Patent US5803579A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5803579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminator assembly incorporating light emitting diodes
Assignee: Gentex Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-13
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Granted: 1998-09-08
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Expires: 2016-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An illuminator assembly, having a plurality of LEDs on a vehicular support member in a manner such that, when all of the LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first perceived hue, e.g., blue-green, and projected from at least one of the LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second perceived hue, e.g., amber, which is distinct from said first perceived hue and which is projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs in such a manner that this overlapped and mixed illumination forms a metameric white color and has sufficient intensity and color rendering qualities to be an effective illuminator.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Turnbull
- 👤 Robert C. Knapp
- 👤 John K. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; B; B60; B60L; B60L1/00; B60L1/14; B60L3/00; B60L3/0023; B60L50/00; B60L50/20; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0017; B60Q1/0023; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60Q1/2696; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; B63; B63B; B63B45/00; F; F21; F21S; F21S41/00; F21S41/10; F21S41/14; F21S41/141; F21S41/143; F21S41/151; F21S41/20; F21S41/28; F21S41/285; F21S43/00; F21S43/10; F21S43/13; F21S43/14; F21V; F21V5/00; F21V5/008; F21V5/02; F21V9/00; F21V9/20; H05; H05B; H05B45/00; H05B45/20; H05B45/24; H05B45/40; H05B45/44; H05B45/46; H10W; H10W90/00; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/12; F21S41/25; F21S41/30; F21S41/32; F21S41/321; F21S41/322; F21S43/20; F21S43/235; F21W; F21W2102/00; F21W2102/40; F21W2103/00; F21W2103/50; F21W2107/00; F21W2107/10; F21W2107/13; F21W2107/20; F21W2107/30; F21Y; F21Y2113/00; F21Y2113/10; F21Y2113/13; F21Y2115/00; F21Y2115/10; H10W74/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/751; H10W90/756; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An illuminator assembly, comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a support member such that, when at least two of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue having and wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a do said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An illuminator assembly, comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a support member such that, when at least two of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue having and wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a do said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 1 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 476 nm to about 492 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 572 nm to about 605 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 1 or 2 where said metameric white light is defined by boundaries for white color translated from the revised Kelly chart and the CIE 1931 x, y, chromaticity diagram.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 1 or 2 where said metameric white light is defined by the translated SAE J578 boundaries for white light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 2 where said first and said second hues have a locus of binary additive mixtures that are substantially coaxial with the Planckian Locus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 2 where said overlapped and mixed effective illumination has an illuminance at some predetermined distance from said illuminator greater than about 15 lux.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 6 where said predetermined distance is greater than about 10 times the smallest dimensional distance between any two color complementary pairs of said plurality of LEDs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 2 further comprising an electronic circuit electrically connected to and operable to energize said plurality of LEDs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 8 where said circuit is temperature-sensitive, such that the current decreases as the temperature increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 1 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 530 nm to about 572 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 476 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A vehicle illuminator assembly, comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a vehicular support member where, when said plurality of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue have a dominant wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said energized plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue a distinct from said fit hue and projected from at least one of the remaining energized LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination joins effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A vehicle illuminator assembly, comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a vehicular support member where, when said plurality of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue have a dominant wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said energized plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue a distinct from said fit hue and projected from at least one of the remaining energized LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination joins effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 11 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 476 nm to about 492 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 572 nm to about 605 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminator assembly in claim 12, further comprising a electronic circuit electrically connected to a power supply and said plurality of LEDs and operable to energize and control the illumination of the plurality of LEDs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The illuminator assembly in claim 13, where said electronic circuit includes two independent circuits to control said at least one of plurality of LEDs exhibiting a first hue and said at least one remaining LEDs exhibiting a second hue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 12 where said metameric white light is defined by boundaries for white color translated from the revised Kelly chart and the CIE 1931 x, y, chromaticity diagram.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 12 where said metameric white light is defined by the translated SAE J578 boundaries for white light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 11 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 530 nm to about 572 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 476 nm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 11 where said first and said second hues have a locus of binary additive mixtures that are substantially coaxial with the Planckian Locus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 11 where said overlapped and mixed effective illumination has an illuminance at some predetermined distance from said illuminator greater than about 15 lux.