201143523 六、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明一般係關於固態照明單元之調光。更特定言之， 本文揭示的各種發明方法及裝置考慮在固態照明單元之啟 動期間選擇性併入類比電路以改良調光解析度。 【先前技術】 數位照明技術（即，基於固態或半導體光源之照明，諸 如發光二極體（LED))提供對傳統螢光燈、HID及白熾燈之 可行替代。LED之功能優點及利益包含高能量轉換及光學 效率、持久性、較低操作成本及許多其他優點。LED技術 之新近發展在許多應用中已提供致能多種照明效應之有效 且強勁的全光譜照明源。體現此等源之設施之一些者特徵 為一照明模組（包含能夠產生不同色彩，例如紅色、綠色 及藍色的一或多個LED) ’以及用於獨立控制該等LED之輸 出之一處理器’以便產生多種色彩及變色照明效應，舉例 而言，如美國專利第6,016,038號及第6,211，626號中詳細闡 述，該案以引用方式併入本文中。 許多照明應用利用調光器。習知調光器與白熾（燈泡及 鹵素）燈工作良好。然而，問題出現在其他類型的電子 燈，包含小型螢光燈（CFL)、使用電子變壓器之低電壓画 素燈及固態照明（SSL)燈或單元（諸如，[ED及OLED)或其 他負載。習知調光器通常截波市電電壓信號之每一波形 (正弦波）之一部分且將該波形之剩餘部分傳給照明設備。 —前邊緣或正相調光器截波電壓信號波形之前邊緣。一後 153482.doc 201143523 邊緣或反相調光器截波電壓信號波形之後邊緣。 不像自然無誤差對應於藉由一調光器產生之一經截波波 形之白熾燈及其他電阻性照明器件，從一使用者開啟該 SSL單元時至光實際開啟時，LED及其他SSL單元具有一明 顯延遲及/或閃爍。從該SSL單元之實體電力開關開啟時至 首先自該设施看到光時之此延遲不期望長。此延遲之原因 係使電力轉換器具有足夠電壓來啟動該SSL單元並根據調 光器設定開始轉換來自線電壓之電力以供電給該SSL單元 所花費之時間。 此外’用於照亮大空間（諸如攝影棚及電影院照明）之照 明單元或照明源必須具有一極大調光範圍或解析度以致能 平順啟動（例如，不存在一可視等級）。習知地，使用白熾 燈實施此大調光範圍，該等白熾燈一般提供本質上慢且平 順的啟動行為。然而，當習知SSL單元（諸如使用基於lED 之光源的照明單元）用於電影院及其他大空間照明時，不 可能實現平順啟動需要的大調光解析度。舉例而言，在一 電影院設置中估計需要大約i:丨，〇〇〇 〇〇〇之一調光範圍來匹 配一白熾燈與一 SSL單元之調光行為，該調光行為不可能 使用一習知脈衝寬度調變（PWM)調光驅動器來實現。相 反，一習知PWM調光驅動器具有呈16位元（其提供65536個 等級）級數之一實際解析度，該實際解析度不足以實現該 SSL單元之平順啟動。 注意，在此環境中，大調光範圍或解析度僅用於該SSL 單元之啟動。一旦該SSL單元開啟，則使用具有較低解析 153482.doc 201143523 度之較尚調光位準。即，啟動之後，藉由一習知PWM調光 驅動器提供之該16位元解析度足以用於平順啟動。 因此’舉例而言，當一 SSL單元初始由一非常低調光器 設置開啟或者啟動時，需要該SSL單元尤其適宜用於照亮 大空間且能夠慢且平順啟動行為之技術。 【發明内容】 本發明係關於用於實現照亮大空間（諸如攝影棚及電影 院）之一 SSL單元之調光（包含在該SSL單元之啟動期間）之 發明方法及裝置。舉例而言，一線性調節器用於控制在啟 動週期期間流過該SSL之電流且一開關調節器（例如，包含 一 PWM電路）用於控制在啟動週期之後流過該SSL之電 流’以在調光期間提供一平順啟動及一高解析度。 一般地’根據一態樣’一種用於控制一 s SL單元之器件 包含用於控制一 SSL源之一線性調節器及一開關調節器。 該線性調節器經組態以控制在一啟動週期期間流過該SSL 源之電流。該開關調節器經組態以基於該SSL單元之一調 光位準來控制在啟動週期之後流過該SSL源之電流。 根據另一態樣，一種用於一選擇性提供一 SSL源之大調 光解析度之器件包含一遲滯降頻轉換器、一線性調節器及 一分路開關。該遲滞降頻轉換器連接在一輸入電力源與該 SSL源之間且包含一第一開關’該第一開關在該SSL源之 一啟動週期期間持續閉合。該線性調節器與該SSL源串聯 連接且經組態以在該啟動週期期間具有逐漸降低之一電 阻’造成流過該SSL源之電流之對應增加用於在該SSL單 153482.doc 201143523 元之啟動週期期間控制該S S L源之調光。該分路開關與該 SSL源及該線性調節器並聯連接。該分路開關在該SSL源 之啟動週期期間持續斷開且在該啟動週期之後週期性地閉 合以提供一脈衝寬度調變（PWM)信號用於控制在該啟動週 期之後該SSL源之調光。 根據另一態樣’一種用於選擇性提供一 led單元之大調 光解析度之器件包含一遲滯降頻轉換器、一線性調節器、 一分路開關及一控制器。該遲滯降頻轉換器連接在一輸入 電力源與該LED單元之間且包含一第一開關，該第一開關 在該LED單元之一啟動週期期間持續閉合。該線性調節器 串聯連接在該LED單元與一接地電壓之間且包含一金屬氧 化物半導體場效應電晶體（MOSFET)，該MOSFET經組態 以在邊啟動週期期間具有逐漸降低之一電阻，造成流過該 LED單元之電流之增加。該分路開關與該單元及該線 性調節器並聯連接，該分路開關在該lED單元之啟動週期 期間持續斷開且在啟動週期之後週期性地閉合，以提供一 PWM信號用於控制啟動週期之後該led單元之調光。該控 制器經組態以：提供一第一控制信號至該遲滯降頻轉換器 以用於控制該第一開關之操作；提供一第二控制信號至該 線性調節器以用於控制該MOSFET之電阻；及提供一第三 控制信號至該分路開關以用於控制該分路開關之操作。 如本文出於本發明之目的使用的，術語「led」應理解 為包含能夠回應於一電信號而產生輻射之任何電致發光二 極體或其他類型的基於載子注入/接面之系統。因此，術 153482.doc • 6 - 201143523 語LED包含（但不限於）回應於電流而發光之各種基於半導 體的結構、發光聚合物、有機發光二極體（〇LED)、電致 發光條及類似物。特定言之，術語LED指所有類型（包含半 導體及有機發光二極體）之發光二極體，該等發光二極體 可經組態以產生紅外線光譜、紫外線光譜及可見光譜（一 般包含大約4 0 0奈米至大約7 〇 〇奈米之輻射波長）之各種區 •ί又之一或多者之輻射。LED之一些實例包含（但不限於）各 種類型的紅外線LED、紫外線LED、紅色LED、藍色 LED、綠色LED、黃色LED、琥珀色[ED、橙色LED及白 色LED(下文進一步闡述^亦應瞭解led可經組態及/或控 制以對於一給定光譜（例如，窄頻寬、寬頻寬）及一給定通 用色彩分類内之多種主波長產生具有各種頻寬（例如，半 波高全寬度或FWHM)之輻射。 舉例而言，經組態以產生本質上白光之一 LED(例如， 一白色LED)之一實施可包含許多晶粒，該等晶粒分別發射 電致發光之不同光譜，該等光譜組合地混合以形成本質上 白光。在另一實施中，一白光LED可與一磷光體材料相關 聯，§亥填光體材料將具有一第一光譜之電致發光轉換至一 不同第一光譜。在此實施之一實例中，具有一相對短波長 及乍頻寬光譜之電致發光「抽吸（pUmp)」該填光體材料， 其繼而輻射出具有一稍微較寬光譜之較長波長輻射。 亦應瞭解術語LED並不限於實體及/或電封包類型的 LED。舉例而言，如上文闡述，一 LED可指具有多個晶粒 之皁發光器件’该等晶粒經組態以分別發射不同光譜 153482.doc 201143523 輻射（例如，可或不可單獨控制）。而且，一LED可與一磷 光體相關聯，該磷光體被認為係該LED(例如，一些類型的 白色LED)之整體部分。通常，該術語LED可指經封包 LED、未封包LED、表面安裝LED、板上晶片led、τ封包 安裝LED、輻射封包LED、電力封包lED、包含一些類型 的包裝及/或光學元件（例如，一漫射透鏡）之LED等等。 術語「光源」應理解為指多種輻射源之任何一或多者， 該等輻射源包含（但不限於）基於LED之源（包含如上文定義 的一或多個LED)、白熾源（例如，白熾燈、鹵素燈）、螢光 源、磷光源、高強度放電源（例如，鈉蒸氣、汞蒸氣及金 屬鹵化物燈）、雷射、其他類型的電致發光源、熱發光源 (例如，火焰）、蠟燭發光源（例如，汽燈罩、炭弧輻射 源）、光致發光源（例如，氣態放電源）、使用電飽和之陰極 發光源、電發光源、晶體發光源、運動發光源、熱致發光 源、摩擦發光源、聲致發光源、無線電發光源及發光聚合 物。 本文使用術語「照明設備」來指一特定波形因數、總成 或封包中之一或多個照明單元之一實施或配置。本文使用 術5吾照明單元」來指包含一或多個相同或不同類型之光 源之一裝置。一給定照明單元可具有用於該（等）光源之多 種安裝配置、包裝/外殼配置及形狀及/或電及機械連接組 態之任何一者。此外，一給定照明單元視情況可與關於該 (等）光源之操作之各種其他組件（例如，控制電路）相關聯 (例如，包含、輕合至及/或一起經封包）。一「基於led之 153482.doc • 8 - 201143523 照明單元」指單獨包含如上文闡述的一或多個基於LED之 光源或結合其他不基於LED之光源之一照明單元。一「多 通道」照明單元指一基於LED之光源或不基於LED之照明 單元，該照明單元包含經組態以分別產生不同輻射光譜之 至少兩個光源’其中每一不同源光譜可稱為該多通道照明 單元之一「通道」。 本文使用術語「控制器」一般用來描述關於一或多個光 源之操作之各種裝置。一控制器可以數種方式（例如，諸 如利用專用硬體）予以實施，以執行本文闡述的各種功 倉b。一「處理器」係利用一或多個微處理器之一控制器之 一實例，該等微處理器可使用軟體（例如，微碼）經程式化 以執行本文闡述的各種功能…控制器可在利用或不利用 一處理器情況下予以實施且亦可實施為用以執行一些功能 ，專用硬體與—處理器（例如’―或多個經程式化微處理 器及相關聯之電路）之一組合，以執行其他功能。可用在 本發明之各種實施例中之控制器組件之實例包含（但不限 於）習知微處理器、專用積體電路（ASIC)及場可程式化閘 陣列（FPGA)。 在各種實施中’一處理器或控制器可與一或多個儲存媒 體(本文中-般稱為「記憶體」’例如，揮發及非揮發電 腦記憶體，諸如存取記憶體（RAM)、可程式化唯讀記憶體 (PROM)電可程式化唯讀記憶體（EpR〇M)、電可擦除及可 程式化唯讀記憶體（EEPR0M)、軟碟、緊密光碟、光碟、 磁帶等等。）相關聯。在-些實施中，該儲存媒體可利用 153482.doc -9- 201143523 一或多個程式予以編碼，當在一或多個處理器及/或控制 器上實行該等程式時，該等程式執行本文闡述的該等功能 之至少一些°各種儲存媒體可固定在一處理器或控制器内 或可係可攜式的，使得儲存於該等儲存媒體上之一或多個 程式可裝載至一處理器或控制器中，以便實施本文闡述的 本發明之各種態樣。本文使用術語「程式」或「電腦程 式」在般思義上指任何類型的電腦碼（例如，軟體或微 碼）’*玄等電腦碼可用以執行一或多個處理器或控制器。 本文使用術語「可定址」來指一種器件（例如，一普通 光H明單元或設備、與—或多個光源或照明翠元相 關聯之一控制器或處理器、其他非照明相關器件等等）， 該器件經組態以接收意欲用於多個器件（包含其自身）之資 訊（例如’資料）且以選擇性回應於意欲用於該器件之特定 資訊。經常結合一網路環境（或一「網路」，下文進一步 閣述)使用該術語「可定址」，在該網路環境中，多個器 件經由一些通信媒介或媒體耦合在一起。 在-網路實施中’耦合至一網路之一或多個器件可充當 用於耦合至該網路（例如，以一 王從式關係）之一或多個其 他器件之一控制器。在另一 、 ^ 貫施中，一網路環境可包含一 或多個專用控制體，該等拮制 寻控制益經組態以控制耦合至該網201143523 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to dimming of solid state lighting units. More specifically, the various inventive methods and apparatus disclosed herein contemplate the selective incorporation of analog circuits during the initiation of solid state lighting units to improve dimming resolution. [Prior Art] Digital illumination technology (i.e., illumination based on solid state or semiconductor light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs)) provides a viable alternative to conventional fluorescent, HID, and incandescent lamps. The functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, low operating costs, and many other advantages. Recent developments in LED technology have provided an effective and robust full spectrum illumination source that enables multiple illumination effects in many applications. Some of the features embodying such sources are characterized by a lighting module (containing one or more LEDs capable of producing different colors, such as red, green, and blue) and processing for independently controlling the output of the LEDs. In order to produce a variety of color and color-changing illumination effects, for example, as described in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Many lighting applications utilize dimmers. Conventional dimmers work well with incandescent (bulb and halogen) lamps. However, problems arise with other types of electronic lights, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), low voltage graphic lamps using electronic transformers, and solid state lighting (SSL) lamps or units (such as [ED and OLED) or other loads. Conventional dimmers typically intercept a portion of each waveform (sine wave) of the mains voltage signal and pass the remainder of the waveform to the illumination device. - Front edge or positive phase dimmer cutoff voltage signal waveform front edge. After a 153482.doc 201143523 edge or inverting dimmer intercepts the voltage signal after the edge. Unlike natural incandescent lamps that correspond to one of the chopped waveforms generated by a dimmer and other resistive lighting devices, the LEDs and other SSL units have when the user turns on the SSL unit until the light is actually turned on. A significant delay and/or flicker. This delay from when the physical power switch of the SSL unit is turned on to when the light is first seen from the facility is not expected to be long. The reason for this delay is that the power converter has sufficient voltage to start the SSL