# US 8,739,440 B2 · Illuminating display systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,440 B2 - Document ID: US8739440B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/787,066 - Filed: 2013-03-06 - Published: 2013-08-01 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-13 - Assignees: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc. - Applicants: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc. - Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal; William Johnstone Ray; Peter Michael Bray; David R. Bowden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739440B2 ## CPC - G09G 3/14: Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes - A47F 3/001: {Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation} - G09F 9/37: being movable elements (G09F9/302 takes precedence) - G09F 13/00: Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising (G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G) - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - H02J 50/12: of the resonant type - H02J 50/40: using two or more transmitting or receiving devices (H02J50/50 takes precedence) - H05B 41/245: {for a plurality of lamps} - H05B 45/37: Converter circuits - H05B 47/10: Controlling the light source - H05B 47/115: by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings - G09G 2330/028: Generation of voltages supplied to electrode drivers in a matrix display other than LCD - H01F 38/14: Inductive couplings - H02J 7/68: using circuits for correcting or protecting against reverse-polarity - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising: an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; and a power regulator having a flyback configuration and magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to the controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a merchandise display system, further comprising: a support structure to support the power regulator within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the power regulator is disposed along or within a horizontal member or a rear, vertical member of the support structure, or wherein the power regulator is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator is couplable to an AC or DC power source or to an Ethernet connection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the controller further is to determine or modify the pulse duration parameter of the induced voltage or current or is to determine or modify an on-time duration parameter or a switching frequency parameter of the plurality of switches or transistors. ### Claim 11 A method of illuminating a display object, an illumination source coupled to or integrated with the display object, the method comprising: retrieving from a memory at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof; using a power regulator having a flyback configuration, energizing a primary inductor to provide a first primary voltage; receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a first secondary voltage in a first, planar secondary inductor; applying the first secondary voltage to the illumination source; and energizing the illumination source to emit visible light. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a second secondary voltage in a second secondary inductor; and using the second secondary voltage, generating a feedback signal to a controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: using a controller, detecting a presence of the display object and detecting when the display object is no longer within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: using a controller, detecting a pulse duration of a voltage across the primary inductor; and adjusting the first primary voltage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: using a controller, adjusting a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage. ### Claim 16 A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising: an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; and a power regulator having a flyback configuration and magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, a second, feedback secondary inductor, a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to control a voltage or current provided to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof; wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using the feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to adjust a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to a package or a container of the display object. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the illumination source is to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.