexpectedly favorable color mixing effects while also guaranteeing the final output quality of "Full White Light".
In some aspects, the present invention provides a series of LED multi-channel drivers with dimming technology (e.g., Bluetooth 5.0 Mesh and 16 bits dimming technology), for driving multi-channel lighting fixtures. Among this series of drivers provided by the present invention are drivers that are of small size, include many channels, provide high frequency, provide short responding time, and/or provide capability for data exchange.
As noted above, the present invention also provides databases (e.g., a Light Prescription Database) including a plurality of respective different light wavelength and spectral flux combinations (and sequences of such light outputs, e.g., a sequence in which each member of the sequence can be represented by a spectral flux vs. wavelength plot). Data stored in such databases can include: combinations of lighting controls (e.g., respective currents supplied to different strings of LEDs) resulting from user selections; and/or combinations of lighting controls received from outside sources (e.g., recommendations or spectra “recipes” for providing light treatments, for providing visual effects, for use with specific activities, and/or for providing (or tending to facilitate) specific moods. For example, a user might have a light session in which the user adjusts respective currents supplied to different strings of LEDs, and finally arrives at a combination of respective currents that results in overall light output that the user finds pleasing, and the user can store the combination such that the overall light output can be substantially identically repeated at a later time; likewise, a combination of respective currents that result in a specific overall light output that is desirable for any reason (and/or that achieves a particular function) can be stored in a database, and upon that specific combination (or an effect that includes that combination, or a sequence that includes that combination) being selected, the device emits overall light output that is substantially identical to the selected desirable overall light output. Some of such databases contain a web interface to make it possible (and/or easy) to add new combinations (or sequences of combinations), and/or update already-stored combinations, e.g., continuously. Any of such combinations in a database according to the present invention can be used in the devices and systems of the present invention, e.g., through the cloud. In some embodiments, the most updated spectrum combinations can be matched for different times, schedules, applications, activities, and treatments. Some databases according to the present invention can have an open API to facilitate other LED lighting manufacturers licensing and using the databases. In some instances, calculations are made (e.g., on processors) to account for different specific color outputs of light-emitting components and/or different specific ratios of light-emitting components in terms of their color output in strings in the device.
In some aspects, the present invention provides artificial lighting that is more similar (in at least some ways) to sunlight in any of a number of parameters (and especially combinations of parameters), and to thereby provide important benefits in maintaining human health. In some aspects, the present invention provides specific light wavelengths and/or spectra for specific activities and/or treatments that enhance persons’ performances, keep (or improve) their mood, and maintain their health.
The present invention comprises devices and systems that comprise any of the features of the present invention as described herein, and may be selected from among any of a wide variety of types of devices, e.g., general lighting devices, down lights, panel lights, linear lights, strip lights, etc., and/or can be employed in any desired fixtures.
The devices and systems in accordance with the present invention can be employed in any of a wide range of settings, e.g., in offices, gyms, schools, elder caring centers, hospitals, shopping areas, casinos, restaurants, etc. For example, in a casino, there might be a desire to keep people alert; in a hospital, there might be a desire to manage alertness levels of patients to coincide with the time of day and/or with each other. Exposure to light for night workers can reduce melatonin production and influence sleep quality, with long-term health effects, and in some aspects of the present invention, devices and/or systems are used to ameliorate or eliminate the adverse effects of such shift work. In some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device that can be part of a group of devices that adjust the degree of melanopsin activation in an illuminated area so as to keep persons viewing the illuminated area directly alert (or that influence the alertness levels of persons viewing the illuminated area according to a desired schedule, e.g., a 24-hour routine).
In some aspects of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device that adjusts to user requirements, and that contains a first phosphor LED having a dominant wavelength greater than 586 nm with a full width at half max (FWHM) of at least 40 nm, and a second LED with a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm (in some embodiments, about 470 nm to about 510 nm). Additional LEDs may be provided, including one or more CW and WW PC LEDs (e.g., l,200K to 10,000K, +/-0.01 Duv), deep red LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 630 nm to about 750 nm), red LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 610 nm to about 630 nm), orange LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 595 nm to about 610 nm), yellowish LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 550 nm to about 595 nm), greenish LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 510 nm to about 550 nm), blueish LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm), and/or purplish LEDs (dominant wavelength in the range of from about 380 nm to about 430 nm).
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, different colors or LED types are separated into different strings and attached to drivers such that the power applied to each color can be independently controlled by varying the current flow in the string in any suitable way, e.g., by PWM.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, different LEDs that emit two or more respective colors can be combined into a single string, to reduce complexity and cost, e.g., if less control and less independent power elements are needed.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise LEDs arranged in strings, a power modulation circuit connected to each string, and a power supply to provide power at appropriate levels and amounts for the LEDs. The modulation circuits can be connected and controlled by a logic circuit, typically an MCU, which can vary the amount of power applied to the strings of LEDs. In some embodiments, the power supplied to any of the LEDs can be changed automatically in response to preprogrammed conditions (such as time of day), motion sensing, and/or alarm conditions, and/or can be changed by a user locally or remotely.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that can be caused to emit light with different characteristics, including CCT, spectral flux, color quality (fidelity, vividness), and melatonin activation.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems in which at least a first LED (in a first group of LEDs), e.g., a PC LED that emits light having a dominant wavelength of 586 nm, and at least a second LED (in a second group of LEDs) e.g., an LED that emits light having a dominant wavelength of 480 nm, are adjusted such that the mixtures of themselves, and optionally other LEDs in the device, produce light with 0.03 Duv from the blackbody curve, and the extent to which melanopsin is activated can be varied while maintaining at substantially constant CCT and at least a minimum CRI Ra, to affect persons or animals illuminated or viewing scenes illuminated by the light.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise one or more communication elements so that the device or the system can connect and interrogate or be controlled by remote devices, e.g., bt, wifi, lifi, 3g, 4g, 5g, iot, the cloud, ai devices, and Ml devices.