unit and start converting the power from the line voltage to power the SSL unit based on the dimmer setting. In addition, the illumination unit or illumination source used to illuminate large spaces, such as studio and cinema lighting, must have a very large dimming range or resolution to enable smooth start-up (e.g., there is no visual level). Conventionally, this large dimming range is implemented using incandescent lamps that generally provide an inherently slow and smooth starting behavior. However, when conventional SSL units, such as lighting units using lED based light sources, are used in cinemas and other large space lighting, it is not possible to achieve the large dimming resolution required for smooth start. For example, in a cinema setting, it is estimated that a dimming range of approximately i: 丨, 〇〇〇〇〇〇 is required to match the dimming behavior of an incandescent lamp and an SSL unit, and the dimming behavior cannot be used. Know the pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming driver to achieve. In contrast, a conventional PWM dimming driver has one of the actual resolutions of 16 bits (which provides 65,536 levels), which is not sufficient to achieve smooth start of the SSL unit. Note that in this environment, the large dimming range or resolution is only used for the startup of this SSL unit. Once the SSL unit is turned on, use the lower dimming level with a lower resolution of 153482.doc 201143523 degrees. That is, after startup, the 16-bit resolution provided by a conventional PWM dimming driver is sufficient for smooth start-up. Thus, for example, when an SSL unit is initially turned on or enabled by a very low dimmer setting, the SSL unit is required to be particularly suitable for illuminating large spaces and capable of slow and smooth startup behavior. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an inventive method and apparatus for effecting dimming of an SSL unit (including during startup of the SSL unit) that illuminates a large space, such as a studio and a cinema. For example, a linear regulator is used to control the current flowing through the SSL during the startup period and a switching regulator (eg, including a PWM circuit) is used to control the current flowing through the SSL after the startup period. A smooth start and a high resolution are provided during the light period. Generally, a device for controlling a s SL unit includes a linear regulator for controlling an SSL source and a switching regulator. The linear regulator is configured to control the current flowing through the SSL source during a start-up period. The switching regulator is configured to control a current flowing through the SSL source after a startup period based on a dimming level of the SSL unit. According to another aspect, a device for selectively providing a large-scale optical resolution of an SSL source includes a hysteretic down-converter, a linear regulator, and a shunt switch. The hysteresis downconverter is coupled between an input power source and the SSL source and includes a first switch. The first switch continues to be closed during a start cycle of the SSL source. The linear regulator is connected in series with the SSL source and is configured to have a gradual decrease in resistance during the start-up period' causing a corresponding increase in current flowing through the SSL source for use in the SSL single 153482.doc 201143523 The dimming of the SSL source is controlled during the startup cycle. The shunt switch is connected in parallel with the SSL source and the linear regulator. The shunt switch is continuously turned off during the start period of the SSL source and periodically closed after the start period to provide a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for controlling dimming of the SSL source after the start period . According to another aspect, a device for selectively providing a large-scale optical resolution of a led unit includes a hysteresis down converter, a linear regulator, a shunt switch, and a controller. The hysteresis downconverter is coupled between an input power source and the LED unit and includes a first switch that is continuously closed during one of the LED unit startup cycles. The linear regulator is connected in series between the LED unit and a ground voltage and includes a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) configured to have a gradually decreasing resistance during the edge start period, resulting in The increase in current flowing through the LED unit. The shunt switch is connected in parallel with the unit and the linear regulator, the shunt switch is continuously turned off during the start period of the lED unit and periodically closed after the start period to provide a PWM signal for controlling the start period Then the dimming of the led unit. The controller is configured to: provide a first control signal to the hysteretic down converter for controlling operation of the first switch; providing a second control signal to the linear regulator for controlling the MOSFET And providing a third control signal to the shunt switch for controlling operation of the shunt switch. As used herein for the purposes of the present invention, the term "led" shall be taken to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier-injecting/junction-based system capable of generating radiation in response to an electrical signal. Thus, 153482.doc • 6 - 201143523 LEDs include, but are not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that illuminate in response to electrical current, luminescent polymers, organic light-emitting diodes (〇LEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. Things. In particular, the term LED refers to all types of light-emitting diodes (including semiconductor and organic light-emitting diodes) that can be configured to produce infrared, ultraviolet, and visible spectra (generally containing approximately 4 Various zones of 0 0 nm to about 7 〇〇 nanometers of radiation wavelength • 又 One or more of the radiation. 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 [ED, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (also explained below) Led can be configured and/or controlled to produce various bandwidths for a given spectrum (eg, narrow bandwidth, wide bandwidth) and multiple dominant wavelengths within a given universal color classification (eg, half-wave high full width or Radiation of FWHM). For example, one of the LEDs configured to produce one of the white light (eg, a white LED) can comprise a plurality of dies that respectively emit different spectra of electroluminescence, The equal spectra are combined to form essentially white light. In another implementation, a white LED can be associated with a phosphor material, and the lithographic material converts a first spectrum of electroluminescence to a different a spectrum. In one example of this implementation, an electroluminescent "pUmp" material having a relatively short wavelength and a chirped bandwidth spectrum is then irradiated to have a slightly broader spectrum. Wavelength radiation. It should also be understood that the term LED is not limited to physical and/or electrical package type LEDs. For example, as explained above, an LED may refer to a soap light-emitting device having multiple dies. To separately emit different spectra 153482.doc 201143523 radiation (eg, may or may not be separately controlled). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered to be the LED (eg, some types of white LEDs) In general, the term LED can refer to encapsulated LEDs, unencapsulated LEDs, surface mount LEDs, on-board wafer led, τ-package mounted LEDs, radiation-encapsulated LEDs, power-encapsulated lEDs, including some types of packaging and/or optical components. (eg, a diffuse lens) LED, etc. The term "light source" is understood to mean any one or more of a variety of sources, including but not limited to LED-based sources (including as defined above) One or more LEDs), incandescent sources (eg, incandescent, halogen), fluorescent sources, phosphor sources, high-intensity discharge sources (eg, sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers Other types of electroluminescent sources, thermoluminescent sources (eg, flames), candle illumination sources (eg, vapor lamp covers, carbon arc radiation sources), photoluminescence sources (eg, gaseous discharge sources), cathodoluminescence using electrical saturation Source, electroluminescence source, crystal illumination source, motion illumination source, thermoluminescence source, friction illumination source, sonoluminescence source, radio illumination source, and luminescent polymer. The term "lighting device" is used herein to refer to a specific form factor, One or more of the lighting units in the assembly or package are implemented or configured. As used herein, the device includes one or more devices of the same or different types of light sources. A given lighting unit may have Any of a variety of mounting configurations, package/housing configurations and shapes and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations for the source of light source. In addition, a given lighting unit may be associated (e.g., included, lightly coupled, and/or packaged together) with various other components (e.g., control circuitry) for operation of the light source, as appropriate. A "lighting unit based on led 153482.doc • 8 - 201143523" refers to a lighting unit that alone includes one or more LED-based light sources as described above or in combination with other non-LED based light sources. A "multi-channel" lighting unit refers to an LED-based or non-LED-based lighting unit that includes at least two light sources configured to generate different radiation spectra, respectively, each of which may be referred to as One of the "channels" of a multi-channel lighting unit. The term "controller" is used herein to generally describe various devices relating to the operation of one or more light sources. A controller can be implemented in a number of ways (e.g., using dedicated hardware) to perform the various functions b described herein. A "processor" is an example of one of the controllers of one or more microprocessors that can be programmed using software (eg, microcode) to perform the various functions set forth herein. The controller can Implemented with or without a processor and can also be implemented to perform some functions, special hardware and processor (eg, 'or multiple programmed microprocessors and associated circuits') A combination to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be used in various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In various implementations, a processor or controller can be associated with one or more storage media (referred to herein as "memory", for example, volatile and non-volatile computer memory, such as access memory (RAM), Programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EpR〇M), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPR0M), floppy disk, compact disc, optical disc, tape, etc. Etc.) Associated. In some implementations, the storage medium may be encoded using one or more programs of 153482.doc -9- 201143523, which are executed when the programs are executed on one or more processors and/or controllers. At least some of the functions described herein may be fixed in a processor or controller or portable so that one or more programs stored on the storage medium can be loaded into a process The controller or controller is used to implement the various aspects of the invention as set forth herein. The term "program" or "computer program" is used herein to refer to any type of computer code (eg, software or microcode) computer code (*) or other computer code that can be used to execute one or more processors or controllers. The term "addressable" is used herein to refer to a device (eg, a conventional light-emitting unit or device, or a controller or processor associated with multiple light sources or lighting elements, other non-illuminating related devices, etc. The device is configured to receive information intended for multiple devices (including itself) (eg, 'data') and to selectively respond to specific information intended for the device. The term "addressable" is often used in connection with a network environment (or a "network", as further described below) in which multiple devices are coupled together via some communication medium or medium. One or more devices coupled to a network in a network implementation may act as a controller for coupling to one or more of the other devices (e.g., in a master-slave relationship). In another example, a network environment can include one or more dedicated control bodies that are configured to control coupling to the network.
路之§亥荨器件之一或多去。 A 考一般地，耦合至該網路之多個 器件各自可存取存在於兮笙 你於该·#通信媒介或媒體上之資料；缺 而，一給定器件係「可宗从 J ’因為該器件經組態以基於 (舉例而言）指派至其之一 或夕個特定識別符（例如，「位 153482.doc 201143523 址」）而選擇性與該網路交換資 及/或傳輸資料至該網路）/㈣（即’自該網路接收資料 含控制器戈二：術°。網路」指兩個或兩個以上器件(包 3控制盗或處理器）之任何互連， ^ 兩個以上器件之間及勒…絪連促進任何兩個或 j久/ a祸σ至該網路之多個 資訊（例如，用於器件控制、資 ° 9 市』育枓儲存、資料交換等蓉、夕 傳送。應容易理解適宜用於互連多 夕如器件之各種網路訾始 可包含多種網路拓撲之任一者 ί模之任纟且可利用多種通信協定之任 。此外’在根據本發明之各種網路中，兩個器件之間 之任何-連接可代表兩個系統之間之一專有連接或者一非 專有連接。除了攜載意欲用於兩個器件之資訊之外，此一 非專有連接可攜載不必要意欲用於該兩個器件之任一者之 資訊（例如’―開放網路連接）°此外，應容易瞭解如本文 闡述的器件之各種網路可利用一或多個無線、有線/電纜 及/或光纖鏈結以促進透過該網路之資訊傳送。 如本文使用之術語「使用者介面」指—人類使用者或操 作者與一或多個器件之間之-介面，該介面致使能夠該使 用者與該（等）器件之間之通信。可用在本發明之各種實施 中之使用者介面之實例包含（但不限於）開關、電位計、按 叙、撥號盤、滑件、滑鼠、鍵盤、小鍵盤、各種類型的遊 戲控制器（例如，操縱桿）、軌跡球、顯示螢幕、各種類型 的圖形使用者介面（GUI)、觸控螢幕、麥克風及其他類型 的感測器，該等感測器可接收人為產生的刺激之一些形式 且回應於此而產生一信號。 153482.doc -11- 201143523 應瞭解前述概念與下文更詳細闡述之額外概念（假設此 等概念互相一致）之所有組合考慮為本文揭示的發明主旨 之部分。特定言之，出現在本發明結尾之申請的主旨之所 有組合考慮為本文揭不的發明主旨之部分β亦應瞭解亦可 出現在以應用方式併入本文之任何揭示内容中本文明確利 用之專用術語應被給予與本文揭示的該等特定概念最為一 致之意思。 【實施方式】 在隨附圖式中，相同的參考數字一般指代所有不同圖中 之相同部分。而且，該等圖式不必要按比例繪製，反而一 般強調繪示本發明之原理。 申請人已認識並瞭解到具有用於大空間之一固態照明設 備（諸如一電影院照明單元）係有利的，該固態照明設備具 有足夠大解析度以貫現平順啟動（例如，在不存在一可視 等級情況下增加強度）。 鑒於前述’本發明之各種實施例及實施係關於一種固態 照明設備或系統’該固態照明設備包含用於初始電力啟動 週期之一類比啟動電路，因此實現一大調光範圍或大調光 解析度。該固態照明系統包含一降頻轉換電路（例如，遲 滯降頻轉換器）及分路開關以及與一固態負載（諸如一 led 串）串聯之一類比啟動電路（例如，線性調節器），用於在調 光期間產生一平順啟動及高解析度。 舉例而言，照亮特別大空間（諸如，攝影棚、舞台及電 視（SSTV)照明系統）需要的固態照明單元（舉例而言）需要極 153482.doc 12 201143523 大調光範圍或解析度，以實現一平順啟動。根據各種實施 例，藉由結合一PWM可調光電流源與一線性調節器而實現 該極大調光範圍。僅在該系統之一啟動週期期間使用該線 性調節器’在該啟動週期期間獲取自大體上完全暗（例 如，99至100暗百分比）至一正常操作範圍（例如，〇至99暗 百分比）之光源。在該啟動週期之後，該線性調節器中之 一開關或電晶體完全開啟，導致低損失，且實現_ 1>霤]^可 調光電流源用於控制在正常操作範圍内該系統之隨後調光 位準。 圖1係繪示根據一代表性實施例之一固態照明單元之一 方塊圖。 參考圖1，在一實施例中，SSL單元1〇〇包含操作一固態 光源之開關調節器105及線性調節器14〇，如代表性led串 130指示。該開關調節器1〇5包含遲滯降頻轉換器及分 路開關電路120。該遲滞降頻轉換器1〇5及該分路開關電路 120與該LED串130及該線性調節器14〇串聯組合，用於在 調光期間產生-平順啟動及—高解析度…控制器15〇使 用各別控制彳§號控制該遲滯降頻轉換器丨丨〇、該分路開關 電路120及該線性調節器丨4〇。 在一啟動週期期間，該SSL單元1〇〇以一線 作，在該模式中，該線性調節器14。之電阻自：啟= 開始處之一非常高電阻值逐漸降低至該啟動週期結束（對 應於一正常操作週期之開始）處之一非常低電阻值。因 此，流過該1^〇串130之電流回應於該線性調節器之逐 153482.doc -13- 201143523 漸降低的電阻而逐漸增加直到流過該led串130之電流達 到控制值’該控制值係遲滯降壓之最大電流設定。隨後， 在正常操作週期期間，該SSL單元1〇〇以一開關模式進行操 作’在該模式中’選擇性啟動該分路開關電路12〇以產生 PWMk號用於控制流過該led串130之電流。可經由該 控制器150調整該PWM信號之作用時間循環以適應該正常 操作週期期間調光位準之變化。 圖2係繪示根據一代表性實施例之一固態照明單元之一 電路圖。圖3係展示根據一代表性實施例由一固態照明單 元隨時間提供之電流之一圖表。特定言之，圖3描繪流過 圖2之LED串230之電流iLED，如下文闡述，其中由時間t〇 至時間11指示一啟動週期。 