PT1502483E - Led dimming controller - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing power to devices via an A.C. power source, and for facilitating the use of LED-based light sources on A.C. power circuits that provide signals other than standard line voltages. In one example, LED-based light s sources may be coupled to A.C. power circuits that are controlled by conventional dimmers (i.e, "A.C. dimmer circuits"). Hence, LED-based light sources may be conveniently substituted for other light sources (e.g., incandescent lights) in lighting environments employing conventional A.C. dimming devices and/or other control signals present on the A.C. power circuit. In yet other aspects, one or more parameters relating to the light generated by LED-based light sources (e.g., intensity, color, color temperature, temporal characteristics, etc.) may be conveniently controlled via operation of a conventional A.C. dimmer and/or other signals present on the A.C. power circuit.

Description

DESCRIPTION DIMMER CONTROLLER FOR LED (LED)

Field of the Invention The present invention is generally directed to methods and apparatus for providing power to devices in AC power circuits. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing power to devices based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), especially for lighting purposes.

Background

In various lighting applications (e.g., home, trade, industry, etc.) there are circumstances in which it is desirable to adjust the amount of light generated by one or more conventional light sources (eg incandescent light bulbs, light fixtures fluorescent, etc.). In many cases, this is accomplished through a user operated device, commonly referred to as " dimmer ", which adjusts the power supplied to the light source (s). Many types of conventional dimmers are known which allow the user to adjust the light emission of one or more light sources through any type of user interface (for example, by turning a button, moving a cursor, etc., most of the time mounted on a wall in the vicinity of an area in which it is desired to adjust the level of light). The user interface of some dimmers can also be equipped with a switch / adjustment mechanism which allows one or more light sources to be switched off and on instantly, and also has its luminous output gradually varied when switched on. 1

Many lighting systems for indoor or outdoor general lighting are most often powered by an alternating current source, commonly referred to as " line voltage " (for example, 120 Volts RMS at 60 Hz, 220 volts RMS at 50 Hz). An alternating current dimmer typically receives alternating current line voltage as an input, and provides an alternating current output signal having one or more variable parameters that have the effect of adjusting the average voltage of the output signal (and hence the ability of the AC output signal to provide power) in response to the operation of the dimmer by the user. This dimmer output signal is generally applied, for example, to one or more light sources that are mounted in conventional bushings or installations coupled to the dimmer output (such bushings or installations are sometimes referred to as a " dimmer circuit "). .

Conventional AC dimmers can be configured to control the power supplied to one or more light sources in one or several different ways. For example, in one implementation, the adjustment of the user interface causes the dimmer to increase or decrease the amplitude of the voltage of the output signal of the alternating current dimmer. More commonly, however, in other implementations, the adjustment of the user interface causes the dimmer to adjust the cycle of use of the output signal of the alternating current dimmer (for example, "cutting" portions of the alternating current voltage cycles). This technique is sometimes referred to as an " angle shaping " (based on the adjustable phase angle of the output signal). Perhaps the most commonly used dimmers of this type employ a triac that is selectively operated to adjust the cycle of use (i.e., modulates the phase angle) of the dimmer output signal by cutting up portions of the half alternating current voltage cycles (i.e. , after the passes through zero and 2 before the peaks). Other types of dimmers that adjusts duty cycles may employ trip terminal disconnect thyristors (GTOs) that are selectively operated to cut off downstream portions of the alternating current voltage cycles (i.e., after the peaks and before the zero ) Fig. 1 generically illustrates some implementations of conventional AC dimmers. In particular, Fig. 1 shows an example of an alternating current voltage wave 302 (for example, representing a standard line voltage) that can supply power to one or more conventional light sources. Fig. 1 also shows a generic AC dimmer 304 responding to a user interface 305. In the first implementation discussed above, the dimmer 304 is configured to output the waveform 308, wherein the amplitude 307 of the dimmer output signal can be set via the user interface 305. In the second implementation discussed above, the dimmer 304 is configured to output the waveform 309, in which the duty cycle 306 of the waveform 309 can be tuned through the user interface 305.

As discussed above, both of the foregoing techniques have the effect of adjusting the mean voltage applied to the light source (s), which in turn adjusts the light intensity generated by the source (s). Incandescent sources are particularly well suited for this type of operation, since they produce light when there is current flowing through the filament in any direction; as the average voltage of an alternating current signal applied to the source (s) is adjusted (for example, by an adjustment of the voltage amplitude or cycle of use), the current (and therefore the energy) supplied to the light source is changed and the corresponding light output changes. As for the cycle-of-use technique, the 3 filament of an incandescent source has thermal inertia and therefore does not stop emitting light completely during short periods of voltage interruption. Consequently, the light generated as perceived by the human eye does not appear to tremble when the tension is "cut", but rather appears to change gradually. US-6,127,783 discloses a white light emitting luminaire including a plurality of LEDs in each of the red, green and blue colors having a separate current regulator which receives current output from an AC converter. US-6,369,525 describes a supply circuit of a white LED assembly with a multiple output return converter with output current control mode. The circuit comprises a source of power supply, a transformer and a controller arranged to control the current flow to the transformer winding. US-2002/0048169 describes the general concept of converting AC power signals from a DC dimmer circuit to an LED. However, it does not disclose that the high frequency components present in a signal cut from a dimmer circuit can cause fatal damage to LED light sources under certain circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to address this problem.

SUMMARY There is provided in accordance with the present invention a lighting apparatus, comprising: at least one LED; and at least one controller coupled to at least one LED and configured to provide DC power to at least one LED, wherein the controller is configured to receive from an AC power source an AC current related signal having components higher frequency than a standard alternating current line voltage and providing said DC power based on the alternating current related signal, characterized in that at least one controller is configured to filter the higher frequency components. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of lighting comprising an act of: A) providing DC power to at least one LED based on a current related signal supplied by an alternating current power source having components of a higher frequency than a standard AC line voltage, characterized in that the higher frequency components are filtered from the current related signal before providing DC power to at least one LED.

In one embodiment, methods and apparatus of the present invention particularly facilitate the use of LED-based light sources in AC circuits that are controlled by conventional dimmers (i.e., AC dimmer circuits). In a further aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention facilitate the convenient replacement of LED-based light sources in light environments employing AC dimmer devices and conventional light sources. In yet other aspects, methods and apparatus of the present invention facilitate the control of one or more parameters related to the light generated by LED-based light sources (e.g., intensity, color, color temperature, time characteristics, etc.) through operation of a conventional AC dimmer and / or other signals present in the AC power circuit. 5

More generally, an embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting apparatus, comprising at least one LED and at least one controller coupled to at least one LED. The controller is configured to receive a current related signal from an alternating current power source that provides different signals from a standard AC line voltage. The controller is further configured to provide power to at least one LED based on the current-related signal.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting method comprising an act of providing power to at least one LED based on a current related signal from an alternating current power source which provides different signals from a standard alternating current line voltage .

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting apparatus, comprising at least one LED and at least one controller coupled to at least one LED, and configured to receive a current related signal from an alternating current dimmer circuit and provide power to at least one LED based on the current-related signal.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of lighting, comprising an act of providing power to at least one LED based on a current related signal from an alternating current dimmer circuit.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting apparatus comprising at least one LED adapted to generate essentially white light and at least one controller coupled to at least one LED and configured to receive a current related signal from a dimmer circuit and provide power at least one LED based on the current-related signal. The alternating current dimmer circuit is controlled by a user interface to vary the current related signal. The controller is configured to variably control at least one essentially white light parameter in response to operation of the user interface in order to approximate the light generation characteristics of an incandescent light source.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting system, comprising at least one LED, a power connector, and a power converter associated with the power connector and adapted to convert the energy from the alternating current dimmer circuit received by the power connector. energy to form a converted energy. The system also includes an adjustment circuit associated with the power converter adapted to adjust the power supplied to at least one LED.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of providing illumination, comprising the steps of providing an alternating current dimmer circuit, connecting an LED light system to the alternating current dimmer circuit, generating light from the LED light system by energizing the dimmer circuit of alternating current and adjust the light generated by the LED light system by adjusting the AC dimmer circuit.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for controlling at least one device powered by an alternating current line voltage. The method comprises an act of generating a power signal based on the alternating current line voltage, wherein the power signal provides essentially constant power to at least one device and includes at least one communication channel 7 carrying control information to at least one device, the at least one communication channel occupying a portion of a cycle of use over a period of cycles of the alternating current line voltage.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling at least one device powered by an alternating current line voltage. The apparatus comprises a supply voltage controller configured to generate a power signal based on the alternating current line voltage, wherein the power signal provides essentially constant power to at least one device and includes at least one communication channel carrying information for at least one device, the at least one communication channel occupying a portion of a duty cycle over a period of cycles of the AC line voltage. In one aspect of this embodiment the supply voltage controller includes at least one user interface for providing variable control information on at least one communication channel.

