AU2006202217B2 - Multicoloured led lighting method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

-1-

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Color Kinetics, Incorporated Actual Inventor/s: George G. Mueller and Lys A. Ihor Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: MULTICOLOURED LED LIGHTING METHOD AND APPARATUS Details of Original Application No. 2003203584 dated 8 April 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 27300AUP02 500879965 1.DOC/5844 -2- MULTICOLORED LED LIGHTING METHOD AND APPARATUS This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No.

2003203584, whose specification is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to providing light of a selectable color using light sources, such as LEDs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing multicolored illumination. More particularly still, the present invention relates to an apparatus for providing a computer controlled multicolored illumination network capable of high performance and rapid color selection and change.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

It is well known that combining the projected light of one color with the projected light of another color will result in the creation of a third color. It is also well known that the three most commonly used primary colors red, blue and green can be combined in different proportions to generate almost any color in the visible spectrum.

The present invention takes advantage of these effects by combining the projected light from at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different primary colors. It should be understood that for purposes of this invention the term "primary colors" encompasses any different colors that can be combined to create other colors.

Computer lighting networks are not new. U.S. Patent No. 5,420,482, issued to Phares, describes one such network that uses different colored LEDs to generate a selectable color. Phares is primarily for use as a display apparatus. However, the apparatus has several disadvantages and limitations. First, each of the three color LEDs in Phares is powered through a transistor biasing scheme in which the transistor base is coupled to a respective latch register through biasing resistors. The three latches are all simultaneously connected to the same data lines on the data bus.

-3- This means it is impossible in Phares to change all three LED transistor biases independently and simultaneously. Also, biasing of the transistors is inefficient because power delivered to the LEDs is smaller than that dissipated in the biasing network. This makes the device poorly suited for efficient illumination applications. The transistor biasing used by Phares also makes it difficult, if not impossible, to interchange groups of LEDs having different power ratings, and hence different intensity levels.

U.S. Patent No. 4,845,481, issued to Havel, is directed to a multicolored display device. Havel addresses some, but not all of the switching problems associated with Phares. Havel uses a pulse width modulated signal to provide current to respective LEDs at a particular duty cycle. However, no provision is made for precise and rapid control over the colors emitted. As a stand alone unit, the apparatus in Havel suggests away from network lighting, and therefore lacks any teaching as to how to implement a pulse width modulated computer lighting network. Further, Havel does not appreciate the use of LEDs beyond mere displays, such as for illumination.

U.S. Patent No. 5,184,114, issued to Brown, shows a LED display system. But Brown lacks any suggestion to use LEDs for illumination, or to use LEDs in a configurable computer network environment. U.S. Patent No. 5,134,387, issued to Smith et al., directed to a LED matrix display, contains similar problems. Its rudimentary current control scheme severely limits the possible range of colors that can be displayed.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the invention provides an LED-based lightbulb, comprising: at least one first LED configured to generate first radiation having a first spectrum; at least one second LED configured to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; -4a diffuser configured to blend the first radiation and the second radiation, when generated, so as to provide a uniform color of light having a visible spectrum based on a combination of the first spectrum and the second spectrum; and at least one controller configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED such that the light provided by the lightbulb is perceived as white light, wherein the LED-based lightbulb is configured to have a form that resembles a conventional lightbulb.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a plurality of first LEDs, each first LED configured to generate first radiation having a first spectrum; a plurality of second LEDs, each second LED configured to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; a diffuser to blend the first radiation and the second radiation, when generated, so as to provide a uniform color of light having a visible spectrum based on a combination of the first spectrum and the second spectrum; at least one controller configured to control the first LEDs and the second LEDs, such that all visible light provided by the diffuser is perceived only as white light; and at least one power connection coupled to the at least one controller, the at least one power connection configured to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional light socket arrangement.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Another aspect of the present invention provides an illumination apparatus, comprising: at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum; at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation.

O Another aspect of the present invention provides an illumination apparatus, comprising: at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum; at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation, wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an illumination control method for an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, the illumination control method comprising an act of: a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface so as to generate user-controlled radiation output by the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

-6- Another aspect of the present invention provides an illumination control method for an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, the illumination control method comprising an act of: a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface so as to generate user-controlled radiation output by the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED, wherein act a) includes an act of: b) implementing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control the at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides an illumination method for an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, the illumination control method, comprising an act of: a) implementing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation such that at least one visibly perceivable artifact in at least the first radiation and the second radiation is reduced.