In some aspects in accordance with the present invention, there are provided devices and systems configured to provide light treatments that are favorable for the care, cultivation and/or breeding of animals or crops (e.g., causing animals to be more alert at times favorable for breeding, to obtain higher productivity, e.g., when milking animals, etc.).
The invention subject matter may be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawing Figures
Fig. 1 depicts a color chart that comprises a first color point region 11, a second color point region 12, a third color point region 13, a fourth color point region 14, and a fifth color point region 15.
Fig. 2 is a plot of spectral flux for a first embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing showing components in a system comprising a wireless enabled controller 31, a router 32, a lighting device 33, a smart phone app 34, and a tablet app 35 (in the form of a building control system).
Fig. 4 depicts a screenshot of an app in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 6 is an overhead view of a lighting device component 60.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two lighting devices 70 (with their covers removed).
Fig. 8 depicts a lighting device component 80.
Fig. 9 schematically depicts a lighting device 90.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show three perspective views of a lighting device in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 13 depicts a plot of spectral flux for a representative example of a first group solid state light emitter for use in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 14 depicts a plot of spectral flux for a representative example of a second group solid state light emitter for use in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The expression “comprises” or “comprising,” as used herein, is used in accordance with its well known usage, and means that the item that “comprises” the recited elements (or that is “comprising” the recited elements) includes at least the recited elements, and can optionally include any additional elements. For example, an item that “comprises a power line” includes at least one power line, i.e., it can include a single power line or a plurality of power lines (and it can additionally include any other components).
Where an expression is defined herein in terms of the meaning of the expression in the singular, the definition applies also to the plural (and vice-versa, i.e., for an expression defined herein in the plural, the definition applies also to the singular). Definitions of one form of an expression apply to the same expression in a different form of the word or words.
The term “plurality,” as used herein, means two or more, i.e., it encompasses two, three, four, five, etc.
The present invention encompasses many combinations of elements and features. The expression “In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein,” or the like, is used in the present specification to introduce elements and/or features of the present invention that can be included or not included in any particular embodiment, i.e., elements and/or features that are not mutually exclusive can be combined in any suitable way. In other words, the present invention encompasses any and all combinations of elements and/or features that are introduced with the expression “In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein,” or the like (and that are not mutually exclusive).
The expression “light” is used herein in accordance with common usage to refer to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength or any combination of wavelengths, and to refer to one or more photon. Accordingly, the expression “light,” as used herein, can refer to visible light or to non-visible light (e.g., visible light, UV light and/or infrared light). The expression “light,” as used herein, can refer to a single photon of a single wavelength, or it can refer to a plurality of photons that may be of the same wavelength, or one or more photons of each of two or more wavelengths.
The expression “accounts for,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “a sum of light emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device”) means that the light emitted from the lighting device comprises at least the specified percentage of the specified light among the entirety of light emitted from the device.
The term “ratio”, as used herein (e.g., in the expression “a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string”) does not require that both of the quantities are necessarily non-zero, i.e., the expression encompasses situations in which the ratio is zero (e.g., where the quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string is zero) and in which the ratio is infinity (e.g., where the quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string is zero).
The term “Duv” (also known as delta u,v) is used herein to refer to the distance from a color point to the nearest color point on the blackbody curve).
The expression “distance between color points” (e.g., the “distance between the second color point and the first color point”) is used herein to refer to the distance, on the 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, between any two color points (i.e., not necessarily one of them being on the blackbody curve), and is given as a numerical value (e.g,. 0.002 or 0.005) (since u and v coordinates do not have units), and is equal to ((u value of the second point minus u value of the first color point) 2 + (v value of the second point minus v value of the first color point) 2 ) 1/2 .
The term “saturated”, as used herein, means having a purity of at least 85%, the term “purity” having a well-known meaning to persons skilled in the art, and procedures for calculating purity being well-known to those of skill in the art.
The expression “perceived as white or near-white” is used herein to refer to light that is perceived by the human eye as being white or near-white.
The expression “outgoing signal” refers to a single transmission or any number of transmissions. For example, information can be sent in a single transmission, or it can be broken into pieces (e.g., packets) and sent in a plurality of transmissions to convey the entire item of information. Similarly, the expression “incoming signal” refers to a single transmission or any number of transmissions. A component can receive a signal from another component via a third component (e.g., where a first component sends a signal to a second component, and the second component sends the signal to a third component, the signal received by the third component can be characterized as an incoming signal from the first component, and/or as an incoming signal from the second component. Similarly, a component can send a signal to another component via a third component (e.g., where a first component sends a signal to a second component, and the second component sends the signal to a third component, the signal sent by the first component can be characterized as an outgoing signal from the first component (or an outgoing signal from the first component to the second component, or an outgoing signal from the first component to the third component).
The expression “wall plug efficiency”, as used herein, is measured in lumens per watt (LPW), and means the lumens exiting a lighting device (resulting from supplying energy to the lighting device, i.e., not including light generated from any other source of energy, e.g., it would not include any electromagnetic radiation generated from the presence of any radioactive material, any phosphorescence resulting from previously supplied energy, etc.), divided by the quantity of energy supplied to the lighting device to create the light, as opposed to values for individual components and/or assemblies of components. Accordingly, wall plug efficiency, as used herein, accounts for all losses, including, among others, any quantum losses, i.e., losses generated in converting line voltage into current supplied to light emitters, the ratio of the number of photons emitted by luminescent material(s) divided by the number of photons absorbed by the luminescent material(s), any Stokes losses, i.e., losses due to the change in frequency involved in the absorption of light and the re-emission of visible light (e.g., by luminescent material(s)), and any optical losses involved in the light emitted by a component of the lighting device actually exiting the lighting device. In some embodiments, the lighting devices in accordance with the present invention provide the wall plug efficiencies specified herein when they are supplied with AC power (i.e., where the AC power is converted to DC power before being supplied to some or all components, the lighting device also experiences losses from such conversion), e.g., AC line voltage. The expression “line voltage” is used in accordance with its well known usage to refer to electricity supplied by an energy source, e.g., electricity supplied from a grid (e.g., to a wall plug), including AC and DC.
