Patent number 6,788,011 relates in part to an LED-based lighting system comprising a user interface and an addressable controller that receives a network signal: it attempts to include any and all such protocols, among them DMX512. This allows control of colour, intensity, and the creation of dynamic effects in both standalone and networked environments. The patent extends Color Kinetics' coverage of techniques for controlling the output of LEDs beyond pulse width modulation, for which it received a controversial earlier patent.
"This is a particularly significant addition to Color Kinetics' patent portfolio, given its added protection of our fundamental control technology," said George Mueller, chairman and CEO, Color Kinetics. "This innovation underlies nearly all of Color Kinetics' intelligent lighting systems, and we believe the additional coverage strengthens our competitive position while fuelling potential for OEM and licensing relationships across diverse markets where the capability for intelligent control is increasingly valuable."
Significant too - in terms of being potentially stifling, anyway - for all manufacturers whose products address colour-changing LEDs with a network signal. The patent can be viewed at the website of the US Patent Office (below), by keying in 6788011 to the 'Patent Number Search'. PLASA Media welcomes views on this latest development.
(Lee Baldock)
