Patent Publication Number: US-8115185-B2

Title: System and/or method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED

Description:
This application is a continuation application of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 12/592,614, filed Nov. 30, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,935,916, which is a continuation application of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 11/975,777, filed Oct. 22, 2007, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,626,153 on Dec. 1, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and/or a method that may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from a surface of the LED to allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method may have a light detector located in a position adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method may have a control circuit that may be connected to both the detector and the LED for measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing may surround the light detector that may have provide a pathway that may allow only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The housing and the pathway may limit and/or may prevent exposure of the light detector to ambient light that may not be emitted directly from the LED towards the light detector. 
     It is generally known that an LED is a semiconductor diode that has a chip of semiconducting material doped with impurities to create a p-n junction. The semiconductor diode emits light when the same is electrically biased in a forward direction of the p-n junction. The emitted light may be, for example, infrared light, visible light and/or near ultraviolet light. Further, the color of the emitted light varies depending on the semiconducting material used. Additionally, optics are added to the chip to shape a radiation pattern of the emitted light. 
     Further, it is generally known that an intensity of the emitted light varies over time. The intensity of the emitted light may be controlled by varying a voltage and/or a current of electricity applied to the LED. Therefore, control systems are provided to measure intensity of emitted light and to control the voltage and/or the current applied to the LED to produce a more stable intensity of emitted light over time. 
     However, the LED is often used in open systems where the LED may be exposed to ambient light. The ambient light may be emitted from light sources external to the LED. The ambient light may be light emitted from the LED that has been reflected from a surface located adjacent to the LED. It is generally known that ambient light is absorbed and/or reflected by the LED and/or the semiconducting material. Absorption of the ambient light by the semiconducting material alters the properties of the semiconducting material and contributes to the varying intensity of emitted light. Moreover, ambient light is often passively detected by the control systems. Therefore, known control systems measure intensity of emitted light and, inadvertently, ambient light to control the voltage and/or the current applied to the LED. As a result, the intensity of light emitted from the LED used with known control systems varies substantially over time even when used in conjunction with known control systems designed to prevent the same. 
     A need, therefore, exists for a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED. Additionally, a need exists for a system and/or a method that may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from a surface of the LED to allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. Further, a need exists for a system and/or a method that may prevent absorption of ambient light by a semiconducting material of the LED to control intensity of light emitted from the LED. Still further, a need exists for a light detector that may be exposed only to light emitted by the LED. Still further, a need exists for a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the light detector and the LED for measuring and/or for controlling intensity of light emitted from the LED. Still further, a need exists for a housing that may surround the light detector to limit exposure of the light detector to ambient light. Moreover, a need exists for a pathway in the housing that may allow only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and/or a method that may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from an emitting surface of the LED to allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     An emitting surface of the LED may be modified to reduce reflection of ambient light from the emitting surface and/or to limit exposure of internal components of the LED to ambient light. The system and/or the method may have a light detector located in a position adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method may have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and the LED for measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from the LED. The control circuit may monitor the intensity of the light emitted from the LED that may be read and/or measured by the light detector. As a result, the control circuit, by way of a negative feedback loop mechanism, may regulate a voltage and/or a current of electricity applied to the LED to control the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     The system and/or the method may have a housing that may surround the light detector. The housing may have a pathway that may allow only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. An angle of the pathway relative to the LED and/or a location of the pathway relative to an illuminated environment within which the LED and/or the housing are situated may limit and/or may prevent exposure of the light detector to ambient light that may not be emitted directly from the LED towards the light detector. 
     The LED and the light detector may both be located in a chamber designed to limit exposure of both the LED and the light detector to ambient light. The chamber may have an aperture for allowing light emitted from the LED to exit the chamber to illuminate an environment in which the chamber is located. Further, the chamber may limit exposure of the LED and/or the light detector to ambient light that may enter the chamber via the aperture. 
     The system and/or the method may have a surface to reflect light emitted from the LED away from the detector and/or to illuminate an environment that is not directly opposite from the emitting surface of the LED. 