The expression “line voltage”, as used herein, refers to any input voltage which is sufficient to allow a device (and/or a power supply) to operate within its normal operating parameters. Such input voltage can be supplied from a power source to a power line, from which power is input to the device or to a device’s power supply. The line voltage can be AC and/or DC voltage, depending on the specific configuration of the device or power supply.
The expression “peak wavelength” (peak λ), is used herein according to its well- known and accepted meaning to refer to the spectral line with the greatest power in the spectral power distribution of a light emitter (or light emitters). Because the human eye does not perceive all wavelengths equally (it perceives yellow and green better than red and blue), and because the light emitted by many solid state light emitters (e.g., LEDs) is actually a range of wavelengths, the color perceived (i.e., the dominant wavelength) is not necessarily equal to (and often differs from) the wavelength with the highest spectral power (peak wavelength).
The expression “dominant wavelength” (dominant λ), is used herein according to its well-known and accepted meaning to refer to the perceived color of a spectrum, i.e., the single wavelength of light which produces a color sensation most similar to the color sensation perceived from viewing light emitted by the light emitter(s) (i.e., it is roughly akin to “hue”).
A truly monochromatic light - such as a laser - has a dominant wavelength which is the same as its peak wavelength.
The term “string”, as used herein, means that at least two solid state light emitters are electrically connected in series
The term “vividness” is used herein in accordance with its well known meaning, and in general relates to the distance of the color point of light from the blackbody curve (color points that are farther from the blackbody curve along a color tie line provide greater vividness).
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are described herein in detail in order to provide exact features of representative embodiments that are within the overall scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to such detail.
Any two or more structural parts of the lighting devices described herein can be integrated. Any structural part of the devices and systems described herein can be provided in two or more parts (which are held together, if necessary). Similarly, any two or more functions can be conducted simultaneously, and/or any function can be conducted in a series of steps.
Each component described herein can be a unitary one-piece structure. In some cases, if suitable, two or more structural parts of the devices described herein can be integrated, and/or a component can be provided in two or more parts (which are held together, if necessary). Similarly, any two or more functions can be conducted simultaneously, and/or any function can be conducted in a series of steps.
In some situations, evaluation of real color rendering of light emitters is carried out using a two-index system able to evaluate both color fidelity and color gamut.
Persons of skill in the art are familiar with, and have ready access to, a wide variety of solid state light emitters, and any suitable solid state light emitter (or solid state light emitters) can be employed in the lighting devices or lighting device elements according to the present invention. Representative examples of solid state light emitters include light emitting diodes (inorganic or organic, including polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs)) and a wide variety of luminescent materials, as well as combinations (e.g., comprising (1) two or more light emitting diodes, (2) two or more luminescent materials, or (3) at least one light emitting diode and at least one luminescent material (i.e., a “phosphor LED”)).
Representative specific examples of light emitting diodes that can be used in lighting devices in accordance with the present invention include InGaN (blue light emitters and green light emitters), and AlInGaP (red light emitters). Representative specific examples of luminescent materials that can be used in lighting devices in accordance with the present invention include YAG (cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, also known as YAG:Ce) and LuAG (lutetium aluminum, also known as LuAG:Ce). A wide variety of luminescent materials are readily available, e.g., as marketed by Intematix Corporation (www. intematix. com) .
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, any of the at least one first group solid state light emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode that emits light of any suitable wavelength or wavelengths. In some of such embodiments: the light emitting diode (or lighting emitting diodes) has a purity of at least 90%, and/or the solid state light emitter(s) comprises at least one luminescent material, and at least 90% of light emitted by the light emitting diode (or light emitting diodes)(in some embodiments, at least 95% of the light, at least 98% of the light, or substantially all of the light) is converted by the luminescent material(s), and/or the light emitting diode (or light emitting diodes) is/are selected from among UV light emitters, infrared light emitters, blue light emitters, and green light emitters, and/or the solid state light emitter(s) comprises YAG luminescent material and red light-emitting luminescent material, and/or the solid state light emitter(s) comprises amber light-emitting luminescent material, and/or the solid state light emitter(s) comprises green light-emitting luminescent material and red light-emitting luminescent material.
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the at least one second group solid state light emitter comprises light emitting diodes that emit light in respective different dominant wavelengths (or wavelength ranges), e.g., one or more second group light emitting diodes emit light having dominant wavelength of about 465 nm (or in the range of from about 460 nm to about 470 nm), and/or one or more second group light emitting diodes emit light having dominant wavelength of about 475 nm (or in the range of from about 470 nm to about 480 nm), and/or one or more second group light emitting diodes emit light having dominant wavelength of about 485 nm (or in the range of from about 480 nm to about 490 nm).
The solid state light emitters in any lighting device according to the present invention can be of any suitable size (or sizes), e.g., and any quantity (or respective quantities) of solid state light emitters of one or more sizes can be employed. In some instances, for example, a greater quantity of smaller solid state light emitters can be substituted for a smaller quantity of larger solid state light emitters, or vice-versa.
As noted above, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising: a first group of solid state light emitters; and a second group of solid state light emitters, wherein: the first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one first group solid state light emitter, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, the second group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one second group solid state light emitter, each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: supplying current to at least a first group of solid state light emitters and a second group of solid state light emitters in a lighting device, the first group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one first group solid state light emitter and the second group of solid state light emitters comprising at least one second group solid state light emitter, so that each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string. In some of such embodiments, two or more strings are provided that have respective ratios (i.e., the quantity of one group of emitters on the string divided by the quantity of another group of emitters on the string) that differ from each other by any selected extent, e.g., to provide much greater control within a smaller color tie line or gamut, the respective ratios can be chosen to be closer (for example, a first embodiment that comprises 11 first group emitters and 4 second group emitters on a first string and 9 first group emitters and 6 second group emitters on a second string, vs. a second embodiment that comprises 20 first group emitters on a first string and 10 second group emitters on a second string.
