CN113090962A

CN113090962A - Light engine and method of simulating flames

Info

Publication number: CN113090962A
Application number: CN202011545252.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 克里斯托弗·奥斯特兰德
Original assignee: Markay International Ltd
Current assignee: Markay International Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2021-07-09

Abstract

A lighting device has a power interface and control circuitry in communication with a program and an LED to simulate a flame. The program determines a first set of LED control integers to simulate a permanent middle having a permanent middle center and a permanent middle range within which one or more LEDs are to be at least partially activated. Actuating at least one LED based on the first set of LED control integers. Defining the first target and a first acceleration value for simulating a permanent center-of-middle movement toward the first target. The program determines a second set of LED control integers based on the first target and the first acceleration value to bring the permanent center closer to the first target. One or more LEDs are actuated based on the second set of LED control integers.

Description

Light engine and method of simulating flames

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of the currently pending U.S. patent application No. 16/725,492 filed on 12/23/2019 and a continuation-in-part application of the currently pending U.S. patent application No. 16/164,374, patent No. 10,514,141 filed on 10/18/2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to lighting, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods for producing lighting effects that illuminate and simulate the appearance of flames.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention, the sole purpose of which is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a housing having a cover and a base. The cover includes an emission area. A plurality of LEDs are encapsulated in the cover for emitting light through the emission area. A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and control circuitry in communication with each LED causes the plurality of LEDs to simulate flames. Specifically, the control circuit (i) determines an actuation value (a1) for the lowermost LED group using an initial fuel value; (ii) determining an actuation value for a second set of LEDs using the initial fuel value (B1); and (iii) determining an actuation value for a third set of LEDs using the initial fuel value (C1). The second set of LEDs is upwardly adjacent to the lowermost set of LEDs, and the third set of LEDs is upwardly adjacent to the second set of LEDs. The control circuit further: (iv) determining an actuation value (a2) for the lowermost LED group using a second fuel value; (v) determining actuation values (B2) for the second set of LEDs using the second fuel value; and (vi) determining an actuation value for the lowermost LED group using the third fuel value (A3). The control circuit (vii) actuates, at time T1, the lowermost LED group according to the actuation value (a 1); (viii) at time T2: actuating the underlying group of LEDs according to the actuation value (A2) and actuating the second group of LEDs according to the actuation value (B1); and (ix) at time T3: actuating the lowermost group of LEDs according to the actuation value (A3), actuating the second group of LEDs according to the actuation value (B2), and actuating the third group of LEDs according to the actuation value (C1). Time T1 precedes time T2 and time T2 precedes time T3.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a housing having a cover and a base. The cover includes an emission area. A plurality of LEDs are encapsulated in the cover for emitting light through the emission area. A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and control circuitry in communication with each LED causes the plurality of LEDs to simulate flames. Specifically, the control circuit (i) determines a midpoint of the simulated flame based on an initial fuel value; (ii) determining an actuation value (a0') for a lowermost LED group using an initial distance between the midpoint of the simulated flame and the lowermost LED group, and actuating the lowermost LED group according to the actuation value (a 0'); (iii) determining an actuation value (B0') for a second set of LEDs using a second distance between the midpoint of the simulated flame and the second set of LEDs and actuating the second set of LEDs; and (iv) determining an actuation value (C0') using a third distance between the midpoint of the simulated flame and a third set of LEDs and actuating the third set of LEDs. The second group of LEDs is upwardly adjacent to the lowermost group of LEDs.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a housing having a cover and a base. The cover includes an emission area. A plurality of LEDs are encapsulated in the cover for emitting light through the emission area. A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and control circuitry in communication with each LED causes the plurality of LEDs to simulate flames. Specifically, the control circuit (i) determines a midpoint of the simulated flame using an initial fuel value; the midpoint defining a first group of LEDs and having a first actuation value; (ii) determining a second actuation value for a second set of LEDs arranged downward from the midpoint using the midpoint; and (iii) determining a third actuation value for a third set of LEDs arranged upward from the midpoint using the midpoint. The control circuit may also (iv) actuate the respective first, second, and third sets of LEDs in accordance with the respective first, second, and third actuation values. The respective actuation value depends on the distance between the midpoint and the respective LED group. The intensity of light from each LED group decreases outwardly from the midpoint.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a housing having a cover and a base. The cover includes an emission area. A plurality of LEDs are encapsulated in the cover for emitting light through the emission area. A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and control circuitry in communication with each LED causes the plurality of LEDs to simulate flames. In particular, the control circuit (i) determines an actuation value for each LED of the first set of LEDs using an initial distance to an initial wind point, and actuates the first set of LEDs in accordance with the actuation value; and (ii) determining an actuation value for each LED of a second set of LEDs using a second distance to a second wind point, and actuating the second set of LEDs based on the actuation values.