As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term " LED " it should be understood to include an electroluminescent diode or other type of injection / junction carrier based system which is capable of generating radiation in response to an electrical signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor based structures which emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, electroluminescent bands and the like.

In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including organic semiconductors and light emitting diodes) that can be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared, ultraviolet, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including wavelengths of radiation from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs and white LEDs (discussed below). It should also be appreciated that the LEDs can be configured to generate radiation having various bandwidths for a given spectrum (eg narrowband, wideband).

For example, an embodiment of an LED configured to essentially generate white light (e.g., a white LED) may include a number of matrices respectively emitting different electroluminescence spectra which, in combination, blend to essentially form white light. In another embodiment, a white light LED may be associated with a phosphor material that converts electroluminescence having a first spectrum to a second different spectrum. In one example of this embodiment, electroluminescence having a relatively short wavelength and a narrow band spectrum " swells " the phosphor material, which in turn emits higher wavelength radiation having a somewhat broader spectrum.

It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the type of physical and / or electrical packaging of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple matrices that are configured to respectively emit different radiation spectra (e.g., which may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED can be associated with a match that is considered as an integral part of the LED (for example some types of white LEDs). 9

In general, the term LED can refer to packaged LEDs, unpackaged LEDs, surface-mounted LEDs, integrated LEDs, T-pack mounted LEDs, radial packaging LEDs, power packaging LEDs, LEDs including some kind of wrapping and / or optical element (for example, diffuser lenses), etc. The term " light source " should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (employing one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (eg filament lamps, fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (eg sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources flames), luminescent candle sources (eg gas lamps, coal arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (eg gaseous discharge sources), luminescent cathode sources using electronic saturation, galvanic- luminescent, crystal-luminescent sources, quino-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources and lum unending.

A given light source may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Therefore, the terms " light " and " radiation " are reciprocally used here. Additionally, a light source may include as an integral component one or more filters (e.g. color filters), lenses, or other optical components. Also, it should be understood that light sources may be configured for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, and an indication and / or illumination. A " lighting source " which light source is particularly configured to generate radiation having an intensity sufficient to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. The term " spectrum " should be understood to refer to any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of the radiation produced by one or more light sources. Accordingly, the term " spectrum " refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) not only in the visible range, but also at frequencies (or wavelengths) in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other areas of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Also, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (essentially low frequency or wavelength components) or a relatively broad bandwidth (various frequency or wavelength components having various relative powers). It should also be appreciated that a given spectrum may be the result of a mixture of two or more other spectra (for example, by mixing the radiation emitted respectively by multiple light sources).

For purposes of this disclosure, the term " color " is used reciprocally with the term " spectrum ". However, the term " color " is generally used to refer primarily to a radiation property which is perceptible by an observer (although this use is not intended to limit the scope of this term). Consequently, the terms " different colors " refers implicitly to multiple spectra having components of different wavelengths and / or bandwidths. It should also be appreciated that the term " color " can be used in connection with white rather than white light. The term " color temperature " is generally used herein in connection with white light, although this use is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature refers essentially to a particular content or shade of the color (e.g., reddish, bluish) of the white light. The color temperature of a given radiation sample is conventionally characterized according to the Kelvin (K) temperature of a black radiator body emitting essentially the same spectrum as the radiation sample in question. The color temperature of the white light generally falls within a range of approximately 700 degrees K (generally regarded as the first visible to the human eye) to above 10000 degrees K.

Lower color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant red component or a " warm feel ", while higher color temperatures generally indicate white light having a more significant blue component or a " cold feel ". As an example, the fire has a color temperature of approximately 1800 degrees K, a conventional incandescent lamp has a color temperature of approximately 2848 degrees K, early morning light has a color temperature of approximately 3000 degrees K, and mid-afternoon skies have a color temperature of about 10000 degrees K. A color image viewed under white light having a color temperature of approximately 3000 degrees K has a relatively reddish hue while the same color image viewed under light having a color temperature of approximately 10,000 degrees K has a relatively bluish hue.

The terms " light unit " and " luminaire " are reciprocally used herein to refer to apparatus including one or more light sources of the same or different types. A given light unit may have any of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source (s), housing and housing arrangements, and / or configurations of electrical and mechanical connections. In addition, a given light unit may optionally be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and / or packaged together with) a number of other components (e.g. control circuits) related to the operation of the light source . An " LED-based light unit " refers to a light unit which includes one or more LED based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non-LED based light sources.

The terms " processor " or " controller " are used herein to describe various apparatus related to the operation of one or more light sources. A processor or controller may be implemented in a number of ways, such as with dedicated hardware, using one or more microprocessors that are programmed using software (e.g. micro code) to perform the various functions discussed herein, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and microprocessors and associated circuits to perform other functions.

In various embodiments, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generally referred to herein as " memory ", for example volatile or non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tape, etc.). In some embodiments, the storage medium may be encoded with one or more programs 13 which, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be affixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable such that one or more programs stored thereon may be loaded into a processor or controller in order to implement various aspects of the present invention discussed herein. The terms "program " or " computer program " are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (eg software or micro-code) which may be employed to program one or more processors or controllers. The term " addressable " is used herein to refer to a device (e.g., a light source in general, a light unit or luminaire, a processor or controller associated with one or more light sources or light units, other non-light related devices, etc. ) which is configured to receive information (e.g. data) planned for multiple devices, including itself, and to respond to the particular information planned for it. The term " addressable " is often used in connection with a network environment (or a " network " discussed below) in which multiple devices are coupled together through some means or communication medium.

In a network embodiment, one or more devices coupled to a network may serve as a controller for one or more other devices coupled to the network (for example in a master / slave relationship). In another embodiment, a network environment may include one or more dedicated controllers that are configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, multiple devices coupled to the network each may have access to data that is present in the communication means or media; however, a given device 14 may be " addressable " by being configured to selectively exchange data (i.e., receive data from and / or transmit data to) the network, based, for example, on one or more particular identifiers (e.g. " addresses ") designated therefor. The term " network " as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (including controllers or processors) which facilitates the transport of information (e.g. for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) between any two or more devices and / or between multiple devices coupled to the network. As should be readily appreciated, various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include any one of a variety of network topologies and employ any one of a variety of communication protocols. Additionally, in various networks according to the present invention, either a connection between two devices may represent a dedicated connection between the two systems, or alternatively a non-dedicated connection. In order to further convey information intended for the two devices, such non-dedicated connection may carry information not necessarily intended for either device (for example, an open network connection). In addition, it should be readily appreciated that various device networks as discussed herein may employ one or more wireless, wired / cable, and / or fiber-optic connections to facilitate the transport of information over the network. The term " user interface " as used herein refers to an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that provides communication between the user and the device (s). Examples of user interface that may be employed in various implementations of the present invention include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, disks, cursors, a mouse, keyboard, right-hand keyboard, various types of game controllers for example joysticks), ball-mouse, screens, various GUIs, touch screens, microphones, and other types of sensors that can receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a response signal to it .

It will be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in more detail below are contemplated as being part of the inventive theme described herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed themes appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive theme.

Brief description of the drawings

The following figures represent certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention in which like numerical references refer to like elements. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not limiting in any way. Fig. 1 illustrates the exemplary operation of alternating current dimmer devices. Fig. 2 illustrates a conventional embodiment for providing power to an LED-based light source from an alternating current line voltage. Fig. 3 illustrates a light unit including an LED-based light source according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating various components of the light unit of Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 illustrates a light unit including an LED-based light source according to a further embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating various components of the light unit of Fig. 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 7 is a block diagram of a processor-based light unit including an LED-based light source according to another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating various components of the power circuit for the light unit of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating a conventional current reducer employed to operate circuits for a light source based in LED according to one embodiment of the invention. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an improved current reducer according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an improved current reducer according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description 1. Overview

Lighting sources based on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have become more popular in applications where general illumination, work, advertising, or other illumination is desirable. LED efficiency, high intensities, low cost, and a high level of controllability have led to the request of LED-based light sources as replacements for conventional non-LED based light sources.

While alternating current dimmer devices as discussed above are often employed to control conventional light sources such as incandescent lamps using an alternating current power source, Applicants have generally recognized and appreciated that such dimmers are not acceptable for use with light sources such as light sources based on LEDs. Stated differently, Applicants have identified that LED based light sources, which operate substantially based on DC power sources, are generally incompatible with dimmer circuits that provide AC output signals. This situation prevents the convenient use of LED based light sources in pre-existing lighting systems in which conventional light sources are operated through alternating current dimmer circuits.

