# US 8,770,816 B2 · Lighting assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,816 B2 - Document ID: US8770816B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/440,210 - Filed: 2012-04-05 - Published: 2012-11-15 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-13 - Assignees: Rambus Delaware LLC - Applicants: Jeffery R Parker; Timothy A McCollum; Matthew R Wancata; Fumitomo Hide; Alexey Titov; Ian Hardcastle - Inventors: Jeffery R Parker; Timothy A McCollum; Matthew R Wancata; Fumitomo Hide; Alexey Titov; Ian Hardcastle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770816B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/0086: {Positioning aspects} - F21S 2/005: {of modular construction} - F21S 8/066: {from a light track (details of supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element F21V21/34)} - F21V 17/002: {with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function (F21V17/10 takes precedence)} - F21V 17/18: Latch-type fastening, e.g. with rotary action - F21V 21/30: Pivoted housings or frames - F21V 21/34: Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element {(telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22)} - F21V 23/04: the elements being switches (safety devices F21V25/00) - G02B 6/004: {Scattering dots or dot-like elements, e.g. microbeads, scattering particles, nanoparticles} - G02B 6/0075: {Arrangements of multiple light guides (G02B6/0028 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/0085: {Means for removing heat created by the light source from the package} - F21V 17/007: {with provision for shipment or storage} - F21V 21/35: with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element - F21Y 2103/10: comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements - F21Y 2105/00: Planar light sources - F21Y 2113/13: comprising an assembly of point-like light sources - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21Y 2115/15: Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] - F21Y 2115/30: Semiconductor lasers - G02B 6/0033: {Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide} - G02B 6/0076: {Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A lighting assembly includes a light engine and a light guide. The light engine edge lights the light guide and includes a control assembly that controls light output according to one or more parameters to produce light output from the lighting assembly with a desired characteristic. Lighting assemblies are combined to form a modular lighting assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light engine for a lighting assembly having associated light guides, the light engine comprising: a light source; a coupling member for securing one of the associated light guides to the light engine such that light from the light source edge lights the light guide; and a control assembly configured to identify a light guide type of the secured light guide and to adjust the light source based on the identification of the light guide type. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly comprises operational parameters for driving the light source based on the identified light guide type. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to identify a type of the light source and comprises stored operational parameters for driving the light source based on the identified type of the light source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly is configured to adjust a drive signal to the light source based on the identified light guide type. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to identify a type of the light source and to adjust a drive signal to the light source based on a combination of the identified light guide type and the identified light source type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to store information relating to predetermined lighting profiles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, further comprising an interface to receive user-customized lighting profiles for storage in the control assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, further comprising an interface to receive a command to select factory-defined lighting profiles stored in the control assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a solid-state light emitter that emits red light, a solid-state light emitter that emits blue light, and a solid-state light emitter that emits green light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a solid-state light emitter that emits white light. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source emits light with no operably-effective intensity at wavelengths greater than 500 nm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises the light guide type encoded thereon and the control assembly is configured to decode the encoded light guide type. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for reading an RFID tag carried by the light guide to identify the light guide type. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises an electrical power connection to the light guide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises an information signal connection to the light guide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The light engine of claim 15, wherein the information signal connection is an optical information signal connection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly has a network address. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The light engine of claim 17, wherein the network address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly comprises a micro-controller assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein the control assembly further comprises a sensor, the sensor operable to detect light directed towards the light engine. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The light engine of claim 20, wherein the sensor is a photodiode. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The light engine of claim 20, wherein the sensor is a pixelated sensor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein: the light source is a first light source, the coupling member is a first coupling member and the light guide is a first one of the associated light guides; and the light engine additionally comprises a second light source and a second coupling member for securing a second one of the associated light guides to the light engine such that the light from the second light source edge lights the second light guide. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The light engine of claim 23, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to identify the light guide type of the second light guide and to adjust the second light source based on the identified light guide type of the second light guide. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The light engine of claim 23, wherein the control assembly further comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor operable to detect light directed towards the light engine at the first coupling member and the second sensor operable to detect light directed towards the light engine at the second coupling member. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The light engine of claim 25, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to adjust at least one of the light sources in response to at least one of the sensors. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The light engine of claim 23, wherein the coupling members are hingedly connected. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The light engine of claim 1, wherein: the light source is part of a light source assembly; the coupling member is configured to secure more than one of the associated light guides to the light engine such that each light guide is edge lit by light from the light source assembly; and the control assembly is configured to identify a light guide type of each light guide secured by the coupling member and to adjust the light output from the light source to each light guide based on the identification of the light guide type of each light guide. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) A lighting assembly comprising: the light engine of claim 1; and the secured light guide. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The lighting assembly of claim 29, wherein the light guide comprises the light guide type encoded on the light guide and the control assembly is configured to decode the coded light guide type. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The lighting assembly of claim 29, wherein: the light guide comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; and the control assembly comprises an RFID reader for reading the RFID tag. ### Claim 32 A light engine for a lighting assembly having associated light guides, the light engine comprising: a light source; a coupling member for securing one of the associated light guides to the light engine such that light from the light source edge lights the secured light guide; a sensor positioned to detect light directed at the light engine through the secured light guide; and a controller configured to adjust the light source in response to the sensor. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The light engine of claim 32, wherein the controller is additionally configured to adjust a drive signal to the light source based on an intensity of incident light detected by the sensor. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The light engine of claim 32, wherein the sensor is capable of distinguishing between light of different colors. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The light engine of claim 32, wherein the sensor comprises a photodiode. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The light engine of claim 32, wherein the sensor is a pixelated sensor. ### Claim 37 (depends on 32) The light engine of claim 32, wherein: the light source is a first light source, the coupling member is a first coupling member, and the light guide is a first light guide; and the light engine additionally comprises a second light source and a second coupling member for securing a second of the associated light guides to the light engine as a second secured light guide such that light from the second light source edge lights the second secured light guide. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The light engine of claim 37, wherein: the sensor is a first sensor; and the light engine additionally comprises a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is positioned to detect light directed towards the light engine at the second coupling member. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The light engine of claim 38, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the light sources based on intensity of incident light detected by at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor. ### Claim 40 (depends on 32) A lighting assembly comprising: the light engine of claim 32; and the secured light guide. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The lighting assembly of claim 40, wherein: the light guide comprises a first light input edge and a second light input edge distinct from the first light input edge; the light engine is a first light engine; the light guide is edge lit by light from the first light engine through the first light input edge; and the lighting assembly additionally comprises a second light engine coupled to the light guide such that the light guide is edge lit by the second light engine through the second light input edge. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The lighting assembly of claim 41, wherein the light guide additionally comprises a conductive member extending between the first light input edge and the second light input edge to provide power from the first light engine to the second light engine. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The lighting assembly of claim 41, additionally comprising a signal path extending between the light engines to convey information between the light engines. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The lighting assembly of claim 43, wherein the information comprises a light engine type associated with the second light engine. ### Claim 45 (depends on 43) The lighting assembly of claim 43, wherein the information comprises operational status of the second light engine. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The lighting assembly of claim 45, wherein the first light engine changes a drive signal to at least one of the light sources when the second light engine is operational and coupled to the light guide. ### Claim 47 (depends on 43) The lighting assembly of claim 43, wherein the signal path is a wired signal path. ### Claim 48 (depends on 43) The lighting assembly of claim 43, wherein the signal path is a wireless signal path. ### Claim 49 (depends on 40) The lighting assembly of claim 40, wherein the sensor comprises a photodiode. ### Claim 50 (depends on 40) The lighting assembly of claim 40, wherein the sensor comprises a pixelated sensor. ### Claim 51 A light engine for a lighting assembly having associated light guides each light guide comprising more than one light input edge, the light engine comprising: a light source; a coupling member for securing one of the associated lights guides to the light engine such that the light guide is edge lit by light from the light source at one light input edge thereof; and a control assembly configured to adjust light output from the light source depending on whether the light guide is additionally edge lit by light received at least one other light input edge thereof. ### Claim 52 A lighting assembly, comprising: a light guide comprising more than one light input edge; a light engine comprising a light source and a coupling member for securing the light guide to the light engine such that the light guide is edge lit by light from the light source at one light input edge thereof; and a control assembly configured to adjust light output from the light source to the light guide depending on whether the light guide is additionally edge light by light received at least one other light input edge thereof. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The lighting assembly of claim 52, wherein the control assembly is additionally configured to adjust the light output from the light source to the light guide to maintain a defined illumination within a region illuminated by light output from the light guide regardless of an intensity, within a defined range, of light received at the at least one other light input edge. ### Claim 54 (depends on 52) The lighting assembly of claim 52, wherein: the light engine is a first light engine; and the lighting assembly additionally comprises a second light engine comprising a second light source and a second coupling member, wherein light guide is additionally secured to the second coupling member of the second light engine such that the light guide is edge lit by light from the first light engine and the second light engine at respective light input edges of the light guide. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The lighting assembly of claim 54, wherein the control assembly includes a sensor operable to detect light directed towards the first light engine from the second light engine through the light guide and the control assembly adjusts light output from the light source of the first light engine in response to the detected light. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The lighting assembly of claim 54, further including a signal path extending between the light input edges to convey information between the light engines. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The lighting assembly of claim 56, wherein the information comprises a light engine type associated with at least one of the light engines. ### Claim 58 (depends on 56) The lighting assembly of claim 56, wherein the information comprises an operational status of the at least one of the light engines. ### Claim 59 (depends on 52) The lighting assembly of claim 52, wherein the light guide additionally comprises a conductive member extending between the light input edges to provide power from the first light engine to the second light engine. ### Claim 60 (depends on 52) The lighting assembly of claim 52, wherein the light guide additionally comprises a conductive member extending between the light input edges to provide information signaling between the first light engine and the second light engine. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The lighting assembly of claim 60, wherein the information comprises a light engine type of at least one of the light engines. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The lighting assembly of claim 61, wherein the information comprises an operational status of at least one of the light engines. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The lighting assembly of claim 62, wherein the first light engine changes a drive signal to the first light source when the second light engine is operational and coupled to the light guide. ### Claim 64 (depends on 52) The lighting assembly of claim 52, wherein the control assembly of the first light engine comprises a sensor operable to detect light directed towards the first light engine and the control assembly adjusts light output of the first light source in response to output from the sensor. ### Claim 65 A lighting assembly, comprising: a light engine comprising a first coupling member hingedly attached to a second coupling member; a first light guide secured to the first coupling member; a second light guide secured to the second coupling member; light sources each configured to edge light a respective one of the light guides; and a control assembly configured to adjust light output from the light sources as a function of relative angular position between the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein: the control assembly additionally comprises a sensor operable to change at least one property of a signal in response to a relative angular position between the first light engine and the second light engine; and the control assembly operates in response to the signal. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The lighting assembly of claim 66, wherein the sensor comprises a potentiometer that changes in at least one electrical characteristic based on the relative position of the first light engine and the second light engine. ### Claim 68 (depends on 66) The lighting assembly of claim 66, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor that changes in at least one electrical characteristic based on the relative position of the first light engine and the second light engine. ### Claim 69 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein the control assembly is configured to adjust the light output from the light sources such that an illumination level within a region illuminated by light output from the light guides is maintained regardless of the relative angular position between the light guides within a defined range. ### Claim 70 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein the control assembly is configured to decrease the light output from the light sources as a region illuminated by light output by the light guides decreases in area. ### Claim 71 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein the control assembly is configured to reduce light output from light sources as an angle between the light guides decreases. ### Claim 72 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein the control assembly is additionally operable to store information relating to predetermined lighting profiles. ### Claim 73 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, further comprising an interface to receive user-customized lighting profiles for storage in the control assembly. ### Claim 74 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, further comprising an interface to receive a command to select factory-defined lighting profiles stored in the control assembly. ### Claim 75 (depends on 65) The lighting assembly of claim 65, wherein: the light engine is first light engine; and the lighting assembly additionally comprises a second light engine; and the first light guide extends between the first light engine and the second light engine, and receives light from both light engines. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The lighting assembly of claim 75, wherein the first light guide additionally comprises: respective light input edges through which the first light engine and the second light engine edge light the first light guide; an additional edge parallel to neither of the light input edges; and a conductive member extending along the additional edge to provide power from the first light engine to the second light engine. ### Claim 77 (depends on 75) The lighting assembly of claim 75, additionally comprising a signal path extending between the light engines. ### Claim 78 (depends on 1) A track lighting system comprising: a track; the lighting assembly of claim 1; a connector secured to the lighting assembly, wherein the connector is configured to slide along the track and receive electrical power therefrom. ### Claim 79 A lighting assembly, comprising: a first light guide; a second light guide; and a light engine comprising: light sources; a first coupling member for securing the first light guide to the light engine such that the first light guide is edge lit by one of the light sources and outputs the light to illuminate a first region; and a second coupling member for securing the second light guide to the light engine such that the second light guide is edge lit by another of the light sources and outputs the light to illuminate a second region; and means for outputting at least part of the light output from the first light guide with a vector component directed towards the light engine such that the first region is contiguous with the second region. ### Claim 80 (depends on 79) The lighting assembly of claim 79, wherein: the first light guide comprises a light-emitting surface through which the first light guide emits the light towards the first region, and a back surface opposite the light-emitting surface; the means comprises reflective elements at the back surface of the light guide; and the reflective elements reflect the light with the vector component directed towards the light engine. ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) The lighting assembly of claim 80, wherein the reflective elements are part of a reflective film. ### Claim 82 (depends on 80) The lighting assembly of claim 80, wherein the reflective elements are provided by a reflective or transreflective coating. ### Claim 83 (depends on 79) The lighting assembly of claim 79, wherein: the first light guide comprises a light-emitting surface through which the first light guide emits the light towards the first region; and the means comprises a light redirecting member adjacent the light-emitting surface of the first light guide, the light redirecting member configured to provide the light having the vector component directed towards the light engine by redirecting part of the light output from the first light guide. ### Claim 84 (depends on 83) The lighting assembly of claim 83, wherein the light redirecting member comprises a turning film. ### Claim 85 (depends on 83) The lighting assembly of claim 83, wherein the light redirecting member comprises lenticular optical elements. ### Claim 86 (depends on 83) The lighting assembly of claim 83, wherein the light redirecting member comprises prismatic optical elements. ### Claim 87 (depends on 83) The lighting assembly of claim 83, wherein the light redirecting member comprises micro-optical elements. ### Claim 88 (depends on 79) The lighting assembly of claim 79, wherein: the light engine is a first light engine; the light guide comprises a first light input edge at which the light guide is edge lit by the first light engine, and additionally comprises a second light input edge different from the first light input edge; the means comprises a second light engine; and the second light engine is optically coupled to the second light input edge of the first light guide, and provides light that, when output from the first light guide, has the vector component directed towards the first light engine. ### Claim 89 (depends on 88) The lighting assembly of claim 88, wherein the first light guide comprises: an additional edge parallel to neither of the light input edges; and a conductive member extending along the additional edge between the light engines. ### Claim 90 (depends on 89) The lighting assembly of claim 89, wherein the conductive member is electrically conductive and conveys at least one of electrical power and information signaling between the light engines. ### Claim 91 (depends on 89) The lighting assembly of claim 89, wherein the conductive member is optically conductive and conveys information signaling between the light engines. ### Claim 92 (depends on 88) The lighting assembly of claim 88, further comprising a control assembly having a sensor operable to detect light directed towards the first light engine from the second light engine through the first light guide. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) The lighting assembly of claim 92, wherein the control assembly is configured to adjust light output by the first light engine in response to output by the sensor.