Light source with light sensor
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAleksandar Pance, Duncan Kerr, Brett Bilbrey, Brandon Dean Slack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a light source with a light sensor to provide a desired light output. In particular, in one embodiment, there is provided a light control system. The light control system includes a light source and a light sensor that share a common light pathway. Additionally, the light control system includes a controller electrically coupled to the light source and the light sensor. The controller operates the light source and the light sensor alternatively during a periodic cycle having a frequency of approximately 60 Hz or greater to achieve a desired visual effect based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claims20
A light control system comprising:
- a light source;
- a light sensor configured to sense ambient light levels, wherein the light sensor and the light source share a common light pathway;
- a controller communicatively coupled to the light source and the light sensor, wherein the controller operates the light source and the light sensor alternatively during a periodic cycle having a frequency greater than or equal to 60 Hz.
A method of operating a lighting system comprising:
- providing a periodic control signal having a frequency equal to or exceeding 60 Hz;
- actuating a light source during a first portion of the control signal;
- actuating a light sensor during a second portion of the control signal to determine lighting conditions, the light source and the light sensor sharing a common light pathway;
- and
- dynamically adjusting an output of the light source based on the determined lighting conditions.
A method of manufacture comprising:
- measuring ambient light conditions;
- adjusting a light output by one or more light sources to provide a desired visual effect for the corresponding measured ambient light conditions;
- recording the measured ambient light conditions and the corresponding adjusted light output;
- and
- programming a device to:
- determine ambient light conditions;
- and
- actuate the light sources to provide a light output that corresponds to the determined ambient light conditions based on the recorded data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.