There are currently some solutions for powering LED-based lighting systems through AC line voltage, but these solutions suffer from significant drawbacks if applied to AC dimmer circuits. Fig. 2 illustrates such a generalized scenario in which an alternating current line voltage 302 (for example 120 Vrms, 220 Vrms, etc.) is used to power an LED-based light system, such as a traffic light 808 (The traffic light includes three LED, one red, one yellow and one green LED modules with associated circuitry). In the arrangement of Fig. 2, a full-wave rectifier 802 together with the capacitors 800 and 806 and the resistor 804 filters the applied AC line voltage so as to provide a substantially DC direct current source for the traffic light 808. In particular, the capacitor 800 may be specifically chosen, depending on the impedance of the other components of the circuit, such that power is passed to the traffic light based primarily on the expected frequency of the alternating current line voltage (e.g. 60Hz).

A problem with the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is that if the applied AC signal is from a dimmer circuit instead of a line voltage, the applied signal may include frequency components which are significantly different from the line voltage frequency for to which the circuit is designed. For example, consider a dimmer circuit that provides a controlled duty cycle (i.e., modulated angle) alternating current signal 309 as shown in Fig. 1; by virtue of abrupt signal variations due to " cutting " of portions of the voltage cycles, the signals of this type include significantly higher frequency components than a typical line voltage. When such an angle modulated alternating current signal is applied to the arrangement of Fig. 2, the capacitor 800 will allow the passage of an excess of energy associated with these higher frequencies to the traffic light, in most cases causing fatalities to the sources of light.

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present invention is generally directed to methods and apparatus for facilitating the use of LED-based light sources in alternating current circuits that provide either a standard line voltage or that are controlled by conventional dimmers is alternating current dimmer circuits). In one aspect, the methods and apparatus of the present invention facilitate the convenient replacement of LED-based light sources in lighting environments employing conventional dimmer devices and conventional light sources. In yet other aspects the methods and apparatus according to the present invention facilitate the control of one or more parameters related to the light generated by light sources based on LED (for example, intensity, color, color temperature, time characteristics, etc. .) by operation of a conventional dimmer and / or other signals which may be present in connection with an alternating current line voltage.

Light units and systems employing various concepts in accordance with the principles of the present invention may be used in a residential assembly, commercial assembly, industrial assembly and any other assembly where conventional AC dimmers are found or desired. In addition, the various concepts described herein may be applied in light units according to the present invention to ensure compatibility of the light units with a variety of lighting control protocols which provide various control signals through an alternating current power circuit.

An example of such a control protocol is given by the communication language XI0, which allows X10-compatible products to communicate with one another through electrical wiring in a house (i.e. wiring that provides a standard AC line voltage) . In a typical embodiment X10, an application to be controlled (eg lights, thermostats, jacuzzi / hot tub, etc.) is connected to a receiver ΧΙΟ, which in turn is connected to a conventional wall outlet and coupled to the voltage AC power line. The application to be controlled can be addressed with a particular address. An X10 transmitter / controller is connected to another wall outlet 20 and coupled to the AC line voltage, and communicates control commands (e.g., on, off, obscure, shine, etc.) through the same wiring providing the voltage of line to one or more X10 receivers based at least in part on the assigned addresses (additional information regarding X10 implementations can be found on the website www.smarthome.com). According to one embodiment, methods and apparatus of the present invention facilitate the compatibility of various light sources and LED-based light units with X10 and other communication protocols which communicate control information in connection with an alternating current line voltage.

In general methods and apparatus in accordance with the present invention enable a substantially complete improvement of an illumination environment with LED-based solid state light sources; in particular in accordance with the present invention the use of LED-based light sources as substitutes for incandescent light sources is not limited only to those AC circuits which are fed directly by a line voltage (for example via a switch); even more so, methods and apparatus of the present invention allow LED-based light sources to be used in any conventional (eg incandescent) bushing, including those coupled to an alternating current dimmer circuit and / or receiving signals other than a voltage standard line.

In various embodiments, an LED-based light unit or luminaire according to the invention may include a controller for suitably conditioning an alternating current signal provided by a dimmer circuit in order to provide power to (i.e., conduct) one or more LEDs on the light unit. The controller may drive the LED (s) 21 using a variety of techniques, including analog control techniques, pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques, or other power regulation techniques. Although not an essential aspect of the present invention, in some embodiments the LED-based light unit circuit may include one or more microprocessors that are programmed to emit various conditioning signals and / or light control functions. In various implementations of processor-based or non-processor embodiments, an LED-based light unit according to the invention may be configured for operation in an alternating current dimmer circuit with or without conditions to allow one or more parameters of the generated light to be adjusted through operation of the dimmer by the user.

More specifically, in one embodiment, an LED-based light unit may include a controller wherein at least a portion of the power supplied to the controller, derived from an alternating current dimmer circuit, is set to a substantially constant value over a significant range of dimmer operation in order to provide an essentially stable power source for the controller and other circuits associated with the light unit. In one aspect of this embodiment, the controller may also be configured to monitor the adjustable power provided by the dimmer circuit so as to allow adjustment of one or more parameters of the light generated by the light unit in response to dimmer operation.

In particular, there are various parameters of the light generated by an LED-based light source (other than or in addition to, intensity or brightness, for example) that can be controlled in response to operation of the dimmer according to the present invention. For example, in various embodiments, an LED-based light unit may be configured so that one or more properties of the generated light such as color (e.g., hue, saturation or brightness), or the correlated color temperature of the white light , as well as time parameters (eg rate of color variation or scintillation of one or more colors) are adjustable through dimmer operation.

As discussed above, in one embodiment an LED-based light unit may include one or more processor-based controllers including one or more memory storage devices to facilitate the above and other examples of dimmable light generation. In particular, in one embodiment, such a light unit may be configured to selectively perform, via dimmer operation, one or more lighting programs stored in the controller memory. Such lighting programs may represent various static or time-varying lighting effects involving multiple colors, color temperatures, and intensities of light generated, for example. In one aspect of this embodiment the processor-based controller of the light unit may be configured to control the alternating current signal provided by the dimmer circuit in order to choose different programs and / or program parameters based on one or more changes in the dimmer controlled signal having a characteristic (e.g., a particular instantaneous value related to the dimmer signal, a particular mean time related to the dimmer signal, an interruption of the power provided by the dimmer with a preprogrammed duration, a particular rate of change of the dimmer signal, and so on. ). After choosing a new program or parameter, the subsequent operation of the dimmer must adjust the chosen parameter or program.

In another exemplary embodiment, an LED-based light unit according to the present invention may be configured to be coupled to an alternating current dimmer circuit and essentially recreate the characteristics of a conventional incandescent light when a dimmer is operated to increase or decrease the intensity of light generated. In one aspect of this embodiment, this simulation can be performed by simultaneously varying the intensity and color of the light generated by the LED-based source in response to dimmer operation, so as to approximate the varying lighting characteristics of an incandescent source whose intensity is varied. In another aspect of this embodiment such simulation is facilitated by a processor-based controller particularly programmed to control an alternating current signal provided by the dimmer circuit and respectively controlling the differently colored LEDs of the light unit in response to operation of the dimmer in order to vary simultaneously the overall color and the intensity of the light generated by the light unit.

While many of the lighting effects discussed herein are associated with compatible dimmer control, also various effects may be generated in accordance with the present invention using other control systems. For example, the color temperature of an LED-based light source may be programmed to reduce when the intensity is reduced and these illumination changes can be controlled by a system other than the dimmer system (e.g. wireless communication, the like) according to various embodiments of the invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of selling, marketing and advertising light sources and LED based lighting systems. The method may include advertising of an LED-based lighting system compatible with dimmers or conventional dimmer systems. The method may also include advertising an LED light that is 24 compatible with dimmer or dimmer lighting control systems. The following are more detailed descriptions of various concepts relating to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus for providing energy to LED-based lighting in accordance with the present invention. It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention, as discussed above and described below, may be implemented in any of many ways, as the invention is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only. 2. Non-processor-based, exemplary achievements

As discussed above, according to various embodiments, LED based light sources capable of operating through alternating current dimmer circuits can be implemented with or without microprocessor based circuits. In this section, there are given examples of lighting units which include circuits configured to suitably package alternating current signals provided by a dimmer circuit without the aid of a microprocessor or microcontroller. A number of processor-based examples are discussed in the following sections. Fig. 3 illustrates an LED-based light unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of illustration the light unit 200 is generically shown to resemble a conventional incandescent lamp having a threaded base 202 for mechanically and electrically engaging with a conventional light bushing. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited in this respect, since a number of other configurations including other forms of housing and / or types of bonding are possible according to other embodiments. Various examples of power connection configurations include, but are not limited to, screw type connectors, key type connectors, multipin type connectors, and the like, to facilitate engagement with high intensity incandescent, halogen, fluorescent or discharge type bushings ( HID). Such bushings, in turn, may be connected directly to an alternating current power source (for example, line voltage) or through a switch and / or dimmer to the AC power source. The light unit 200 of Fig. 3 includes a LED-based light source 104 having one or more LEDs. The light unit also includes a controller 204 that is configured to receive an alternating current signal 500 through the connector 202 and to provide power to the LED-based light source 104. According to one aspect of this embodiment the controller 204 includes a number of components for ensuring proper operation of the light unit with alternating current signals 500 which are provided by a dimmer circuit and more specifically by a dimmer circuit which emits alternating current controlled use (i.e., modulated angle) cycle as discussed above.

