JPWO2020207957A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device. The present invention further relates to a lighting fixture or a lighting system comprising such a lighting device.

Panels having lens arrays are known in the art. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0242161 describes a display panel comprising a substrate, an array of pixel light sources that generate light, an array of pixel drive circuits electrically coupled to the array of pixel light sources, the pixel drive circuits driving corresponding pixel light sources, each pixel light source being individually controllable, and an array of microlenses aligned with the pixel light sources and positioned to reduce divergence of light generated by the pixel light sources, the array of pixel drive circuits, the array of pixel light sources, and the array of microlenses all integrated on the substrate. The display panel further comprises an optical spacer that maintains the position of the array of microlenses relative to the array of pixel light sources, the optical spacer also being integrated on the substrate.

US Patent No. 9,618,179 (B2) discloses an illumination unit comprising an array of a plurality of light source units configured to provide corresponding light source unit light, a first foil including a plurality of transparent first foil regions, each of the first foil regions having a plurality of optical elements, and a second foil including a plurality of transparent second foil regions, each of the second foil regions having a plurality of optical elements, each light source unit including a corresponding first foil region configured downstream of the light source unit and a corresponding second foil region configured downstream of the first foil region.

WO 2017/198517 A1 discloses a light output device for receiving incident light and providing output light, comprising a plate having a first major surface for receiving the incident light and a second opposing surface for providing the output light, at least one of the first and second surfaces comprising a mosaic surface of mosaic lenses, the mosaic lenses having at least a first region and a second region, in each region all hexagons being regular hexagons of the same size and the same angular orientation relative to each other, the first region and the second region having a relative rotation of the lenses between the regions about a normal to the mosaic surface, the first region and the second region being randomly aligned relative to each other, and each region comprising at least seven mosaic lenses.

Canadian Patent No. 3029487(A) discloses a lighting fixture including an illumination light source matrix including illumination light sources configured to be driven by electrical power to emit light beams for illumination. The lighting fixture further includes an optical lens positioned and configured to extend over the illumination light source matrix, the optical lens including an input surface coupled to receive incident light beams emitted by the illumination light sources and an output surface. Both the input surface and the output surface each include various portions for refracting or totally internally reflecting the incident light beams emitted by the illumination light sources passing therethrough to shape or direct the illumination light into an output beam pattern. A coupled illumination light source driver selectively controls the illumination light sources individually or in combination to adjust the output beam pattern from the optical lens.

Addressable arrays of LEDs are currently being developed. Such arrays may be dense, especially if based on micro-LEDs. Micro-LEDs may therefore form the basis of large-area luminous sheets, which may be flexible. These sheets may all be turned on/off, but the substrate may also include pixel electrodes, the size of which may not necessarily be related to the size of the micro-LEDs. Such micro-LED arrays may produce inherently diffuse light. Beam shaping may be obtained by adding beam-shaping optics. However, this may only be practical for very small arrays. Beam shaping for larger sheets becomes impractical (large) or has very limited possibilities. Furthermore, such beam shaping may not allow a controllable directionality of the beam delivered by the LED array.

Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an alternative lighting device, which preferably also at least partially obviates one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages. The present invention may have as an object to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

In particular, a planar illumination device (which may be flexible) is proposed herein, which comprises a number of light sources, e.g. micro-LEDs, on a substrate. The light sources are individually addressable or addressable in small clusters (or "subsets"). In particular, in embodiments, a layer (single layer) of (spherical) lenses may be added to give each light source (cluster) a specific intensity distribution. The sphere diameter may in particular be (several times) larger than the pitch of the light sources (or light source clusters, such as micro-LED clusters), so that each light source can obtain a main beam direction (in the case of smaller spheres, each light source may have multiple intensity peaks). The array of light sources (such as a micro-LED array), or the array of spheres, may in embodiments be ordered. In particular, however, the position of the spheres is not correlated with the position of the light sources. In this way, a relatively large variation of the relative positions of the light sources and the spheres in the planar illumination device may be obtained.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention provides an illumination device ("device") comprising a first 2D (two-dimensional) array of a plurality of n light sources (e.g., micro LEDs, etc.) and a second 2D array of a plurality of m beam shaping elements configured downstream of the light sources. In particular, the light sources are configured to generate source light. In a particular embodiment, the n light sources include a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources. Further, in particular, the beam shaping elements are configured to shape beams of source light of the n light sources.

In certain embodiments, n≧16. In further certain embodiments, m≧4. In yet further certain embodiments, n/m>1. In yet further certain embodiments, 4≦k≦n.

The lighting device is particularly configured to generate lighting device light, which includes light source light from one or more of the light sources.

Thus, in certain embodiments, different individually controllable subsets of light sources are arranged upstream of one or more beam shaping elements, more particularly upstream of a plurality of beam shaping elements, even more particularly upstream of each beam shaping element, and even more particularly, in particular embodiments, two or more of the beam shaping elements have different spatial arrangements of light sources arranged upstream of the (corresponding) beam shaping element.

Thus, in (another or the same) particular embodiment, the illumination device may comprise p sections including (i) m1 beam shaping elements and (ii) n1 light sources arranged upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements, with at least a portion of the total number of n1 light sources being included by a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of light sources. Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources arranged upstream of the beam shaping elements have a configuration relative to each other. In a particular embodiment, 1≦p≦m. In a further particular embodiment, 4≦m1≦m. Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, n1≧16≦n1≦n, and further, the m1 configurations (within the (corresponding) section) are different from each other, especially regardless of the distance between the second 2D array and the corresponding light source.

Therefore, inter alia, the present invention provides (in one aspect) an illumination device comprising a first 2D array of a plurality of n light sources and a second 2D array of a plurality of m beam shaping elements arranged downstream of the light sources, the second 2D array comprising:
a light source configured to generate source light, the n light sources comprising a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of light sources, and a beam shaping element configured to shape a beam of source light of the n light sources, where n≧16, m≧4, n/m>1, and k≦n/2;
- providing an illumination device in which a different, individually controllable subset of light sources is arranged upstream of each beam shaping element, with two or more of the beam shaping elements having a different spatial configuration with respect to the light sources arranged upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element.

In particular, the present invention also provides (in one (other) aspect) an illumination device comprising a first 2D array of a plurality of n light sources and a second 2D array of a plurality of m beam shaping elements arranged downstream of the light sources,
a light source configured to generate source light, the n light sources comprising a plurality k of individually controllable subsets of light sources, and a beam shaping element configured to shape a beam of source light of the n light sources, where n≧16, m≧4, n/m>1, and 4≦k≦n;
- the lighting device also provides a lighting device comprising p sections, each section including (i) m1 beam shaping elements and (ii) n1 light sources configured upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements, wherein at least a portion of the total number of n1 light sources is comprised by a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of light sources, wherein each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources configured upstream of said beam shaping elements have a configuration relative to one another, where 1≦p≦m, 4≦m1≦m and 16≦n1≦n, and the m1 configurations differ from one another, regardless of the distance between the second 2D array and the corresponding light source.

In such devices, it may be possible to control the beam shape and/or beam direction of the illumination device light (which may consist essentially of source light from one or more of the light sources). Depending on which light sources (and how they) contribute to the illumination device light, narrow beams, wide beams, asymmetric beams, etc. may all be provided by the illumination device. Thus, by controlling the light sources, various light intensity distributions may be created.

