Light-emitting textiles

(Lumalive)-Philips


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Behind the outer fabric,
you will find a layered system containing flexible arrays of colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs), only visible from the outside when the display panel is switched on. The system is modular and can be removed easily when you want to wash your garments or clean your soft furnishings.

Lumalive textiles bring inert objects to life by integrating flexible arrays of multi-colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into fabrics without compromising the softness of the cloth. The integration of electronic lighting devices into textiles is groundbreaking. Clothing, towels, upholstery, and drapes might at first seem unlikely hosts for intelligent and interactive systems, yet they figure prominently in our lives and as such present a wide spectrum of opportunity.


What is the technology behind Lumalive?
Lumalive fabrics feature Philips’ proprietary technology of integrating flexible arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into the fabric. The integrated control unit makes it possible to change the light patterns and to show full color animations. The control unit is programmable. The system obtains its power from a small battery pack or the mains.

What part of this technology is unique to Philips?
High level of fabric integration of LED technology. Our proprietary technology allows us to easily implement light emitting fabrics in concrete applications.

Has Lumalive been trademarked?
Lumalive is a trademark of Royal Philips Electronics. The Photonic Textiles business unit is a corporate venture within Royal Philips. Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. By developing technologies not for technology’s sake, we create products that enhance people’s lives in a meaningful way.

When will Lumalive be available in the market?
The commercial launch of the first Lumalive application is expected by the end of 2007. The products will be commercially available via selected partners in the promotion & event industry.


General technical information

Power consumption
The electronics and batteries to power a Lumalive system are not visible in the application and require very little power. The rechargeable battery runs for 3 to 4 hours on one charge.

Removable for washing
The Lumalive panel is splash-resistant. Furthermore, the whole system, including batteries and electronics, is modular, and easily removable when you want to wash the clothing or fabric.

Display panel sizes
The standard Lumalive panel is based on 14x14 RGB LEDs.

The amount of colors
The Lumalive panel can produce 16 million individual colors.

Display brightness. Can it be used in broad daylight?
The brightness of the panel depends on the LEDs used. The standard panel is designed for low to medium ambient lighting conditions.


(source: Philips site "Lumalive" 2007)

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