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a plurality of LEDs. A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and control circuitry in communication with each LED causes the plurality of LEDs to simulate flames. Specifically, the control circuit (i) assigns a fuel value to a group of LEDs; (ii) assigning a wind point (windpoint) for the group of LEDs; and (iii) determining an actuation value for each LED in the set of LEDs. The actuation value is based on the fuel value and a distance of the LED to the wind point. The control circuit further (iv) actuates each LED in the set of LEDs in accordance with the actuation value of each LED.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a lighting device comprises a plurality of Discrete Light Emitting Points (DLEP). A power interface electrically transmits electricity to the plurality of discrete light emitting points, and control circuitry in communication with each discrete light emitting point causes the plurality of discrete light emitting points to simulate flames. Specifically, the control circuit (i) determines an actuation value (a1) for a first set of DLEPs using the initial value and actuates the first set of DLEPs according to the actuation value (a 1); and determining an actuation value (B1) for the second set of DLEPs using the initial value, and actuating the second set of DLEPs according to the actuation value (B1). Actuation of the second set of DLEPs occurs after actuation of the first set of DLEPs.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a lighting device has a power interface and a control circuit in communication with a program and an LED to simulate a flame. The program determines a first set of LED control integers to simulate a permanent middle having a permanent middle center and a permanent middle range, wherein within the permanent middle range one or more of the plurality of LEDs will be at least partially activated. Actuating at least one LED based on the first set of LED control integers. Defining the first target and a first acceleration value for simulating the movement of the permanent center-of-middle to the first target. The program determines a second set of LED control integers based on the first target and the first acceleration value to bring the permanent center of neutral closer to the first target. One or more LEDs are actuated based on the second set of LED control integers.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes a plurality of LEDs for emitting light, a power interface for transmitting electricity to the plurality of LEDs, and a control circuit in communication with a program and each LED for causing the plurality of LEDs to simulate a flame. The program determines a first set of LED control integers for simulating a first LED having a permanent center of neutral and a permanent center range within which one or more LEDs are to be at least partially actuated. The program also determines a second set of LED control integers for simulating a spark center and a spark range, wherein one or more LEDs are to be at least partially actuated within the spark range. And setting a wind speed value within the wind speed range. The program determines a third set of LED control integers by adding the first set of LED control integers to the second set of LED control integers, wherein the third set of LED control integers is further based on the wind speed value. A first value for the wind speed target and a first value for the wind speed acceleration are set. The program determines a fourth set of LED control integers for simulating a permanent intermediate brightness change based on the first value of wind speed acceleration, determines a fifth set of LED control integers for simulating a spark brightness change based on the first value of wind speed acceleration, and determines a sixth set of LED control integers by adding the fourth set of LED control integers to the fifth set of LED control integers. The program will then actuate one or more LEDs based on the sixth set of LED control integers.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting apparatus includes: a housing having a cover and a base, the cover having an emission area; a plurality of LEDs encapsulated in the cover for emitting light through the emission area; a power interface for transmitting electricity to the plurality of LEDs; and a control circuit in communication with the program and each of the LEDs for causing the plurality of LEDs to simulate a flame, wherein the program: (a) determining a first set of LED control integers for the first set of LEDs to simulate a permanent middle having a permanent middle center and a permanent middle range, wherein within the permanent middle range one or more LEDs of the first set of LEDs are to be at least partially actuated; (b) actuating one or more LEDs in the first set of LEDs based on the first set of LED control integers; (c) determining a first target for simulating movement of the permanent center of neutral toward the first target; (d) determining a first acceleration value; (e) determining a second set of LED control integers for the first set of LEDs, wherein the second set of LED control integers are based on the first target and the first acceleration value to cause the permanent center to become closer to the first target; and (f) actuating one or more LEDs in the first set of LEDs based on the second set of LED control integers.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until the permanent center reaches the first target; (h) determining a second target to simulate movement of the permanent intermediate center to the second target after the permanent intermediate center reaches the first target; (i) determining a second acceleration value; (j) determining a third set of LED control integers for the first set of LEDs, wherein the third set of LED control integers is based on the second and second acceleration values; and (k) actuating one or more LEDs in the first set of LEDs based on the third set of LED control integers.

