Oled lighting device with tag element

FIELD: physics, computer engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device (200) having a tag element (201) that encodes operating information about the device, for example its maximum driving current, such that this information can be read out wirelessly and/or electrically by wire but almost without Ohmic losses. The invention further comprises a socket (600) with a read-out unit (601) for reading out the operating information from such a tag element (201). The tag element may, for instance, have a tag electrode (201) that can be capacitively connected to a counter-electrode (601) in the socket.

EFFECT: longer operational life.

13 cl, 5 dwg

The technical FIELD TO WHICH the INVENTION RELATES.

The invention relates to a lighting device with OLED (organic light emitting diode), containing a marking element to the socket that is compatible with such an OLED device, and a lighting system containing such an OLED device and the socket.

PRIOR art

Known (EP 1411750 A2) lighting system with light-emitting diode (LED), which can be connected to a compatible control unit. LED diode contains a resistor which is connected in parallel to the diode LED, and the resistance of the resistor encodes information about the operating conditions of the LED.

EP 1696707 A2 discloses a lighting system containing lamps with associated electronic memory devices that can store the recorded data, for example information about the maximum light that can be emitted by the lamp. The lamp may then be operated individually to compensate for the permissible deviations in their manufacture.

US 2007/247305 A1 discloses a lighting system for a vehicle, which contains diode lamp and a companion to the microcontroller for transmitting the signature related to the working range of the above-mentioned lamps. The signature can be used by the controller to adjust the operating currents in accordance with the tvii with the requirements of lamps, attached.

DE 19640625 A1 discloses a gas discharge lamp with a base that carries on itself a marker for radiation electrical, magnetic or optical impulses. The pulses can be read by the sensor when the lamp is inserted in the socket. Thus, it can be enhanced system security, because each lamp can be operated with suitable for her performance parameters.

EP 1244334 A2 discloses a lighting system for a vehicle, in which the LED diode is parallel connected with coded element that keeps the rated current of the lamp. Thus, the controller can automatically adapt your current for different LED-lamps.

DE 10303454 A1 discloses a system in which operating parameters of the LED diodes are encoded in their supply lines. Thus, it can be guaranteed that the LEDs are operated with parameters that compensate for the permissible deviations in their manufacture.

The INVENTION

Based on this prior art, the present invention was to provide an alternative implementation of the lighting device, it is desirable that the operation of this device would be more reliable and cost-effective.

This goal is achieved through the OLED device according to the item 1 is ormula of the invention, through a set of OLED devices, according to paragraph 2 of the claims, and by means of a lighting system, according to paragraph 10 of the claims. The preferred embodiment disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the first aspect, the invention relates to an OLED device, that is, the lighting device with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) as the light source. OLED device contains a marking element, which encodes operational information about the OLED device (for example, the rated current, which should provide a diode OLED), a marking element must be designed so that operational data can be read using wireless technologies and/or electrically by wire, but almost without ohmic losses. In the last alternative feature "almost without ohmic losses" must refer to the ideal situation where all the electrical wires or conductors would have zero resistance. Actually, this situation can be defined by the requirement that the ohmic losses associated with the readings on the wires would be less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, and most preferably, less than 1% of the total energy consumed by the OLED device. A typical example of a brand who owocnego element, read using wireless technologies, can serve as a radio frequency (RF) circuit. A typical example of a marking element, which can be read electrically by wire without ohmic losses, can serve as a capacitor on the OLED device. An additional implementation of the marking element will be discussed in connection with the preferred implementation of the invention.

In the described device, the light generation is based on the diode OLED, which are reliable, versatile and energy efficient light sources. The light output of the diodes OLED (from the point of view of intensity, spectral composition, and so on) can be controlled by operating parameters such as current and/or voltage that are provided for them. The marking element can encode such parameters as the operational information, which can then be read by the driver, which is connected OLED device, and it is used to appropriately operate the diode OLED. Thus, it becomes possible to manufacture OLED devices, which have basically the same design (in terms of materials, size etc), but different behavior when the light output, simply by encoding various operational information in their marking ale is nth.