To this end, according to the embodiment of Fig. 3, the controller 204 includes a rectifier 404, a low-pass filter (i.e., high frequency) 408 and a DC converter 402. In one aspect of this embodiment, the output of the direct current converter 402 provides a substantially stable DC voltage as the power for the LED-based light source 104 regardless of the adjustments the user may make in the dimmer providing the current signal 26 to alternate 500. More specifically , in this embodiment, the various components of the controller 204 facilitate the operation of the light unit 200 in a dimmer circuit without providing adjustment of the generated light based on dimmer operation; rather, the primary function of the controller 204 in the embodiment of Fig. 3 is to ensure that no damage is caused to the LED-based light source 104 by being fed from an alternating current dimmer circuit.

In particular, according to one aspect of this embodiment, an essentially constant DC power is provided to the LED-based light source while the dimmer circuit outputs an AC signal 500 that provides sufficient power for the controller 204 to operate. In one embodiment, the dimmer circuit may emit an AC signal 500 having a duty cycle as low as 50% " " (i.e., conducting) that provides sufficient power to cause light generation by the LED-based light source 104. In yet another implementation, the dimmer circuit may provide an AC signal 500 having a duty cycle as low as 25% or less " which provides sufficient power to the LED-based light source 104. In this manner, user adjustment of the dimmer over a significantly wide range does not substantially affect the light output of the light unit 200. Again, the foregoing examples are provided primarily for purposes of illustration, since the invention is not necessarily limited in these respects . 4 is an exemplary circuit diagram illustrating some details of the various components shown in Fig. 3, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Again, one of the primary functions of the circuit shown in Fig. 4 is to ensure the safe operation of the LED-based light source 104 based on an alternating current signal 500 provided to the light unit 200 via a conventional alternating current dimmer circuit. As shown in Fig. 4, the rectifier 404 can be realized by a diode bridge (D47, D48, D49, D50), while the low pass filter is realized with several passive components (capacitors C2 and C3, inductor L2; resistors R4 and R6) shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the direct current converter is realized in part using the TNY264 / 266 integrated circuit model manufactured by Power Integrations, Inc. 5245 Hellyer Avenue, San Jose, California 5138 (www.powerint.com), and is configured to provide a 16 V direct current supply voltage to supply power to the LED based light source 104.

It will be appreciated that the filter parameters (for example, the low-pass filter shown in Fig. 4) are significantly important to ensure proper operation of the controller 204. In particular, the filter cutoff frequencies should be substantially less than one switching frequency of the DC converter, but substantially greater than the typical frequency of several cut cycles used in common switching mode power supplies. According to one implementation, the total input capacitance of the controller circuit is such that little energy remains in the capacitors at the end of each half cycle of the alternating current wave. Similarly the inductance must be chosen to provide adequate insulation of the high frequency components created by the DC converter to meet regulatory requirements (under certain circumstances this value should be zero). In yet other implementations, it may be advantageous to place all or part of the filter components remote from the bridge rectifier 404. The light source 104 of Fig. 4 may include one or more LEDs (as shown for example as the LEDs D52 and D53 in Fig. Fig. 4) each having a variety of colors, and multiple LEDs can be configured in a variety of arrangements in series or in parallel. Additionally, based on the particular configuration of the LED source 104, one or more resistors or other components may be used in series or in parallel with the LED source 104 to suitably couple the source to the DC voltage supply.

According to another embodiment of the invention an LED-based light source can not only be safely supplied by an alternating current dimmer circuit, but additionally the intensity of the light generated by the light source can be adjusted by operation by the user of a dimmer which controls the alternating current signal provided by the dimmer circuit. Fig. 5 shows another example of a light unit 200A, similar to the light unit shown in Fig. 3, which is suitable for operation through a dimmer circuit. Unlike the light unit shown in Fig. 3, however, the light unit 200A of Fig. 5 is configured to have an adjustable light output that can be controlled through a dimmer. To this end, the controller 204A shown in Fig. 5 includes an additional adjustment circuit 208 which subsequently conditions an output signal from the direct current converter 402. The adjustment circuit 208 in turn provides a variable conduction signal to the light source 104 based on variations in the alternating current signal 500 (e.g., variations in the average signal voltage) in response to operation of the dimmer by the user. 6 is an exemplary circuit diagram illustrating some of the details of the various components shown in Fig. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Many of the circuits shown in Fig. 6 are similar or identical to those shown in Fig. The additional set-up circuit 208 is implemented in FIG. 6 in part by the resistors R2 and R6 which form a voltage divider in the return ring of the integrated circuit U1. A control voltage 410 is derived at the junction of the resistors R2 and R6, which control voltage varies in response to variations in the ac signal 500 due to dimmer operation. The control voltage 410 is applied through the diode D5 to a voltage-to-current converter implemented by the resistor R1 and transistor Q1, which provides a variable conductive current for the LED-based light source 104 following the dimmer interface with the user. In this manner, the light intensity generated by the light source 104 can be varied through the dimmer over a significant range of dimmer operation. Of course, it should be appreciated that if the dimmer is adjusted such that the ac signal 500 is no longer able to provide adequate power to the associated circuits, the light source 104 simply ceases to produce light.

It will be appreciated that in the circuit of Fig. 6 the control voltage 410 is essentially a filtered, smoothed, maximum limited version of the average direct current voltage supplied to the DC converter. This circuit depends on the DC converter to substantially discharge the input capacitors every half cycle. In practice this is easily achieved because the input current to the controller remains regularly constant or increases when the cycle of use of the signal 500 is reduced, while the output of the device does not decrease faster than the control voltage. 3. Exemplary processor-based accomplishments

According to further embodiments of the invention an LED-based light unit suitable for operating through an alternating current dimmer circuit can be implemented using a processor-based controller. The following is an embodiment of an LED-based light unit including a processor, including discussion of how such a light unit may be particularly configured for operation through an alternating current dimmer circuit. For example, in addition to a microprocessor, such a processor-based light unit may also include, and / or receive signal (s) from, one or more other components associated with the microprocessor to facilitate control of generated light based on at least in part on the adjustment of a conventional AC dimmer. Once a processor-based control scheme is implemented in a light unit according to the present invention, a virtually unlimited number of configurations are possible to control the light generated. Fig. 7 shows a portion of an LED-based light unit 200B including a processor-based controller 204B according to one embodiment of the invention. Various examples of processor-controlled LED-based light units similar to the one described below in connection with Fig. 7 can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,016,038 issued January 18, 2000 to Mueller et al., Entitled " Multicolored LED Lighting Method and Apparatus " and in U.S. Patent 6,211,626, issued April 3, 2001 to Lys et al., entitled " Illumination Components " which patents are hereby incorporated by reference. 31

In one aspect, although not explicitly shown in Fig. 7, the light unit 200B may include a housing structure that is configured similarly to the other light units shown in Figs. 3 and 5 (i.e., as a replacement for an incandescent lamp having a conventional threaded type connector). Again, however, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this regard; more generally, the light unit 200B may be implemented using any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source (s), housing / housing arrangements, and ways to partially or fully enclose the light sources, and / or electrical or mechanical connection.

As shown in Fig. 7, light unit 200B includes one or more light sources 104A, 104B and 104C (collectively shown as 104), wherein one or more of the light sources may be an LED-based light source that includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one aspect of this embodiment, any two or more of the light sources 104A, 104B and 104C may be adapted to generate radiation of different colors (e.g., red, green and blue, respectively). While Fig. 7 shows three light sources 104A, 104B and 104C, it should be appreciated that the light unit is not limited in this respect, since different numbers of various types of light sources (all light sources based on LEDs, light sources based on LEDs and not LED-based in combination, etc.) adapted to generate radiation from a variety of different colors, including substantially white light, may be employed in the light unit 200B as discussed below.