In a further embodiment, steps (a) to (k) are performed continuously.

In a further embodiment, the first acceleration value is positive if the first target is above the permanent center; the first acceleration value is negative if the first target is below the permanent center of neutral.

In a further embodiment, the second acceleration value is positive if the second target is above the first target; the second acceleration value is negative if the second target is below the first target.

In a further embodiment, the permanent intermediate extent includes a top and a bottom, and the permanent intermediate center is permanently equidistant from the top and the bottom of the permanent intermediate extent.

In a further embodiment, the second target is within a set target range.

In a further embodiment, each of the first and second targets is randomly selected by the program.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (g) determining a wind speed target value; and (h) determining a value of the wind speed acceleration; wherein steps (g) and (h) occur before step (e), and the second set of LED control integers in step (e) are further based on the wind speed target value and the wind speed acceleration value.

In a further embodiment, steps (a) to (f) are performed continuously.

In a further embodiment, the first target is randomly selected by the program.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes: a plurality of LEDs for emitting light; a power interface for transmitting electricity to the plurality of LEDs; and a control circuit in communication with the program and each of the LEDs for causing the plurality of LEDs to simulate a flame, wherein the program: (a) determining a first set of LED control integers for simulating a permanent middle having a permanent middle center and a permanent middle range, wherein within the permanent middle range one or more of the plurality of LEDs are to be at least partially actuated; (b) determining a second set of LED control integers for simulating a spark having a spark center and a spark range, wherein within the spark range one or more of the plurality of LEDs will be at least partially actuated; (c) determining a wind speed value within a wind speed range; (d) determining a third set of LED control integers by adding the first set of LED control integers to the second set of LED control integers, wherein the third set of LED control integers is further based on the wind speed value; (e) determining a first value of a wind speed target; (f) determining a first value of wind speed acceleration; (g) determining a fourth set of LED control integers for simulating the permanent intermediate brightness change based on the first value of wind speed acceleration; (h) determining a fifth set of LED control integers for simulating spark brightness change based on the first value of the wind speed acceleration; (i) determining a sixth set of LED control integers by adding the fourth set of LED control integers to the fifth set of LED control integers; and (j) actuating one or more LEDs based on the sixth set of LED control integers.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (k) repeating steps (g) - (j) until the wind speed matches the first value of the wind speed target; (l) Determining a second value of the wind speed target when the wind speed reaches the first value of the wind speed target; (m) determining a second value of the wind speed acceleration; (n) determining a seventh set of LED control integers for simulating the permanent intermediate brightness change based on the second value of wind speed acceleration; (o) determining an eighth set of LED control integers for simulating spark variations based on the second value of wind speed acceleration; (p) determining a ninth set of LED control integers by adding the seventh set of LED control integers to the eighth set of LED control integers; and (q) actuating one or more LEDs based on the ninth set of LED control integers.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (r) determining a first value of a permanent intermediate center target; and(s) determining a first value of permanent intermediate center acceleration based on the position of the permanent intermediate center target; wherein steps (r) and(s) occur prior to step (g); and, said fourth set of LED control integers of step (g) is further based on a first value of a permanent intermediate center target and a first value of a permanent intermediate center acceleration.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (t) determining a second value of a permanent intermediate center target when the permanent intermediate center reaches the first value of the permanent intermediate center target; and (u) determining a second value of permanent intermediate center acceleration when the permanent intermediate center target reaches the first value of the permanent intermediate center target; wherein steps (t) and (u) occur before step (n); and, said seventh set of LED control integers of step (n) is further based on a second value of said permanent intermediate center target and a second value of said permanent intermediate center acceleration.