     To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling light emitted from a light source in an environment having ambient light is provided. The system has an LED to emit light wherein the light emitted from the LED has an intensity wherein the LED has an emitting surface to transmit the light emitted from the LED wherein the emitting surface has a finish to reduce reflection of the ambient light from the emitting surface. Further, the system has a detector adjacent to the LED to detect the intensity of the light emitted from the LED. Still further, the system has a control circuit for monitoring the intensity of the light detected by the detector wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the detector and the LED wherein the control circuit regulates the intensity of light emitted by the LED. Moreover, the system has a tower having an internal compartment that surrounds the detector wherein the tower prevents exposure of the detector to the ambient light wherein the tower has an external surface and a pathway wherein the pathway is located between the detector inside the internal compartment and the external surface for transmitting light emitted from the LED to the detector in the compartment. 
     In an embodiment, the tower is constructed from an opaque material. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a channel in the tower that extends from the internal compartment to the external surface of the tower. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a pipe that extends from the internal compartment past the external surface of the tower to a position adjacent to the emitting surface of the LED. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a mirror on the external surface of the tower that reflects the light emitted from the LED away from the tower. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a surface that is substantially flat wherein the tower and the LED are mounted to the surface wherein the surface is a printed circuit board. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a power source electrically connected to the control circuit wherein the power source provides power to the LED. 
     In an embodiment, the emitting surface is abraded to reduce reflection of ambient light from the emitting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a coating on the emitting surface that reduces reflection of the ambient light from the emitting surface. 
     In another embodiment, a system for reading light emitted from a light source in an environment having ambient light is provided. The system has an LED to emit light wherein the light emitted from the LED has an intensity wherein the LED has an emitting surface having a finish to reduce reflection of light from the emitting surface. Further, the system has a first detector adjacent to the LED to detect the intensity of light emitted from the LED. Still further, the system has a chamber in the environment having an internal compartment that surrounds the first detector and the LED wherein the chamber has an aperture to allow transmission of the light emitted from the LED out of the chamber wherein the aperture allows transmission of the ambient light into the chamber. Moreover, the system has means for preventing exposure of the LED and the first detector to the ambient light that is transmitted into the chamber through the aperture wherein the means for preventing allows the light emitted from the LED to exit the chamber through the aperture. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a control circuit for monitoring the intensity of light detected by the detector wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the first detector and the LED wherein the control circuit regulates the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a lens sized to fit into the aperture wherein the lens focuses the light emitted from the LED through the aperture to the environment wherein the lens focuses the ambient light from the environment onto the means for preventing. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a surface located between the aperture and the first detector wherein the surface absorbs the ambient light that is transmitted through the aperture into the internal compartment of the chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a surface located between the aperture and the first detector wherein the surface reflects the ambient light that is transmitted through the aperture into the chamber through the aperture. 
     In an embodiment, the system has a second detector located in a position outside of the chamber to detect an intensity of the ambient light in the environment outside of the chamber. 
     In another embodiment, a method for controlling light emitted from a light source in an environment having ambient light is provided. The method has the step of providing a first light intensity detector, an LED having an emitting surface to transmit light emitted from the LED, a control circuit and a housing wherein the housing is located in a position adjacent to the LED wherein the first light intensity detector is located in a position within the housing wherein the housing has a pathway for allowing the light emitted directly from the LED to reach the detector wherein the control circuit is electrically connected to the detector and the LED. Further, the method has the step of detecting an intensity of the light emitted from the LED through the pathway onto the detector. Moreover, the method has the step of adjusting the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of modifying the emitting surface of the LED to reduce reflection of the ambient light from the emitting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of providing a second light intensity detector located in a position outside of the housing wherein the second light intensity detector measures intensity of the ambient light. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of applying a coating to the emitting surface of the LED wherein the coating reduces reflection of the ambient light from the emitting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the method has the step of abrading the emitting surface of the LED to reduce reflection of the ambient light from the emitting surface. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a light detector located in a position adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and the LED for measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a housing that may surround the light detector. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a housing and a pathway that may allow only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may limit and/or may prevent exposure of the light detector to ambient light that may not be emitted directly from the LED towards the light detector. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from a surface of the LED to allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may prevent absorption of ambient light by a semiconducting material of the LED to better control intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED wherein an emitting surface of the LED retards reflection of ambient light from the emitting surface and/or limits exposure of internal components of the LED to ambient light. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED wherein the light detector and the LED may both be located in a chamber designed to limit exposure of both the LED and the light detector to ambient light. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a chamber for the LED and a light detector that may have an aperture for allowing light emitted from the LED to exit the chamber to illuminate an environment in which the chamber is located. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a chamber for housing the LED and a light detector that limits exposure of the LED and/or the light detector to ambient light that may enter the chamber via an aperture in the chamber. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have a surface to reflect light emitted from the LED away from a detector and/or to illuminate an environment that is not directly opposite from the emitting surface of the LED. 
     Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may maintain a generally uniform and/or constant intensity of light emitted from the LED. 
     And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may produce high resolution light. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED that may have applications in smoke detectors, control systems for pneumatic cylinders, bar code scanning technologies and/or the like. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line I-I of  FIG. 1  of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line IIIc-IIIa of  FIG. 3A  of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line IV-IV of  FIG. 4  of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a, system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line VI-VI of  FIG. 6  of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 8  of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a black box diagram of a system for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention generally relates to a system and/or a method for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED). More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and/or a method that may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from a surface of the LED to allow an accurate reading and/or an accurate measurement of the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method may have a light detector located in a position adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method may have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and the LED for measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from the LED. A tower may surround the light detector. The tower may have a pathway that may allow only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The housing and the pathway may limit and/or may prevent exposure of the light detector to ambient light that may not be emitted directly from the LED towards the light detector. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B and  4 - 10  illustrate systems  20 ,  40 ,  60 ,  80 ,  100 ,  120  and/or components of the systems  20 ,  40 ,  60 ,  80 ,  100 ,  120  for reading, measuring and/or controlling intensity of light emitted from an LED  2  in embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment, the LED  2  may have optics for shaping a radiation pattern of the LED from an emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . The LED  2  may emit one or more colors of light, for example, blue light, red light, green light, white light and/or the like. The LED  2  may emit one or more types of light such as, for example, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the LED  2 . It should be understood that the LED  2  may be any LED as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may have one or more finishes  5   a  and/or coatings  5   b  that may absorb ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light from the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . The finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  may be, for example, matte finishes and/or coatings that may allow light to escape the emitting surface while preventing and/or retarding ambient light from entering and/or being reflected by the emitting surface  3 . The finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  may effectively absorb ambient light on the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . The finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  may be produced by mechanically abrading and/or chemically altering the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . In an embodiment the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  may be one or more filters and/or chemicals placed over the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b . It should be understood that the finishes  5   a  and/or coatings  5   b  may be any finishes and/or coatings for absorbing ambient light and/or preventing and/or retarding reflection of ambient light as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Further,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B and  4 - 10  generally illustrate a detector  4  that may be, for example, a light intensity detector, a photodiode, a phototransistor and/or other like detector that may output a current and/or a voltage as a function of light intensity detected. The detector  4  may read and/or may measure an intensity of light emitted from the LED  2 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the detector  4  may be electrically connected to a control circuit  122  with an electrical connection  8 . The electrical connection  8  may be any electrically conductive connection, such as, for example, one or more wires, leads, solder joints and/or the like. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the detector  4 . It should be understood that the detector  4  may be any detector for reading and/or measuring light intensity as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the control circuit  122  may be electrically connected to the LED  2  with an electrical connection  10 . The electrical connection  10  may be any electrically conductive connection, such as, for example, one or more wires, leads, solder joints and/or the like. The control circuit  122  may be electrically connected to a power source  124 , such as, for example, a battery, an electrical grid and/or the like. The control circuit  122  may provide power to the LED  2  and/or to the detector  4 . The control circuit  122  may be, for example, an analog circuit, a digital circuit and/or the like. The control circuit  122  may determine an intensity of light  1  emitted from the LED  2  by monitoring a voltage and/or a current produced by the detector  4  in response to an absorption of light  1  by the detector  4 . The control circuit  122  may instantaneously change a voltage and/or a current applied to the LED  2  to regulate the intensity of light  1  emitted from the LED  2 . The control circuit  122  may be used to regulate the intensity of light  1  emitted from the LED to be substantially uniform and/or stable over a period of time. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the control circuit  122 . It should be understood that the control circuit  122  may be any control circuit for measuring light intensity and/or regulating voltage and/or current applied to an LED as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  5 ,  7  and  9  generally illustrate a surface  6 . The surface  6  may be a platform for securing the LED  2 , the detector  4  and/or one or more components of the systems  20 ,  40 ,  60 ,  80 ,  100 ,  120 . The surface  6  may be, for example, a printed circuit board, a plastic surface, a metal surface and/or the like. The surface  6  may provide electrical connections  8 ,  10  for the detector  4  and/or the LED  2 , respectively. The surface  6  may be any surface capable of holding the LED  2 , the detector  4  and/or one or more components of the systems  20 ,  40 ,  60 ,  80 ,  100 ,  120 . The surface  6  may be a surface of an environment in which the systems  20 ,  40 ,  60 ,  60 ,  100 ,  120  may be situated. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the surface  6 . It should be understood that the surface  6  may be any surface as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  20  may have a tower  22 . The tower  22  may have a perimeter  28  defining an external surface  29 . Further, the tower  22  may have a height defined between a top end  30  and a bottom end  32 . The bottom end  32  may be located in a position generally opposite to the top end  30 . In an embodiment, the tower  22  may be generally cylindrical. In an embodiment, the tower  22  may be constructed from an opaque material, such as, for example, metal, plastic and/or the like. In an embodiment, the tower  22  may have a compartment  26  that may be located entirely within the perimeter  28  of the tower  22 . 