參考圖2，SSL單元200包含操作一 SSL·源（由代表性LED 串230所指示）之開關調節器205及線性調節器240。如上文 參考圖1闡述，該開關調節器2〇5包含遲滯降頻轉換器21 〇 及分路開關電路220 〇該LED串230包含由代表性LED 231 及232指示之一或多個LED，該等LED串聯連接在該開關調 節器205與該線性調節器24〇之間。一控制器25〇透過選擇 性啟動並控制控制信號CTLhdc、CTLSS及CTLlr分別控制 該遲滯降頻轉換器21〇、該分路開關電路22Q及該線性調節 益240,如下文闡述。出於清楚之原因，圖2不展示各種支 援電路，諸如保護電路、供應電路、濾波電路及類似物。 在描繪的實施例中，該遲滯降頻轉換器210包含連接在 電壓源201與第一節點N1之間之第一開關211及連接在第一 153482.doc -14 - 201143523 節點N1與第二節點N2之間之電感器214，該第二節點1^2對 應於該LED串230及該分路開關電路220之輸入。該遲滯降 頻轉換器210亦可包含節點N2與節點N3之間之—淚波電容 器（圖中未展示）。該電壓源201提供輸入電壓Vin(例如，大 約24 V或48 V)用於供電給該SSL單元200。舉例而言，該 第一開關211可係一場效應電晶體（FET)，諸如一金屬氧化 物半導體場效應電晶體（MOSFET)或一砷化鎵場效應電晶 體（GaAsFET)。當然’在不背離本發明之範圍情況下可實 施各種不同類型的開關及/或電晶體。 該遲滯降頻轉換器210亦包含電阻器212及二極體215。 該電阻器212具有一固定電阻且連接在第三節點N3與第四 節點N4之間，該第四節點N4連接至接地電壓2〇2。該二極 體215具有連接至第四節點N4之一陽極及連接至第一節點 N1之一陰極。 該第一開關211之操作藉由運算放大器218之一輸出予以 控制，該運算放大器218經組態以比較第三節點奶處之一 (回饋）信號及藉由該控制器25〇輸出之類比控制信號 CTLhdc之電壓。舉例而言，該控制信號CTLhdc可係指示 流過該LED之平均電流之一預定類比參考電壓。當然，一 般技術者應瞭解，該遲滞降頻轉換器21〇包含在運算放大 器218附近用於產生遲滯之電路，然而出於簡化此電路在 圖2中未展示。當第三節點N3處之電壓與該控制信號 CTLhdc之參考電壓相同時，該第一開關21丨斷開（例如，對 應電晶體關斷），暫時自該LED串23〇移除該電壓源2〇1，導 153482.doc •15· 201143523 致經由該二極體21 5流過該LED串23 0之電流iLED之一緩慢 減小’如藉由圖3之時間tl及t4處開始之該電流匕印之一漣 波效應展示。該漣波效應可發生在大約1〇〇 kHz之一頻率 處’且舉例而言，該漣波效應之高位準（例如，在時間tl、 t4處）與低位準（例如’在時間t2、t5處）之間之差異可係大 約100 mA。在該LED串230之啟動（在時間ti結束）之後，以 及在該LED串230之整個正常操作（在時間t4處開始之一實 例）期間’該第一開關211開始在閉合狀態與斷開狀態之間 循環。 5亥分路開關電路220包含連接在第二節點N2與第三節點 Ν3之間之第二開關221 ’使得該分路開關電路220與該LED 串230及該線性調節器240並聯連接。像該第一開關211 一 樣，該第二開關221可係一 FET(舉例而言，諸如一 MOSFET、一 GaAsFET或類似物），但在不背離本發明之範 圍情況下可實施各種其他類型的開關及/或電晶體。藉由 該控制器250輸出之數位控制信號(：丁!^8控制該第二開關 22 1之操作。特定言之，該控制信號ctlss具有高信號位準 及低信號位準’其中該高信號位準造成該第二開關221閉 合（例如’導通相對應電晶體）且該低信號位準造成該第二 開關221斷開（例如，關斷相對應電晶體）。 該第二開關221之操作提供一 PWM信號之作用時間循 環’啟動之後該PWM信號根據藉由調光器（圖中未展示）設 定之調光位準驅動該LED串230。舉例而言，該PWM信號 回應於一高調光器設定（例如，提供一低調光量）具有一高 I53482.doc •16· 201143523 作用時間循環，且該PWM信號回應於一低調光器設定（例 如’提供一高調光量）具有一低作用時間循環，如藉由該 控制器250判定。圖3描繪回應於該第二開關221之操作之 一說明性PWM信號，其中在時間t4處開始之週期T上之脈 衝寬度指示該作用時間循環。 該線性調節器240包含串聯連接在該LED串230與該第三 節點N3之間之電晶體241及測量分路電阻器242。舉例而 言’該電晶體241可係一 MOSFET，但在不背離本發明之 範圍情況下可使用各種其他類型的電晶體及/或其他類型 的可程式化電阻器實施該電晶體241。舉例而言，該電晶 體241可係一不同類型的電流源或具有一正常電晶體之可 程式化電阻器。該測量分路電阻器242具有一固定電阻。 出於說明目的，假設該電晶體24丨係一 M〇SFEt，則該電 晶體241包含連接至該LED串23〇之一輸出端之一汲極、連 接至該測量分路電阻器242之一源極及連接至運算放大器 248之一輸出端之一閘極。 在描繪的實施例中’基於比較藉由該控制器250提供之 類比控制信號CTLlr之電壓與該電晶體24丨之該源極處之電 壓’該運算放大器248輸出一回饋信號至該電晶體241之該 閘極，下文闡述。該回饋信號藉此動態調整在啟動週期期 間該電晶體241之電阻（例如，藉由改變該電晶體24丨導通 之量）。在一替代實施例中，該線性調節器24〇不包含該運 算放大器248 ’且直接回應於藉由該控制器250提供之該控 制k號(：丁1^11而動態調整該電晶體241之電阻。而且，在各 153482.doc -17- 201143523 種實施例中，該測量分路電阻器242可與該遲滯降頻轉換 器210共用。 一般地，該控制器250使用該等控制信號CTLhdc、 CTLSS及CTLlr，根據藉由調光器（圖申未展示）設定之調光 位準來控制該SSL單元200以在啟動（自時間t〇至時間tl)期 間以一線性模式進行操作，且以在正常操作（時間u之後） 期間以一開關模式進行操作。舉例而言，該控制器25〇可 接收來自一 A/D轉換器（圖中未展示）之數位值且基於該等 數位值判定調光位準，且將該等控制信號CTLhdc、CTLss 及ctllr分別輸出至該遲滞降頻轉換器21〇、該分路開關電 路220及該線性調節器240。 如上文描述，在不背離本發明之範圍情況下，該控制器 250可由硬體、韌體或軟體架構之任何組合建構。而且， 在各種實施例中，該控制器250可包含其自身之記憶體（例 如’非揮發記憶體）用於儲存軟體/韌體可執行碼，該可執 行碼允許該控制器執行該SSL單元2〇〇之各種功能。舉例而 言，該可執行碼可包含以下碼：用於識別一啟動；用於設 定、產生且輸出控制信號CTLhdc、CTLSS及/或CTLlr ;用 於實現調光器設定位準之調整；及類似物。或者，該可執 行瑪儲存在分開ROM及/或RAM内之指定記憶體位置中。 該ROM可包含任何數目個、類型及組合的有形電腦可讀儲 存媒體’諸如PROM、EPROM、EEPROM及類似物。在各 種實施例中，該控制器25〇可實施為一微控制器、ASIC、 FPGA、微處理器（諸如一 ARm7 32位元精簡指令集電腦 153482.doc -18- 201143523 (RISC)微處理器）或類似物。 現在參考圖2及圖3描述該SSL單元200之操作。該控制器 250藉由在指示該SSL單元2〇〇完全暗或幾乎完全暗之「關 斷」或「待機」狀態時接收一「斷開」命令或一特定調光 位準來偵測該SSL單元200之啟動，使得該SSL單元200以 線性模式進行操作。在啟動週期（圖3中時間t〇至時間t丨）期 間’該遲滞降頻轉換器21〇之該第一開關211回應於該運算 放大器218之輸出而持續閉合。 更特定言之’該運算放大器218可接收來自該控制器250 之該控制信號CTLhdc及來自該線性調節器240之一回館信 號’且將一比較信號輸出至該第一開關2n。舉例而言， δ玄控制彳§號CTLhdc可係一預定參考電壓，該參考電壓相當 於節點N3處之電壓。該運算放大器218之輸出使該第一開 關211保持閉合，直到第三節點N3處之電壓與該控制信號 CTLhdc之電壓相同。當該開關211閉合時，該lEd串230連 接至輸入電壓源201 ’建立該電感器214中之電流L及流過 該LED 231及該LED 232之電流ILed。同時，該分路開關電 路220之該第二開關221回應於來自該控制器250之該控制 k號CTLss在啟動週期期間持續斷開（例如，關斷相對應之 電晶體）。 此時’該線性調節器240被設定成一非常高電阻，該高 電阻限制電流流過且確保僅一非常小電流ILED(例如，大約 100 μΑ)能夠流過該LED 231及該LED 232。即，回應於該 運算放大器248之一輸出僅稍微導通該線性調節器之該電 153482.doc •19- 201143523 晶體24 1。更特定言之’在描繪的實施例中，該運算放大 器248可接收來自該控制器250之該控制信號cTLlr及來自 該電晶體241之該源極之一回饋信號，且將一比較信號輸 出至該電晶體241之該閘極。舉例而言，該控制信號ctllr 可係一預定參考信號，該參考信號相當於該電晶體241之 該源極處之電壓。逐漸地，該電晶體241之電阻降低，因 此增加流過該LED 23 1及該LED 232之該電流ILED，直到該 線性調節器200被設定成其之最低電阻（例如，該電晶體 241完全導通）’其對應於圖3中之時間tl。舉例而言，在啟 動週期期間’該控制信號CTLlr之值可逐漸增加，該值相 當於該電晶體241之該源極處之電壓，該值亦歸因於該運 算放大器248之控制動作而增加。因此，該電晶體241之電 阻之逐漸增加及該電流ILED之相應增加繼續直到該電流 Iled達到用於該遲滯降頻轉換器2 1 0之控制值（例如，藉由 該運算放大器248判定）。 此時’該SSL單元200開始以開關模式或正常操作進行操 作（圖3之時間tl之後）。該第一開關211斷開（例如，關斷相 對應之電晶體）’分離該輸入電壓源2〇1與該led串23 0。回 應於經由該運算放大器218來自該LED串230之回饋，該第 一開關211接著在斷開狀態與閉合狀態之間週期性地切 換’因此提供上文闡述的漣波效應。在一替代實施例中， 該開關211可經組態以在啟動週期期間以線性模式進行操 作，其可導致關於逐漸增加電流ILED的類似功能。此—組 態需要增加一複雜閘極驅動電路或位準移位器（圖中未展 I53482.doc -20· 201143523 示）。 在正常操作期間，藉由該遲滯降頻轉換器210控制該電 流Iled ’且藉由該分路開關電路220之該開關212之PWM切 換實現（PWM)調光。即，該分路開關電路22〇回應於來自 該控制器250之該控制信號CTLSS而產生一可變pwm信號 且將該PWM信號輸出至該LED串230。在描繪的實施例 中’該第二開關221重複閉合且斷開以提供一正方形波 PWMjg號至該LED串230。如圖3中展示，舉例而言，該分 路開關221在時間t3處閉合且在時間t4處斷開等等，因此週 期性地短路該LED 231及該LED 232。在該控制器25〇之控 制下’該分路開關221藉此產生一 PWM信號，該PWM信號 具有藉由週期T内之脈衝寬度PW指示之一作用時間循環。 當然，取決於藉由該控制器250判定之調光器設定之位 準，該PWM信號之作用時間循環可改變。舉例而言，該第 二開關221回應於較高調光器設定而產生具有較長脈衝寬 度（即’較長作用時間循環）之一 PWM信號且回應於較低調 光器設定而產生具有較短脈衝寬度（即，較短作用時間循 環）之一PWM信號。因此，至該LED串230之電流回應於較 大脈衝宽度而增加且回應於短脈衝寬度而減小。當然，控 制該LED串230之其他類型的控制信號及方法可包含在本 發明之範圍内。 在自高電阻至低電阻之轉變期間，該線性調節器24〇之 損失相對高。舉例而言，自時間t〇至時間tl之啟動可花費 大約100毫秒且不需要快速重複，所以該線性調節器240之 153482.doc -21 - 201143523 高損失在此一短時間内將不會導致溫度之一大增加。而 且，因為該線性調節器240在該啟動之後（例如，時間（丨之 後）被設定成最低電阻，所以在該SSL單元2〇〇之正常操作 期間實現低損失。在各種實施例令，舉例而言，用於該線 性調節器240之電流設定點可藉由（舉例而言）來自一數位轉 類比轉換器（圖中未展示）之該控制器2 5 〇或一經濾波高解析 度PWM信號予以控制。該電流設定點亦可以一類比方式予 以控制，例如，藉由一電容器（圖中未展示）上之一電壓， 該電容器藉由一電流源予以逐漸充電。 圖2之各種組件（諸如輸入電壓V】N、該電感器214、該等 電阻器212及242及該電晶體241)之值可改變以提供對於任 何特定條件之獨特利益或以滿足各種實施之專用設計要 求’如熟習此項技術者應瞭解。 舉例而言，各種實施例可在用於一固態SSTV照明系統 之一驅動器中予以實施。該SSTV驅動器可用於供電給為 攝影棚、電影院或其他大空間設計之一 SSL光引擎。 雖然本文已描述並繪示若干發明性實施例，但一般技術 者應容易想像多種其他構件及/或結構用於執行功能及/或 獲得本文描述的結果及/或優點之一或多者，且認為此等 夂體及/或修改在本文描述的該等發明性實施例之範圍 内°更一般地，熟習此項技術者應容易瞭解本文描述的所 有參數、尺寸、材料及組態係例示性且實際的參數、尺 寸、材料及/或組態將取決於使用發明性教示之特定應 用。熟習此項技術者應認識到或僅僅使用常規實驗能夠確 I53482.doc -22- 201143523 疋對於本文描述的特定發明 L “ 幵疋發月性實施例之許多等效物。因 =瞭解前述實施例僅係實❹在隨㈣請專利範圍及 其之專效物範圍内，可除了特定猫述且主張的來實踐發明 性實施例。本發明之發明性實施例係關於本文描述的每一 皁獨特徵、系統、物件'材料、套件及/或方法。此外， 若此等特徵、系統、物件、材料、套件及/或方法相互一 致，則兩個或兩個以上此等特徵、系統、物件、材料、套 件及/或方法之任何組合包含在本發明之發明範圍内。 如本文定義且使用，所有定義應理解為控制 =用方式併入之文楷令之定義及/或定義的術語之普通 意，e。 「如本文在說明書及申請專利範圍中使用，不定冠詞 :」及「-個」應理解為意思係「至少一個」，除非明 確才曰示出相反情況。 如本文在說明書及申請專利範圍中使用，短語「及/ 或」應理解為意思係如此結合之元件(即一 結合存在且在其他情況下分離存在之元件)之「：：者或 兩者」肖「及/或」列出之多個元件應以相同方式予以 =建’即’如此結合之該等元件之「一或多者」。除了藉 及/或」短語特定識別之該等元件之外，可視情況存 〜他疋件，無論該其他元件是否關於還是不關於此等特 疋識^的元件。因此’如一非限制性實例，參考「Α及/或 匕」一(當結合端部開口表達(諸如「包括」)使用時)可指：在 貫施例中’僅Α(視情況包含除了 Β之外的元件”在另一 153482.doc -23- 201143523 實施例中’僅B(視情況包含除了 a之外的元件）；在又另一 實施例中，A與B兩者（視情況包含其他元件）；等等。 如本文在說明書及申請專利範圍中使用，「或」應理解 為具有與上文定義之「及/或」相同的意思。舉例而言， 當隔離一列表中之項目時，「或」或「及/或」應解釋為 包含性’即’包含元件數目或列表之至少一者，但亦包含 一個以上的元件’且視情況包含額外未列出的項目。當申 請專利範圍中使用明確指示相反情況之僅術語時，諸如 僅一者」或「精確一者」或「組成」，該等術語將指包 含元件數目或列表之精確一元件。通常，如本文使用之術 5吾「或」，當該術語之前加有排除性短語（諸如「任一 者」、「一者」或「精確一者」）時，該術語應僅解釋為 指示排除之替代（即，「一者或另一者但不是兩者」）。當 申請專利範圍中制「大體組成」時，該術語應具有專利 法律領域中使用的其之普通意思。 如本文在說明書及申請專利範圍中使用，參考一或多個 疋件之列表，短語「至少一」應理解為意思係選自該元件 列表中之該等元件之任意一或多者之至少一元件，但不必 要包含該元件列表内特定列出的每一元件及每個元件之至 少一者且不排除該元件列表中之元件之任何組合。此定義 亦允許可視情況存在除了短語「至少一」指代的該元件列 表内特定識別之該等元件之外的元件，無冑該等元件是否 關於還是不關於此等特定識別的元件。因&，如一非限制 性實例’「八及8之至少—者」（或等效的「A或B之至少一 153482.doc -24- 201143523 者」，或等效的「A及/或B之至少一者」）可指：在一實施 例中，視情況包含多於一 A而不存在B之至少一者（且視情 ，包含除了 B之外的元件);在另一實施例中，視情況包： 多於一 B而不存在A之至少一者（且視情況包含除了 a之外 的凡件）；在又另一實施例中，視情況包含多於一 A之至少 一者及視情況包含多於一 B之至少一者（且視情況包含其他 元件）；等等。 應瞭解在本文申請的包含多於一步驟或動作之任何方法 中，該方法之該等步驟或動作之次序不必要限於敘述的該 方法之步驟或動作之次序，除非明確指示出相反情況。 申請專利範圍令提供之參考數字（若有）僅用於方便性且 不以任何限制方式予以讀取。 在申請專利範圍以及上文說明書中，所有過渡短語（諸 如「包括」、「包含」、「攜載」、「具有」、「含 有」 涉及」、「保持」、「組成」及類似短語）應理 解為端。p開口的，gp ’意思係包含但不限於。僅過渡短語 •’且成」及「大體組成」應分別係封閉的或半封閉的過渡 短語。 【圖式簡單說明】 圖1係繪不根據一代表性實施例之一固態照明單元之一 方塊圖。 圖2係繪不根據一代表性實施例之一固態照明單元之一 電路圖。 圖3係展示根據一代表性實施例之隨時間之一固態照明 153482.doc -25- 201143523 單元之電流之一圖形。 