In another embodiment, where seeking an overall light emission that approximates an arrangement where (1) a first current is supplied to a first string consisting of first group solid state light emitters, (2) a second current is supplied to a second string consisting of second group solid state light emitters, (3) the first current is supplied to a third string consisting of third group solid state light emitters, (4) the second current is supplied to a fourth string consisting of fourth group solid state light emitters, (5) the first current is supplied to a fifth string consisting of fifth group solid state light emitters, and (6) the second current is 2.5 times the first current, there can instead be provided an arrangement that comprises any number of strings that each consist of first group emitters and second group emitters, where the ratio of the quantity of first group emitters to the quantity of second group emitters on the respective strings is a different value near 2.5 on each string (e.g., the ratio is greater than 2.5 on at least one string, and the ratio is less than 2.5 on at least one other string).
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 470 nm to about 510 nm, and in some of such embodiments, about 480 nm to about 510 nm; in some of such embodiments, about 470 nm to about 475 nm; in some of such embodiments, about 475 nm to about 480 nm; in some of such embodiments, about 475 nm to about 485 nm.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 586 nm to about 620 nm; in some of such embodiments, about 586 nm to about 610 nm; in some of such embodiments, about 586 nm to about 600 nm.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a FWHM of at least about 60 nm; in some of such embodiments, at least about 80 nm.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, upon current being supplied to the lighting device, the lighting device is capable of emitting white light or near-white light.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device is capable of emitting white light or near-white light.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device is capable of emitting, upon current being supplied to the lighting device (e.g., line voltage), light of a color temperature, or correlated color temperature, of not greater than about 3,000 K (in some of such embodiments, not greater than about 2,500 K; in some of such embodiments, not greater than about 2,000 K; in some of such embodiments, not greater than about 1,500 K (e.g., about 2,700 K, about 1,600 K or about 1,200 K).
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, upon current being supplied to the lighting device (e.g., by being supplied to a power line of the lighting device), a sum of light emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in at least a first of the lighting device settings, the lighting device emits light that has a first a mel,v value, in at least a second of the lighting device settings, the lighting device emits light that has a second a mel,v value, and the second a mel,v value is at least 1.05 times the first a mel,v value (in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.05 times the first a mel,v value; in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.10 times the first a mel,v value; in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.15 times the first a mel,v value; in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.20 times the first a mel,v value; in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.25 times the first a mel,v value; in some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.30 times the first a mel,v value).
In some of such embodiments, the plurality of lighting device settings comprise a substantially continuous range of settings.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device comprises at least one other lighting device setting, in which the lighting device emits light that has an a mel,v value that is between the first a mel,v value and the second a mel,v value.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a color temperature, or a correlated color temperature, of at least 5,000 K (in some of such embodiments, at least 7,500 K; in some of such embodiments, at least 10,000 K; in some of such embodiments, at least 15,000 K). In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is capable of emitting, upon current being supplied to the lighting device, white light or near-white light.
In some of such embodiments, light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device. In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters and the third group of solid state light emitters.
In some of such embodiments: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and: a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string; a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string; and/or a first ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string. In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 run to about 535 nm.
In some of such embodiments, each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of not greater than about 515 nm.
In some of such embodiments, each of the first group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of not greater than about 525 nm.
In some of such embodiments, each of the third group solid state light emitters emits light that has a purity of at least 80%.
In some of such embodiments, upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters and the third group of solid state light emitters.
In some of such embodiments: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, and each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of third group solid state light emitters on the second string.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters, a fourth group of solid state light emitters and a fifth group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one third group solid state light emitter, the fourth group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one fourth group solid state light emitter, the fifth group of solid state light emitters comprises at least one fifth group solid state light emitter, each of the third group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light that is about 6500K, each of the fourth group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 615 nm to about 635 nm (e.g., about 629 nm), each of the fifth group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 nm to about 535 nm (e.g., about 522 nm).
In some of such embodiments, each of the second group of solid state light emitters, when supplied with current, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 465 nm to about 490 nm.
In some of such embodiments, upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is substantially devoid of any light emitters other than the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, the third group of solid state light emitters, the fourth group of solid state light emitters and the fifth group of solid state light emitters.
In some of such embodiments: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string, a third string, a fourth string and a fifth string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string, each of the third group of solid state light emitters is on the third string, each of the fourth group of solid state light emitters is on the fourth string, and each of the fifth group of solid state light emitters is on the fifth string. In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and at least one ratio equal to a quantity of one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth groups of solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of another of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth groups solid state light emitters on the first string differs from said ratio on the second string.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device further comprises at least one additional group of solid state light emitters, the additional group of solid state light emitters selected from among: a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a color temperature, or a correlated color temperature, in the range of about 1,200 K to about 10,00K with Duv from the blackbody curve not greater than 0.01 ; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 630 nm to about 750 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 610 nm to about 630 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 595 nm to about 610 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 550 nm to about 595 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 510 nm to about 550 nm; a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and a group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least one solid state light emitter that, when supplied with current, emits light that has a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 380 nm to about 430 nm.
In some of such embodiments, upon current being supplied to the lighting device, a sum of light emitted from the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, and the at least one additional group of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a power line, and the lighting device is configured such that upon line voltage being supplied to the power line, the lighting device emits light, and a sum of light emitted from the first group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters, and the at least one additional group of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of the light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments: the lighting device further comprises at least a first string, a second string and a third string, each of the first group of solid state light emitters is on the first string, and each of the second group of solid state light emitters is on the second string.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises at least a first string and a second string, and a first ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the first string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the first string, differs from a second ratio equal to a quantity of first group solid state light emitters on the second string divided by a quantity of second group solid state light emitters on the second string.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, and the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, and changes in a local time of day.
In some of such embodiments, at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, and the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, changes in a geographical location of the lighting device, and changes in a time of day.
In some of such embodiments, at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, and the lighting device is configured to automatically adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, changes in a geographical location of the lighting device, changes in a time of year, and changes in a time of day.