In a related aspect, there is provided an illumination apparatus comprising: a plurality of light emitters of at least two different colours adapted to be coupled to a power circuit including a power source and a common potential reference; driver means for driving the plurality of light emitters, the driver means comprising at least two switches connected to the plurality of light emitters and said power circuit and corresponding to respective current paths of the at least two different colour light emitters; and -7i a controller for periodically and independently opening and closing the at least two switches, the controller having an alterable address assigned to itself such as to identify and respond to a respective portion of an input data stream assigned thereto, N which data stream portion is assigned to that controller, wherein each light emitter being an LED; and _said controller being arranged to generate a plurality of PWM signals, each signal corresponding to a respective colour of the plurality of LEDs of different colours, each said PWM signal causing a respective one of the at least two switches to be opened and closed at corresponding frequencies according to respective duty cycles, and wherein i 10 said data stream portion comprises data for determining the respective duty cycles of the at least two different colour LEDs.

According to another related aspect, there is provided an illumination method, comprising acts of: A) independently opening and closing at least two switches connected to a plurality of light emitters of at least two different colours adapted to be coupled to a power circuit including a power source and a common potential reference, the at least two switches corresponding to respective current paths of the at least two different colour light emitters; and B) responding to an assigned portion of an input data stream designated for the plurality of light emitters so as to perform the act each light emitter being an LED; and C) generating a plurality of PWM signals, each signal corresponding to a respective colour of the plurality of LEDs of different colours, each said PWM signal causing a respective one of the at least two switches to be opened and closed at corresponding frequencies according to respective duty cycles, and wherein said data stream portion comprises data for determining the respective duty cycles of the at least two different colour LEDs.

In a related aspect of the present invention there is provided a light apparatus comprising: a power terminal; NO -8at least one LED coupled to the power terminal; a current sink coupled to the at least one LED, the current sink comprising an input responsive to an activation signal that enables flow of current through the current sink; an addressable controller having an alterable address, the controller coupled to the input and having timing means for generating the activation signal for a predefined portion of a timing cycle;

NO

¢',,Ithe addressable controller further comprising means for receiving data corresponding to the alterable address and indicative of the predefined portion of the N 10 timing cycle.

Disclosed herein is a high performance computer controlled multicolored lighting network, which may be an LED lighting network.

Disclosed herein is a LED lighting network structure capable of both a linear chain of nodes and a binary tree configuration.

Disclosed herein is a heat-dissipating housing to contain the lighting units of the lighting network.

Disclosed herein is a current regulated LED lighting apparatus, wherein the apparatus contains lighting modules each having its own maximum current rating and each conveniently interchangeable with one another.

Disclosed herein is a computer current-controlled LED lighting assembly for use as a general illumination device capable of emitting multiple colors in a continuously programmable 24-bit spectrum.

Disclosed herein are a flashlight, inclinometer, thermometer, general environmental indicator and lightbulb, all utilizing the general computer current-control principles of the present invention.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular LED illumination assembly comprising: -9a body portion having an open end, an illumination end, and a reflective interior portion therebetween defining a body portion axis; a power module adapted to be mechanically attachable to the illumination end substantially along the body portion axis, the power module having a terminal for attachment to a power supply; and a light module comprising a plurality of LEDs and having an electrical connector removably attachable to the power module, the light module disposed between the illumination end and the power module such that the LEDs optically communicate with the reflective interior portion; whereby a different light module having a different plurality of LED's is capable of being conveniently interchanged with the light module.

In a further related aspect of the present invention there is provided a lighting network comprising a central controller and a plurality of uniquely addressable illumination units, each unit comprising a first color LED and a second color LED; each unit further comprising; data means for receiving from the central controller network data comprising LED intensity values addressed to an individual illumination unit and corresponding to respective ones of the first color and second color LED; memory means for storing intensity values received from said network data corresponding to the first color LED and to the second color LED; control means for generating a first pulse width modulated signal and a second pulse width modulated signal, each of the first and second signals having a duty cycle corresponding to the respective intensity values, whereby each of the first and second pulse width modulated signals is alternately in a high or a low state; current switching means for applying current to the first color LED when the first pulse width modulated signal is in one of either the high or the low state, and for applying current to the second color LED when the second pulse width modulated signal is in one of either the high or the low state.

In yet another related aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular LED illumination assembly comprising: a power module having a terminal for attachment to a power supply; and a light module comprising a plurality of LEDs and having an electrical connector removably attachable to the power module, the power module further comprising a current regulator for controlling maximum current supplied to the plurality of LED'S, and the light module further comprising means for programming the current regulator, whereby a different light module having a different plurality of LED's and different light intensity ratings is capable of being conveniently interchanged with the light module.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided an illumination apparatus comprising: a plurality of LEDs of at least two different colors adapted to be coupled to a power source and to a common potential reference; a current sink interposed between the plurality of LEDs and the common potential reference, the current sink comprising at least two switches corresponding to respective current paths of the at least two different color LEDs; control means for periodically and independently opening and closing the at least two switches at high frequency and for generating a duty cycle thereby; programming means coupled to the control means for programming respective duty cycles for each color of the at least two different color LEDs.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided an Edisonmount lightbulb comprising: voltage regulating means for converting an AC potential into a DC power source; a plurality of LEDs of at least two different colors adapted to be coupled to the DC power source and to a common potential reference; a light transmitting enclosure surrounding the plurality of LEDs; a current sink interposed between the plurality of LEDs and the common potential reference, the current sink comprising at least two switches corresponding to respective current paths of the at least two different color LEDs; control means for periodically and independently opening and closing the at least two switches at high frequency and for generating a duty cycle thereby.