【主要元件符號說明】 100 固態照明（SSL)單元 105 開關調節器 110 遲滯降頻轉換器 120 分路開關電路 130 發光二極體（LED)串 140 線性調節器 150 控制器 200 固態照明（SSL)單元 201 電壓源 205 開關調節器 210 遲滯降頻轉換器 211 第一開關 212 電阻器 214 電感器 215 二極體 218 運算放大器 220 分路開關電路 221 第二開關 230 發光二極體（LED)串 231 發光二極體（LED) 232 發光二極體（LED) 240 線性調節器 153482.doc ·26· 201143523 241 電晶體 242 測量分路電晶體 248 運算放大器 250 控制器 CTLhdc 控制信號 CTLlr 控制信號 CTLss 控制信號 N1 第一節點 N2 第二節點 N3 第三節點 N4 第四節點 153482.doc -27-One or more of the § 荨 荨 devices of the road. In general, multiple devices coupled to the network can access the data that exists on your communication medium or media; however, a given device is "can be from J' because The device is configured to selectively exchange and/or transmit data to the network based on, for example, assigning to one or a specific identifier (eg, "bit 153482.doc 201143523 address") The network) / (four) (ie 'receive data from the network with controller Ge 2: surgery °. Network') refers to any interconnection of two or more devices (package 3 control theft or processor), ^ Between two or more devices, we can promote any two or a long time to a number of information on the network (for example, for device control, resource storage, data exchange, etc.) Rin and eve transfer. It should be easy to understand that various networks suitable for interconnecting multi-day devices can include any of a variety of network topologies and can utilize a variety of communication protocols. In any of the various networks of the present invention, any connection between the two devices can represent One of the systems is a proprietary connection or a non-proprietary connection. In addition to carrying the information intended for the two devices, this non-proprietary connection can be carried unnecessarily intended for the two devices. Information on one (eg 'open network connection') In addition, it should be readily understood that various networks of devices as described herein may utilize one or more wireless, wire/cable and/or fiber optic links to facilitate transmission through the network. Information transfer as used herein. The term "user interface" as used herein refers to the interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that enables the user to interact with the device. Communication. Examples of user interfaces that may be used in various implementations of the invention include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, mice, keyboards, keypads, various types of game controls. Devices (eg, joysticks), trackballs, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones, and other types of sensors that can be artificially generated Some forms of stimuli and in response to this generate a signal. 153482.doc -11- 201143523 It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts set forth in more detail below (assuming these concepts are consistent with each other) are considered to be the subject of the invention disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of the subject matter of the application at the end of the invention are considered to be part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be understood that any of the disclosures incorporated herein by reference herein The use of specific terms is to be accorded the meaning of the specific concepts disclosed herein. [Embodiment] In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to the The drawings are not necessarily to scale, the Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it is advantageous to have a solid state lighting device (such as a cinema lighting unit) for a large space that has a sufficiently large resolution to achieve a smooth start (eg, in the absence of a visual Increase the strength in the case of the level). In view of the foregoing, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention relate to a solid state lighting device or system that includes an analog starting circuit for an initial power start cycle, thereby achieving a large dimming range or large dimming resolution. . The solid state lighting system includes a down conversion circuit (eg, a hysteretic down converter) and a shunt switch and an analog start circuit (eg, a linear regulator) in series with a solid state load (such as a led string) for A smooth start and high resolution are produced during dimming. For example, a solid state lighting unit (for example) that illuminates a particularly large space, such as a studio, stage, and television (SSTV) lighting system, requires, for example, a large 153482.doc 12 201143523 large dimming range or resolution to A smooth start is achieved. According to various embodiments, the maximum dimming range is achieved by combining a PWM dimmable current source with a linear regulator. The linear regulator is used only during one of the startup cycles of the system to obtain a substantially complete dark (eg, 99 to 100 dark percentage) to a normal operating range (eg, 〇 to 99 dark percentage) during the startup cycle. light source. After the start-up period, one of the switches or transistors in the linear regulator is fully turned on, resulting in low losses, and the implementation of the _1> slidable current source is used to control the subsequent adjustment of the system within the normal operating range. Light level. 1 is a block diagram of one of the solid state lighting units in accordance with a representative embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, in one embodiment, the SSL unit 1A includes a switching regulator 105 and a linear regulator 14A that operate a solid state light source, as indicated by a representative led string 130. The switching regulator 1〇5 includes a hysteresis down converter and a shunt switch circuit 120. The hysteresis down converter 1〇5 and the shunt switch circuit 120 are combined with the LED string 130 and the linear regulator 14〇 for generating a smooth start and a high resolution controller during dimming. The hysteresis down converter 丨丨〇, the shunt switch circuit 120, and the linear regulator 丨4〇 are controlled by a respective control 彳§. During a start-up period, the SSL unit 1 is in a line, in this mode, the linear regulator 14. The resistance from: Start = one of the very high resistance values gradually decreases to a very low resistance value at the end of the start-up period (corresponding to the beginning of a normal operating cycle). Therefore, the current flowing through the string 130 is gradually increased in response to the gradually decreasing resistance of the linear regulator by 153482.doc -13 - 201143523 until the current flowing through the led string 130 reaches the control value 'the control value' The maximum current setting for hysteretic buck. Subsequently, during a normal operating cycle, the SSL unit 1 operates in a switch mode 'in this mode' selectively activates the shunt switch circuit 12 to generate a PWMk number for controlling flow through the led string 130 Current. The duty cycle of the PWM signal can be adjusted via the controller 150 to accommodate changes in the dimming level during the normal operating cycle. 