For a beam shaping element, one or more, more particularly two or more light sources may be configured upstream of the beam shaping element. The light source light of these light sources may therefore be beam shaped by the beam shaping elements configured downstream of these (one or more, more particularly two or more) light sources. These (one or more, more particularly two or more) light sources are therefore configured upstream of the particular beam shaping element. Therefore, in particular upstream of each beam shaping element, one or more, in particular two or more, even more particularly four or more light sources may be configured. In this way, each of the multiple light sources is configured with a beam shaping element. Therefore, all of the n light sources are configured upstream of the m beam shaping elements. If m>1, each of the beam shaping elements is configured downstream of a subset of the n light sources. Two or more of the light sources configured upstream of the beam shaping element may be individually controllable. Therefore, in an embodiment, two or more light sources, which may be individually controllable, may be configured upstream of each of the (m1) beam shaping elements. Thus, in an embodiment, a different individually controllable subset of light sources is configured upstream of each beam shaping element, thus, in an embodiment, each beam shaping element (such as a lens) may have at least two separately controllable light sources.

In particular, in an embodiment, the light source may have a first pitch and the beam shaping elements may have a second pitch, the first pitch being smaller than the second pitch, in particular the ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch being not an integer, in particular the ratio being greater than 2 (see also further below). Alternatively or additionally, the beam shaping elements may have dimensions (in a plane parallel to the plane of the light source) greater than the dimensions of the (corresponding) light source. Alternatively or additionally, the beam shaping elements are arranged in a random or pseudo-random arrangement (different from the arrangement of the light sources) and/or the light sources are arranged in a random or pseudo-random arrangement (different from the arrangement of the beam shaping elements).

In such an embodiment, and also in other embodiments (see also below), one or more individually controllable light sources or a subset of light sources may provide a certain dimming range of the source light. Moreover, in certain embodiments, two or more of the beam shaping elements have different spatial configurations of light sources configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping elements. Thus, the light sources may be configured such that two or more beam shaping elements may have different configurations of light sources upstream of these beam shaping elements. The different configurations in particular relate to the configuration of the light sources in a plane relative to the arrangement of the beam shaping elements. The light sources may be arranged in a spatially different manner. If different configurations are present, the beams of source light downstream of the corresponding two or more beam shaping elements may be different. In particular, the selection of a light source upstream of one of the two or more beam shaping elements may result in a beam downstream of the corresponding beam shaping element that cannot essentially be generated by a light source upstream of another of the two or more beam shaping elements. This may be achieved, among others, for example, when the light sources or beam shaping elements are arranged in a random or pseudorandom arrangement (see also below). Therefore, in an embodiment, there may be at least two different spatial configurations of the light source and beam shaping element combination.

Those skilled in the art will understand when the two configurations are spatially distinct.

If two spatial configurations of light sources for two corresponding beam shaping elements (configured downstream of the corresponding light source configuration) are identical but one of the configurations is missing one or more elements (e.g. both are hexagonal packing but one is missing one element), this is not considered a spatially distinct configuration.

If the configuration of light sources is the same, but the optical axes of the beam shaping elements are configured in a different way with respect to the corresponding configuration of light sources, then these are considered spatially distinct configurations (of light sources and their corresponding downstream configured beam shaping elements). For example, consider two pentagonal configurations, each with five light sources, where each pentagon has a center and light sources equidistant from the center. If the corresponding beam shaping elements have optical axes that intersect the pentagonal plane at different distances from the center, then both the configurations of light sources and the corresponding beam shaping elements are spatially distinct. For example, one optical axis may intersect the center and one may not, and in the latter variant, the beam shaping elements may be offset with respect to the configuration of light sources upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element.

If two configurations of light sources downstream of two corresponding beam shaping elements have one or more minimum distances between adjacent light sources that are available only in one of the light source configurations, this may be evidence of spatially different configurations of the beam shaping elements and the light sources configured upstream of their counterparts. The difference in the minimum distances may be greater than about 5% of the light source dimensions (such as the length, width, or diameter of the solid-state light source die).

If one of the two configurations cannot be aligned with the other (e.g., without due to the absence of one or more elements in one of the configurations), this may be due to spatially different configurations. For example, a triangle with two sides a arranged at a 90° angle may define three light sources exactly in the same positions as a square with side a. Thus, such three light sources arranged in such a triangular configuration may not be spatially different from such a square configuration of four light sources. However, a pentagon with sides may define five light source positions, resulting in a spatially different configuration from a square with side a with four light source positions.

Therefore, in a particular embodiment, the lighting device may comprise p sections, each section including (i) m1 (adjacent) beam shaping elements and (ii) n1 (adjacent) light sources arranged upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements. In particular, each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources arranged upstream of said beam shaping elements have a configuration relative to each other. In a particular embodiment, 1≦p≦m. In an embodiment, 1≦m1≦m. In yet further particular embodiments, 4≦m1≦m. And even further, in a particular embodiment, n1≧16, in particular 16≦n1≦n, more particularly there may be at least some randomness (see also above). Thus, in a particular embodiment, the m1 configurations are different from each other, irrespective of the distance between the second 2D array and the corresponding light source. Thus, in an embodiment, the illumination device comprises p sections including (i) m1 beam shaping elements and (ii) n1 light sources configured upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements, wherein each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources configured upstream of the beam shaping elements have a configuration relative to each other, where 1≦p≦m, 4≦m1≦m, and n1≧16, and in certain embodiments the m1 configurations are different from each other, regardless of the distance between the second 2D array and the corresponding light source.

In such devices, the beam shape and/or beam direction may be controlled as a function of controlling the light sources. Furthermore, in such devices, an essentially Lambertian emission of the illumination device light may be obtained when all light sources are switched on, but by selecting one or more subsets of the total number of light sources to generate the illumination device light, very different beam shapes and/or beam directions may be obtained. From Lambertian light distributions to narrow beams to batwing-shaped light distributions may be obtained with a single illumination device. However, in embodiments, illumination device light with asymmetric light intensity distributions may also be created.

Therefore, the present invention provides, in one aspect, an illumination device comprising a first 2D array of a plurality of n light sources and a second 2D array of a plurality of m beam shaping elements arranged downstream of the light sources. The term "2D array" may refer to a 2D array. As will be shown below, the first array and/or the second array are not necessarily regular. In an embodiment, one or both of them may be random, or even better, pseudo-random, such that the array is (essentially) irregular but still evenly distributed without large gaps or clustering. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the second 2D array of beam shaping elements is random or pseudo-random (random array or pseudo-random array). In other particular embodiments, the first array of light sources is random or pseudo-random (random array or pseudo-random array).

Thus, in an embodiment, at least a portion of the total number of light sources and/or at least a portion of the total number of beam shaping elements may be arranged in an irregular array. However, in an embodiment, at least a portion of the total number of light sources and/or at least a portion of the total number of beam shaping elements may also be arranged in a regular array. In particular, in an embodiment, at least a portion of the total number of beam shaping elements may be arranged in an irregular array. This is elucidated further below.

In a particular embodiment, the lighting device is a planar device. In further particular embodiments, the lighting device may be rigid or flexible. For example, a flexible sheet with the light source may be applied. Also, a flexible sheet with beam shaping elements may be applied. Or the beam shaping elements may be included between flexible sheets (see also further below).

In particular, the first 2D array of light sources may be based on a single (flexible) support in which the light sources are embedded or attached. Thus, in certain embodiments, the first 2D array of light sources may have a length and width that are substantially larger than their height, such as at least 100 times larger, such as at least 10 times larger. Thus, in an embodiment, the multiple light sources are contained by a (flexible) sheet or a (flexible) sheet-like layer (e.g., in particular a single layer). In an embodiment, the sheet may be curved.

In particular, the second 2D array may be based on layers or layers, including the beam shaping elements in a single layer. In an embodiment, the second 2D array may include a first layer and a second layer, between which the beam shaping elements are arranged. These layers may be flexible layers. Thus, in a particular embodiment, the beam shaping elements are arranged next to each other in a single plane (which may be curved in an embodiment). Thus, in a particular embodiment, the second 2D array of beam shaping elements may have a length and width that is substantially larger than its height, such as at least 100 times larger, such as at least 10 times larger. Thus, in an embodiment, the beam shaping elements are included by a sheet or a sheet-like layer. In an embodiment, the sheet may be curved.

As mentioned above, in an embodiment, the beam shaping element may be included between two layers. This may be particularly true if the beam shaping element includes a sphere. If the beam shaping element includes a half dome, a layer with an integrated half dome may be provided. In an alternative embodiment, the beam shaping element may be embedded in a host material, in particular a light-transmitting material such as a silicone layer. In particular, the refractive index of the host material, for example at 550 nm, is substantially lower, such as at least 10% lower, or in particular at least 25% lower, than the refractive index of the beam shaping element.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the location of an article or feature relative to the propagation of light from a light generating means (here specifically, a light source), such that, relative to a first location in the light beam from the light generating means, a second location in the light beam that is closer to the light generating means is "upstream," and a third location in the light beam that is farther away from the light generating means is "downstream."

Optionally, there may be further optical elements downstream of the beam shaping element, such as, for example, optical filters such as color filters or polarizing filters, or diffusers with limited scattering angles, UV blocking filters, etc. However, in general, the optical elements downstream of the beam shaping element are not highly diffusive in nature in order to maintain the beam shape. These optional further optical elements are not discussed further herein.

In particular, the light source is configured to generate source light. The lighting device is configured in particular to generate lighting device light. The lighting device light may include source light of a light source that is switched on (in a control mode, see below).

In particular, the lighting device is configured to generate visible light, although other options may also be possible, such as one or more of IR radiation and UV radiation, additionally or alternatively.

In embodiments, the lighting device may be configured to generate white (lighting device) light. In other embodiments, the lighting system may be configured to generate colored (lighting device) light. Since the lighting device light may be controllable (see also below), in certain embodiments the lighting device light may have controllable optical properties selected from the group of color point, color temperature, color rendering index, etc.

As will be elucidated further below, in particular (at least) the illumination device light is controllable with respect to its intensity distribution. Hence, the beam angle and/or beam width and/or the intensity distribution within the beam (of the illumination device light) may be controllable herein. As mentioned above, the beam shaping element is configured to shape the beam of source light of the n light sources.

The terms "visible," "visible light," or "visible emission," and similar terms, refer to light having one or more wavelengths in the range of about 380-780 nm.

The term "white light" as used herein is known to those skilled in the art. In particular, white light refers to light having a correlated color temperature (CCT) of about 2000-20000K, in particular 2700-20000K, for general illumination in particular in the range of about 2700K-6500K, and for backlighting purposes in particular in the range of about 7000K-20000K, and in particular within about 15 SDCM (standard deviation of color matching) from the BBL (black body locus), in particular within about 10 SDCM from the BBL, and even more particularly within about 5 SDCM from the BBL.

The term "light source" may refer to a semiconductor light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a resonant cavity light emitting diode (RCLED), a vertical cavity laser diode (VCSEL), an edge emitting laser, etc. The term "light source" may also refer to an organic light emitting diode, such as a passive-matrix organic light-emitting diode (PMOLED) or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). In a particular embodiment, the light source comprises a solid-state light source (such as an LED or a laser diode). In one embodiment, the light source comprises an LED (light emitting diode). The term LED may also refer to a plurality of LEDs. Furthermore, the term "light source" may also refer to a so-called chips-on-board (COB) light source in an embodiment. The term "COB" refers in particular to an LED chip in the form of a semiconductor chip, which is mounted directly on a substrate, such as a PCB, without being encapsulated or connected. Thus, a plurality of semiconductor light sources may be configured on the same substrate. In an embodiment, the COB is a multi-LED chip that is integrated into a single lighting module.

The phrases "different light sources" or "multiple different light sources" and similar phrases may, in embodiments, refer to multiple solid-state light sources selected from at least two different bins. Similarly, the phrases "same light source" or "multiple identical light sources" and similar phrases may, in embodiments, refer to multiple solid-state light sources selected from the same bin.

In this specification, the term "light source" refers in particular to a solid-state light source, in particular to a small solid-state light source, such as one having a mini-size or micro-size. For example, the light source may include one or more of a mini-LED and a micro-LED. In particular, in an embodiment, the light source includes a micro-LED or "microLED" or "μLED". In this specification, the term mini-size or mini-LED refers in particular to a solid-state light source having dimensions such as die dimensions, in particular length and width, selected from the range of 100 μm to 1 mm. In this specification, the term μ-size or micro-LED refers in particular to a solid-state light source having dimensions such as die dimensions, in particular length and width, selected from the range of 100 μm or less.

The lighting device comprises n light sources. In particular, n≧16, even more particularly, n≧64, and even more particularly, n≧100. In yet further embodiments, n≧4096, such as n≧10,000, but n≧100,000 may also be possible. The term "lighting device" may also refer to a plurality of lighting devices that are functionally coupled. Thus, the term "lighting system" (see also further below) may refer to a plurality of functionally coupled lighting devices, each having, for example, 4096 solid-state light sources.

As mentioned above, the lighting device light may be controllable, particularly in the sense that at least the intensity distribution of the lighting device light may be controllable. Thus, in an embodiment, the angular intensity distribution may be controllable. Thus, in a particular embodiment, the n light sources may include a plurality k of individually controllable subsets of light sources. In an embodiment, k=n. If each subset includes a single light source, k=n. In particular, k≧2, such as more particularly k≧4. In general, there will be substantially more individually controllable subsets, such as k≧16. In particular embodiments, k≦n/2, or even k≦n/4, but k may also be n. In particular, in an embodiment, 4≦k≦n.

The term "individually controllable" may in particular indicate that an individually controllable light source or a subset of light sources may be switched from an off state to an on state (or vice versa) and/or may be dimmed in intensity. The latter may refer, for example, to a stepwise or stepless brightening (increasing intensity) or dimming (decreasing intensity). In such an embodiment, one or more individually controllable light sources or a subset of light sources may provide a certain dimming range of the source light. Thus, in an embodiment, the beam shape (and light intensity) of the lighting device light may be controlled by switching on (and/or off on the other hand) one or more controllable subsets of the light sources. In other embodiments, the beam shape (and light intensity) of the lighting device light may be controlled by brightening (and/or dimming on the other hand) one or more controllable subsets of the light sources. In yet other embodiments, both options may be applied (for different controllable subsets).

In embodiments, the lighting device light is therefore also controllable in intensity. As noted above, in certain embodiments, the lighting device light is therefore also controllable in one or more of color point, color temperature, color rendering, etc.

As mentioned above, the m beam shaping elements are particularly configured to shape the beams of source light of the n light sources. In general (see also below), a single beam shaping element may be configured downstream of two or more light sources. Thus, in particular n/m>1, and even more particularly n/m>4, such as n/m>10. In an embodiment, n/m>100. In an embodiment, n/m>500. In a particular embodiment, n/m<20,000, but larger values may also be possible. In a further particular embodiment, n/m<10,000.

The beam shaping element may include one or more of a collimator and a lens. A collimator may in particular be a solid light-transmitting body. A lens is itself a light-transmitting body. The beam shaping element may therefore consist essentially of a light-transmitting material. The beam shaping element may therefore in particular be a refractive element (refractive to the source light), or a total internal reflection element.

The light-transmitting material may be polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (Plexiglas® or Perspex®), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), silicone, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and in one embodiment polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), including glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate. The insulating layer may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of transparent organic materials, such as selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PET), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and cycloolefin copolymer (COC). In particular, the light-transmitting material may be, for example, polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl)methacrylate (P(M)MA), polyglycolide or polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene adipate (PEA), polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTB ... In particular, the light-transmitting material may comprise an aromatic polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or a copolymer thereof. In particular, the light-transmitting material may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The light-transmitting material is therefore in particular a polymeric light-transmitting material. However, in another embodiment, the light-transmitting material may comprise an inorganic material. In particular, the inorganic light-transmitting material may be selected from the group consisting of glass, (fused) quartz, a transparent ceramic material, and silicone. Also, hybrid materials comprising both inorganic and organic parts may be applied. In particular, the light-transmitting material comprises one or more of PMMA, transparent PC, or glass.

In an embodiment, the beam shaping element may include a collimator portion and a lens portion integrated in a single body. Thus, a single beam shaping element may have both a collimation function and a lens function in an embodiment. The lens is in particular a converging lens. In a particular embodiment, all beam shaping elements include a lens, and even more particularly, essentially the same lens.

In particular embodiments, m>4. Even more particularly, m>64, such as m>100 or m>10000. In yet other particular embodiments, m=1. However, in particular, m>4.

The lighting device may be divided into (virtual) segments or sections. These may be cross-sectional parts that include a subset of the total number of beam shaping elements and light sources that are configured upstream of these beam shaping elements of the subset of the total number of beam shaping elements. Such segments or sections may build the lighting device, but they are not necessarily identical unit cells (although this may be the case), considering that embodiments are possible in which an irregular arrangement of light sources and/or beam shaping elements is used. However, a single specific section may include an irregular arrangement of light sources and/or beam shaping elements, but multiple such specific sections may be configured in a regular arrangement. This may result in a pseudo-random arrangement of light sources and/or beam shaping elements in embodiments. Repeating units of random cells is one way to create a pseudo-random arrangement. Another way is to divide the area into regular cells with one light source (or lens) per cell, but allow random positions of this light source (or lens) inside the cell. In this case, the cell is the boundary for the randomness of the light source positions.

A section is therefore in particular an imaginary cross-sectional portion across the array of light sources and beam shaping elements. The concept of a section is introduced herein in particular to further explain the desired randomness (see further below).

Each section includes a number of beam shaping elements and corresponding light sources. In particular, a section may be associated with a number of adjacent beam shaping elements and therefore also with a number of adjacent light sources. In certain embodiments, two or more of the beam shaping elements of a section are not adjacent. Therefore, the corresponding subset of light sources for the corresponding beam shaping element may not be configured adjacently in that case either. The former ("adjacent") embodiment is further discussed in particular herein, i.e. the invention is further discussed in particular with respect to adjacent beam shaping elements (and light sources), but this does not necessarily apply to the concept of a section.

The term "corresponding light source" and similar terms specifically refer to a light source that is configured upstream of a particular beam shaping element. In particular, it refers to a light source that is configured such that the optical axis (of the source light of that light source) passes through the beam shaping element. Hence, in such an embodiment, more of the source light will propagate through the (corresponding) beam shaping element than through any other (adjacent) beam shaping element.

Each beam shaping element and corresponding light source has a specific configuration. In particular, the configuration is referred to regardless of the distance from the light source to the beam shaping element. This distance is determined in particular perpendicular to the corresponding light source (the "z-direction"). The configuration may therefore also be a superposition of the light source and the beam shaping element in (or into) a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the corresponding beam shaping element and to the plane of the corresponding light source.

By definition, each section (in an embodiment) is defined to include at least four beam shaping elements. As mentioned above, in principle there may be a single section that has all the beam shaping elements, but in particular there will be multiple sections that include all the beam shaping elements as a whole.

Thus, in a particular embodiment, the lighting device comprises p sections, each section including (i) m1 (adjacent) beam shaping elements and (ii) n1 (adjacent) light sources arranged upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements, with each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources arranged upstream of said beam shaping elements having a configuration relative to each other. In particular embodiments, 1≦p≦m. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, 4≦m1≦m. In still further embodiments, n1≧16. In still further embodiments, m1≧16 (and in particular n1≧64).

Referring to the (total) array of light sources and beam shaping elements, every position under the beam shaping elements may correspond to a unique intensity peak direction. If the area is completely filled with individually addressable light sources, all directions can be addressed with a precision that may be limited by the size of the light sources and the size of the optical elements. In principle, one configuration (dense packing) may be sufficient in such a case. However, the lighting device may work better if there are more different configurations (e.g. at least two identical dense packings, but shifted by half a pitch, allowing a finer beam adjustability, even if all directions are already addressable by the first configuration). If the area upstream of the beam shaping elements is not completely filled with light sources, there may be gaps in the intensity distribution associated with positions where no light sources are available. To avoid this, it is desirable to have at least 1/f different configurations, where f=(total light source area)/(total area) is the area fraction or fill fraction of the light sources. As mentioned above, the addressability of the intensity distribution becomes more refined with more configurations. There may therefore be at least 1/f spatially distinct configurations (of the light sources relative to the beam shaping elements configured downstream of them), in particular at least 2/f configurations, or even more particularly at least 4/f configurations.

In particular, one or more of the (total number of) light sources in the section, and more particularly in the embodiment mostly, belong to different individually controllable subsets. In particular, for each beam shaping element in the section, at least one corresponding light source, more particularly at least two corresponding light sources, and even more particularly at least four corresponding light sources, belong to different individually controllable subsets. Therefore, in the embodiment, at least a part of the total number of n1 light sources is included by a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of light sources. More particularly, in the embodiment, for each beam shaping element in the section, one or more light sources configured upstream of the beam shaping element belong to one or more of the individually controllable subsets. Therefore, in the embodiment, for each beam shaping element in the section, there are one or more light sources, in particular two or more light sources, such as at least four, configured upstream of the beam shaping element, which belong to one or more of the individually controllable subsets.

In embodiments of a regular array of beam shaping elements and a regular array of light sources, all configurations may be essentially identical (but see also below). In particular, however, embodiments are provided herein in which some short-scale or long-scale irregularity may be available (see also above), which may lead to the fact that the different configurations may differ from one another. For example, at least four different configurations associated with corresponding at least four beam shaping elements may differ from one another.

Therefore, in an embodiment, the m1 configurations may be different from each other, regardless of the distance between the second 2D array and the corresponding light source.

It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the compartments may also include essentially the same configuration. Moreover, there may also be compartments whose configurations do not differ from one another. However, in certain embodiments, there may be multiple configurations that are different from one another, such as at least four, such as at least 16 different types of configurations.

Different configurations with individually controllable light sources may allow control of the beam shaping and/or beam direction of the lighting device light generated by the lighting device (from the light source light).

As mentioned above, one or more options may be selected to obtain different configurations. In an embodiment, the n1 light sources are included by a first arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of n light sources, the first arrangement being random or pseudorandom. Alternatively or additionally, the m1 beam shaping elements are included by a second arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of m beam shaping elements, the second arrangement being random or pseudorandom. Still further, alternatively or additionally, the lighting device may comprise a plurality of spacers, the spacers defining the positions of at least a portion of the total number of m beam shaping elements, the spacers being included by a third arrangement, the third arrangement being random or pseudorandom. The spacers may specify the positions of at least a portion of the total number of beam shaping elements. It should be noted that the arrangements are not identical when both the light sources and the beam shaping elements may be arranged in a random arrangement or pseudorandom arrangement, respectively.

The advantages of the invention may be achieved by introducing (some) randomness. However, even in embodiments with a regular array of beam shaping elements and a regular array of light sources, a subset of all configurations may also be different from each other. This may be especially true if the pitches do not match. In a particular embodiment, the light sources may have a first pitch (x1) and the beam shaping elements may have a second pitch (x1), where the first pitch (x1) is smaller than the second pitch (x2) and the ratio of the second pitch (x2) to the first pitch (x1) is not an integer.

Notably, also in the embodiments the ratio does not provide for a larger integer such as 2x or 3x or 4x. Thus, in certain embodiments the light source has a first pitch (x1) and the beam shaping element has a second pitch (x2), the first pitch (x1) being smaller than the second pitch (x2), and the ratio of the second pitch (x2) to the first pitch (x1), defined as a ^* x2/x1, is not an integer, where a is an integer selected from the range of 1 to 10. The larger a is, the more different configurations can be created.

The term "first pitch" may also refer to the pitch of the subset of light sources. For example, the regular array of the subset of light sources may have a pitch different from the pitch of the beam shaping elements, such that several times, such as at least four times, across the array of the regular array of the subset of light sources, the beam shaping elements and the corresponding light sources (of the corresponding regular array of light sources) have different configurations from each other. The term "first pitch" may also refer to multiple first pitches. In the xy plane, the (first) pitch may differ in one or two directions. Note that within a section, the pitch may have a mismatch, but the section may be arranged in a regular array (if there are multiple sections), so that a subset of (all) light sources belonging to the corresponding section and/or a subset of (all) beam shaping elements belonging to the corresponding section may have a regular pitch.

Other embodiments for creating different configurations may also be possible.

Thus, even if the beam shaping element may collimate the source light of the light sources, a substantially Lambertian light distribution of the illumination device light may be obtained when all light sources are switched on, whereas an intensity distribution that deviates, even significantly, from Lambertian may be obtained when one or more subsets of the light sources are switched on (but not all light sources are switched on).

As mentioned above, upstream of the beam shaping element, a number of light sources may be configured, which mainly supply their source light to the beam shaping element. For example, all light sources having an optical axis coinciding with parts of the same beam shaping element may be considered as the corresponding light source for the beam shaping element in question. In general, therefore, the in-plane dimensions of the beam shaping element are larger, if not significantly larger, than the in-plane dimensions of the light source. Thus, the light source comprises a (solid-state) light source having a first dimension d1 selected from the group of a first length, a first width, a first diagonal length and a first diameter, and the beam shaping element comprises a light-transmitting element having a second dimension d2 selected from the group of a second length, a second width, a second diagonal length and a second diameter, with d2≧4 ^* d1 in a particular embodiment. In particular, the dimensions therefore refer to the dimensions parallel to the plane of the light source or the beam shaping element, respectively. The dimensions of the light source may be the dimensions of the die in the embodiment of a solid-state light source.

For example, in certain embodiments, the first dimension d1 may be up to 200 μm and the second dimension d2 is at least 800 μm. In certain embodiments, the dimension d2 may be a diameter (also referred to herein as the "second diameter"). However, other dimensions may also be used.

One embodiment for obtaining different configurations is, for example, to use beam-shaping elements with different (in-plane) dimensions. Therefore, when arranged in a 2D array, they can relatively easily adopt or be forced into a random or pseudo-random, especially random, array. Thus, in a particular embodiment, the beam-shaping elements include a plurality p2 of subsets of beam-shaping elements, the subsets differing from each other with respect to at least one of the second dimensions d2, p2 ≧ 2. In further particular embodiments, p2 ≧ 4, for example 2 ≦ p2 ≦ 16, although a higher number of p2 may also be possible. In a particular embodiment, the smallest dimension is ≦ 90%, such as ≦ 80% of the largest dimension. When evaluating dimensions, the same type of dimension may be evaluated, such as either width, or length, or diameter, etc.

In certain embodiments, the beam shaping element includes a half dome.

The beam shaping element may have an optical axis. In particular, the beam shaping element may have one or more, in particular at least two, planes of symmetry that intersect each other at the optical axis, as may be the case for a sphere or a half-dome. The optical axis of the beam shaping element may in particular be configured essentially perpendicular to the first array and perpendicular to the second array.

Alternatively or additionally, the beam shaping element comprises a sphere. When using spheres, it may be relatively easy to use spheres with two or more different dimensions (see also above). Spheres may be very advantageous, as they may be easy to make in large quantities, especially if the lenses are very small. Furthermore, the sphere does not need to be oriented; when it is in contact with the light source (no spacers are needed), it is close to the focal point and works equally well in all directions (normal single lenses tend to impart significant aberrations in off-axis directions).

In certain embodiments, the lighting device comprises a single layer of beam shaping elements.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, n>100, n/m>4, k>10, and p>10.

The lighting device may be part of or applied to, for example, office lighting systems, home application systems, store lighting systems, domestic lighting systems, accent lighting systems, spot lighting systems, theatre lighting systems, fiber optic application systems, projection systems, warning sign systems, medical lighting application systems, indicator sign systems, decorative lighting systems, portable systems, automotive applications, (outdoor) roadway lighting systems, urban lighting systems, greenhouse lighting systems, horticultural lighting, etc.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention also provides a luminaire comprising a lighting device as defined herein. The luminaire may further comprise a housing, an optical element, a louver, etc.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention also provides a lighting system comprising a lighting device as defined herein and, optionally, a control system. In particular, the control system is configured to control a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources. Alternatively or additionally, the control system may be configured to control a beam shape and/or beam direction of the lighting device light. Furthermore, optionally, the control system may be configured to control a spectral distribution of the lighting device light. In particular, the present invention therefore provides a lighting system comprising a lighting device as defined herein and a control system configured to control a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources (and/or configured to control the lighting device light).

The term "controlling" and similar terms in particular refer to at least determining the behavior of an element or managing the operation of an element. Thus, in this specification, "controlling" and similar terms may refer to, for example, imposing a behavior on an element, such as, for example, measuring, displaying, activating, opening, transitioning, changing temperature, etc. (determining the behavior of an element or managing the operation of an element). In addition, the term "controlling" and similar terms may also include monitoring. Thus, the term "controlling" and similar terms may include imposing a behavior on an element, as well as imposing a behavior on an element and monitoring the element. Controlling an element can be performed by a control system, which may also be denoted as a "controller". Thus, the control system and the element may be functionally coupled, at least temporarily or permanently. The element may include the control system. In an embodiment, the control system and the element may not be physically coupled. Control can be performed via wired control and/or wireless control. The term "control system" may also refer to multiple different control systems that are specifically functionally coupled, where, for example, one control system may be a master control system and one or more other control systems may be slave control systems. A control system may include a user interface or may be functionally coupled to a user interface.

The control system may also be configured to receive and execute instructions from a remote controller. In an embodiment, the control system may be controlled via an app on a device, such as a portable device, such as a smartphone or I-phone, tablet, etc. Thus, the device is not necessarily coupled to the lighting device, but may be (temporarily) functionally coupled to the lighting device.

Therefore, in an embodiment, the control system may (also) be configured to be controlled by an app on a remote device. In such an embodiment, the control system of the lighting system may be a slave control system or may control in a slave mode. For example, the lighting system may be identifiable by a code, in particular a unique code for the corresponding lighting system. The control system of the lighting system may be configured to be controlled by an external control system that has access to the lighting system based on knowledge of the (unique) code entered by a user interface of an optical sensor (e.g. a QR code reader). The lighting system may also comprise means for communicating with other systems or devices, such as based on Bluetooth, Wi-fi, ZigBee, BLE or WiMax, or another wireless technology.

A system, or an apparatus, or a device may perform an action in a "mode" or "operation mode" or "mode of operation". Similarly, in a method, an action, or a stage, or a step may be performed in a "mode" or "operation mode" or "mode of operation". The term "mode" may also be indicated as a "control mode". This does not exclude that the system, or an apparatus, or a device may also be configured to provide another control mode or multiple other control modes. Similarly, this may not exclude that one or more other modes may be performed before performing a mode and/or after performing a mode.

However, in an embodiment, a control system may be available that is configured to provide at least the control mode. If other modes are available, the selection of such modes may in particular be performed via a user interface, although other options may also be possible, such as executing the mode depending on a sensor signal or a (time) scheme. An operating mode may also refer in an embodiment to a system, or an apparatus, or a device that can only operate in a single operating mode (i.e., "on", without further adjustability).

Thus, in an embodiment, the control system may be responsive to one or more of a user interface input signal, a sensor signal (of a sensor), and a timer. The term "timer" may refer to a clock and/or a predefined time scheme.

In the case of a (pseudo)random arrangement of the beam shaping elements, it may not be known in advance how to control the light sources to obtain the desired light distribution. Therefore, a calibration routine may be applied. The calibration routine may be performed at the manufacturing plant (of the lighting device or luminaire or lighting system), on-site (by the installer), or on-site by the consumer (on-site). A combination of such options may also be applied, such as a pre-calibration at the manufacturing plant and a fine-tuning calibration on-site (after installation). The calibration may also be relatively simplified in that, rather than all possible intensity distributions being evaluated ("full calibration"), the user or installer, for example, defines several desired positions where the lighting device light should be obtained and positions a sensor (or even uses the eye) at those locations (simultaneously or sequentially), and the calibration routine may define which light sources belong to the desired intensity distribution.

Thus, in an embodiment, the control system may be configured to execute a calibration routine in a calibration mode, which determines a set of (a) intensity distribution characteristics and (b) associated light source settings for the multiple k individually controllable subsets of light sources as a function of (i) the multiple k individually controllable subsets of light sources and (ii) one or more of user input information (e.g., based on visual inspection) and the calibration sensor signal. This set may be stored, for example, in a memory of the control system. The intensity distribution characteristics may be, for example, a simplified description in terms of intensity distribution or peak direction for each subset of light sources. For example, the intensity distribution characteristics may be based in an embodiment on full angle measurements, but alternatively (or additionally), in an embodiment, may also be based on measurements using a simplified setup having only one or a few illuminometers in specific positions to determine the contribution of the subset of light sources to a certain direction (or a few directions), such as being pointed at a wall or a table, etc.

If sensors are applied, such sensors may be included by the lighting system, but may also be configured, in particular, external to the lighting device. In a particular embodiment, the lighting system (hence) may further comprise, in particular external to the lighting device, one or more optical sensors functionally coupled to the control system, the one or more optical sensors being configured to generate a calibration sensor signal during a calibration routine.

Still further, the lighting system may comprise a user interface, which is functionally connected or connectable to the control system. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface may be provided by an app. Thus, the present invention also provides, in one aspect, a computer program product that, when executed on a computer, functionally coupled to or included by a lighting device or lighting system as defined herein, is capable of causing one or more of (a) a calibration routine and (b) a method for controlling a plurality of light sources.

In certain embodiments, the control system may include a memory, a processing device (or a "processor" or a "processor system" or a "controller" or a "control system"), and a user interface and, optionally, a display.

Examples of user interface devices include, among others, manually actuated buttons, displays, touch screens, keypads, voice-activated input devices, audio outputs, indicators (e.g., lights), switches, knobs, modems, and networking cards. In particular, a user interface device may be configured to allow a user to instruct a device or apparatus with which the user interface is functionally included and thus functionally coupled. The user interface may include, among others, manually actuated buttons, touch screens, keypads, voice-activated input devices, switches, knobs, etc., and/or, optionally, modems and networking cards, etc. The user interface may include a graphical user interface. The term "user interface" may also refer to a remote user interface, such as a remote controller. The remote controller may be a separate dedicated device. However, the remote controller may also be a device having an app configured to control (at least) a system or device or apparatus.

The controller/processor and memory may be of any type. The processor may be capable of performing the various operations described and executing the instructions stored in the memory. The processor may be an application specific integrated circuit or a general purpose integrated circuit. Furthermore, the processor may be a dedicated processor for performing in accordance with the present system or may be a general purpose processor performing only one of many functions for performing in accordance with the present system. The processor may operate using program portions, multiple program segments, or may be a hardware device using a dedicated or multi-purpose integrated circuit.

In one aspect, the present invention also provides a lighting system comprising a lighting device and a control system. The lighting device comprises a first 2D array of a plurality of n light sources and a second 2D array of m beam shaping elements configured downstream of the light sources, the light sources configured to generate source light, the n light sources including a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources, the one or more beam shaping elements configured to shape the beam of source light of the n light sources, where n≧16, 1≦m≦4, n/m>1, in particular n/m≧100, such as n/m≧1000, further up to about 200,000, 2≦k≦n, in particular 4≦k≦n, such as 8≦k≦n. The control system is in particular configured to control the plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:
1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates several embodiments in a schematic manner. 1 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment and an accompanying simulation. 1 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment and an accompanying simulation. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Several arrangements, subsets, and beam shapes are shown. Among other things, one embodiment of a lighting system is illustrated diagrammatically.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.

In the following, the invention will be further elucidated. The term "microLED" may refer to microLEDs in some embodiments, but may also be used as an example of a light source, and therefore may also refer to miniLEDs in other embodiments, for example.

Figure 1a shows a schematic of one embodiment, a regular array of spheres arranged on a regular array of microLEDs.

1a shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an illumination device 1100 comprising a first 2D array 100 of a plurality of n light sources 10 and a second 2D array 200 of a plurality of m beam shaping elements 20 arranged downstream of the light sources 10. The light sources 10 are arranged to generate a source light 11. The beam shaping elements 20 are arranged to shape beams of the source light 11 of the n light sources 10. Here, in this (and other) schematic representation of the embodiment, the beam shaping elements 20 comprise a sphere. However, in other embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the beam shaping elements 20 comprise a half dome. The beam shaping elements 20 have an optical axis 0.

Reference symbol x1 denotes the pitch of the light source 10, and reference symbol x2 denotes the pitch of the beam shaping element 20. Reference symbol H denotes the height of the illumination device, which for the purposes of the present invention may essentially consist of the substrate 1122, the light source 10, the beam shaping element 20, and optionally a second layer (of essentially optically transparent material) (see FIG. 1d). The substrate 1122 may be flexible.

One or more, or even each, of the light sources 10 may be individually controllable. Thus, FIG. 1a also shows, in a schematic manner, an embodiment in which the n light sources (10) comprise a plurality k of individually controllable subsets (110) of the light sources (10). In an embodiment, k=n, in which case all light sources are individually controllable.

In Fig. 1a-1f, k=4 by way of example, i.e. four different individually controllable subsets 110 of light sources 10 are shown. Hence, all light sources 10 designated with reference sign 110(k) belong to the kth subset. Of course, there may be fewer or more subsets.

In an embodiment, all light sources belong to the controllable subset.

Reference numeral 410 refers to a spacer element that may be used to position the beam shaping elements. Thus, in an embodiment, the lighting device 1100 may comprise a plurality of spacers 410, which may define the position of at least a portion of the total number of (m) beam shaping elements 20.

The light source 10 may include a solid-state light source. The light source, such as a solid-state die, may have a first dimension d1 selected from the group of a first length, a first width, a first diagonal length, and a first diameter. The beam shaping element 20 includes an optically transparent element that may have a second dimension d2 selected from the group of a second length, a second width, a second diagonal length, and a second diameter. In particular, and as also shown diagrammatically, d2 ≧ 4 ^* d1. For example, the first dimension d1 is at most 200 μm and the second dimension d2 is at least 800 μm. Here, in some of the embodiments shown diagrammatically, d1 may be the length or width of the light source, in particular the solid-state light source die. Moreover, in some embodiments shown diagrammatically herein, in particular, the dimension d2 is a diameter.

The advantage of this embodiment is that it may be relatively easy to calibrate; each microLED has a predefined intensity distribution since all relative positions may be essentially known. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the spacer blocks light from entering adjacent spheres, which would cause satellite peaks in the intensity distribution.

In another embodiment, both the microLED array and the sphere array may be regular, but the pitch of the sphere array may be different than an integer number of times the pitch of the microLEDs. As a result, each sphere will be associated with a set of microLEDs that have slightly different positions (relative to the sphere) than adjacent spheres. As a result, the set of microLED intensities will have more variation, and the target intensity may be more closely approximated.

In FIG. 1a, the configuration of the light source 10 with respect to the three corresponding beam shaping elements 20 is essentially the same. Hence, here, two or more of the beam shaping elements 20 do not have a different spatial configuration of the light source 10 configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20.

Figure 1b shows one such embodiment diagrammatically, where the pitch of the light source 10, denoted x1, and the pitch of the beam shaping element 20, denoted x2, are different. The latter need not be an integer multiple of the former.

In FIG. 1b, two or more of the beam shaping elements 20, here all four, have different spatial configurations of the light sources 10 configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20.

Please note that in FIG. 1b, or in other figures, not all elements such as light source 10, beam shaping element 20, controllable subset 110, etc. are shown for each light source, beam shaping element, light source/set of light sources, etc. For purposes of readability, only some of those elements are shown with their reference numbers.

There may be various alternatives to achieve essentially the same benefit, such as irregular microLED patterns, irregular sphere arrays caused by variations in sphere diameter, irregular sphere arrays caused by irregular spacer positions, or combinations.

Figure 1c shows a schematic representation of an embodiment in which the (n1) light sources are included in a first arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of (n) light sources 10, and the first arrangement is random or pseudorandom.

In FIG. 1c, two or more of the beam shaping elements 20, here all four, have different spatial configurations of the light sources 10 configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20.

Figure 1d shows a schematic of an embodiment in which the (m1) beam shaping elements 20 are included in a second arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of (m) beam shaping elements 20, the second arrangement being random or pseudo-random.

1d also shows, in a schematic manner, an embodiment in which the beam shaping elements 20 include a plurality p2 of subsets of beam shaping elements 20, the subsets differing from one another with respect to at least one of the second dimensions d2, where p2≧2. In this schematic drawing, the left-most and right-most beam shaping elements have the same second dimension (here, diameter), while the second diameters of the two intermediate beam shaping elements 20 are different from the two outer beam shaping elements and from one another. Thus, in this schematic embodiment, p2=3.

Hence, also in FIG. 1d, two or more of the beam shaping elements 20, here all four, have a different spatial configuration of the light source 10 arranged upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20.

Here, a second layer 1121 (of an essentially light-transmitting material) is shown diagrammatically. Such a layer may also be used in other embodiments described and/or shown diagrammatically herein.

Figure 1e shows a schematic of an embodiment in which the spacers 410 are contained by a third arrangement, the third arrangement being random or pseudorandom.

In FIG. 1b, two or more of the beam shaping elements 20 have different spatial configurations of light sources 10 configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20. Some of them may also have the same different spatial configurations of light sources 10 configured upstream of the corresponding beam shaping element 20 (the leftmost, second from the left, and rightmost).

As shown in Figures 1a-1e, and in particular in Figures 1b-1e, different configurations of beam shaping elements 20 and associated light sources 10 are created, in particular in the xy plane, i.e. in a plane parallel to the array of light sources 100 and the array of beam shaping elements. Therefore, when superposition is made, the different configurations may be clearly visible, for example with reference to Figure 1f, two examples are provided, with an upper row having a regular array of beam shaping elements 20 but an irregular or pseudo-random array of light sources 10, and with a lower row having a regular array 100 of light sources 10 and an irregular or pseudo-random array 200 of beam shaping elements 20 obtained by using beam shaping elements 20 with different second dimensions d2.

Figure 1f shows three different spatial configurations of light sources 10 arranged upstream of corresponding beam shaping elements 20 in the upper series. Figure 1 shows at least some different spatial configurations of light sources 10 arranged upstream of corresponding beam shaping elements 20 in the upper series.

Below, simulation results are presented, inter alia, for a slightly irregular LED distribution in combination with a slightly irregular layer of transparent PMMA spheres.

When one LED is switched on, the closest sphere will produce the main intensity peak. Adjacent spheres may produce several secondary, lower intensity peaks. When multiple microLEDs are used, these peaks will average out to a background level. This background level may be reduced by blocking elements between the spheres or by using somewhat collimated microLEDs instead of Lambertian emission sources (e.g., by using microLEDs in a small reflector cup or with primary optics).

The light source and its nearest neighboring sphere are one example of an embodiment that is also referred to herein as, among other things, a beam shaping element and a light source configured upstream of the beam shaping element.

It cannot be excluded that some light sources distribute light evenly across more than one beam shaping element. However, this may be ignored when considering a relatively large number of light sources, or alternatively, the light source may be considered to consist of two or more light sources (within the same controllable subset).

Figure 2a shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an illumination device 1100 or at least a part of such an illumination device, with a number of light sources 10, shown as small circles, and downstream of the light sources, a beam shaping element 20, shown as a large circle. They are depicted in a single (projection) plane. Furthermore, a section P is shown by way of example.

In particular, for each beam shaping element 20 in the section 300, at least two corresponding light sources 10, and even more particularly at least four corresponding light sources 10, belong to different individually controllable subsets 110. The section 300 may be a cross-sectional portion of the lighting device, which may define a volume of the lighting device of total height H, and therefore may include a plurality of beam shaping elements and a plurality of (corresponding) light sources 10 (even more than the number of beam shaping elements).

As described above, the lighting device 1100 comprises p sections 300 each including m1 (adjacent) beam shaping elements 20 (here, four) and n1 (adjacent) light sources 10, here about 60, arranged upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements 20.

At least a portion of the total number of n1 light sources 10 is included by a plurality of k individually controllable subsets 110 of light sources 10. As shown, the configuration of the light sources 10 upstream of each beam shaping element 20 is different from the others. Thus, each of the m1 beam shaping elements 20 and the n1 light sources 10 configured upstream of that beam shaping element have a configuration relative to each other, and the m1 configurations are different from each other, regardless of the distance between the second 2D array 200 and the corresponding light source 10 (i.e. the distance in the z direction, perpendicular to the plane of the light sources or the plane of the beam shaping elements).

Please note that for clarity, not all light sources are indicated with their reference number 10 in the drawings, and likewise not all subsets are indicated with their reference number 110, and therefore there may be more subsets in the drawings than are indicated with reference number 110. This also applies to other elements, such as beam shaping elements 20, which are not all individually indicated with reference number 20.

Based on the sections shown in FIG. 2a, light beams were simulated in a Monte Carlo ray tracing simulation software tool. They are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2b. By controlling the light sources, here by switching on or off different light sources in the sections, it is believed that illumination device light with very different beam shapes can be obtained, such as narrow beam (NB), medium broad beam (MB), wide beam (WB), very wide beam (VWB), asymmetric beam (not shown), batwing or hollow beam (BW).