11 In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling current through a LED assembly comprising the steps of: providing a memory location; placing a numerical value in the memory location indicative of the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated waveform; closing a LED circuit between supply and ground when the waveform is in one state, and opening the LED circuit when the waveform is in the other state; changing the numerical value in the memory location upon receipt of a new numerical value over a computer network.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided an illumination system, comprising: a plurality of light modules; and a pulse width modulated current control, wherein each light module is addressable and capable of receiving illumination color information.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided an illumination system, comprising: a plurality of light modules; and a current control, wherein each light module is addressable and capable of receiving illumination color information on a computer lighting network.

In another related aspect of the present invention there is provided an illumination system, comprising: a network for delivery of data; a plurality of uniquely addressable light emitting diodes, connected to the network; and a microcompressor for selectively controlling the light emitting diodes to provide a desired illumination condition.

In brief, disclosed herein is a current control for a lighting assembly, which may be a LED lighting assembly, which may be a pulse width modulated current control or other form of current control where each current-controlled unit is uniquely addressable and capable of receiving illumination color information on a computer -12lighting network. In a further embodiment, the invention includes a binary tree network configuration of lighting units (nodes). In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a heat dissipating housing, made out of a heat-conductive material, for housing the lighting assembly. The heat dissipating housing contains two stacked circuit boards holding respectively the power module and the light module. The light module is adapted to be conveniently interchanged with other light modules having programmable current, and hence maximum light intensity, ratings. Such other light modules may include organic LEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other modules, in addition to conventional LEDs. Other embodiments of the present invention involve novel applications for the general principles described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention, will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a stylized electrical circuit schematic of the light module of the present invention; Figure 2 is a stylized electrical circuit schematic of the power module of the present invention; Figure 2A illustrates a network of addressable LED-based lighting units according to one embodiment of the invention; Figures 2B-1 and 2B-2 respectively illustrate a linear chain of nodes (daisy chain configuration) and a binary tree configuration of a network according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the housing of one of the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the LED-containing side of the light module of the present invention; -13- Figure 5 is a plan view of the electrical connector side of the light module of the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of the power terminal side of the power module of the present invention; s Figure 7 is a plan view of the electrical connector side of the power module of the present invention; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a flashlight assembly containing the LED lighting module of the present invention; Figure 9 is a control block diagram of the environmental indicator of the present invention; and Figure 10 illustrates an LED-based lightbulb according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The structure and operation of a preferred embodiment will now be described. It should be understood that many other ways of practicing the inventions herein are available, and the embodiments described herein are exemplary and not limiting.

Turning to Figure 1, shown is an electrical schematic representation of a light module 100 of the present invention. Figures 4 and 5 show the LED-containing side and the electrical connector side of light module 100. Light module 100 is self-contained, and is configured to be a standard item interchangeable with any similarly constructed light module. Light module 100 contains a ten-pin electrical connector 110 of the general type. In this embodiment, the connector 110 contains male pins adapted to fit into a complementary ten-pin connector female assembly, to be described below. Pin 180 is the power supply. A source of DC electrical potential enters module 100 on pin 180.

Pin 180 is electrically connected to the anode end of light emitting diode (LED) sets 120, 140 and 160 to establish a uniform high potential on each anode end.

NO -14- LED set 120 contains red LEDs, set 140 contains blue and set 160 contains green, Seach obtainable from the Nichia America Corporation. These LEDs are primary colors, in the sense that such colors when combined in preselected proportions can generate any color in the spectrum. While three primary colors is preferred, it will be understood that the present invention will function nearly as well with only two primary colors to _generate any color in the spectrum. Likewise, while the different primary colors are arranged herein on sets of uniformly colored LEDs, it will be appreciated that the same effect may be achieved with single LEDs containing multiple color-emitting semiconductor dies. LED sets 120, 140 and 160 each preferably contains a ri 10 serial/parallel array of LEDs in the manner described by Okuno in U.S. Patent No.