2 is a circuit diagram of one of the solid state lighting units in accordance with a representative embodiment. Figure 3 is a graph showing one of the currents provided by a solid state lighting unit over time in accordance with a representative embodiment. In particular, Figure 3 depicts the current iLED flowing through the LED string 230 of Figure 2, as illustrated below, wherein a start period is indicated by time t 到 to time 11. Referring to FIG. 2, SSL unit 200 includes a switching regulator 205 and a linear regulator 240 that operate an SSL source (indicated by representative LED string 230). As explained above with reference to FIG. 1, the switching regulator 2〇5 includes a hysteresis downconverter 21 and a shunting switch circuit 220. The LED string 230 includes one or more LEDs indicated by representative LEDs 231 and 232. The LEDs are connected in series between the switching regulator 205 and the linear regulator 24A. A controller 25 controls the hysteresis downconverter 21A, the shunt switch circuit 22Q, and the linear regulation benefit 240, respectively, through selective start and control control signals CTLhdc, CTLSS, and CTLlr, as set forth below. For the sake of clarity, Figure 2 does not show various support circuits such as protection circuits, supply circuits, filter circuits, and the like. In the depicted embodiment, the hysteresis downconverter 210 includes a first switch 211 coupled between the voltage source 201 and the first node N1 and coupled to the first node 153482.doc -14 - 201143523 node N1 and the second node An inductor 214 between N2, the second node 1^2 corresponds to an input of the LED string 230 and the shunt switch circuit 220. The hysteresis downconverter 210 can also include a tear wave capacitor (not shown) between node N2 and node N3. The voltage source 201 provides an input voltage Vin (e.g., about 24 V or 48 V) for powering the SSL unit 200. For example, the first switch 211 can be a field effect transistor (FET) such as a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or a gallium arsenide field effect transistor (GaAsFET). Of course, various different types of switches and/or transistors can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. The hysteresis down converter 210 also includes a resistor 212 and a diode 215. The resistor 212 has a fixed resistance and is connected between the third node N3 and the fourth node N4, and the fourth node N4 is connected to the ground voltage 2〇2. The diode 215 has a cathode connected to one of the fourth nodes N4 and connected to one of the cathodes of the first node N1. The operation of the first switch 211 is controlled by an output of an operational amplifier 218 that is configured to compare one of the third node milk (feedback) signals with analog control of the output of the controller 25 The voltage of the signal CTLhdc. For example, the control signal CTLhdc can be a predetermined analog reference voltage indicative of one of the average currents flowing through the LED. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hysteresis downconverter 21A includes circuitry for generating hysteresis near operational amplifier 218, although this circuit is not shown in Figure 2 for simplicity. When the voltage at the third node N3 is the same as the reference voltage of the control signal CTLhdc, the first switch 21 is turned off (for example, the corresponding transistor is turned off), and the voltage source 2 is temporarily removed from the LED string 23 〇1, 153482.doc •15·201143523 causes one of the current iLEDs flowing through the LED string 23 through the diode 21 5 to slowly decrease 'as the current begins at times t1 and t4 of FIG. A chopping effect is shown in one of the seals. The chopping effect can occur at a frequency of approximately 1 〇〇 kHz and, for example, the high level of the chopping effect (eg, at times t1, t4) and the low level (eg, 'at time t2, t5 The difference between the two can be about 100 mA. After the activation of the LED string 230 (at the end of time ti), and during the entire normal operation of the LED string 230 (one instance starting at time t4), the first switch 211 begins to be in a closed state and an open state. Loop between. The 5H branch switch circuit 220 includes a second switch 221' connected between the second node N2 and the third node Ν3 such that the shunt switch circuit 220 is connected in parallel with the LED string 230 and the linear regulator 240. Like the first switch 211, the second switch 221 can be a FET (such as, for example, a MOSFET, a GaAs FET, or the like), but various other types of switches can be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. And / or transistor. The operation of the second switch 22 1 is controlled by the digital control signal outputted by the controller 250. Specifically, the control signal ctlss has a high signal level and a low signal level, wherein the high signal The level causes the second switch 221 to close (eg, 'conducting the corresponding transistor') and the low signal level causes the second switch 221 to open (eg, turn off the corresponding transistor). Operation of the second switch 221 Providing a PWM signal for the active time cycle 'After startup, the PWM signal drives the LED string 230 according to a dimming level set by a dimmer (not shown). For example, the PWM signal is responsive to a high dimming The device setting (eg, providing a low dimming amount) has a high I53482.doc •16·201143523 active time cycle, and the PWM signal has a low-acting time cycle in response to a low dimmer setting (eg, 'providing a high dimming amount'), As determined by the controller 250, FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative PWM signal responsive to operation of the second switch 221, wherein the pulse width over the period T beginning at time t4 indicates the active time The linear regulator 240 includes a transistor 241 and a measuring branch resistor 242 connected in series between the LED string 230 and the third node N3. For example, the transistor 241 can be a MOSFET, but The transistor 241 can be implemented using a variety of other types of transistors and/or other types of programmable resistors without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the transistor 241 can be a different type of current source or A programmable resistor having a normal transistor. The measuring shunt resistor 242 has a fixed resistance. For illustrative purposes, the transistor 241 is connected to the assuming that the transistor 24 is a M〇SFEt. One of the output terminals of the LED string 23 is drained, connected to one of the sources of the measuring shunt resistor 242 and to one of the outputs of one of the operational amplifiers 248. In the depicted embodiment, 'based on comparison The operational amplifier 248 outputs a feedback signal to the gate of the transistor 241 by the voltage of the analog control signal CTL1r provided by the controller 250 and the voltage at the source of the transistor 24, as explained below. The feedback signal thereby dynamically adjusts the resistance of the transistor 241 during the startup period (e.g., by varying the amount of conduction of the transistor 24). In an alternate embodiment, the linear regulator 24 does not include the operational amplifier. 