     The detector  4  may be situated within the compartment  26 . The compartment  26  may have a perimeter  34  that may surround the detector  4 . Further, the compartment  26  may have a height defined between a top side  36  and a bottom side  38  located, in a position generally opposite to the top side  36 . The tower  22  and/or the compartment  26  may be a housing for holding the detector  4 . The tower  22  and/or the compartment  26  may prevent the detector  4  from being exposed to ambient light located outside the perimeters  28 ,  34 . Moreover, the tower  22  may be mounted upright on the surface  6 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the tower  22  and/or the compartment  26 . It should be understood that the tower  22  and/or the compartment  26  may be any shape and/or material that may house the detector  4  as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an embodiment, the tower  22  and/or the compartment  26  may be milled from the opaque material. In another embodiment, the tower  22  and/or the compartment  26  may be formed by drilling, melting, machining, extruding and/or molding the opaque material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tower  22  may have a channel  24  that may extend at an angle from the external surface  29  of the tower  22  to the compartment  26 . In an embodiment, the channel  24  may extend at the angle from the bottom end  32  of the tower  22  towards the top end  30  of the tower  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the channel  24  may be tubular in shape and may have a diameter. The channel  24  may be sized to allow a readable amount of light  1  to reach the detector  4 . The channel  24  may be, for example, a drilled hole in the tower  22 . In an embodiment, the LED  2  may be mounted upright on the surface  6  and may be situated adjacent to the tower  22 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may travel through the channel  24  and may be read and/or measured by the detector  4  situated in the compartment  26  of the tower  22 . The system  20  may be situated in an environment containing ambient light emitted from the LED  2  and/or containing ambient light emitted and/or reflected from other sources. The angle of the channel  24  with respect to the emitting surface  3  of LED  2  and/or the position of the tower  22  may reduce and/or may prevent exposure of the detector  4  to ambient light via the channel  24 . Further, one or more of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  of the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may absorb ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light into the channel  24 . As a result, the detector  4  may accurately read and/or detect the intensity of the light  1  emitted by the LED  2 . 
     In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the system  40  may have a tower  42 . The tower  42  may have a perimeter  48  defining an external surface  49 . Further, the tower may have a height defined between a top end  50  and a bottom end  52  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the top end  50 . The tower  42  may have a compartment  46  that may be located entirely within the perimeter  48  of the tower  42 . 
     The compartment  46  may have may have a height defined between a top side  56  and a bottom side  58  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the top side  56 . The compartment  46  may have a perimeter  54 . The detector  4  may be situated within the tower  42  and/or the compartment  46 . The tower  42 , and/or the compartment  46  may prevent the detector  4  from being exposed to ambient light located outside of the perimeters  48 ,  54 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the tower  42  and/or the compartment  46 . It should be understood that the tower  42  and/or the compartment  46  may be any shape and/or material that may prevent exposure of the detector  4  to ambient light as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the tower  42  may have a tube  44  that may extend at an angle from the compartment  46  of the tower  42  to a position adjacent to and external to the tower  42 . The tube  44  may have a length defined between a first end  43  and a second end  45  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the second end. In an embodiment, the tube  44  may extend at an angle from the top end  50  of the tower  42  towards the surface  6  and/or the LED  2 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the tube  44  may be tubular in shape and may have a diameter. The tube  44  may be sized to allow a readable amount of light  1  to reach the detector  4 . The tube  44  may be, for example, a pipe and/or other like member that may allow the light  1  to enter and/or leave the first end  43  and/or the second end  45 . The tube  44  may prevent ambient light from entering the tube  44  between the first end  43  and the second end  45 . In an embodiment, the LED  2  may be mounted upright on the surface  6  and may be situated adjacent to the tower  42 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may travel through the tube  44  and may be read and/or measured by the detector  4  that may be situated in the compartment  46  of the tower  42 . 