In a further embodiment, the program further: (k) determining a value of a permanent intermediate central target; and (l) determining a value of permanent intermediate center acceleration based on the position of the permanent intermediate center target; wherein steps (k) and (l) occur prior to step (g); and, said fourth set of LED control integers of step (g) is further based on a value of said permanent intermediate center target and a value of said permanent intermediate center acceleration.

In a further embodiment, step (h) further comprises adjusting said fifth set of LED control integers for simulating spark movement and changes in spark range.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a lighting device in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2A is a LED strip having a three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in a pattern.

Fig. 2B is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2C is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2D is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2E is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2F is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2G is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 2H is a LED strip having another three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted in another pattern.

Fig. 3A is a LED strip with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3B is an illumination of an exemplary row 1 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3C is an illumination of an exemplary row 2 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3D is an illumination of an exemplary row 3 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3E is an illumination of an exemplary row 4 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3F is an illumination of an exemplary row 5 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3G is an illumination of an exemplary row 6 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3H is an illumination of an exemplary row 7 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3I is an illumination of an exemplary row 8 of LED strips with eight rows of LEDs in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a LED strip having a three-dimensional substrate and ten rows of LEDs mounted thereon.

Fig. 5 is a LED strip positioned in a two-dimensional horizontal plane.

Fig. 6A is an exemplary control diagram of a lighting device comprising 4 LED strips indicating a simulated wind effect of the first row of LEDs formed.

Fig. 6B is an exemplary control diagram of a lighting device comprising 4 LED strips indicating a simulated wind effect of a second, upper row of LEDs formed.

Fig. 7A is an illustration of wind points moving upward in row 3.

Fig. 7B is an illustration of wind points moving upward in row 4.

Fig. 7C is an illustration of wind points moving upward in row 5.

FIG. 8A is an illustration of a simulated flame without wind effect.

FIG. 8B is an illustration of a simulated flame with a typical gust of wind.

FIG. 9 is an example of spark simulation.

FIG. 10 is an example of a rising spark simulation.

FIG. 11 is an example of a scaled-down spark simulation.

FIG. 12 is an example of a permanent intermediate simulation.

FIG. 13 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T1.

FIG. 14 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T2.

FIG. 15 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T3.

FIG. 16 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T4.

FIG. 17 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a scaled-down spark simulation at time T5.

FIG. 18 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a scaled-down spark simulation at time T6.

FIG. 19 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a scaled-down spark simulation at time T7.

FIG. 20 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a reduced spark simulation at time T8.

FIG. 21 is an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a reduced spark simulation at time T9.

FIG. 22 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T1.

FIG. 23 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T2.

FIG. 24 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T3.

FIG. 25 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T4.

FIG. 26 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T5.

FIG. 27 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuous simulation at time T6.

FIG. 28 shows a flame simulation with a spark simulation and a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuosity simulation at time T1.

FIG. 29 shows a flame simulation with a spark simulation and a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuosity simulation at time T10.

FIG. 30 shows a flame simulation with a spark simulation and a permanent intermediate simulation of a tortuosity simulation at time T20.

FIG. 31 shows a flame simulation with a permanent intermediate simulation of the spark simulation and the tortuosity simulation at time T30.

Detailed Description

Many embodiments are described herein with respect to a device, referred to as a light engine or light module, which may have the form factor of a light bulb having a threaded base that may be screwed into a conventional light bulb socket to provide electrical power. Thus, these embodiments may replace virtually any light fixture having such a socket. However, it should be understood that embodiments may take many other forms. Embodiments may be scaled up or down within practical limits without having to be packaged with a conventional (e.g., threaded) bulb base. Of course, different power interfaces and different bases in the luminaire are also possible in the present invention.