248' and directly responding to the control k number provided by the controller 250 (: 1) to dynamically adjust the resistance of the transistor 241. Moreover, in each of the 153482.doc -17-201143523 embodiments, The measurement shunt resistor 242 can be shared with the hysteresis down converter 210. Generally, the controller 250 uses the control signals CTLhdc, CTLSS, and CTLlr according to the dimmer (not shown). The dimming level controls the SSL unit 200 to operate in a linear mode during startup (from time t to time t1) and to operate in a switching mode during normal operation (after time u). For example, the controller 25 can receive digital values from an A/D converter (not shown) and determine dimming levels based on the digital values, and control signals CTLhdc, CTLss, and ctllr The output is output to the hysteresis down converter 21A, the shunt switch circuit 220, and the linear regulator 240, respectively. As described above, the controller 250 can be constructed from any combination of hardware, firmware or software architecture without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, in various embodiments, the controller 250 can include its own memory (eg, 'non-volatile memory') for storing software/firmware executable code that allows the controller to execute the SSL unit 2 〇〇 various functions. For example, the executable code may include the following code: for identifying an activation; for setting, generating, and outputting control signals CTLhdc, CTLSS, and/or CTLlr; for adjusting the dimmer setting level; and the like Things. Alternatively, the executable image is stored in a separate memory location within the separate ROM and/or RAM. The ROM can include any number, type, and combination of tangible computer readable storage media such as PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and the like. In various embodiments, the controller 25 can be implemented as a microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, microprocessor (such as an ARm7 32-bit reduced instruction set computer 153482.doc -18-201143523 (RISC) microprocessor ) or the like. The operation of the SSL unit 200 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The controller 250 detects the SSL by receiving a "disconnect" command or a specific dimming level when instructing the "off" or "standby" state of the SSL unit 2 to be completely dark or almost completely dark. Activation of unit 200 causes the SSL unit 200 to operate in a linear mode. During the start-up period (time t 〇 to time t 图 in Fig. 3), the first switch 211 of the hysteresis down converter 21 is continuously closed in response to the output of the operational amplifier 218. More specifically, the operational amplifier 218 can receive the control signal CTLhdc from the controller 250 and a return signal from the linear regulator 240 and output a comparison signal to the first switch 2n. For example, the δ 彳 control 彳 § CTLhdc can be a predetermined reference voltage that is equivalent to the voltage at node N3. The output of the operational amplifier 218 causes the first switch 211 to remain closed until the voltage at the third node N3 is the same as the voltage of the control signal CTLhdc. When the switch 211 is closed, the lEd string 230 is coupled to the input voltage source 201' to establish the current L in the inductor 214 and the current ILed flowing through the LED 231 and the LED 232. At the same time, the second switch 221 of the shunt switch circuit 220 continues to open (e.g., turn off the corresponding transistor) during the start-up period in response to the control k-number CTLss from the controller 250. At this time, the linear regulator 240 is set to a very high resistance, which limits the current flow and ensures that only a very small current ILED (e.g., about 100 μΑ) can flow through the LED 231 and the LED 232. That is, in response to the output of one of the operational amplifiers 248, the 153482.doc • 19-201143523 crystal 24 1 is only slightly turned on by the linear regulator. More specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the operational amplifier 248 can receive the control signal cTLlr from the controller 250 and the feedback signal from the source of the transistor 241, and output a comparison signal to The gate of the transistor 241. For example, the control signal ctllr can be a predetermined reference signal corresponding to the voltage at the source of the transistor 241. Gradually, the resistance of the transistor 241 is lowered, thereby increasing the current ILED flowing through the LED 23 1 and the LED 232 until the linear regulator 200 is set to its lowest resistance (for example, the transistor 241 is fully turned on) ) 'which corresponds to time t1 in FIG. For example, during the startup period, the value of the control signal CTL1r may gradually increase, which corresponds to the voltage at the source of the transistor 241, which is also increased due to the control action of the operational amplifier 248. . Thus, the gradual increase in the resistance of the transistor 241 and the corresponding increase in the current ILED continue until the current Iled reaches the control value for the hysteresis downconverter 210 (e.g., as determined by the operational amplifier 248). At this time, the SSL unit 200 starts operating in a switch mode or normal operation (after time t1 of Fig. 3). The first switch 211 is turned off (e.g., the corresponding transistor is turned off)' to separate the input voltage source 2〇1 from the led string 23 0. In response to feedback from the LED string 230 via the operational amplifier 218, the first switch 211 then periodically switches between an open state and a closed state' thus providing the chopping effect set forth above. In an alternate embodiment, the switch 211 can be configured to operate in a linear mode during the start-up period, which can result in a similar function with respect to the gradual increase in current ILED. This—configuration requires the addition of a complex gate drive circuit or level shifter (not shown in I53482.doc -20·201143523). During normal operation, the current Iled' is controlled by the hysteresis downconverter 210 and (PWM) dimming is achieved by PWM switching of the switch 212 of the shunt switch circuit 220. That is, the shunt switch circuit 22 generates a variable pwm signal in response to the control signal CTLSS from the controller 250 and outputs the PWM signal to the LED string 230. In the depicted embodiment, the second switch 221 is repeatedly closed and opened to provide a square wave PWMjg number to the LED string 230. As shown in Fig. 3, for example, the shunt switch 221 is closed at time t3 and is turned off at time t4, etc., thus periodically shorting the LED 231 and the LED 232. Under the control of the controller 25, the shunt switch 221 thereby generates a PWM signal having a period of time indicated by a pulse width PW within the period T. Of course, depending on the level of the dimmer setting determined by the controller 250, the duty cycle of the PWM signal can be varied. For example, the second switch 221 generates one of the PWM signals having a longer pulse width (ie, a 'longer action time cycle') in response to the higher dimmer setting and has a shorter response in response to the lower dimmer setting. One of the pulse widths (ie, shorter duty cycle) PWM signal. Therefore, the current to the LED string 230 increases in response to a larger pulse width and decreases in response to a short pulse width. Of course, other types of control signals and methods for controlling the LED string 230 can be included within the scope of the present invention. The loss of the linear regulator 24 is relatively high during the transition from high resistance to low resistance. For example, the start from time t〇 to time t1 can take about 100 milliseconds and does not require fast repetition, so the high loss of the linear regulator 240 of 153482.doc -21 - 201143523 will not result in this short time. One of the temperatures has increased greatly. Moreover, because the linear regulator 240 is set to the lowest resistance after the start (eg, after time (丨), low losses are achieved during normal operation of the SSL unit 2〇〇. In various embodiments, for example, The current set point for