Reading operational information can be implemented using wireless technologies that are advantageous because they do not require any physical or electrical contact and, thus, avoid mechanical wear. If the marking element can be read by wire, this reading should be possible without ohmic losses, avoiding, thus, undesirable heating of the OLED device, which can affect its normal operation. In addition, improving energy efficiency, since there is no energy loss at ohmic load.

According to a preferred implementation of the invention, the OLED device, a marking element includes a graphical template that can be detected by the optical image. A typical example of such a graphical template can serve as a bar code. The optical picture template has the advantage that it can be detected by using wireless technologies suitable optical sensors and that it can be easily produced and deposited on the OLED device.

In another implementation of the invention the marking element contains the electrode, hereinafter referred to as "marking electrode, which is located on the surface of the OLED device for free access or is below (t is nkiye) dielectric layer. Such a marking element can be read wirelessly by means of capacitive coupling marking electrode with the second electrode in the corresponding reader.

In the above implementation of the invention, the effective area of the marking electrode can be used to encode desired operational information, because this area determines the capacity that can be achieved in combination with a second electrode (known in the field) reader. Although the capacity is only a scalar quantity, it may be possible to encode multiple operational parameters with this value via a suitable multivalued mappings between the value of the capacitance and operating parameters.

The marking element may optionally be located on the surface of the OLED device, thus being freely available for sensor reading. Moreover, it is possible to cause such surface marking element on the OLED device after production of the latter.

Alternatively, the marking element may be covered by a housing, for example the same case, which usually is present to isolate the OLED. In the case of a marking element, which must be optically detected, m is a material predetermined body should be transparent. Specific examples of operational information that can be encoded by means of a marking element, are control parameters OLED device, for example: the nominal, minimum and/or maximum excitation current, stimulating energy and/or stimulating voltage; color point, color temperature, and/or white point (especially for OLED devices with multiple, independently managed, primary colors); or index "included the weakening of the world", which determines whether the OLED device to be impaired light or not.

The invention additionally relates to a socket for an OLED device of the type described above, while the term "socket" should be referred to the unit, which is mechanically and electrically compatible with the design of the OLED device. It will usually be possible to connect the OLED device to the socket to achieve a stable mechanical and electrical connection. The socket must contain a block read to read the operational information from the OLED device (or, more accurately, with his marking element). Thus, the socket and/or the corresponding control device, you receive the possibility of operation of the OLED device in accordance with its specifications.

Above the socket may, in particular, contain optical dates the IR to optical detection of a graphic pattern on a marking element OLED device, when this device is installed on the socket. The optical sensor may, for example, contain a light source to irradiate a graphic pattern on a marking element, and light-sensitive sensors to detect light reflected from the graphic template.

In another implementation of the invention, the socket may include an electrode, hereinafter referred to as "counter-electrode", which is a capacitive way connected with the marking electrode" on the OLED device having such an electrode when the device is mounted on the socket. This approach makes it possible contactless reading with minimal energy consumption.

Operational information, which is read from the OLED device may be further used or processed in various ways. The driver may, for example, become active only if the read operation information is compatible with its technical characteristics. In the preferred implementation of the socket contains a driver circuit to control the OLED device mounted on the socket, according to operational information that was read from the above-mentioned OLED device. Thus, operational information about the marking element may have a direct impact on the method of operation of the OLED device.

From Britanie additionally relates to a lighting system, containing the OLED device of the type described above, and the corresponding socket of the type described above.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and will be explained with reference to the embodiment of the invention, described in further. This embodiment of the invention will be described by example with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 schematically shows a top view of the first implementation of the OLED device with an optical marking element according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows the cross-section of an OLED device along the line II-II of figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of a second implementation of the OLED device with a capacitive marking element according to the present invention;

Figure 4 schematically shows a cross section of an OLED device along the line IV-IV of figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a simplified equivalent circuit for the system of figure 4.

Similar reference numbers or numbers that differ by integer multipliers 100, in the drawings refer to identical or similar components.