In some of such embodiments, at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation.
In some of such embodiments, the lighting device further comprises a database that contains data that is used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes. In some of such embodiments, the lighting device is configured to access data from a remote database via the internet, said data comprising data that is capable of being used in calculating current adjustments needed in response to said changes.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first a mel,v value and a first color point, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second a mel,v value and a second color point, the distance between the second color point and the first color point is not more than 0.005 (in some embodiments, not more than 0.002) of the first color point, and the second value is at least 1.2 times the first a mel,v value.
In some of such embodiments: in a third setting, the lighting device emits light that has a third a mel,v value and a third color point, the distance between the third color point and the first color point is not more than 0.005 (in some embodiments, not more than 0.002) of the first color point, and the third a mel,v value is at least 1.3 times the first a mel,v value.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first a mel,v value and that creates a first visual effect, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second a mel,v value and that creates a second visual effect, and the second visual effect differs from the first visual effect.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in a first setting, the lighting device emits light that is perceived as white or near-white and that has a first a mel,v value, in a second setting, the lighting device emits light that is perceived as white or near-white and that has a second a mel,v value, and the second a mel,v value is at least 1.2 times the first a mel,v value.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the lighting device further comprises at least a first sensor.
In some of such embodiments, the first sensor senses a color point of light emitted from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the first sensor is configured to provide information from which an a mel,v value of light emitted from the lighting device can be determined.
In some of such embodiments, the first sensor is a temperature sensor.
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the lighting device is adjustable among a plurality of lighting device settings, in at least a first of the lighting device settings, the current supplied to the second group of solid state light emitters is at least 2.5 times the current supplied to the first group of solid state light emitters, and in at least one of the lighting device settings, the CRI Ra of light exiting the lighting device is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 (in some embodiments, from about 30 to about 70; in some embodiments, from about 70 to about 90; in some embodiments, from about 80 to about 95; in some embodiments, from about 90 to about 98; and in some embodiments, from about 95 to about 98).
In some embodiments according to the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein: the quantity of second group solid state light emitters in the lighting device is at least 2.5 times the quantity of first group solid state light emitters in the lighting device, and the lighting device is configured to be capable of emitting light of CRI Ra less than 90 (in some embodiments, less than 80; in some embodiments, less than 70; and in some embodiments, less than 50. In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method further comprises adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention: the lighting device comprises a plurality of lighting device settings, the plurality of lighting device settings comprises at least a first lighting device setting and a second lighting device setting, in the first lighting device setting, the lighting device emits light that has a first a mel,v value, in the second lighting device setting, the lighting device emits light that has a second a mel,v value, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.05 times the first a mel,v value, the method comprises changing the lighting device from the first lighting device setting to the second lighting device setting, which results in adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter selected from among the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters.
In some of such embodiments, the second a mel,v value is at least 1.30 times the first a mel,v value, or at least 1.25 times the first a mel,v value, or at least 1.20 times the first a mel,v value, or at least 1.15 times the first a mel,v value, or at least 1.10 times the first a mel,v value.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention: the lighting device comprises a plurality of lighting device settings, the method further comprises adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device, and said adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter selected from among the first group of solid state light emitters and the second group of solid state light emitters is performed automatically by the lighting device in response to changes selected from among changes in lighting device settings, and changes in a local time of day.
In some of such embodiments, at least some of the lighting device settings are intended degrees of melanopsin activation.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method further comprises: the lighting device receiving a request from a user, the request comprising at least one feature selected from among a desired degree of melanopsin activation (or a desired a mel,v value, or a desired Amel lumen value) and a desired visual effect, the lighting device transmitting an outgoing signal to a processor, the outgoing signal comprising the request from the user, the lighting device receiving from the processor an incoming signal comprising instructions, the instructions causing the lighting device to adjust current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device in order to provide the at least one feature.
In some of such embodiments, the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal further comprises the location of the lighting device, and the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request, the current time of day, and the location of the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal further comprises the location of the lighting device, and the instructions issued by the processor are influenced by at least the request, the current time of day, the current time of year, and the location of the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal further comprises the spectral flux of current ambient light at the lighting device for at least one wavelength and/or wavelength range.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal further comprises the current spectral flux of ambient light at the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal further comprises information regarding a number of strings on the lighting device and characteristics of the solid state light emitters on each string in the lighting device, said characteristics comprising respective radiant fluxes of solid state light emitters upon being supplied with current of different magnitudes.
In some of such embodiments, the outgoing signal and the incoming signal both travel through the internet.
In some of such embodiments, the processor is remote from the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the processor is directly connected to the lighting device.
In some of such embodiments, the processor comprises a database that contains data that is used in calculating adjustments to current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device needed in order to satisfy at least one user request.
In some of such embodiments, the desired feature consists of a lighting device output previously provided (i.e., previously emitted by the lighting device or by a lighting device).
In some of such embodiments, the desired feature consists of a lighting device output previously provided, and the lighting device output previously provided comprises information regarding the magnitudes of current supplied to solid state light emitters and/or to strings of solid state light emitters.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method further comprises the lighting device automatically adjusting current supplied to at least one solid state light emitter in the lighting device based on at least one of (1) a change in current time of day, (2) a change in current time of year, and (3) a change in a geographical location of the lighting device.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method comprises illuminating at least one animal or at least one plant with light emitted from the lighting device.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method comprises adjusting an a mel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining a current color point of light being emitted from the lighting device within a distance of 0.005 of an initial color point (i.e., the distance between the current color point and an initial color point is not more than 0.005), in some embodiments, within a distance of 0.002 of an initial color point.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method comprises adjusting an a mel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining a specific visual effect.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method comprises adjusting an a mel,v value of light being emitted from the lighting device while maintaining light being emitted from the lighting device perceived as white or perceived as near- white.
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, the method comprises: supplying current to the second group of solid state light emitters in a magnitude that is at least 2.5 times current being supplied to the first group of solid state light emitters, and the lighting device emitting light having a CRI Ra of less than 90 (in some of such embodiments, less than 80; in some of such embodiments, less than 70).