the linear regulator 240 can be provided by, for example, the controller 25 〇 or a filtered high resolution PWM signal from a digital to analog converter (not shown). The current set point can also be controlled in an analogous manner, for example, by a voltage on a capacitor (not shown) that is gradually charged by a current source. Figure 2 various components (such as inputs) The values of voltage V]N, the inductor 214, the resistors 212 and 242, and the transistor 241) may be varied to provide a unique benefit for any particular condition or to meet specific design requirements for various implementations. The skilled person will appreciate that, for example, various embodiments may be implemented in a driver for a solid state SSTV lighting system. The SSTV driver can be used to power One of the studio, cinema or other large space design SSL light engine. Although several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate a variety of other components and/or structures for performing functions and/or obtaining One or more of the results and/or advantages described herein, and it is believed that such steroids and/or modifications are within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art should readily understand. All of the parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary and actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend on the particular application in which the inventive teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or use only Routine experiments can ascertain I53482.doc -22- 201143523 许多 for the specific invention described herein, "a number of equivalents of the monthly embodiment of the present invention. Because = understand that the foregoing examples are only in accordance with (4) the scope of the patent and Inventive embodiments can be practiced in addition to the specific singularity of the present invention. The inventive embodiments of the present invention relate to each of the unique soaps described herein. , system, article 'material, kit, and/or method. Further, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are consistent with each other, then two or more of these features, systems, articles, materials Any combination of the kits and/or methods is included within the scope of the invention. As defined and used herein, all definitions are to be understood as meanings of the definitions and/or definitions of the terms that are incorporated by reference. "e." as used herein in the specification and claims, the indefinite article "" and "-" are understood to mean "at least one" unless the contrary is indicated. As used in the context, the phrase "and/or" is to be understood as meaning "the" or "the" or "the" Multiple components listed should be "in the same way" as "one or more" of such components. In addition to those elements that are specifically identified by the phrase and/or phrase, it may be stored as appropriate, regardless of whether the other component is related or not. Thus, as a non-limiting example, reference to "Α and/or 匕" (when used in conjunction with an end opening expression (such as "include") may refer to: in the example, 'only Α (as appropriate, except Β) "Outside the element" in another 153482.doc -23-201143523 embodiment 'only B (as the case may include elements other than a); in yet another embodiment, both A and B (as appropriate) Other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when isolating items in a list “or” or “and/or” shall be construed as an inclusive 'that' contains at least one of the number of elements or the list, but also includes more than one element' and optionally includes additional items not listed. Where a term is used in a generic sense to indicate the contrary, such as only one, or "accurate" or "comprising", the terms are intended to refer to the precise element that includes the number or list of components. Generally, as used herein. 5 my "or", when When a term is preceded by an exclusionary phrase (such as "any", "one" or "exact"), the term should only be interpreted as indicating an alternative to exclusion (ie, "one or the other but It is not both.) When the term “general composition” is applied in the scope of patent application, the term should have the ordinary meaning used in the field of patent law. As used herein in the specification and patent application, reference to one or more A list of parts, the phrase "at least one" is understood to mean at least one element of any one or more of the elements selected from the list of elements, but does not necessarily include each of the specifically listed in the list of elements. At least one of the elements and each element does not exclude any combination of the elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the presence of such elements specifically identified in the list of elements, except the phrase "at least one". External components, whether or not such components are related or not to such specifically identified components. Because &, as a non-limiting example, 'at least eight and eight' (or equivalent "A or B "One less 153482.doc -24-201143523", or equivalent "at least one of A and / or B" may mean that, in one embodiment, more than one A is included as appropriate, and at least B is present. One (and as the case may be, includes elements other than B); in another embodiment, as appropriate: more than one B without at least one of A (and optionally including a except In yet another embodiment, at least one of more than one A and optionally more than one of B (and optionally other components) are included as appropriate; In the case of any method that includes more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order of the steps or actions of the method, unless the contrary is explicitly indicated. The scope of the patent application is provided with reference numbers, if any, for convenience only and is not read in any way. In the scope of the patent application and the above description, all transition phrases (such as "including", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "holding", "composition" and similar phrases ) should be understood as the end. The p-open, gp' meaning includes but is not limited to. Only transition phrases • 'and' and 'general composition' should be closed or semi-closed transition phrases, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram showing one of the solid state lighting units not according to a representative embodiment. 2 is a circuit diagram of a solid state lighting unit not according to a representative embodiment. 3 is a graph showing one of the currents of one of the solid state illumination 153482.doc -25-201143523 units over time in accordance with a representative embodiment. [Main component symbol description] 100 Solid-state lighting (SSL) unit 105 Switching regulator 110 Hysteresis down converter 120 Shunt switch circuit 130 Light-emitting diode (LED) string 140 Linear regulator 150 Controller 200 Solid-state lighting (SSL) Unit 201 Voltage Source 205 Switching Regulator 210 Hysteresis Downconverter 211 First Switch 212 Resistor 214 Inductor 215 Diode 218 Operational Amplifier 220 Shunt Switch Circuit 221 Second Switch 230 Light Emitting Diode (LED) String 231 Light Emitting Diode (LED) 232 Light Emitting Diode (LED) 240 Linear Regulator 153482.doc ·26· 201143523 241 Transistor 242 Measuring Shunt Transistor 248 Operational Amplifier 250 Controller CTLhdc Control Signal CTLlr Control Signal CTLss Control Signal N1 first node N2 second node N3 third node N4 fourth node 153482.doc -27-