As shown in Fig. 7, the light source 200B may also include a processor 102 which is configured to control the conduction circuit 109 to conduct the light sources 104A, 32410 and 104C so as to generate various light intensities at from light sources. For example, in one implementation, the processor 102 may be configured to send, via the driver circuit 109, at least one control signal to each light source so as to independently control the light intensity generated by each light source. Some examples of control signals that may be generated by the processor and driving circuit for controlling the light sources include, but are not limited to, pulse modulated signals, pulse width-of-modulation (PWM) signals, amplitude pulse signals (PAM), modulated code pulse signals (PCMs), analog control signals (e.g., current control signals, voltage control signals), combinations and / or modulations of the background signals, and other control signals .

In an implementation of the light unit 200B, one or more of the light sources 104A, 104B and 104C shown in Fig. 7 may include a group of multiple LEDs or other types of light sources (e.g., multiple paralleling and / or series of LEDs or other types of light sources) which are controlled together by the processor 102. Additionally, it should be appreciated that one or more of the light sources 104A, 104B and 104C may include one or more LEDs that are adapted to generate radiation having any of a variety of spectra (i.e., wavelengths or wavelength bands), including, but not limited to, various visible colors (including essentially white light), various white, ultraviolet, or infra-red. LEDs having a variety of spectral bandwidths (e.g., narrowband, broadband) may be employed in various implementations of the 200B light unit.

In another aspect of the light unit 200B shown in Fig. 7, the light unit can be constructed and arranged to produce a wide range of variable color radiation. For example, light unit 200B may be particularly arranged such that the varying processor-controlled intensity of the light generated by two or more of the light sources combine to produce a mixed colored light (including substantially white light having a variety of color). In particular, the color (or color temperature) of the mixed colored light may be varied by modifying one or more of the respective intensities of the light sources (e.g., in response to one or more control signals emitted by the processor and driving circuit) . In addition, processor 102 may be particularly configured (e.g., programmed) to provide control signals to one or more light sources so as to generate a variety of static or time-varying multi-color (or multicolor) ).

As a result, the light unit 200B may include a wide variety of LED colors in various combinations including two or more red, green and blue LEDs to produce a mixed color as well as one or more LEDs to create color and color temperatures of light white variables. For example, red, green and blue can be mixed with amber, white, ultraviolet, orange, infrared, or other colors of LEDs. Such combinations of different colored LEDs in the light unit 200B may facilitate a perfect reproduction of a set of desirable spectrums of illumination conditions, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a variety of exterior daytime lights equivalent to different times of day , various interior lighting conditions, lighting conditions to simulate a complex multicolored background, and the like. Other desirable lighting conditions may be created by removing particular pieces of the spectrum which may be specifically absorbed, attenuated or reflected in certain environments. 34

As shown in Fig. 7 the light unit 200B may also include a memory 114 for storing various information. For example, the memory 114 may be used to store one or more lighting programs for execution by the processor 102 (for example, to generate one or more control signals for the light sources), as well as various types of data useful for generating (eg calibration of information). The memory 114 may also store one or more particular identifiers (e.g. a serial number, an address, etc.) which may be used either locally or at a system level to identify the light unit 200B. In various embodiments, such identifiers may be pre-programmed by the manufacturer, for example, and may subsequently be alterable or non-changeable (e.g., through some type of user interface located in the light unit, via one or more control data or signals received by the light unit, etc.). Alternatively, such identifiers may be determined at the time of initial use of the light unit in the application, and again may subsequently be alterable or non-changeable.

In another aspect, as also shown in Fig. 7, the light unit 200B optionally may be configured to receive a user interface signal 118 which is provided to facilitate any one of a number of settings or functions that may be chosen by the user for example by generally controlling the light output of the light unit 200B by changing and / or selecting various preprogrammed light effects to be generated by the light unit by changing and / or selecting various chosen light effects parameters by marking particular identifiers such as addresses or serial numbers for the light unit, etc.). In an embodiment of the invention discussed below, the user interface signal 118 may be derived from an alternating current signal provided by a dimmer circuit and / or other control signal (s) in an alternating current power circuit, so that the light generated by the light source 104 may be controlled in response to operation of the dimmer and / or other control signals.

More generally, in one aspect of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the processor 102 of the light unit 200B is configured to monitor the user interface signal 118 and control one or more of the light sources 104A, 104B and 104C based at least in part on signal from the user interface. For example, the processor 102 may be configured to respond to the user interface signal by providing one or more control signals (e.g., through the driver circuit 109) to control one or more of the light sources. Alternatively, the processor 102 may be configured to respond by selecting one or more preprogrammed control signals stored in the memory, modifying control signals generated by running a lighting program, selecting and executing a new lighting program from memory, or another thereby affecting the radiation generated by one or more of the light sources.

For this purpose, processor 102 may be configured to use one or more of several criteria to " evaluate " the user interface signal 118 and performing one or more functions in response to the user interface signal. For example, processor 102 may be configured to take some action based on a particular instantaneous value of the user interface signal, in a change of some of the user interface signal characteristic, at a rate of change of some characteristic of the user interface signal, in the value temporal pattern of some feature of the user interface signal, in the periodic patterns or interruptions of the user interface signal having particular durations 36, in the zero passages of an alternating current signal of the user interface, etc.

In one embodiment, the processor is configured to digitally take samples of the user interface signal 118 and process the samples according to some predetermined criterion to determine if one or more functions need to be performed. In still another embodiment, the memory 114 associated with the processor 102 may include one or more tables or, more generally, a database that provides a value mapping relating the user interface signal to values for various control signals used to control the LED-based light source 104 (e.g., a particular value or condition associated with the user interface signal may correspond to particular usage cycles of the PWM signals respectively applied to different colored LEDs of the light source). In this manner, a wide variety of lighting control functions can be performed based on the user interface signal. Fig. 7 also illustrates that the light unit 200B may be configured to receive one or more signals 122 from one or more signal sources 124. In one embodiment, the processor 102 of the light unit may use the signal (s) 122, or alone or in combination with other control signals (e.g., signals generated by running a lighting program, user interface signals, etc.) in order to control one or more of the light sources 104A, 104B and 104C in a similar manner to that discussed above in connection with the user interface. Some examples of a signal source 124 that may be employed in or used in connection with the light unit 200B of Fig. 7 include any of a variety of sensors or transducers that generate one or more signals 122 in response to some stimuli. Examples of such sensors include, but are not limited to, various types of sensors of the surrounding conditions, such as thermally sensitive sensors (e.g., temperature, infrared), humidity sensors, motion sensors, photo sensors / light sensors for example, sensors which are sensitive to one or more particular spectra of electromagnetic radiation), various types of cameras, sound or vibration sensors or other pressure / force transducers e.g. microphones, piezoelectric devices), and the like.

As shown in Fig. 7, the light unit 200B may include one or more communication ports 120 to facilitate coupling of the light unit to any one of a variety of devices. For example, one or more communication ports 120 may facilitate the coupling of multiple light units together as a lighting network system in which at least some of the light units are addressable (e.g., have a particular identifier or address) and respond to private data carried over the network.

In particular, in a networked lighting system environment, as the data is transmitted over the network, the processor 102 of each light unit coupled to the network may be configured to respond to particular data (e.g., lighting control commands) that (for example, in some cases as dictated by the respective identifiers of the light units of the network). Once a particular processor identifies particular data destined for it, it can read the data and, for example, change the lighting conditions produced by its light units according to the received data (for example, by generating control signals appropriate for the sources of light). In one aspect the memory 114 of each light unit coupled to the network may be charged, for example, with a table of lighting control signals corresponding to the data that the processor 102 receives. Once the processor 102 receives data from the network, the processor can query the table of chosen control signals corresponding to received data, and accordingly control the light sources of the light unit.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the processor 102 of a given light unit, whether or not it is connected to a network, may be configured to interpret, for example, lighting instructions / data that are received in a DMX protocol (as discussed in U.S. Patents 6,016,038 and 6,211,626) which is a lighting control protocol conventionally employed in the lighting industry for some programmable lighting applications. However, it should be appreciated that light units suitable for the purposes of the present invention are not limited in this respect, since light units according to various embodiments may be configured to respond to other types of communication protocols to control their respective sources of light. The light unit 200B of Fig. 7 also includes power circuit 108 which is configured to supply power to the light unit based on an alternating current signal 500 (e.g., a line voltage, a signal provided by a dimmer circuit, etc.) . In an implementation of the light unit 200B, the power circuit 108 may be configured similarly to portions of the circuits shown in Figs. 4 and 6, for example. In particular Fig.8 shows an exemplary circuit arrangement for the power circuit 108, based on several elements shown in Figs. 4 and 6, which may be employed in an implementation of the light unit 200B. In the circuit shown in Fig. 8 a 5 V DC output 900 is provided for at least the processor 102, while a 16 V DC output 902 is provided to the conduction circuit 109, which ultimately provides power for the LED-based light source 104. Similar to the circuits shown in Figs. 4 and 6, it should be appreciated that as the overall power provided by the ac signal 500 is reduced due to the operation of a dimmer, for example, at some point the power circuit 108 will be unable to provide sufficient power to the various components of the light unit 200B and it will stop generating light. Nevertheless, in one aspect, the power circuit 108 is configured to provide sufficient power to the light unit over a significant range of operation of the dimmer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the power circuit 108 shown in Fig. 8 may be modified to also provide a control signal which reflects variations in the alternating current signal 500 (e.g., changes in the mean voltage) in response to the operation the dimmer. For example, the circuit of Fig. 8 may be modified to include additional components similar to those shown in connection with the adjusting circuit 208 of Fig. 6 which provides the control voltage 410 (e.g., a resistive net splitter in the return ring opto-insulator). A control signal similarly derived from the circuit of Fig. 8 may serve as the user interface signal 118 applied to processor 102 as indicated by dashed line 410B shown in Fig. 7. In other embodiments, the circuit of Fig. 8 may be modified so as to derive a control signal / user interface from other portions of the circuit, such as a rectifier or low-pass filter output, for example.