     The system  40  may be situated in an environment containing ambient light emitted from the LED  2  and/or containing ambient light emitted and/or reflected from other sources. The angle of the tube  44  with respect to the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  and/or the position of the tower  42  may reduce and/or may prevent exposure of the detector  4  to ambient light via the tube  44 . Further, one or more of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  of the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may absorb ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light into the tube  44 . As a result, the detector  4  may accurately read and/or detect the intensity of the light  1  emitted by the LED  2  through the tube  44 . 
     In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the system  60  may have a tower  62 . The tower  62  may have a length defined between a back surface  72  and a front surface  74  that may be located in a position generally non-parallel to the back surface  72 . The tower  62  may have a width defined between a first end  68  and a second end  70  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the first end  68 . In an embodiment, a profile of the tower  62  may be generally triangular. In an embodiment, the front surface  74  may be a mirror and/or other like surface capable of reflecting light. In an embodiment, the tower  62  may have a compartment  66  that may be located entirely between the front surface  74  and the back surface  72  and between the first end  68  and the second end  70  of the tower  62 . The compartment  66  may have a perimeter  67 . The detector  4  may be situated within the tower  62  and/or the compartment  66 . The tower  62  and/or the compartment  66  may prevent the detector  4  from being exposed to ambient light outside of the perimeter  67 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the tower  62  and/or the compartment  66 . It should be understood that the tower  62  and/or the compartment  66  may be any shape and/or material that may house the detector  4  as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the front surface  74  of the tower  62  may be any surface capable of reflecting light as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tower  62  may have a channel  64  that may extend generally parallel to the surface  6  from the front surface  74  of the tower  62  to the compartment  66 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the channel  64  may be tubular in shape and may have a diameter. The channel  64  may be sized to allow a readable amount of the light  1  to reach the detector  4 . The channel  64  may be, for example, a drilled hole in the tower  62 . In an embodiment, the LED  2  may be mounted sideways on the surface  6  and may be situated adjacent to the tower  62 . The emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may be directed at the front surface  74  and/or may be generally parallel to the back surface  72 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may travel through the channel  64  and may be read and/or measured by the detector  4  that may be situated in the compartment  66  of the tower  62 . Additional light  1  emitted by the LED  2  may be reflected by the front surface  74  away from the tower  62  and/or the LED  2 . An angle of reflection may depend on an angle of the front surface  74  with respect to the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2 . In an embodiment, the angle of the front surface with respect to the emitting surface  3  may be, for example, forty-five (45) degrees which may reflect the additional light outward with respect to the surface  6 . 
     The system  60  may be situated in an environment containing ambient light emitted from the LED  2  and/or containing ambient light emitted and/or reflected from other sources. A position of the LED  2  with respect to the front surface  74  of the tower  62  may reduce and/or may prevent exposure of the detector  4  to ambient light via the channel  64 . Further, one or more of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  of the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may absorb ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of ambient light into the channel  64 . As a result, the detector  4  may accurately read and/or detect the intensity of the light  1  emitted by the LED  2  through the channel  64 . 