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 19 where said predetermined distance is greater than about 10 times the smallest dimensional distance between any two color complementary pairs of said plurality of LEDs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illuminator assembly according to any one of claims 11, 15, 16, and 19, wherein said illuminator illuminates a portion of the interior of a vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle maplight comprising: (a) housing; (b) a mirror element; and (c) a plurality of LEDs disposed within said housing on a support member such that when energized by a power supply illumination exhibiting a first hue having a dominant wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a dominant wavelength about 530 nm, said second hue being distinct from said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle maplight comprising: (a) housing; (b) a mirror element; and (c) a plurality of LEDs disposed within said housing on a support member such that when energized by a power supply illumination exhibiting a first hue having a dominant wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a dominant wavelength about 530 nm, said second hue being distinct from said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 22 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 476 nm to about 492 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 572 nm to about 605 nm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 22 where said first hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 530 nm to about 572 nm and said second hue has a dominant wavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 476 nm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vehicle maplight of claim 23 where said mirror element is prismatic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle maplight of claim 23 where said mirror element comprises a self-erasing electrochromic device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle maplight of claim 23 where said mirror element comprises a solution-phase electrochromic device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 23 where said first and said second hues have a locus of binary additive mixtures that are substantially coaxial with the Planckian Locus.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 23 where said overlapped and mixed effective illumination has an illuminance at some predetermined distance from said illuminator greater than about 15 lux.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 29 where said predetermined distance is 10 times the length of the largest dimensional distance between any two color complementary pairs of said plurality of LEDs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminator assembly in claim 22, further comprising a electronic circuit electrically connected to a power supply and said plurality of LEDs and operable to energize and control the illumination of the plurality of LEDs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The illuminator assembly in claim 22, where said electronic circuit includes two independent circuits to control said at least one of plurality of LEDs exhibiting a first hue and said at least one remaining LEDs exhibiting a second hue.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The illuminator assembly in claim 22 where each of said circuit decreases the current through said plurality of LEDs at a rate of approximately 139 μA per degree Celsius.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
96 words
An illuminator assembly comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a support member such that, when at least two of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue having a peak wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a peak wavelength above 530 nm, said second hue being complimentary to said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
96 words
An illuminator assembly comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed on a support member such that, when at least two of said LEDs are energized, illumination exhibiting a first hue having a peak wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a peak wavelength above 530 nm, said second hue being complimentary to said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly, according to claim 34, where said first hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 476 nm to about 492 nm, and said second hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 572 nm to about 605 nm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 34 where said metameric white light is defined by boundaries for white color translated from the revised Kelly chart and the CIE 1931 x, y, chromaticity diagram.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 34, where said first hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 530 nm to about 572 nm and said second hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 476 nm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle illuminator, comprising a housing attached to the exterior of a vehicle, said housing having an opening adapted to receive a mirror element, said illuminator further comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed within said housing on a support member, such that when energized by a power supply, illumination exhibiting a first hue a peak wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a peak wavelength above 530 nm, said second hue being distinct from said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle illuminator, comprising a housing attached to the exterior of a vehicle, said housing having an opening adapted to receive a mirror element, said illuminator further comprising a plurality of LEDs disposed within said housing on a support member, such that when energized by a power supply, illumination exhibiting a first hue a peak wavelength below 505 nm and projected from at least one of said plurality of LEDs overlaps and mixes with illumination exhibiting a second hue having a peak wavelength above 530 nm, said second hue being distinct from said first hue and projected from at least one of the remaining LEDs of said plurality, where said overlapped and mixed illumination forms effective metameric white illumination.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The illuminator assembly according to claim 34, where said first hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 530 nm to about 572 nm and said second hue has a peak wavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 476 nm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |