WO2013061210A2

WO2013061210A2 - Device comprising oblong light source and obstacle

Info

Publication number: WO2013061210A2
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lieve Lea Andrea Lanoye; Filip Marcel Denise Bruyneel; Benoit Didier Raphael CATTEAU
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-10-25
Filing date: 2012-10-17
Publication date: 2013-05-02
Also published as: WO2013061210A3

Abstract

Devices (10) comprise oblong light sources (1) that produce light for creating relatively bright zones (2) and obstacles (3) that block parts of the light for creating relatively dark zones (4). The relatively bright and relatively dark zones (2, 4) are separated by transitions (5). To soften these transitions (5), the obstacles (3) are provided with irregularities (6), such as curved edges or interruptions of straight lines of the obstacles (3) or texture. The oblong light source (1) may comprise a light unit in the form of a tube or an array of light units. The obstacle (3) may form part of a housing of the device (10). The relatively bright and relatively dark zones (2, 4) may be zones of a wall (7), a ceiling (8) or an object (9) outside the device (10) or may be zones in or at or of the device (10). The device (10) may be a video device such as a television receiver or a lighting device such as a lamp.

Description

Device comprising oblong light source and obstacle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device comprising

an oblong light source for producing light and for creating a relatively bright zone, and

an obstacle for blocking a part of the light and for creating a relatively dark zone.

Examples of such a device are video devices and lighting devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices comprising oblong light sources and obstacles are of common general knowledge. The oblong light source produces light and creates a relatively bright zone. The obstacle blocks a part of the light and creates a relatively dark zone. These relatively bright and relatively dark zones are separated by a relatively hard transition.

A video device such as a television receiver usually comprises a display for displaying video, and may further comprise an oblong light source for producing ambient light for supporting the video and an obstacle for directing the ambient light by blocking a part of it.

A lighting device such as a lamp may comprise an oblong light source for producing light and an obstacle for directing the light by blocking a part of it.

To soften the relatively hard transition between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones, a diffuser might be used. But such a diffuser reduces an efficiency of the oblong light source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device. Such an improved device for example comprises an improved obstacle.

According to an aspect of the invention, a device is provided comprising an oblong light source for producing light and for creating a relatively bright zone, and an obstacle for blocking a part of the light and for creating a relatively dark zone, the relatively bright zone and the relatively dark zone being separated by a transition, the obstacle comprising an irregularity for softening the transition.

The obstacle is provided with one or more irregularities for softening the transition between the relatively bright zone and the relatively dark zone. As a result, the relatively hard transition from a prior art situation has been converted into a relatively soft transition, without having used a diffuser, in other words without having reduced an efficiency of the oblong light source. This is a great advantage.

Relatively soft transitions between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones are considered to be more pleasant to the human eye than relatively hard transitions.

The relatively hard transition corresponds with a relatively small transitional area between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones. The relatively soft transition corresponds with a relatively large transitional area between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones. So, in other words, the obstacle comprises an irregularity for enlarging a transitional area between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the oblong light source comprising a light unit in the form of a tube, or the oblong light source comprising an array of light units. In general, an oblong light source may comprise a light unit in the form of a tube, such as a fluorescent light unit, or the oblong light source may comprise an array of light units, such as an array of light emitting diodes. An oblong light source is a light source that has a size in a first dimension that is at least twice (preferably at least thrice or at least four times) a size in a second dimension different from the first dimension.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the irregularity comprising a curved edge of the obstacle or an interruption of a straight line of the obstacle. By giving an edge of the obstacle one or more curves or by interrupting a straight line of the obstacle one or more times, irregularities or disturbances have been created.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the irregularity comprising texture. This texture can provide information between the relatively bright and relatively dark zones. Such information can be read by a human being or by a machine for commercial purposes or for instructional purposes etc.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the obstacle forming part of a housing of the device. Preferably, the housing has an obstacle- function.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the relatively bright zone and the relatively dark zone being zones of a wall, a ceiling or an object outside the device. This device is for example a video device such as a television receiver that usually comprises a display for displaying video and that further comprises the oblong light source for producing ambient light for supporting the video and that further comprises the obstacle for directing the ambient light by blocking a part of it. Alternatively, the zones may be zones in or at or of the device.

An embodiment of the device is defined by the relatively bright zone and the relatively dark zone being zones in or at or of the device. This device is for example a lighting device such as a lamp that comprises an oblong light source for producing light and that comprises the obstacle for directing the light by blocking a part of it. Alternatively, the zones may be located outside the device.

An embodiment of the device is defined by not comprising a diffuser for softening the transition. Of course, for other purposes than softening the transition, a diffusing function may be present anywhere, for example in the form of a separate diffuser or in the form of one or more diffusing parts on or of the oblong light source (for example diffuse silicone or diffuse glass etc.) or in the form of one or more diffusing parts on or of the obstacle (for example paint such as white paint etc.).

An insight could be that a diffuser is to be avoided. A basic idea could be that an irregularity in the obstacle will soften a transition between the relatively bright zone and the relatively dark zone.

A problem to provide an improved device has been solved. An advantage could be that a diffuser that reduces an efficiency of the oblong light source is avoided (efficiency improvement, cost improvement).

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows (prior art) a light source and an obstacle in three-dimensional view,

Fig. 2 shows (prior art) the light source and the obstacle in two-dimensional view,

Fig. 3 shows a light source and an obstacle with irregularity in three- dimensional view, Fig. 4 shows the light source and the obstacle with irregularity in two- dimensional view, and

Fig. 5 shows a device with a housing comprising irregularities and shows a wall, a ceiling and an object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the Fig. 1, (prior art) an oblong light source 1 and an obstacle 3 are shown three-dimensionally. The oblong light source 1 produces light for creating a relatively bright zone 2. The obstacle 3 blocks a part of the light for creating a relatively dark zone 4. The relatively bright zone 2 and the relatively dark zone 4 are separated by a transition 5, here a relatively hard transition such as a sharp rim. Clearly, the relatively bright zone 2 is brighter than the relatively dark zone 4, and the relatively dark zone 4 is darker than the relatively bright zone 2.

In the Fig. 2, (prior art) the oblong light source 1 and the obstacle 3 from the Fig. 1 are shown two-dimensionally.

In the Fig. 3, an oblong light source 1 and an obstacle 3 with an irregularity 6 are shown three-dimensionally. The oblong light source 1 produces light for creating a relatively bright zone 2. The obstacle 3 blocks a part of the light for creating a relatively dark zone 4. The relatively bright zone 2 and the relatively dark zone 4 are separated by a transition 5. Owing to the fact that the obstacle 3 has been provided with an irregularity 6 for softening the transition 5, here the transition 5 is a relatively soft transition such as an area of a color between colors of the zones 2 and 4.

In the Fig. 4, the oblong light source 1 and the obstacle 3 with the irregularity 6 from the Fig. 3 are shown two-dimensionally.

Preferably, the oblong light source 1 comprises a light unit in the form of a tube or an array of light units. The oblong light source 1 must have an oblong form, for example by comprising several segments each producing light, otherwise such as in case of the light source being a point, one or more irregularities won't soften the transition 5 but will only change the shape of the transition 5. First light coming from a first segment and second light coming from a neighboring second segment should, when producing a relatively bright zone at substantially the same location, produce different rims owing to the fact that the first and second light will pass different parts of an irregularity 6 or will pass different irregularities 6 or owing to the fact that one of the first and second light will pass an irregularity 6 and the other one will not. The different rims at substantially the same location will result in a softened transition 5 and/or an enlarged transitional area.

The irregularity 6 may comprise one or more curved edges of the obstacle 3 or one or more interruptions of a straight line of the obstacle 3 or one more other disturbances. The irregularity 6 may comprise texture for information purposes or for instructional purposes.

In the Fig. 5, a device 10 is shown in the form of a television receiver with a housing comprising irregularities 6 three-dimensionally. The device 10 comprises a display 11. Here, there are several obstacles that form part of the housing. In other words, the obstacles and the irregularities 6 are integrated into the housing.

The relatively bright zone 2 and the relatively dark zone 4 may be zones of a wall 7, a ceiling 8 or an object 9 such as a door or a piece of furniture etc. all located outside the device 10. Alternatively, the relatively bright zone 2 and the relatively dark zone 3 may be zones in or at or of the device 10.

For a device in the form of a lighting device such as a lamp, the relatively bright zone 2 and the relatively dark zone 3 may be zones located outside the device, or may be zones in or at or of the device.

As a result, the device 10 no longer needs a diffuser for softening the transition 5. Such a diffuser is disadvantageous in that it reduces a light efficiency of the light source and in that it is relatively expensive.

Summarizing, devices 10 comprise oblong light sources 1 that produce light for creating relatively bright zones 2 and obstacles 3 that block parts of the light for creating relatively dark zones 4. The relatively bright and relatively dark zones 2, 4 are separated by transitions 5. To soften these transitions 5, the obstacles 3 are provided with irregularities 6, such as curved edges or interruptions of straight lines of the obstacles 3 or texture. The oblong light source 1 may comprise a light unit in the form of a tube or an array of light units. The obstacle 3 may form part of a housing of the device 10. The relatively bright and relatively dark zones 2, 4 may be zones of a wall 7, a ceiling 8 or an object 9 outside the device 10 or may be zones in or at or of the device 10. The device 10 may be a video device such as a television receiver or a lighting device such as a lamp.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device (10) comprising

an oblong light source (1) for producing light and for creating a relatively bright zone (2), and

- an obstacle (3) for blocking a part of the light and for creating a relatively dark zone (4), the relatively bright zone (2) and the relatively dark zone (4) being separated by a transition (5), the obstacle (3) comprising an irregularity (6) for softening the transition (5).

2. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the oblong light source (1) comprising a light unit in the form of a tube, or the oblong light source comprising an array of light units.

3. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the irregularity (6) comprising a curved edge of the obstacle (3) or an interruption of a straight line of the obstacle (3).

4. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the irregularity (6) comprising texture.

5. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the obstacle (3) forming part of a housing of the device (10).

6. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the relatively bright zone (2) and the relatively dark zone (4) being zones of a wall (7), a ceiling (8) or an object (9) outside the device (10).

7. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, the relatively bright zone (2) and the relatively dark zone (3) being zones in or at or of the device (10).

8. The device (10) as defined in claim 1, not comprising a diffuser for softening the transition (5).