The DETAILED DESCRIPTION of IMPLEMENTATIONS of the INVENTION

Fluorescent lamps for General lighting are usually offered on the market from the point of view of the "equivalent energy of incandescent lamps". For a particular size of the socket serves a wide range of energy levels, for example, 25W, 50W, 75W, and 100W. The consumer, which is the first requires certain level of brightness, can then choose the lamp with the desired energy value, for example a lamp with 50W to the average brightness. The advantage for consumers is that there is no need for expensive scheme attenuation.

A range of fluorescent lamps with different energy levels is technically realized by changing the diameter of the tube, lamp characteristics (e.g. type of phosphor and/or the number of tubes. This approach can easily be adapted to devices with OLED (organic light emitting diode), where, for example, the size of the flat panel diode OLED is fixed, and thus, the brightness can not be reduced by limiting the size of the area.

Instead of changing design parameters OLED device (for example, the size of the area, the organic stack), here it is therefore proposed to use the "marking element to lock or limit the rated excitation current and/or other operational parameters of the OLED device, by "programming". Thus, the OLED device may automatically electronically to be adjusted to the desired level of the energy of incandescent bulbs". Driver circuitry, which joins the OLED device must be able to read the marking element and to adjust the supply diode OLED so that D. who was sigalas a certain brightness or intensity of the excitation current, as defined marking value. In other words, many identical devices OLED, that is the same size, with the same stack can be turned into different OLED devices by simply changing operational information on the marking element. Moreover, it is extremely important that the marking of the diode OLED is the stage after their manufacture. In this case, all OLED devices can be manufactured on the same production line, without any changes in the parameters, because only marking distinguishes diodes OLED driver.

A typical example of the marking element is a capacitive element. In the case of capacitive marking element, which (as condenser) is completely located on the OLED device, a marking value (capacity) can be detected, at least one additional electrical contact, which is located on the OLED substrate. Another example of the marking element is readable optical element. This element can, for example, contain a barcode that is printed on the OLED, or the electric contact of the OLED may be a hologram, edged marking signs. In the case of optical marking element, you can avoid additional electrical contact, and a marking value can be detected is pricescom sensor, located, for example, in the socket.

Figure 1 in more detail shows the OLED device 100 according to the first demonstration of the implementation of the above concepts, and figure 2 shows the device 100 after it has been connected to the correct socket 500. The main radiating OLED device 100 includes the following components.

A transparent substrate 11, for example, transparent glass or plastic card which bears the remaining components.

The anode 12, which is located on the substrate 11. The boundary region 12a of the anode 12 provide an area for contacts. The anode is made of a transparent conductive material such as tin oxide indium (ITO).

Organic light-emitting layers 13, in which the generation of light according to the processes known to specialists in this field of technology.

Metal cathode 14 that is located above the organic material 13. The boundary region 14a of the cathode 14 provides an area for contacts.

- Cover plate 15, such as glass or plastic card that is located above components in isolation 16 to serve as a housing for the entire lighting device.

As can be seen in figure 2, the contact area 12a (and, similarly, 14a) are in the on state, in contact through the contact elements 52 with the ETA 500, which internally connects to the control unit 51 for the controlled delivery of energy on the OLED.

Drawings additionally show a marking element 101 located in the boundary region of the OLED device 100, thus it is included in the installation slot socket 500 in an enabled state in figure 2. A marking element 101 includes a graphical template that can be optically detected by the optical reading sensor 501 socket 500. Graphic template may, for example, to represent something like a barcode. As the cathode material for the bottom-emitting OLED device is usually extremely reflective material, such as silver or aluminum, of the area of the cathode 14a can be used as a marking element. Alternative graphic pattern of the bar code could be printed on the OLED substrate. In addition, the marking element may be located or inside, or outside, or on both sides of the body 15 of the OLED device.

Graphic template marking element 101 can be detected by the optical sensor 501, which is located in the socket 500. Operational information, which is encoded by a graphic template, then determines the level of current to the control unit OLED (driver) 51. Therefore, the level of current can be easily changed by the parts of different graphic patterns on the OLED device.

Fig.3-5 shows a second implementation of the lighting system according to the present invention. Again, figure 3 provides a top view of the OLED device 200, while figure 4 shows the cross-section of the device after it is inserted in the appropriate socket 600. Components that are similar or identical to those in the previous drawings have the same reference numbers and will not be explained in detail again.

OLED device 200 differs from the device of the previous implementation of the marking element 201, which is implemented here as "marking electrode". In the shown example, the marking electrode 201 is just a certain subregion of the cathode 14. When the OLED device 200 is inserted into the corresponding socket 600, marking electrode 201 lies directly adjacent to the counter-electrode 601 in the socket 600, with dielectric isolation between them. The dielectric may be on the marking electrode 201 and/or the counter-electrode 601.

Figure 5 shows the equivalent circuit for the lighting system 4. You may notice that the marking electrode 201 and the counter-electrode 601 are on a parallel capacitor charges, the capacity of which can be detected by the control circuit 51. The value of capacity is determined by

C=ε·A/d

where the symbol ε denotes the effective dielectric will stifle permeability, the character a is the effective area size of the electrode, and d is the distance between the two electrodes 201, 601. By changing the size and/or structure marking electrode 201, the value of the vessel, if desired, may be modified to encode operational information OLED device 200.

In the above OLED devices, a marking element restricts and/or uniquely specifies the rated current of the driver is connected to the unit and/or other operational parameters. Marking value can preferably be adjusted, as stage after production, during or after fabrication of the OLED. The marking element may be located on the OLED substrate and, optionally, in the case of OLED.

Finally let us note that in this application the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and that a single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several means. The invention consists in the any and every new characteristic characteristic and each combination of characteristic features. In addition, refer to the references in the claims should not be construed as limiting their scope.

1. OLED device (100 200)containing a marking element (101, 201), which encodes operating information about the device, and:
- the above information is Oia can be read Wi-Fi and/or electrical manner by wire;
- a marking element (101, 201) includes a graphical template that is part of the area of the electrode (14a) of the OLED device.

2. A set of OLED devices (100, 200)having the same design, in particular, the OLED device according to claim 1, and:
each OLED device (100, 200) includes a marking element (101, 201), which encodes operating information about the device, however, such information may be read over the air and/or electrically through wires;
various operational information is encoded in the marking elements (101, 201) OLED device so that the OLED devices have a different mode of light output when operated in accordance with the above operational information.

3. OLED device (100) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED device (100) according to claim 2,
wherein the marking element (101) includes a graphical template that can be detected by the optical image.

4. OLED device (100) or set the OLED device (100) according to claim 3,
characterized in that the graphic pattern is a bar code.

5. OLED device (200) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED devices (200) according to claim 2,
wherein the marking element contains a marking electrode (201) on the surface of the device or below the dielectric layer.

6. OLED device (200) or a set of OLED devices (200) according to claim 5,
otlichayas the same time, operational information is encoded in the effective area of the marking electrode (201).

7. OLED device (100, 200) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED devices (100, 200) according to claim 2,
wherein the marking element is located on the surface of the device.

8. OLED device (100, 200) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED device (100) according to claim 2,
wherein the marker element (101, 201) is covered by the encapsulation.

9. OLED device (100, 200) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED device (100) according to claim 2,
wherein the operational information includes control parameters OLED device, in particular
- nominal, minimum and/or maximum current excitation, the excitation energy, or voltage excitation;
- color point, color temperature and/or white dot OLED device;
the parameter associated with the weakening of the light on the OLED device.

10. Lighting system, containing
- OLED device (100, 200) according to claim 1 or a set of OLED devices (100, 200) according to claim 2 and
- compatible socket (500, 600), block read (501, 601), to read operational information from the OLED device or OLED device from a set.

11. The lighting system of claim 10,
characterized in that it contains an optical sensor (501) for optical detection of the graphic pattern transmitted by the marking element (101) OLED device (100)when the last set is poured into the socket.

12. The lighting system of claim 10,
characterized in that it contains the electrode reading (601), which is a capacitive image is attached to a marking electrode (201) OLED device (200)when the latter is installed in the socket.

13. The lighting system of claim 10,
characterized in that it contains a driver circuit (51) for controlling the OLED device (100, 200)mounted in the socket, according to operational information that was read from the OLED device.