In yet another embodiment, the user interface signal 118 provided to processor 102 may be the same AC signal 500 as indicated in FIG. 7 by the links 500B. In this embodiment, the processor 102 may be particularly programmed to digitally sample the AC signal 500 and detect changes in one or more AC signal characteristics (e.g., amplitude variations, modulation angle degree, etc.). In this way, rather than responding to a control signal which is derived based on variations of the average voltage of the ac signal 500 due to dimmer operation, the processor may respond to dimmer operation by " more directly " to monitor some characteristics (for example, the degree of modulation angle) of the output signal in alternating current of the dimmer. A number of techniques apparent to those skilled in the art, some of which have been discussed above in connection with the user interface signal 118, may be similarly implemented by the processor to separate samples and process the AC signal 500.

Once a user interface signal representing the operation of the dimmer is derived using any of the techniques discussed above (or other techniques), the processor 102 may be programmed to implement any one of a virtually unlimited variety of light control functions based on user dimmer adjustment. For example, a dimmer adjustment by the user may cause the processor to change one or more of intensity, color, related color temperature, or temporal qualities of the light generated by the light unit 200B.

To more specifically illustrate the foregoing, consider the light unit 200B configured with two lighting programs stored in the memory 114; the first lighting program is configured to allow adjustment of the overall color of the light generated in response to dimmer operation, and the second lighting program is configured to allow adjustment of the overall intensity of light generated in a given color in response to the operation the dimmer. In addition, the processor is programmed so that a particular type of dimmer operation remains between the two programs, and such that at the initial power increase, one of the two programs (eg the first program) is automatically executed by default.

In this example, in power up, the first program (e.g., adjustable color) starts to run, and the user can change the overall color of the generated light by operating the user interface dimmer in a " normal " over some range of adjustment (for example, the color can be varied through a rainbow of colors from red to blue with gradual adjustment of the user interface dimmer)

Upon arrival at the desired color the user may then select the second program (e.g., adjustable intensity) for execution by operating the user interface dimmer in any particular preprogrammed manner (for example by instantly interrupting power for a preprogrammed period through an on / off switch incorporated with the dimmer, adjusting the user interface dimmer at a fast rate, etc.). As discussed above in connection with the user interface signal concept, any number of criteria may be used to evaluate the operation of the dimmer and determine whether the selection of a new program is desired, or whether the adjustment of a currently executed program is desired. Various examples of a program or mode of selection through a user interface as well as adjustment of parameters within a chosen program or mode are discussed in U.S. Non-provisional Application Serial No. 09 / 805,368 and U.S. Nonprovisional 42

Application Serial No. 10 / 045,629, incorporated herein by reference.

In this example, once the second program starts to run, the user can change the intensity of the generated light (in the color previously set) by " normal " (e.g., gradual adjustment) of the user interface dimmer. Using the foregoing exemplary procedure, the user can adjust both the color and the intensity of the light emitted by the light unit through a conventional AC dimmer.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing example is provided primarily for purposes of illustration, and that the invention is not limited and these respects. In general, according to various embodiments of the invention, multiple parameters related to the generated light can be changed in sequence, or simultaneously in combination. Also, by selecting and executing a lighting program, the temporal characteristics of the generated light can also be adjusted (for example, scintillation rate of a given color, rate of change of a rainbow of colors, etc.).

For example, in one embodiment, an LED-based light source coupled to an alternating current dimmer circuit may be configured to essentially recreate the light characteristics of a conventional incandescent light when a dimmer is operated to increase or decrease the intensity of the light generated. In one aspect of this embodiment, this simulation can be performed by simultaneously varying the intensity and color of the light generated by the LED-based source through dimmer operation.

More specifically, in conventional incandescent light sources, the color temperature of the emitted light generally is reduced when the energy dissipated by the light source is reduced (for example at low levels of intensity, the correlated color temperature of the light produced can be of about 2000K, while the correlated color temperature of the light at high intensities may be close to 3200K). That is why an incandescent light tends to look reddish when the power of the light source is reduced. Accordingly, in one embodiment, an LED-based light unit may be configured such that a single adjustment of the dimmer can be used to simultaneously change both the intensity and color of the light source so as to produce a relatively well-correlated color temperature at high intensities (for example when the dimmer provides complete " energy ") and produce color temperatures poorly correlated to low intensities, so as to mimic an incandescent source.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a flame simulation control system, or other simulation control system. The system may include a light source or LED-based light unit arranged to produce effects or flame simulations. Such a flame simulation system may be used to replace more conventional (eg incandescent or neon) flame simulation systems. The flame simulation lighting device can be configured (for example, include a lighting program) to change the appearance of the light generated to simulate the wind blowing through the flame or random tremor effects to make the simulation more realistic. Such a simulation system may be associated with a user interface for controlling effects, and may also be configured to be adapted for use and / or controlled by an alternating current dimmer circuit (for example, a dimmer control system may be used to change the effects of the simulation system). In other embodiments, the user interface may communicate with the simulation device via wired or wireless communication and a user may be able to change the effects of the device through the user interface. The simulation device may include an effect that can be modified by rate of change, intensity, color, tremor rate, to simulate windy conditions, calm conditions, moderate conditions or any other desirable modification.

Many lighting control systems do not include dimmer circuits where dimming and other alterable illumination effects would be desirable. Accordingly, still another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a light effect control system including a wireless control system. According to this embodiment, an LED-based light source or light unit can be adapted to receive wireless communications to effect light changes in the lighting system (for example, see Fig. 7 in connection with the communication channel 120 ). A wireless transmitter can be used by a user to change the light effects generated by the light system. In one embodiment, the transmitter is associated with a power switch for the control system. For example, the power switch may be a wall mounted power switch and the user interface may be associated with the wall mounted switch. The user interface may be used to generate wireless communication signals that are communicated to the light system to cause a change in emitted light. In another embodiment, the signals are communicated to the light system through the power wires in a multiplexed manner in which the light decodes the energy data.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to methods and apparatus for communicating control information to one or more lighting devices as well as to other devices which are typically fed through a standard AC line voltage using a portion of the use of the line voltage to communicate the control information. For example, according to one embodiment, a supply voltage controller is configured to receive a standard AC line voltage as an input, and provide as output an power signal including control information. The power signal provides a source of essentially constant DC power; however, according to one aspect of this embodiment, the signal is periodically " interrupted " (e.g., a portion of the cycle over a cycle period is removed) to provide one or more communication channels over which the control information (e.g., digitally encoded information) may be transmitted to one or more coupled devices to the power signal. The device (s) coupled to the power signal may be particularly configured to respond in a certain way to such control information.

For example, it should be appreciated that the various LED-based light units described herein, having the ability to provide power to LED-based light sources from a standard AC line voltage, an alternating current dimmer circuit providing a modulated angle power source), or from a power source in which other control signals may be present in connection with an alternating current line voltage, may be particularly configured to be compatible with the power signal described above and respond to control information transmitted over the communication channel. 46

According to another aspect of this embodiment, a supply voltage controller for providing a power signal as discussed above may be implemented as a processor-based user interface, including any number of possibilities (e.g. buttons, disks, cursors, etc.). .) to facilitate user operation of the controller. In particular, in one embodiment, the supply voltage controller may be implemented to resemble a conventional dimmer (for example, having a button or a cursor as a user interface), in which an associated processor is particularly designed to monitor the operation of the user interface and generate control information in response to such operation. The processor is also programmed to transmit control information through one or more power signal communication channels, as discussed above.