Figure 2b builds on Figures 3a-7b, where different subsets of light sources are switched on (light sources drawn in bold) or off (non-bold). As shown, completely different beam shapes can be provided. Each of Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 shows a different subset (figure a) and the associated beam shape (figure b). The different curves in figure b refer to different slices of the beam.

As mentioned above, asymmetric beams may also be produced.

Therefore, inter alia, it is proposed herein to add a layer of transparent refractive spheres aimed at the light of the individual LEDs, in particular the microLEDs. This may be a structured pattern of spheres and light sources such as microLEDs, but in particular also have a (semi-) unstructured distribution of light sources and/or spheres. In one aspect, a calibration step may be applied to determine the intensity distribution of each light source or a subset of light sources (such as microLEDs). This may be a detailed light intensity distribution or simply the coordinates and relative intensity of the main beam direction. Any overall intensity pattern can then be generated by switching on a subset of light sources such as microLEDs. This subset (or individual dimming levels) may in an embodiment be determined by an optimization algorithm to match the intensity distribution, which is the overall effect of the light sources such as microLEDs, to a target distribution. In an embodiment, it may also be simply to switch on all light sources that have a peak intensity direction within a given angular distance to the target peak intensity direction.

Figure 8 shows, in a schematic manner, an embodiment of a luminaire 1200 comprising the lighting device 1100. Moreover, the figure also shows, in a schematic manner, an embodiment of a lighting system 1000 comprising the lighting device 1100. The lighting system 1000 may further comprise a control system 30 configured to control a plurality k of individually controllable subsets of the light sources. The control system 30 may be configured to control a beam shape and/or a beam direction of the lighting device light. Furthermore, optionally, the control system 30 may be configured to control a spectral distribution of the lighting device light 1101.

The lighting system 1000 may further include, in an embodiment, one or more optical sensors 40 external to the lighting device 1100 and operatively coupled to the control system 30. In certain embodiments, the one or more optical sensors 40 may be configured to generate a calibration sensor signal during a calibration routine. As described above, in an embodiment, the control system 30 may be configured to execute a calibration routine in a calibration mode, which determines a set of (a) intensity distribution characteristics and (b) associated light source settings for the multiple k individually controllable subsets 110 of the light sources 10 as a function of (i) the multiple k individually controllable subsets 110 of the light sources 10 and (ii) one or more of the user input information and the calibration sensor signal.

Furthermore, the lighting system 1000 may include a user interface 50, which is operatively connected or connectable to the control system 30. The connection may be wireless or wired.

The term "plurality" refers to two or more.

The terms "substantially" or "essentially" and similar terms herein will be understood by those skilled in the art. The terms "substantially" or "essentially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Thus, in embodiments, the adjectives substantially or essentially may also be omitted. Where applicable, the terms "substantially" or "essentially" may also relate to 90% or more, including 100%, such as 95% or more, particularly 99% or more, and even more particularly 99.5% or more.

The term "comprises" also includes embodiments in which the term "comprises" means "consists of."

The term "and/or" specifically relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after the "and/or." For example, the phrase "item 1 and/or item 2" and similar phrases may relate to one or more of items 1 and 2. The term "comprising" may refer in one embodiment to "consisting of," but in another embodiment may also refer to "including at least the defined species and, optionally, one or more other species."

Furthermore, terms such as first, second, third, etc., in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it will be understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

In this specification, a device, apparatus, or system may be described, among other things, in operation. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention is not limited to methods of operation or to devices, apparatus, or systems in operation.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting of the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

The use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense, i.e., "including, but not limited to," rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense.

The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim, or an apparatus claim, or a system claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage.

The invention also provides a control system that may control a device, apparatus, or system or that may perform the methods or processes described herein. Still further, the invention also provides a computer program product that, when executed on a computer, is operatively coupled to or included by a device, apparatus, or system, controls one or more controllable elements of such a device, apparatus, or system.

The present invention further applies to a device, an apparatus or a system comprising one or more of the features described in the present specification and/or shown in the accompanying drawings. The present invention further relates to a method or process comprising one or more of the features described in the present specification and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent may be combined to provide additional advantages. Moreover, one skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be combined, and that three or more embodiments may be combined. Moreover, some of the features may form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

Claims (15)

1. An illumination device comprising a first 2D array of a plurality of n light sources and a second 2D array of a plurality of m beam shaping elements arranged downstream of the light sources,
the light source is configured to generate a source light, the n light sources comprising a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of light sources, the beam shaping element is configured to shape the beam of the source light of the n light sources, n≧16, m≧4, n/m>1, and k≦n/2;
a different individually controllable subset of light sources is arranged upstream of each beam shaping element, two or more of the beam shaping elements having different spatial configurations with respect to the light sources arranged upstream of the respective beam shaping element;
the light source comprises a solid-state light source having a first dimension d1 selected from the group of a first length, a first width, a first diagonal length, and a first diameter; and the beam shaping element comprises a light-transmitting element having a second dimension d2 selected from the group of a second length, a second width, a second diagonal length, and a second diameter, where d2≧4 ^* d1;
An illumination device, wherein the beam shaping element comprises a sphere. p sections including m1 beam shaping elements and n1 light sources configured upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements, at least a portion of the total number of n1 light sources is included by a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources, each of the m1 beam shaping elements and the n1 light sources configured upstream of the m1 beam shaping elements have a configuration relative to each other, where 1≦p≦m, 4≦m1≦m, and 16≦n1≦n, and the m1 configurations are different from each other regardless of the distance between the second 2D array and each of the light sources.
10. The lighting device of claim 1. The lighting device of claim 2, wherein the n1 light sources are included in a first arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of n light sources, the first arrangement being random or pseudorandom, and/or the m1 beam shaping elements are included in a second arrangement of at least a portion of the total number of m beam shaping elements, the second arrangement being random or pseudorandom. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of spacers, the spacers defining the positions of at least a portion of a total number of m beam shaping elements, the spacers being contained by a third arrangement, the third arrangement being random or pseudo-random. 3. An illumination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source has a first pitch x1 and the beam shaping elements have a second pitch x2, the first pitch x1 being smaller than the second pitch x2, and wherein a ratio of the second pitch x2 to the first pitch x1, defined as a ^* x2/x1, is not an integer, where a is an integer selected in the range of 1 to 10. 5. An illumination device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source comprises a solid-state light source, the beam shaping elements comprise optically transmissive elements, and the second 2D array of beam shaping elements is random or pseudo-random. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein k≦n/4. The lighting device of claim 7, wherein the first dimension d1 is at most 200 μm and the second dimension d2 is at least 800 μm, and the dimension d2 is a second diameter. The lighting device of claim 7 or 8, wherein the beam shaping elements include a plurality of p2 subsets of beam shaping elements, the subsets differing from each other with respect to at least one of the second dimensions d2, p2 ≧ 2. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spheres have two or more different dimensions. The lighting device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lighting device comprises a single layer of the beam shaping elements, n > 100, n/m > 4, k > 10, and p > 10. A lighting fixture comprising a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A lighting system comprising a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a control system configured to control a plurality of k individually controllable subsets of the light sources. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to execute a calibration routine in a calibration mode, the calibration routine determining a set of intensity distribution characteristics and associated light source settings for the multiple k individually controllable subsets of the light sources as a function of the multiple k individually controllable subsets of the light sources and one or more of user input information and a calibration sensor signal. The lighting system of claim 14, further comprising one or more optical sensors external to the lighting device and operatively coupled to the control system, the one or more optical sensors configured to generate the calibration sensor signal during the calibration routine.