In addition, the invention is not necessarily limitedIn solid state light sources (solid state light sources emit light by solid state electroluminescence rather than thermal or fluorescent emission); other types of light sources may be driven in a similar manner. Also, the solid state light sources (e.g., LEDs, OLEDs, PLEDs, and laser diodes) themselves can vary. In one embodiment, the light source may be a red, green and blue (RGB) type LED comprising 5 wire connections (+, -, r, g, b). In another embodiment, the light source may be a red, green, blue, white (RGBW) type LED comprising 6 wire connections (+, -, r, g, b, w). In yet another embodiment, the light source may be a single color type of LED, which may be, in addition to red/green/blue/white, orange/warm white with a low color temperature less than or equal to 4000K, or blue/cold white with a high color temperature above 4000K. In embodiments, the one or more light sources may be controlled and actuated, individually or in combination, by a controller, control data lines, power lines, communication lines, or any combination of these. In another embodiment, two sets of monochromatic light sources (e.g., warm/orange LEDs and cold/blue LEDs) may be arranged in an alternating pattern and may be controlled and actuated with or without control data lines. For example, one acceptable LED type is Adafruit

In one embodiment, the one or more light sources may be mounted individually or in combination on or in a substrate, which may be rigid or flexible. In another embodiment, the one or more light sources may be rigidly or flexibly connected by power lines, data control lines, communication lines, or any combination thereof, alone or in combination. Thus, although LEDs are used in the examples provided herein, it should be understood that LEDs may be any discrete point of light emission, including but not limited to LEDs or other light sources now known or later developed.

Fig. 1 shows an illumination device 100 of the present invention in an exemplary embodiment. The lighting device 100 includes a transparent lens 110, which may have a pattern, serving as a cover for the emission area, covering the internal device. The lighting device further comprises a translucent diffuser 120 which disperses the "hot spots" of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps 132 and whose surface may promote the flame effect. The lighting device 100 may further comprise a LED strip 130 consisting of a substrate 131 and a plurality of LED lamps 132 mounted on or in the substrate 131, the LED lamps 132 being adapted to emit light through the emission area of the cover 110. Finally, the lighting device 100 includes a control module 140, which acts as a base, including a microprocessor and associated circuitry for controlling the current received from the lamp socket or battery.

The control module 140 communicates with and drives each of the plurality of LEDs individually, in combination, or all together to produce a lighting effect, such as simulating one or more flames. The lighting device 100 may further include a power interface for transmitting electricity to the plurality of LEDs. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the transparent lens 110 serves as a cover and the control module 140 serves as a base, which together form the housing of the lighting device 100. In another embodiment, the lighting device may further comprise a separate housing shell comprising a cover with an emission area and a base. In another embodiment, the lighting device may include an LED and a control module with or without a cover and/or base.

Fig. 2A-2H show different layouts of the LED strip 130. In fig. 2A to 2G, a plurality of LEDs are mounted on a substrate such as a board or a bar. Fig. 2H shows an alternative embodiment in which multiple LEDs are connected directly by transparent lines without the use of any mounting board or bar. It should be understood that a single pattern or a combination of multiple patterns may be utilized in constructing a possible embodiment of the present invention. It should also be understood that although only a single LED strip with a different pattern of substrate and mounted LEDs is shown in the figures, multiple LED strips may further be combined together to serve as a single lighting device.

Fig. 3A-3H illustrate an operational method of simulating flames produced by a particular type of fuel source (gas in this example). Fig. 3A shows an exemplary lighting device consisting of eight rows of LED lamps arranged on top of each other in a vertical direction. As further shown in fig. 3B, an initial fuel value corresponding to a particular type of fuel source is determined for the first row of LEDs. The initial fuel value may be automatically generated or manually entered by a user, and may be a number (e.g., 175) between predetermined ranges (e.g., 35 and 256) for a particular fuel source. In one embodiment, each LED is of the RGBW type, with corresponding red, green, blue and white illumination portions. Each illumination portion is given a value between 0 and 256, where 0 corresponds to off or zero illumination and 256 corresponds to maximum brightness or illumination. According to the invention, the illumination portion of each LED in the LED strip may be selectively activated by assigning a value thereto. The assigned value for each illumination portion of each LED may be based on a desired aesthetic (as will be described in more detail below). Further, each LED in the LED strip may be activated individually (e.g., independently of the other LEDs), or may be activated as part of a group of LEDs.