4,298,869, incorporated herein by reference. In the present embodiment, LED set 120 contains three parallel connected rows of nine red LEDs (not shown), and LED sets 140 and 160 each contain five parallel connected rows of five blue and green LEDs, respectively (not shown). It is understood by those in the art that, in general, each red LED drops the potential in the line by a lower amount than each blue or green LED, about 2.1 V, compared to 4.0 V, respectively, which accounts for the different row lengths. This is because the number of LEDs in each row is determined by the amount of voltage drop desired between the anode end at the power supply voltage and the cathode end of the last LED in the row. Also, the parallel arrangement of rows is a fail-safe measure that ensures that the light module 100 will still function even if a single LED in a row fails, thus opening the electrical circuit in that row. The cathode ends of the three parallel rows of nine red LEDs in LED set 120 are then connected in common, and go to pin 128 on connector 110. Likewise, the cathode ends of the five parallel rows of five blue LEDs in LED set 140 are connected in common, and go to pin 148 on connector 110. The cathode ends of the five parallel rows of five green LEDs in LED set 160 are connected in common, and go to pin 168 on connector 110. Finally, on light module 100, each LED set is associated with a programming resistor that combines with other components, described below, to program the maximum current through each set of LEDs. Between pin 124 and 126 is resistor 122, 6.2. Between pin 144 and 146 is resistor 142, 4.7. Between pin 164 and 166 is resistor 162, 4.7. Resistor 122 programs maximum current through red LED set 120, resistor 142 programs maximum current through blue LED set 140, and resistor 162 programs maximum current through green LED set 160. The values these resistors should take are determined empirically, based on the desired maximum light intensity of each LED set. In the present embodiment, the resistances above program red, blue and green currents of 70, 50 and 50 A, respectively.

With the electrical structure of light module 100 described, attention will now be given to the electrical structure of power module 200, shown in Figure 2. Figures 6 and 7 show the power terminal side and electrical connector side of an embodiment of power module 200. Like light module 100, power module 200 is self contained.

Interconnection with male pin set 110 is achieved through complementary female pin set 210. Pin 280 connects with pin 180 for supplying power, delivered to pin 280 from supply 300. Supply 300 is shown as a functional block for simplicity. In actuality, supply 300 can take numerous forms for generating a DC voltage. In the present embodiment, supply 300 provides 24 Volts through a connection terminal (not shown), coupled to pin 280 through transient protection capacitors (not shown) of the general type. It will be appreciated that supply 300 may also supply a DC voltage after rectification and/or voltage transformation of an AC supply, as described more fully in U.S. Patent No. 4,298,869.

Also connected to pin connector 210 are three current programming integrated circuits, ICR 220, ICB 240 and ICG 260. Each of these is a three terminal adjustable regulator, preferably part number LM317B, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, California. The teachings of the LM317 datasheet are incorporated herein by reference. Each regulator contains an input terminal, an output terminal and an adjustment terminal, labeled I, O and A, respectively. The regulators function to maintain a constant maximum current into the input terminal and out of the output terminal. This maximum current is pre-programmed by setting a resistance between the output and the adjustment terminals. This is because the regulator will cause the voltage at the input terminal to settle to whatever value is needed to cause 1.25 V to appear across the fixed current set resistor, thus causing constant current to flow.

Since each functions identically, only ICR 220 will now be described. First, current -16enters the input terminal of ICR 220 from pin 228. Of course, pin 228 in the power module is coupled to pin 128 in the light module, and receives current directly from the cathode end of the red LED set 120. Since resistor 122 is ordinarily disposed between the output and adjustment terminals of ICR 220 through pins 224/124 and 226/126, resistor 122 programs the amount of current regulated by ICR 220. Eventually, the current output from the adjustment terminal of ICR 220 enters a Darlington driver. In this way, ICR 220 and associated resistor 122 program the maximum current through red LED set 120. Similar results are achieved with ICB 240 and resistor 142 for blue LED set 140, and with ICG 260 and resistor 162 for green LED set 160.

The red, blue and green LED currents enter another integrated circuit, IC1 380, at respective nodes 324, 344 and 364. IC1 380 is preferably a high current/voltage Darlington driver, part no. DS2003 available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, California. IC1 380 is used as a current sink, and functions to switch current between respective LED sets and ground 390. As described in the DS2003 datasheet, incorporated herein by reference, IC 1 contains six sets of Darlington transistors with appropriate on-board biasing resistors. As shown, nodes 324, 344 and 364 couple the current from the respective LED sets to three pairs of these Darlington transistors, in the well known manner to take advantage of the fact that the current rating of ICI 380 may be doubled by using pairs of Darlington transistors to sink respective currents. Each of the three on-board Darlington pairs is used in the following manner as a switch. The base of each Darlington pair is coupled to signal inputs 424, 444 and 464, respectively. Hence, input 424 is the signal input for switching current through node 324, and thus the red LED set 120. Input 444 is the signal input for switching current through node 344, and thus the blue LED set 140. Input 464 is the signal input for switching current through node 364, and thus the green LED set 160. Signal inputs 424, 444 and 464 are coupled to respective signal outputs 434, 454 and 474 on microcontroller IC2 400, as described below. In essence, when a high frequency square wave is incident on a respective signal input, IC1 380 switches current through a respective node with the identical frequency and duty cycle. Thus, in operation, the states of signal inputs 424, 444 and 464 directly correlate with the opening and closing of the power circuit through respective LED sets 120, 140 and 160.