In other aspects of this embodiment, unlike commonly available home control networks / systems such as X10, the devices being controlled by the power signal are essentially defined by the electrical network which provides the power signal, rather than programs or addresses assigned to the devices. Additionally, other " non-controllable " (i.e., not configured to respond to control information conveyed by the power signal) may be coupled to the power signal without any detrimental effect, and allow a mixture of controllable and non-controllable devices in the same power circuit (i.e., providing the same power signal to all devices on the circuit). In addition, devices in different network domains (i.e., in different power circuits) are secured through the topology of not interfering with or responding to the power signal of a particular power circuit. In yet another aspect, the power signal of this embodiment is essentially " transparent " (i.e., does not interfere with) other protocols such as X10.

In an exemplary embodiment based on a supply voltage controller providing a power signal as discussed above in a given power circuit, a number of light devices (for example, conventional light devices, LED-based light units, etc.) can be coupled to the power circuit and configured such that they essentially do not respond to any control information transmitted over the power circuit. For example, "nonresponsive" light devices " may be conventional incandescent light sources or other devices that receive power through that portion of the power signal that does not include the communication channel. These lighting devices can serve in a given environment to provide general illumination to the surroundings.

In addition to the non-responding luminous devices of this example, one or more controllable light devices (eg particularly LED-based light units) may also be coupled to the same power circuit and configured to respond to the control information in the signal communication channel (i.e., respond to the operation of the power controller by the user). In this way, controllable light devices can provide various types of accent / special illumination effects to complement the general illumination provided by the other " nonresponsive " of the same power circuit. 48 4. Exemplary achievements of driving circuits

Referring again to Fig. 7, the conduction circuit 109 of the light unit 200B can be implemented in numerous ways, one of which employs one or more current conductors corresponding respectively to one or more light sources 104A, 104B and 104C ( collectively 104). In particular, according to one embodiment, the conduction circuit 109 is configured such that each differently colored light source is associated with a voltage converter for current receiving a voltage control signal (e.g., a PWM signal digital) from the processor 102 and provides a corresponding current to energize the light source. Such a driving circuit is not limited to implementations of light units which are particularly configured for operation through an alternating current dimmer circuit; more generally, light units similar to the light unit 200B and configured for use with various types of power sources (e.g., AC line voltages, AC dimmer circuits, DC power sources) may employ driving circuits including one or more current converters. 9 shows an example of a portion of the conduction circuit 109 employing a conventional current voltage converter, also referred to as a " current reducer " 910. As shown in Fig. 9, the current reducer 910 receives as input a digital control signal from the processor 102 and provides a current IA to drive the light source 104A. It will be appreciated that according to one embodiment, multiple light sources are included in the light unit, and that the conduction circuit 109 includes circuitry similar to that shown in Fig. 9 for each light source (wherein the processor provides a control signal for each current reducer). The current reducer 910 shown in Fig. 9 is widely used to control the current in various applications, and is discussed in many popular textbooks (for example, see Intuitive IC OPAMPS, Thomas M. Frederiksen, 1984, pages 186-189 ). The current reducer based on the operational amplifier of Fig. 9 operates to maintain the voltage at the " A " (i.e., through the resistor R6) and the voltage of " reference " in the " C " (at the non-inverted input of the U1A operational amplifier) at the same value. In this manner, the light source current IA is related (i.e. follows) the digital control signal provided by the processor 102. The reference voltage at the point " C " in Fig. 9 can be developed in a variety of ways, and Frederiksen's text referenced above suggests that a dividing resistor (for example R2 and R5) is a good method of creating this tension. Generally, the reference voltage is chosen by a circuit designer as a compromise; on the one hand, the voltage must be as low as possible to reduce the voltage overload (i.e., the lowest voltage at which the current IA is maintained) of the current reducer. On the other hand, lowering the reference voltage increases the circuit error due to various sources, including: 1) the voltage compensation of the operational amplifier; 2) differences in input bias currents in the operational amplifier; 3) low tolerances of low value resistors, and 4) errors in the perception of small voltages due to voltage drops through the interconnections of the components. Lowering the reference voltage also decreases the speed of the circuit, since the return of the operational amplifier is reduced. This can also lead to instabilities in the circuit. 50 The reference voltage at the point " C " in Fig. 9 need not be constant and can be changed between any desired voltages to generate different currents. In particular, a digital pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage can be applied to the circuit from the processor 102 to generate an altered current AI. By careful selection of the resistor values for the voltage divider formed by the resistors R2 and R5, various circuit objectives can be achieved, including the compatibility of the bias currents of the operational amplifier.

A concern with the circuit shown in Fig. 9 is that when the digital control signal from the processor is not present or switched off (for example, at zero volts), the operational amplifier U1A may not completely turn off the transistor M1. As a result, some current Ia may continue to flow through light source 104A, even though the light source is intended to be off. In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to the driving circuit for LED-based light sources incorporating an improved current reducer to ensure more precise control of light sources. Fig. 10 shows an example of such an improved current reducer 910A according to an embodiment of the invention. The current reducer 910A is configured such that there is a " voltage error " known in the " B " (for example, the inverted input of the operational amplifier U1A) through the use of the resistors R4 and RI. In particular, the values of the resistors R4 and RI are chosen so as to slightly increase the voltage at the " B " when compared to the arrangement shown in Fig. 9. As a result, when the reference voltage in the " C " is zero (that is, when the digital control signal is such that the light source 104A must be off), the voltage at the " B " is slightly above that of the " C " node. This voltage difference forces the operational amplifier to emit its low mackerel, which therefore drives the transistor Ml well into its off region " and prevents any inadvertent flow of the current IA. The small known voltage error introduced into the " B " does not necessarily result in any increase in current error. In one embodiment, the values of the resistors R2 and R5 can be adjusted to compensate for the effects of the voltage error. For example, the resistors R4 and RI may be chosen to result in 20mV at the " B " when the " C " is at zero volts (such that the operational amplifier is in the " off " condition). In the " connected " condition, the circuit can be configured such that there is approximately 5mV of measured voltage at the " A " (through the resistor R6). The voltage error is added to the desired resistance voltage measurement, and the resistor values R2 and R5 are suitably chosen to result in a reference voltage of 25mV at the " C " in the presence of a digital control signal indicating a " on " condition. In one embodiment, the circuit may be configured such that the output current IA and the voltage measured at the " A " may be much larger than the minimums for various reasons, but more particularly because low-cost operational amplifiers can be used to achieve 1% accuracy if the measured voltage is increased to the 300-700 mV range. Fig. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a current reducer 910B, in which several optional components are added to the circuit of Fig. 10, which increase the speed and current capacity of the circuit. In particular, as the size of the transistor M1 is increased for larger currents, the capacitor C1 and the resistor R3 must be added to compensate for the larger capacitance of M1. 52

This capacitance represents a high load for the operational amplifier, and for many types of operational amplifiers this can cause instability. The resistor R3 decreases the apparent charge presented by M1, and C1 provides a high frequency return path for the operational amplifier, which circumvents M1. In one aspect of this embodiment, the impedance of the circuit at nodes " B " and " C " must be balanced to reduce the effects of the bias current of the operational amplifier. In another embodiment this balance can be avoided by using the input of the operational amplifier with FET modem.