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention: radiant flux of light emitted from the second group of solid state light emitters is at least 2.5 times radiant flux of light being emitted from the first group of solid state light emitters, and the lighting device emitting light having a CRI Ra of less than 90 (in some of such embodiments, less than 80; in some of such embodiments, less than 70).
In some embodiments of methods in accordance with the present invention, which can include or not include, as suitable, any of the other features described herein, a sum of light being emitted from the first and second groups of solid state light emitters accounts for at least 80% of light being emitted from the lighting device.
Some of the embodiments described herein provide favorable combinations of output and/or performance, e.g.: a surprising combination of high CRI Ra and high melanopsin activation, a surprising combination of ability to deliver light that provides differing extents of melanopsin activation, e.g., to allow a user to easily adjust and/or control melanopsin activation to values covering a wide rrange, while also achieving high CRI Ra within such melanopsin activation range, a surprising combination of ability to deliver light that provides differing extents of melanopsin activation, while also providing ability to adjust and/or control color point of overall light emission from the device or system, or color point of emission from one or more groups of emitters, a surprising combination of ability to deliver light that provides differing extents of melanopsin activation, and that provides overall light emission that corresponds to overall light emission identified as pleasing, and/or a surprising combination of ability to deliver light that provides differing extents of melanopsin activation, and that provides overall light emission that has high vividness in at least one wavelength or wavelength range.
In some aspects of the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise at least first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters, wherein: each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm, each of the third group of solid state light emitters emits light that is yellow-green with a wide full width at half max, and the device or system has relatively low color rendering, but enables adjustment and/or control of melanopsin activation.
In some aspects of the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise at least first and second groups of solid state light emitters (in some embodiments that consist of the first and second groups of solid state light emitters), wherein: each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm. Such devices and systems provide the favorable combination of properties of being able to facilitate activating melanopsin during part of a day, and also, during a different part of the day, using adjustments or controls to lower melanopsin activation while still providing good night-time illumination.
In some aspects of the present invention, there are provided devices and systems that comprise at least first, second, third and fourth groups of solid state light emitters (in some embodiments that consist of the first, second, third and fourth groups of solid state light emitters), wherein: each of the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength of at least 586 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 40 nm, each of the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 460 nm to about 510 nm, each of the third group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the red range, and each of the fourth group of solid state light emitters emits white light. Such devices and systems provide the favorable combination of properties of being able to provide light of color temperature about 5,000 K, along with a natural amount of melanopsin activation, while providing excellent CRI Ra, or to provide a substantially constant overall color output while adjusting melanopsin activation between a first value and a second value, the second value not more than 75% of the first value.
As noted herein, the devices and systems in accordance with the present invention can be used in any suitable location (e.g., type of building or region within a building), to provide light that provides any desired effect, and/or for any suitable purpose. For example, in some embodiments, within a hospital, a diagnosis room comprises lighting for diagnosing and/or lighting for general working; a ward comprises daytime color changing lighting, noon break lighting, evening time lighting and sleeping mode lighting; a waiting area / reception area comprises calm down mode lighting, working hours lighting, off-hours lighting, and emergency mode lighting; and/or an operation room comprises lighting for performing medical procedures.
In some embodiments, within an elder caring center, a reception area comprises working hours lighting and off-hours lighting; a residential room I area comprises daytime color changing lighting, noon break lighting, evening time lighting, sleeping mode lighting, exercising mode lighting, reading mode lighting and movie / television mode lighting; an activity area comprises relax mode lighting and energized mode lighting; and/or a restaurant area comprises dining mode lighting and vivid light color for food lighting.
In some embodiments, within an office, a general office space comprises working hours lighting, noon break lighting and off-hours lighting; a meeting room comprises official meeting lighting, speech mode lighting and power point mode lighting; a reception area comprises working hours lighting and off-hours lighting; a recreation area comprises relax mode lighting and energize mode lighting; a brainstorm area comprises rational mode lighting and emotional mode lighting; and a lab area comprises focusing mode lighting and importance mode lighting.
Fig. 1 depicts a color chart that comprises a first color point region 11, a second color point region 12, a third color point region 13, a fourth color point region 14, and a fifth color point region 15. Some embodiments of devices and systems in accordance with the present invention comprises first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters, in which: the first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a color point within the first color point region 11 , the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a color point within the second color point region 12, the third group of solid state light emitters emits light having a color point within the third color point region 13, the fourth group of solid state light emitters emits light having a color point within the fourth color point region 14, and the fifth group of solid state light emitters emits light having a color point within the fifth color point region 15.
In Fig. 1 , the third color point region 13 comprises all points having u, v coordinates within an area defined by first, second, third and fourth line segments, the first line segment extending from a first color point to a second color point, the second line segment extending from the second color point to a third color point, the third line segment extending from the third color point to a fourth color point, and the fourth line segment extending from the fourth color point to a first color point, the first color point having the coordinates (0.2, 0.2), the second color point having the coordinates (0.2, 0.4), the third color point having the coordinates (0.4, 0.4), and the fourth color point having the coordinates (0.4, 0.2).
Fig. 2 is a plot of spectral flux for a first embodiment, the first embodiment comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of solid state light emitters in accordance with Fig. 1, and Table 1 (below) shows values for various parameters for the first embodiment.
The first embodiment comprises: seven first group solid state light emitters that are each configured to emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 588 nm, seven second group solid state light emitters that are each configured to emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 481 nm, seven third group solid state light emitters that are each configured to emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 478 nm, seven fourth group solid state light emitters that are each configured to emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 622 nm, and seven fifth group solid state light emitters that are each configured to emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 529 nm.