-17to convert numerical data received on serial Rx pin 520 into three independent high frequency square waves of uniform frequency but independent duty cycles on signal output pins 434, 454 and 474. The Figure 2 representation of microcontroller 1C2 400 is partially stylized, in that persons of skill in the art will appreciate that certain of the twenty-eight standard pins have been omitted or combined for greatest clarity.

Microcontroller IC2 400 is powered through pin 450, which is coupled to a Volt source of DC power 700. Source 700 is preferably driven from supply 300 through a coupling (not shown) that includes a voltage regulator (not shown). An exemplary voltage regulator is the LM340 3-terminal positive regulator, available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, California. The teachings of the LM340 datasheet are hereby incorporated by reference. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that most microcontrollers, and many other independently powered digital integrated circuits, are rated for no more than a 5 Volt power source. The clock frequency of microcontroller IC2 400 is set by crystal 480, coupled through appropriate pins. Pin 490 is the microcontroller 1C2 400 ground reference.

Switch 600 is a twelve position dip switch that may be alterably and mechanically set to uniquely identify the microcontroller IC2 400. When individual ones of the twelve mechanical switches within dip switch 600 are closed, a path is generated from corresponding pins 650 on microcontroller 1C2 400 to ground 690.

Twelve switches create 212 possible settings, allowing any microcontroller IC2 400 to take on one of 4096 different IDs, or addresses. In the preferred embodiment, only nine switches are actually used because the DMX-512 protocol, discussed below, is employed.

Once switch 600 is set, microcontroller IC2 400 "knows" its unique address ("who am and "listens" on serial line 520 for a data stream specifically addressed to it. A high speed network protocol, preferably a DMX protocol, is used to address network data to each individually addressed microcontroller IC2 400 from a central network controller 1000, as shown for example in Figure 2A. The DMX protocol is described in a United States Theatre Technology, Inc. publication entitled "DMX512/1990 Digital Data Transmission Standard for Dimmers and Controllers," -18incorporated herein by reference. Basically, in the network protocol used herein, a central controller (not shown) creates a stream of network data consisting of sequential data packets. Each packet first contains a header, which is checked for conformance to the standard and discarded, followed by a stream of sequential bytes representing data for sequentially addressed devices. For instance, if the data packet is intended for light number fifteen, then fourteen bytes from the data stream will be discarded, and the device will save byte number fifteen. If as in the preferred embodiment, more than one byte is needed, then the address is considered to be a starting address, and more than one byte is saved and utilized. Each byte corresponds to a decimal number 0 to 255, linearly representing the desired intensity from Off to Full. (For simplicity, details of the data packets such as headers and stop bits are omitted from this description, and will be well appreciated by those of skill in the art.) This way, each of the three LED colors is assigned a discrete intensity value between 0 and 255. These respective intensity values are stored in respective registers within the memory of microcontroller IC2 400. Once the central controller exhausts all data packets, it starts over in a continuous refresh cycle. The refresh cycle is defined by the standard to be a minimum of 1196 microseconds, and a maximum of 1 second.

Microcontroller IC2 400 is programmed continually to "listen" for its data stream. When microcontroller IC2 400 is "listening," but before it detects a data packet intended for it, it is running a routine designed to create the square wave signal outputs on pins 434, 454 and 474. The values in the color registers determine the duty cycle of the square wave. Since each register can take on a value from 0 to 255, these values create 256 possible different duty cycles in a linear range from 0% to 100%.

Since the square wave frequency is uniform and determined by the program running in the microcontroller IC2 400, these different discrete duty cycles represent variations in the width of the square wave pulses. This is known as pulse width modulation

(PWM).

The PWM interrupt routine is implemented using a simple counter, incrementing from 0 to 255 in a cycle during each period of the square wave output on pins 434, 454 and 474. When the counter rolls over to zero, all three signals are set high. Once the counter equals the register value, signal output is changed to low. When -19microcontroller IC2 400 receives new data, it freezes the counter, copies the new data to the working registers, compares the new register values with the current count and updates the output pins accordingly, and then restarts the counter exactly where it left off. Thus, intensity values may be updated in the middle of the PWM cycle. Freezing the counter and simultaneously updating the signal outputs has at least two advantages.

First, it allows each lighting unit to quickly pulse/strobe as a strobe light does. Such strobing happens when the central controller sends network data having high intensity values alternately with network data having zero intensity values at a rapid rate. If one restarted the counter without first updating the signal outputs, then the human eye would be able to perceive the staggered deactivation of each individual color LED that is set at a different pulse width. This feature is not of concern in incandescent lights because of the integrating effect associated with the heating and cooling cycle of the illumination element. LEDs, unlike incandescent elements, activate and deactivate essentially instantaneously in the present application. The second advantage is that one can "dim" the LEDs without the flickering that would otherwise occur if the counter were reset to zero. The central controller can send a continuous dimming signal when it creates a sequence of intensity values representing a uniform and proportional decrease in light intensity for each color LED. If one did not update the output signals before restarting the counter, there is a possibility that a single color LED will go through nearly two cycles without experiencing the zero current state of its duty cycle.