For example, fig. 3B-3I show a LED light strip undergoing a process for final illumination of 8 rows of LEDs occurring over a period of time to simulate a gas flame. In FIG. 3B, at time T1, row 1 grouping of LEDs is illuminated to represent the blue color of the bottom of the gas flame. To illuminate the LEDs, the LEDs are assigned an initial fuel value (e.g., 175), and the actuation value a1 is used to characterize the LEDs of the first row, which includes a value representing the brightness of each illuminated portion of each LED (e.g., the red, green, blue, and white portions of the LED). The actuation value a1 for the row 1 LED may be calculated according to the following code:

r＝0；

g＝fuel*0.8；

b＝fuel*0.8；and

w＝0.

the actuation value a1 actuates the LEDs in the lowermost row 1, which generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the simulated gas flame base of the output light of the LEDs in row 1.

Continuing, in FIG. 3C, at time T2 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T1), the raw fuel value 175 is passed from the LED of row 1 to the upwardly adjacent LED of row 2, generating a second fuel value (optionally by a random number generator or by manual user input of the LED in row 1). Thus, the LED in row 2 now has a fuel value of 175. Over a period of time, the initial fuel values are passed to the LEDs in row 8 row by row, whereby the fuel values of the LEDs in row 2 before now belong to the LEDs in row 3, and so on. Fig. 3C shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 2, representing the transition between the blue gas color and the orange/yellow flame color. To show the transition between the blue gas color and the flame color, the actuation value B1 is used to characterize the LEDs in row 2, which includes calculating the value of each illumination portion using the received initial fuel value according to the following code:

r＝fuel*0.06；

g＝fuel*0.1；

b＝fuel*0.1；and

w＝fuel*0.06.

the actuation value B1 actuates the LEDs in row 2, and this value generally corresponds to the desired characteristics of the output light of the LEDs in row 2 (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink).

At substantially the same time, the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by a new actuation value A2 determined by the second fuel value, in accordance with the process described above.

FIG. 3D shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 3 at time T3 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T2), which represents the onset of a warm flame. As described above, the raw fuel value is passed from the LEDs in row 2 to the LEDs in the third packet row 3, which is adjacent upward. In this example, the LEDs in row 3 should be more orange than white. A new integer value (dim) may be introduced into this row to provide a flickering effect. Thus, the actuation value C1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 3, contains the value of each LED in row 3, which can be calculated according to the following code:

dim＝(fuel-64)*1.32；

r＝1+dim*0.2；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝90){w＝0}；

if(fuel>90){w＝fuel*0.1}；and

b＝w*0.15.

as the code above shows, depending on the fuel source type selected, if the selected fuel value is less than 64, the LEDs in row 3 will go out completely because dim equals 0. However, if the selected fuel value is greater than 64, the newly added integer value (dim) is used to calculate the values for the red and green portions of the LEDs in row 3.

The actuation value C1 actuates the LEDs in row 3 and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 3.

Substantially simultaneously with the actuation of the LEDs in row 3, the second fuel value is transferred from the LEDs in row 1 to the LEDs in row 2, and a third fuel value is generated for the LEDs in row 1. The LEDs in row 1 are now actuated by the new actuation value a3 determined by the third fuel value and the LEDs in row 2 are now actuated by the new actuation value B2 determined by the second fuel value.

Fig. 3E shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 4 at time T4 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T3), which is very similar to the LEDs in row 3. Here, the calculation of the integer value (dim) may require a fuel value greater than 96 to raise the flame above the LEDs in row 3. The actuation value D1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 4, includes the value of each illumination portion of each LED in row 4, which can be calculated by the following code:

dim＝(fuel-96)*1.6；

r＝1+dim*1.2；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝108){w＝0}；

if(fuel>108){w＝fuel*0.35}；and

b＝w*0.1.

the actuation value D1 actuates the LEDs in row 4 and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 4.

Similarly, at time T4 (or substantially at time T4), the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by an actuation value A4 determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 are actuated by an actuation value B3 determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 3 are actuated by an actuation value C2 determined based on the second fuel value, as described above.

Fig. 3F shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 5 at time T5 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T4). Here, the calculation of the integer value (dim) may require a fuel value greater than 128 to raise the flame above the LEDs in row 4. The actuation value E1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 5, includes a value for each illumination portion of each LED in row 5, which can be calculated by the following code:

dim＝(fuel-128)*2；

r＝1+dim*1.4；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝150){w＝dim*0.1}；

if(fuel>150){w＝fuel*0.35}；and

b＝w*0.3.

the actuation value E1 actuates the LEDs in row 5 and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 5.