Table 1 In the first embodiment: each of the first group solid state light emitters comprises a phosphor LED comprising an InGaN light emitting diode and YAG phosphor; each of the second group solid state light emitters comprises an InGaN light emitting diode; each of the third group solid state light emitters comprises an InGaN light emitting diode; each of the fourth group solid state light emitters comprises an AlInGaP light emitting diode; and each of the fifth group solid state light emitters comprises a phosphor LED comprising an InGaN light emitting diode, YAG phosphor and LuAG phosphor.
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing showing components in a system comprising a wireless enabled controller 31 , a router 32, a lighting device 33, a smart phone app 34, and a tablet app 35 (in the form of a building control system). Each of the components in Fig. 3 communicates directly or indirectly (e.g., through one of the other components). A processor (or one or more processors) and/or a database (or one or more databases) can be provided in any one (or more) of the components. Any communication can be at least partially through the internet.
Fig. 4 depicts a screenshot of an app in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the app provides controls for a user to adjust melatonin activation, to simulate sunlight at different times between sunrise and sunset, to customize sunrise time and/or sunset time, to select automatic sunrise time and sunset time setting, to select a concentration lighting mode, to select a a relaxation lighting mode, to select a a vigor lighting mode, and to select a sleep lighting mode.
Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 6 is an overhead view of a lighting device component 60, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two lighting devices 70 (with their covers removed), each lighting device 70 comprising two lighting device components 60, each lighting device component corresponding to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 5. The lighting device component shown in Fig. 6 comprises a first group of solid state light emitters 61 that each comprise a PC orange (586 nm) phosphor LED, a second group of solid state light emitters 62 that each comprise a blue (480 nm) LED, a third group of solid state light emitters 63 that each comprise a 6,500 K white phosphor LED, a fourth group of solid state light emitters 64 that each comprise a red LED, and a fifth group of solid state light emitters 65 that each comprise a green (526 nm) LED. As shown in Fig. 6, the device comprises clusters of LEDs, each cluster including one LED from each of the five groups, and a pitch for the clusters being 20 mm. Each group of solid state light emitters comprises seven light emitters in series on a respective string 66, with a respective current regulator 67 on each string. As shown in Fig. 7, each lighting device 70 comprises a power line 71. Any lighting device in accordance with the present invention can be provided with any suitable cover and/or enclosure, many of which are well known in the field, e.g., lenses, diffusers and light control elements. Persons of skill in the art are familiar with a wide variety of lenses, diffusers and light control elements, can readily envision a variety of materials out of which a lens, a diffuser, or a light control element can be made (e.g., polycarbonate materials, acrylic materials, fused silica, polystyrene, etc.), and are familiar with and/or can envision a wide variety of shapes that lenses, diffusers and light control elements can be. Any of such materials and/or shapes can be employed in a lens and/or a diffuser and/or a light control element in an embodiment that includes a lens and/or a diffuser and/or a light control element. As will be understood by persons skilled in the art, a lens or a diffuser or a light control element in a lighting device according to the present inventive subject matter can be selected to have any desired effect on incident light (or no effect), such as focusing, diffusing, etc. Any such lens and/or diffuser and/or light control element can comprise one or more luminescent materials, e.g., one or more phosphor.
In embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter that include one or more lenses and/or diffusers and/or light control elements, the one or more lenses and/or diffusers and/or light control elements can be positioned in any suitable location and orientation.
Fig. 8 depicts a lighting device component 80 that is similar to the lighting device component 60 shown in Fig. 6, except that the lighting device component 80 further comprises a sensor 81.
Fig. 9 schematically depicts a lighting device 90 that comprises a first group of solid state light emitters 91 that each comprise a PC orange (586 nm) phosphor LED, a second group of solid state light emitters 92 that each comprise a blue (480 nm) LED, a third group of solid state light emitters 93 that each comprise a 6,500 K white phosphor LED, a fourth group of solid state light emitters 94 that each comprise a red LED, and a fifth group of solid state light emitters 95 that each comprise a green (526 nm) LED.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show three perspective views of a lighting device in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 12, the lighting device 120 comprises a hole for reset 121, an RS-485 connector 3.81 nm 3pin 122, a three-color LED 123, a plastic injection molding 124, a plastic grommet 125, a plastic cable clamp 126, and a DC24V power cable AWG20x2 127.
Fig. 13 depicts a plot of spectral flux for a representative example of a first group solid state light emitter for use in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 14 depicts a plot of spectral flux for a representative example of a second group solid state light emitter for use in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
Tables 2 and 3 show recipes for a second embodiment of a lighting device in accordance with the present invention. Each column in Tables 2 and 3 shows a separate light recipe (i.e., a recipe that can be input or applied to the lighting device according to the second embodiment), as well as the characteristics and parameters of the light emitted from the lighting device upon the recipe being input or applied. The top row in each of Tables 2 and 3 shows the mood provided by the recipes. In Tables 2 and 3, the parameter Duv is given in relation to distance from the blackbody curve. The parameter Amel Lum represents the maximum available Amel lumens operating the second embodiment at 2 Watts (i.e., the PWM percentages are set to provide output of 200 lumens (if attainable at a power of not more than 2 Watts), or energy usage of 2 Watts (if 200 lumens is not attainable at 2 Watts); the efficiency (LPW) is based on power used (Watts) to provide 200 lumens; and the value for Amel Lum is based on the maximum Amel lumens (wavelength of 460 - 510 nm) at 2 Watts (or maximum Amel lumens that would be provided by operating at 2 Watts), as a measure of the total radiant flux of melanopsin-activating light).
As shown in Tables 2 and 3, four settings provided “Precise” light (with very high CRT Ra and Amel Lum in the range of 126 - 174), six settings provided “Alert” light (with very high Amel Lum (186 - 212) at CRI Ra of at least 90, three settings provided “Vivid” light (high Rg, CRI Ra of about 90, and Amel Lum 98 - 139), three settings provided “Sleep” light (Amel Lum 4 - 45), three settings provided “Relax” light (Amel Lum 65 - 105), and four settings provided “Energize” light (Amel Lum 163 - 174). The “CP Select” values in Tables 2 and 3 represent well known SSL and D chromaticity standards.