For instance, assume the red register is set at 4 and the counter is set at 3 when it is frozen. Here, the counter is frozen just before the "off' part of the PWM cycle is to occur for the red LEDs. Now assume that the network data changes the value in the red register from 4 to 2 and the counter is restarted without deactivating the output signal. Even though the counter is greater than the intensity value in the red register, the output state is still meaning that maximum current is still flowing through the red LEDs. Meanwhile, the blue and green LEDs will probably turn off at their appropriate times in the PWM cycle. This would be perceived by the human eye as a red flicker in the course of dimming the color intensities. Freezing the counter and updating the output for the rest of the PWM cycle overcomes these disadvantages, ensuring the flicker does not occur.

The network interface for microcontroller IC2 400 will now be described. Jacks 800 and 900 are standard RJ- 8 network jacks. Jack 800 is used as an input jack, and is shown for simplicity as having only three inputs: signal inputs 860, 870 and ground 850. Network data enters jack 800 and passes through signal inputs 860 and 870.

These signal inputs are then coupled to IC3 500, which is an RS-485/RS-422 differential bus repeater of the standard type, preferably a DS96177 from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, California. The teachings of the DS96177 datasheet are hereby incorporated by reference. The signal inputs 860, 870 enter IC3 500 at pins 560, 570. The data signal is passed through from pin 510 to pin 520 on microcontroller IC2 400. The same data signal is then returned from pin 540 on IC2 400 to pin 530 on IC3 500. Jack 900 is used as an output jack and is shown for simplicity as having only five outputs: signal outputs 960, 970, 980, 990 and ground 950. Outputs 960 and 970 are split directly from input lines 860 and 870, respectively.

Outputs 980 and 990 come directly from IC3 500 pins 580 and 590, respectively. It will be appreciated that the foregoing assembly enables two network nodes (i.e.

lighting or illumination units) to be connected for receiving the network data. Thus, a network may be constructed as a daisy chain 3000 (or linear chain of nodes), if only single nodes 2000 are strung together, as shown in Fig. 2B-1, or as a binary tree, if two nodes are attached to the output of each single node, as shown in Fig. 2B-2.

From the foregoing description, one can see that an addressable network of LED illumination or display units 2000 as shown in Figure 2A and Figures 2B-1 and 2B-2 can be constructed from a collection of power modules each connected to a respective light module. As long as at least two primary color LEDs are used, any illumination or display color may be generated simply by preselecting the light intensity that each color emits. Further, each color LED can emit light at any of 255 different intensities, depending on the duty cycle of the PWM square wave, with a full intensity pulse generated by passing maximum current through the LED. Further still, the maximum intensity can be conveniently programmed simply by adjusting the ceiling for the maximum allowable current using programming resistances for the current regulators residing on the light module. Light modules of different maximum current ratings may thereby be conveniently interchanged.

-21

\O

The foregoing embodiment may reside in any number of different housings. A preferred housing for an illumination unit is described. Turning now to Figure 3, there is shown an exploded view of an illumination unit 2000 of one embodiment of the t present invention comprising a substantially cylindrical body section 10, a light module 20, a conductive sleeve 30, a power module 40, a second conductive sleeve 50 and an enclosure plate 60. It is to be assumed here that the light module 20 and the power module 40 contain the electrical structure and software of light module 100 and power module 200, described above. Screws 62, 64, 66, 68 allow the entire apparatus to be IND mechanically connected. Body section 10, conductive sleeves 30 and 50 and enclosure plate 60 are preferably made from a material that conducts heat, most preferably aluminum. Body section 10 has an open end 11, a reflective interior portion 12 and an illumination end 13, to which module 20 is mechanically affixed. Light module 20 is disk shaped and has two sides. The illumination side (not shown) comprises a plurality of LEDs of different primary colors. The connection side holds an electrical connector male pin assembly 22. Both the illumination side and the connection side are coated with aluminum surfaces to better allow the conduction of heat outward from the plurality of LEDs to the body section 10. Likewise, power module 40 is disk shaped and has every available surface covered with aluminum for the same reason. Power module 40 has a connection side holding an electrical connector female pin assembly 44 adapted to fit the pins from assembly 22. Power module 40 has a power terminal side holding a terminal 42 for connection to a source of DC power. Any standard AC or DC jack may be used, as appropriate.