Having thus described various illustrative embodiments of the invention, various modifications, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications and improvements are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions or elements may be combined in other ways in accordance with the present invention to accomplish the same or different objects. In particular, acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not excluded from a similar function or other functions in other embodiments. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to serve only as an example and should not be construed as limiting. 03-03-2009 53

Claims (52)

A lighting apparatus (200) comprising: at least one LED (104) (light-emitting diode); and at least one controller (204) coupled to at least one LED (104) and configured to supply DC current to at least one LED (104), wherein the controller is configured to receive from a source of alternating current a signal reported to current alternates having frequency components higher than a standard alternating current line voltage and for supplying said direct current on the basis of the signal reported to the alternating current, characterized in that at least one controller (204) is configured to filter the upper frequency components . Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the source of alternating current is a dimmer (alternating current) circuit. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the alternating current dimmer circuit is commanded by a user interface for varying the signal reported to the current, and wherein at least one controller is configured to provide a substantially non-variable current at least an LED (104) over a significant range of operation of the user interface An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the signal reported to the current, and wherein at least one controller (204) is configured to provide the essentially non-variable current to at least one LED 104 over a significant range of operation of the user interface 1 regardless of the variations in the cycle of use of the reported signal. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one controller (204) comprises: a rectifier (404) for receiving the signal reported to the current and providing a signal reported to the rectified current; a low-pass filter (408) for filtering the signal reported to the rectified current; and a DC converter (402) for supplying the essentially non-variable current on the basis of the signal reported to the filtered rectified current. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a threaded type current connector configured to mechanically and electrically affix with a conventional incandescent light bushing in order to couple the apparatus to the alternating current dimmer circuit. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a housing, coupled to the threaded type current connector, to enclose at least one LED and at least one controller, the housing being structurally configured to resemble an incandescent light bulb . Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the at least one LED (104) comprises a plurality of different color LEDs 2 An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the alternating current dimmer circuit is commanded by a user interface for varying the signal reported to the current, and in which at least one controller is configured to variably command at least one parameter of the light generated by at least one LED (104) in response to operation of the user interface. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the current-reported signal, and wherein the at least one controller (204) is configured to variably command at least one parameter of the light on the basis of at least the cycle of variable use of the signal reported to the current. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one light parameter that is variably controlled by at least one controller (204) in response to operation of the user interface comprises at least one light intensity, of a light color , a color temperature of light and a temporal characteristic of light. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one controller (204) is configured to variably command at least two different parameters of the light generated by at least one LED (104) in response to operation of the user interface. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one controller (204) is configured to varyably command at least one light intensity and one color simultaneously in response to operation of the user interface. 3 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one LED (104) is configured to generate substantially white light, and wherein at least one controller (204) is configured to varyably control at least one intensity and a temperature white light simultaneously in response to the operation of the user interface. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one controller (204) is configured to varyably command at least the intensity and color temperature of the essentially white light in response to operation of the user interface in order to approximate the characteristics generation of light from a source of incandescent light The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one controller (204) is configured to vary the color temperature of the essentially white light over a range of a minimum intensity of about 2000 degrees K to a maximum intensity of about of 3200 degrees K. Apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a threaded type power connector (202) configured to mechanically and electrically secure with a conventional incandescent light bushing in order to couple the apparatus to the alternating current dimmer circuit. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: A housing, coupled to the threaded type power connector, to enclose at least one LED (104) and at least one controller (204), the housing being structurally configured to resembling an incandescent light bulb. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one LED comprises a plurality of different color LEDs. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one controller comprises: an adjustment circuit (208) for variably controlling at least one light parameter on the basis of the signal reported to the variable current; and a current circuit for supplying at least the current to at least one LED (104) on the basis of the signal reported to the variable current. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the current circuit comprises: a rectifier (404) for receiving the current-reported signal and providing a signal reported to the rectified current; a low pass filter (408) for filtering the signal reported to the rectified current; and a DC converter (402) for supplying the current to at least one LED (104) on the basis of the signal reported to the filtered rectified current. Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the adjusting circuit is coupled to the direct current converter and is configured to variable control at least one LED (104) on the basis of the signal reported to the filtered rectified current. 5 An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the adjusting circuit comprises at least one processor (102) configured to monitor at least one of the current reported signal, the signal reported to the rectified current and the signal reported to the rectified current in a manner to variably command at least one LED (104). An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the current circuit is configured to supply at least the current to at least one LED (104) and current to at least one processor (102) on the basis of the signal reported to the variable current. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor (102) is configured to sample the signal reported to the variable current and determine at least one variable characteristic of the signal reported to the variable current. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the signal reported to the current, and wherein the at least one processor (102) is configured to variably command at least one parameter of the light based on at least the cycle of variable use reported to the current. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one LED (104) comprises a plurality of different color LEDs. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein: the plurality of different color LEDs comprises: at least one first LED (104A, 104B, 104C) capable of delivering at least a first radiation having a first spectrum; and at least one second LED (104A, 104B, 104C) capable of providing a second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum; and at least one processor (102) is configured to independently command at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to operation of the user interface. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor (102) is programmed to perform a PWM technique to command at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least one processor (102) is further programmed to: generate at least one PWM signal to command the first intensity of the first radiation and a second PWM signal to command the second intensity of the second radiation ; and determining the cycles of use of the respective first and second PWM signals on the basis at least in part of the variations of the signal reported to the current as a result of the operation of the user interface. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which the adjusting circuit comprises a conduction circuit (109) comprising at least one voltage converter for current to supply at least one conduction current to at least one LED in order to command at least one a parameter of the light generated. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a current voltage converter comprises an operational amplifier (UIA) configured to have a predetermined error voltage applied through its inputs without reversing and reversing during operation for essentially zeroing a current output of at least one voltage-to-current converter when a voltage applied to at least one voltage-to-current converter is essentially zero. A lighting method, comprising an act consisting of: a) supplying DC to at least one LED (104) on the basis of a signal reported to the current supplied by an alternating current source having frequency components higher than a line voltage characterized in that the upper frequency components are filtered from the current signal before supplying DC current to at least one LED (104). A lighting method according to claim 33, wherein the act A) comprises an act consisting in: supplying the DC current to at least one LED (104) on the basis of a signal reported to the current emanating from the alternating current dimmer circuit. A method according to claim 34, wherein the alternating current dimmer circuit is controlled by a user interface for varying the signal reported to the current, and wherein the act A) comprises an act consisting of: B) providing a current essentially not variable to at least one LED (104) over a significant range of operation of the user interface. 8 A method according to claim 35, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the signal reported in the current, and wherein act B) comprises an act consisting in supplying the essentially non-variable current to at least one LED (104) over a significant range of operation of the user interface regardless of the variations in the cycle of use of the reported signal. The method of claim 35, wherein Act B) comprises acts comprising: rectifying the current signal to provide a signal reported to the rectified current; filter the signal reported to the rectified current; and provide the essentially non-variable current on the basis of the signal reported to the filtered rectified current. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one LED comprises a plurality of different color LEDs. A method according to claim 34, wherein the dimmer circuit of the alternating current is controlled by a user interface for varying the signal reported to the current, and wherein the act A) comprises an act consisting of: C) controlling in a variable manner at least one light parameter generated by at least one LED (104) in response to operation of the user interface. A method according to claim 39, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the signal reported in the current, and wherein the act C) comprises an act consisting of: D) controlling in a variable manner at least one parameter of the light on the base at least of the cycle of use of the signal reported to the current. A method according to claim 39, wherein the act D) comprises an act consisting of: controlling at least one of a light intensity, a color of light, a temperature of light color and a time characteristic of light in response to user interface operation. The method according to claim 39, wherein the act D) comprises an act consisting of: E) variably controlling at least two different parameters of the light generated by the at least one LED (104) in response to the operation of the user interface. The method of claim 42, wherein the act E) comprises an act consisting of: varyingly controlling at least one intensity and one color of the light simultaneously in response to the operation of the user interface. A method according to claim 42, wherein at least one LED (104) is configured to generate essentially white light and in which the act E) comprises an act consisting of: F) controlling at least one intensity and one color temperature of the white light simultaneously in response to operation of the user interface. The method of claim 44, wherein the act F) comprises an act consisting of: (G) varyingly controlling at least the intensity and the color temperature of the essentially white light in response to the operation of the user interface so as to to approximate the light generation characteristics of an incandescent light source. The method according to claim 45, wherein the act G) comprises an act consisting of: varying the color temperature of the essentially white light over a range between a minimum intensity of about 2000 degrees K and a maximum intensity of about 3200 degrees K. The method of claim 46, wherein the at least one LED comprises a plurality of different color LEDs. The method of claim 39, wherein the act C) comprises an act consisting of: H) digitally samples the signal reported to the variable current and determining at least one variable characteristic of the signal reported to the variable current. The method according to claim 48, wherein the operation of the user interface varies a cycle of use of the signal reported in the current, and wherein the act H) comprises an act consisting of: varyingly commanding at least one parameter of the light on the basis of at least the cycle of variable use of the signal reported to the stream of the sample. The method of claim 39, wherein: at least one LED (104) comprises: at least one first LED (104A, 104B, 104C) capable of providing at least a first radiation having a first spectrum; and at least one second LED (104A, 104B, 104C) capable of providing a second radiation having a second different spectrum than the first spectrum; and act C) comprises an act consisting of I) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the operation of the user interface. The method according to claim 50, wherein the act I) comprises an act consisting of: J) performing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to command at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation. The method of claim 51, wherein the act J) comprises an act consisting of: generating at least a first PWM signal to command the first intensity of the first radiation and a second PWM signal to command the second intensity of the second radiation; and determining cycles of use of respective first and second PWM signals on the basis at least in part of the variations of the signal reported to the current as a consequence of the operation of the user interface. 4/2/09 12