As discussed above, in comparison with daylight (and sunlight), lighting devices for which radiant flux is low (or comparatively low) in a wavelength range (or wavelength ranges) that is within (or overlaps with) the wavelength range that has the strongest effect on melanopsin activation (as noted above, about 480 nm being the peak absorption wavelength for melanopsin) provide lower melanopsin activation. Lighting devices in accordance with the present invention are capable of providing greater melanopsin activation than such lower melanopsin activation. In some embodiments according to the present invention, lighting devices are capable of providing melanopsin activation that exceeds that of daylight (and sunlight).
In some aspects, the present invention provides lighting devices that provide at least 20 percent greater melanopsin activation (e.g., a mel,v ) than daylight, at similar color temperatures (or correlated color temperatures) and at good CRI Ra values.
In some aspects, the present invention provides lighting devices that provide at least 30 percent greater melanopsin activation (e.g., a mel,v ) than other lighting devices (e.g., artificial downlights), at similar color temperatures (or correlated color temperatures) and at good CRI Ra values.
D65 daylight (i.e., representing average daylight, i.e., sunlight plus skylight, having a correlated color temperature of approximately 6,500 K) has an a mel,v value of about 0.91.
In representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about 6,500 K), high CRI Ra (e.g., at least 90), and an a mel,v value of at least 0.88.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about 6,500 K), CRI Ra of 70 (or about 70), and an a mel,v value of about 1.16 (or higher). In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about 6,500 K), CRI Ra of 30 (or about 30), and an a mel,v value of about 1.4 (or higher)(e.g., in some embodiments, CRI Ra in the range of from 20 to 40, and an a mel,v value of about 1.3 (or higher); CRI Ra in the range of from 20 to 40, and an a mel,v value of about 1.4 (or higher); CRI Ra in the range of from 10 to 30, and an a mel,v value of about 1.3 (or higher); CRI Ra in the range of from 10 to 30, and an a mel,v value of about 1.4 (or higher); CRI Ra in the range of from 20 to 30, and an a mel,v value of about 1.3 (or higher); CRI Ra in the range of from 20 to 30, and an a mel,v value of about 1.4 (or higher)).
Sunlight at 5,000 K has an value of about 0.77.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), CRI Ra of 90 (or about 90), and an a mel,v value of about 0.75 (or higher).
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), CRI Ra of 70 (or about 70), and an a mel,v value of about 1.00 (or higher).
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), CRI Ra of 30 (or about 30), and an a mel,v value of about 1.20 (or higher).
Sunlight at 6,500 K and a CRI Ra of 100 has an a mel,v value of about 0.91.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 481 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 529 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about 6,500 K), and that can provide: an a mel,v value of about 0.88 with CRI Ra of about 96; an a mel,v value of about 1.02 with CRI Ra of about 85; an a mel,v value of about 1.16 with CRI Ra of about 70; an a mel,v value of about 1.44 with CRI Ra of about 30; and an a mel,v value of about 1.49 with CRI Ra of about 10. In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 464 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 529 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about
6,500 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 0.90 with CRI Ra of about 92.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 465 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 523 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about
6,500 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 0.98 with CRI Ra of about 85.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 467 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 520 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about
6,500 K), and that can provide an a meI v value of about 1.03 with CRI Ra of about 80.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 465 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 508 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about
6,500 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.13 with CRI Ra of about 70.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 468 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 503 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about
6,500 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.24 with CRI Ra of about 60.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 486 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 493 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 6,500 K (or about 6,500 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.65 with CRI Ra of about 24.
Sunlight at 5,000 K and a CRI Ra of 100 has an a mel,v value of about 0.77.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 481 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 529 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide: an a mel,v value of about 0.75 with CRI Ra of about 97; an a mel,v value of about 0.88 with CRI Ra of about 85; an a mel,v value of about 1.00 with CRI Ra of about 70; an a mel,v value of about 1.20 with CRI Ra of about 31 ; and an a mel,v value of about 1.25 with CRI Ra of about 14.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 464 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 529 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 0.76 with CRI Ra of about 94.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 466 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 527 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 0.80 with CRI Ra of about 90.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 470 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 523 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 0.89 with CRI Ra of about 80.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 476 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 526 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.00 with CRI Ra of about 70.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 464 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 498 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.11 with CRI Ra of about 60.
In other representative embodiments, the present invention provides a lighting device (comprising one or more first group solid state light emitter (each comprising a light emitting diode that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 485 nm), one or more second group solid state light emitter, and one or more solid state light emitter that emits light of dominant wavelength of about 490 nm emits light that has a color temperature of 5,000 K (or about 5,000 K), and that can provide an a mel,v value of about 1.43 with CRI Ra of about 32.
Color temperatures as high as 6,500 K are generally not favored for office settings and the like (the light is typically considered to contain more blue light than is desirable). Light at lower color temperatures tends to have lower melanopsin activation (i.e., lower a mel,v values).
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, there are provided lighting devices that are capable of emitting light having color temperature (or correlated color temperature) as low as about 2,700 K (or, in some embodiments, as low as about 1,600 K, or as low as about 1,200 K, or as low as about 1,000 K), while providing adequate melanopsin activation. For example, some lighting devices in accordance with the present invention are capable of emitting light that has a color temperature of 2,700 K (or about 2,700 K), high CRI Ra (e.g., at least 90), and an a mel,v value of at least 0.55 provides greater available melanopsin activation than an existing lighting device that emits light that has a color temperature of 2,700 K, comparable CRI Ra, and an a mel,v value of 0.40. Some lighting devices in accordance with the present invention are capable of emitting light that has a color temperature of 1,600 K (or about 1,600 K), and an a mel,v value of about 0.14 (which is higher than an a mel,v value of 0.10 for sunlight of a color temperature of 1 ,600 K). Some lighting devices in accordance with the present invention are capable of emitting light that has a color temperature of 1,000 K (or about 1,000 K), and an a mel,v value that is higher than an a mel,v value for sunlight of a color temperature of 1 ,000 K. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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