Interposed between light module 20 and power module 40 is a conductive aluminum sleeve 30, which substantially encloses the space between modules 20 and 40. As shown, a disk-shaped enclosure plate 60 and screws 62, 64, 66 and 68 hold all of the components together, and conductive sleeve 50 is thus interposed between enclosure plate 60 and power module 40. Once sealed together as a unit, the illumination apparatus may be connected to a data network as described above and mounted in any convenient manner to illuminate an area. In operation, preferably a light diffusing means 17 will be inserted in body section 10 to ensure that the LEDs on light module 20 appear to emit a single uniform frequency of light.

22 From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that PWM current control of LEDs to produce multiple colors may be incorporated into countless environments, with or without networks. For instance, Figure 8 shows a hand-held flashlight can be made to shine any conceivable color using an LED assembly of the present invention. The flashlight contains an external adjustment means 5, that may be for instance a set of three potentiometers coupled to an appropriately programmed microcontroller 92 through respective A/D conversion means 15. Each potentiometer would control the current duty cycle, and thus the illumination intensity, of an individual color LED on LED board 25. With three settings each capable of generating a different byte from 0 to 255, a computer-controlled flashlight may generate twenty-four bit color. Of course, three individual potentiometers can be incorporated into a single device, such as a track ball or joystick, so as to be operable as a single adjuster. Further, it is not necessary that the adjustment means must be a potentiometer. For instance, a capacitive or resistive thumb plate may also be used to program the two or three registers necessary to set the color. A lens assembly 93 may be provided for reflecting the emitted light.

A non-hand held embodiment of the present invention may be used as an underwater swimming pool light. Since the present invention can operate at relatively low voltages and low current, it is uniquely suited for safe underwater operation.

Similarly, the present invention may be used as a general indicator of any given environmental condition. Figure 9 shows the general functional block diagram for such an apparatus. Shown within Figure 9 is also an exemplary chart showing the duty cycles of the three color LEDs during an exemplary period. As one example of an environmental indicator 96, the power module can be coupled to an inclinometer. The inclinometer measures general angular orientation with respect to the earth's center of gravity. The inclinometer's angle signal can be converted through an A/D converter 94 and coupled to the data inputs of the microcontroller 92 in the power module. The microcontroller 92 can then be programmed to assign each discrete angular orientation a different color through the use of a lookup table associating angles with LED color register values. A current switch 90, coupled to the microcontroller 92, may be used to control the current supply to LEDs 120, 140, and 160 of different colors. The microcontroller 92 may be coupled to a transceiver 95 for transmitting and receiving signals. The "color inclinometer" may be used for safety, such as in airplane cockpits, -23or for novelty, such as to illuminate the sails on a sailboat that sways in the water.

Another indicator use is to provide an easily readable visual temperature indication.

For example, a digital thermometer can be connected to provide the microcontroller a temperature reading. Each temperature will be associated with a particular set of register values, and hence a particular color output. A plurality of such "color thermometers" can be located over a large space, such as a storage freezer, to allow simple visual inspection of temperature over three dimensions.

Another use of the present invention is as a lightbulb 5000, as shown for example in Figure 10. Using appropriate rectifier and voltage transformation means 97 the entire power and light modules may be placed in an Edison-mount (screw-type 5010) lightbulb housing. Each bulb 120, 140, 160 can be programmed with particular register values to deliver a particular color bulb, including white. The current regulator can be pre-programmed to give a desired current rating and thus preset light intensity.

Naturally, the lightbulb will have a transparent or translucent section 5050 that allows the passage of light into the ambient.

While the foregoing has been a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the claims which follow define more freely the scope of invention to which applicant is entitled. Modifications or improvements which may not come within the explicit language of the claims described in the preferred embodiments should be treated as within the scope of invention insofar as they are equivalent or otherwise consistent with the contribution over the prior art and such contribution is not to be limited to specific embodiments disclosed.

Claims (42)