     In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the system  80  may have a chamber  82 . The chamber  82  may have a perimeter  84  defining an external surface  85 . Further, the chamber  82  may have a height defined between a top end  96  and a bottom end  98  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the top end  96 . In an embodiment, the chamber  82  may be generally cylindrical. In an embodiment, the top end  96  of the chamber  82  may have an aperture  99  for allowing ambient light into the chamber  82 . The aperture  99  may be generally round. In embodiment, the chamber  82  may have a lens  90  sized to fit inside and may cover the aperture  99 . The lens  90  may be, for example, a ball lens. The chamber  82  may have a compartment  86  that may be located entirely within the perimeter  84  of the chamber  82 . The compartment  86  may have a perimeter  88  that may surround the detector  4  and one or more of the LEDs  2 . The chamber  82  and/or the compartment  86  may be a housing for holding the detector  4 , one or more LEDs  2  and/or a member  92 . The member  92  may extend from the surface  6  to a position between the aperture  99  and the bottom end  98  of the chamber  82 . The member  92  may have a top surface  94  that may be substantially parallel to the aperture  99  and/or the lens  90 . The top surface  94  of the member  92  may be designed to absorb light and/or to reflect light entering the chamber  82  through the lens  90 . In an embodiment, the member  92  may be, for example, a flathead screw that may be painted black. The chamber  82 , the compartment  86 , the lens  99  and/or the member  92  may prevent the detector  4  from being exposed to ambient light outside of the perimeters  84 ,  88 . Moreover, the chamber  82  and/or the LEDs  2  may be mounted upright on the surface  6 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the chamber  82 , the compartment  86 , the aperture  99 , the lens  90  and/or the member  92 . It should be understood that the chamber  82 , the compartment  86 , the aperture  99 , the lens  90  and/or the member  92  may be any chamber, compartment, aperture, lens and/or member, respectively, as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the LEDs  2  may be mounted upright on the surface  6  and may be situated adjacent to the perimeter  88  of the compartment  86 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface  3  of the LEDs  2  may travel and/or may be reflected around the chamber  82 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface may be focused by the lens  90  and may be transmitted outside of the chamber  82  to a focal point outside of the chamber  82 . Further, the light  1  emitted from the LEDs  2  may be read, measured and/or detected by the detector  4  situated in a position adjacent to the LEDs within the compartment  86  of the chamber  82 . 
     The system  80  may be situated in an environment containing ambient light emitted from the LEDs  2  and/or containing ambient light emitted and/or reflected from other sources. Ambient light outside of the chamber  82  may be focused by the lens  90  onto the top surface  94  of the member  92 . The top surface  94  of the member  92  may absorb the focused light and/or may reflect the focused light towards the lens  90 . Further, one or more of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  of the emitting surface  3  of the LEDs  2  may absorb excess ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of excess ambient light in a direction towards the detector  4 . Further, the light  1  emitted from the LEDs  2  may be focused by the lens  90  outside of the chamber  82  to illuminate the environment. In an embodiment, the system  80  may have an ambient light detector  81  that may detect the intensity of ambient light in the environment outside of the chamber  82 . 
     In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the system  100  may have a chamber  102 . The chamber  102  may have a perimeter  104  defining an external surface  105 . Further, the chamber  102  may have a height defined between a top end  114  and a bottom end  116  that may be located in a position generally opposite to the top end  114 . In an embodiment, the top end  114  of the chamber  102  may have a channel  110  to allow ambient light into the chamber  102 . In an embodiment, the channel  110  may be generally tubular in shape. 
     In an embodiment, the chamber  102  may have a compartment  106  having a perimeter  108  that may be located entirely within the perimeter  104  of the chamber  102 . The chamber  102  and/or the compartment  106  may be a housing for holding the detector  4 , the LED  2  and/or a member  112 . The member  112  may extend from the perimeter  108  of the compartment  106  to a position between the channel  102  and the bottom end  116  of the chamber  102 . The member  112  may have a top surface  113  that may be substantially parallel to the top end  114  of the chamber  102 . The top surface  113  of the member  112  may be designed to absorb light and/or to reflect light entering the chamber  102  through the channel  110 . The chamber  102 , the compartment  106 , and/or the member  112  may prevent the detector  4  from being exposed to ambient light outside of the perimeters  104 ,  108 . The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the chamber  102 , the compartment  106 , the channel  110 , and/or the member  112 . It should be understood that the chamber  102 , the compartment  106 , the channel  110  and/or the member  112  may be any chamber, compartment, channel and/or member, respectively, as known to, one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the LED  2  may be mounted upright on the surface  6  and may be situated adjacent to the perimeter  108  of the compartment  106 . The light  1  emitted from the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may escape the chamber  102  through the channel  110 . Further, the light  1  emitted from the LED  2  may be read, measured and/or detected by the detector  4  situated in a position adjacent to the LED within the compartment  106  of the chamber  102 . 
     Ambient light outside of the chamber  102  may enter the chamber  102 . The top surface  113  of the member  112  may absorb the ambient light and/or may reflect the ambient light towards and/or out of the chamber  102  through the channel  110 . Further, one or more of the finishes  5   a  and/or the coatings  5   b  of the emitting surface  3  of the LED  2  may absorb excess ambient light and/or may prevent and/or may retard reflection of excess ambient light in a direction towards the detector  4 . 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.