1. 2. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is configured as a housing to substantially enclose at least the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.
2. 3. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 2, wherein the diffuser is configured to resemble the conventional lightbulb.
3. 4. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 3, wherein the diffuser is configured to resemble an Edison-mount lightbulb housing. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one power connection coupled to the at least one controller, the at least one power connection configured to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional light socket.
4. 6. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 5, wherein the at least one power connection includes an Edison screw-type connection.
5. 7. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising rectifier and voltage transformation means coupled to the at least one power connection.
6. 8. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation.
7. 9. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based on a square wave signal applied to each LED. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 9, wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement a pulse-width modulation technique to independently control a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation so as to determine the visible spectrum of the light provided by the lightbulb.
8. 11. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one controller includes at least one register to store data relating to controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.
9. 12. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 11, wherein the at least one register includes: a first register to store first data corresponding to the at least one first LED; and a second register to store second data corresponding to the at least one second LED.
10. 13. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one user interface coupled to the at least one controller and configured to facilitate control of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.
11. 14. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 13, wherein the at least one user interface is configured to facilitate control of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED so as to vary the visible spectrum of the light provided by the lightbulb. -26- The LED-based lightbulb of claim 13, wherein: the at least one controller includes at least one register to store data relating to controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and the at least one user interface is configured to facilitate programming the at least one register with the data.
12. 16. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising at least one of a transmitter and a receiver configured to communicate via electromagnetic radiation at least one signal to or from the lightbulb.
13. 17. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the at least one controller includes a processor configured to receive lighting instructions from an external source, and wherein the processor is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the lighting instructions.
14. 18. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 17, wherein the external source is a network, and wherein the processor is configured to receive the lighting instructions from the network.
15. 19. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 17 or claim 18, when dependent on claim 16, wherein the at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is configured to communicate the lighting instructions between the external source and the lightbulb. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising at least one sensor coupled to the at least one controller and configured to generate at least one control signal in response to at least one detectable condition, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the uniform color of the light in response to the at least one control signal.
16. 21. The LED-based lightbulb of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the at least one first LED includes a plurality of first LEDs and the at least one second LED includes a plurality of second LEDs, and where the first LEDs and the second LEDs are arranged in the lightbulb in a predetermined manner. -27-
17. 22. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of (,i first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as a serial array.
18. 23. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of N first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as a parallel array.
19. 24. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of Sfirst LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as at least one row. The LED-based lightbulb of claim 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of INO first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is configured as a parallel arrangement of (Ni rows.
20. 26. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of first LEDs, each first LED configured to generate first radiation having a first spectrum; a plurality of second LEDs, each second LED configured to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; a diffuser to blend the first radiation and the second radiation, when generated, so as to provide a uniform color of light having a visible spectrum based on a combination of the first spectrum and the second spectrum; at least one controller configured to control the first LEDs and the second LEDs, such that all visible light provided by the diffuser is perceived only as white light; and at least one power connection coupled to the at least one controller, the at least one power connection configured to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional light socket arrangement.
21. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of third LEDs, each third LED configured to generate third radiation having a third spectrum different from the first and second spectrums, wherein the plurality of first LEDs includes a plurality of red LEDs, the plurality of second LEDs includes a plurality of green LEDs, and the plurality of third LEDs includes a plurality of blue LEDs. -28-
22. 28. The apparatus of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the diffuser is configured as a housing to substantially enclose at least the first LEDs and the second LEDs.
23. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the diffuser is configured to resemble a lightbulb.
24. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the diffuser is configured to resemble an Edison-mount lightbulb housing.
25. 31. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the first LEDs and the second LEDs are arranged in the apparatus in a predetermined manner.
26. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as a serial array.
27. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged as a serial array.
28. 34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as a parallel array.
29. 35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as at least one row.
30. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is configured as a parallel arrangement of rows.
31. 37. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 36, further comprising at least one sensor coupled to the at least one controller and configured to generate at least one control signal in response to at least one detectable condition, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the uniform color of the light in response to the at least one control signal.
32. 38. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 37, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the first LEDs and the second LEDs so as to switch at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs on and off in a predetermined manner to provide the white light. -29-
33. 39. The apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 38, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the first LEDs and the second LEDs based on a square wave signal applied to each LED. The apparatus of claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the at least one controller includes at least one register to store data relating to the predetermined manner in which the at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs are switched on and off.
34. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one register includes: a first register to store first data corresponding to the at least some of the first LEDs; and a second register to store second data corresponding to the at least some of the second LEDs.
35. 42. The apparatus of any one of claims 38 to 41, further comprising at least one user interface coupled to the at least one controller and configured to facilitate control of the apparatus so as to switch the at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs on and off in the predetermined manner.
36. 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein: the at least one controller includes at least one register to store data relating to the predetermined manner in which the at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs are switched on and off; and the at least one user interface is configured to facilitate programming the at least one register with the data.
37. 44. The apparatus of any one of claims 38 to 43, wherein the at least one controller includes a processor configured to receive lighting instructions from an external source, and wherein the processor is configured to control the at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs in response to the lighting instructions so as to switch the at least some of the first LEDs and the second LEDs on and off in the predetermined manner. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the external source is a network, and wherein the processor is configured to receive the lighting instructions from the network.
38. 46. A lighting system comprising: a first apparatus according to claim 45 coupled to the network; and a second apparatus according to claim 45 coupled to the network, wherein the first apparatus and the second apparatus are arranged as a linear chain.
39. 47. The lighting system of claim 46, wherein for each of the first apparatus and the second apparatus, at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as a serial array.
40. 48. The lighting system of claim 46 or claim 47, wherein for each of the first apparatus and the second apparatus, at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is arranged as at least one row.
41. 49. The lighting system of claim 48, wherein at least one of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs is configured as a parallel arrangement of rows. An LED-based lightbulb substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings and/or examples.
42. 51. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. DATED this 2 5 th day of May 2006 SHELSTON IP Attorneys for: COLOR KINETICS, INCORPORATED