Similarly, at time T5 (or substantially at time T5), the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by an actuation value A5 determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 are actuated by an actuation value B4 determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 are actuated by an actuation value C3 determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 4 are actuated by an actuation value D2 determined based on the second fuel value, as described above.

Fig. 3G shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 6 at time T6 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T5). Here, the calculation of the integer value (dim) may require a fuel value greater than 160 to raise the flame above the LEDs in row 5. The actuation value F1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 6, includes a value for each illumination portion of each LED in row 6, which can be calculated by the following code:

dim＝(fuel–160)*2.66；

r＝lim(dim*1.2)；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝172){w＝dim*0.1}；

if(fuel>172){w＝dim*0.5}；and

b＝w*0.2.

the newly introduced "lim" is a simple function that limits the value or r to be greater than 0 and less than 255. The actuation value F1 actuates the LEDs in row 6, typically corresponding to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 6.

Similarly, at time T6 (or approximately at time T6), the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by an actuation value A6 determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 are actuated by an actuation value B5 determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 are driven by an actuation value C4 determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4 are driven by an actuation value D3 determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 5 are actuated by an actuation value E2 determined based on the second fuel value, as described above.

Fig. 3H shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 7 at time T7 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T6). Here, the calculation of the integer value (dim) may require a fuel value greater than 192 to raise the flame above the LEDs in row 6. The actuation value G1 is used to characterize the LEDs in row 7, e.g., a fuel value greater than 192, to cause the flame to rise above the LEDs in row 6. The actuation value G1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 7, includes a value for each illumination portion of each LED in row 7, which can be calculated by the following code:

dim＝(fuel-192)*4；

r＝dim；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝205){w＝dim*0.08}；

if(fuel>205){w＝fuel*0.2}；and

b＝w*0.2.

the actuation value G1 actuates the LEDs in row 7 and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 7.

At time T7 (or approximately at time T7), the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by an actuation value a7 determined based on the seventh fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 are actuated by an actuation value B6 determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 are actuated by an actuation value C5 determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4 are actuated by an actuation value D4 determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 5 are actuated by an actuation value E3 determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 6 are actuated by an actuation value F2 determined based on the second fuel value.

FIG. 3I shows the illumination of the LEDs in row 8 at time T8 (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T7). Here, the calculation of the integer value (dim) may require a fuel value greater than 224 to raise the flame above the LEDs in row 7. The actuation value H1, which is used to characterize the LEDs in row 8, includes a value for each illumination portion of each LED in row 8, which can be calculated by the following code:

dim＝(fuel-224)*8；

r＝dim；

g＝r*0.19；

if(fuel<＝240){w＝dim*0.05}；

if(fuel>240){w＝fuel*0.1}；and

b＝w*0.1.

the actuation value H1 actuates the LEDs in row 8 and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 8.

Substantially at time T8, the LEDs in row 1 are actuated by an actuation value a8 determined based on the eighth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 are actuated by an actuation value B7 determined based on the seventh fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 are actuated by an actuation value C6 determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4 are actuated by an actuation value D5 determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 5 are actuated by an actuation value E4 determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 6 are actuated by an actuation value F3 determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 7 are actuated by an actuation value G2 determined based on the second fuel value.

As described above, in order to simulate a flame by means of the lighting device, a fuel value is generated and passed into the formed LED row. In an embodiment, the fuel value is a number between 35 and 256, and is randomly generated by a random fuel value generator. Within this range, different numbers may produce different simulated flame effects depending on environmental conditions (e.g., in the wind). These different effects may help simulate a real flame, as a real flame is susceptible to environmental conditions (e.g., wind). For example, if the random fuel value generator creates a value for the LEDs in row 1 that is between 230 and 256, the flickering effect of the flame will be very low, since the intensity of the "flame" will be very high. However, if the random fuel value generator creates values between 100 and 256 for the LEDs in row 1, the flickering effect of the flame may be greatly increased due to the lesser intensity of the "flame". In other words, a higher number of random fuel values (e.g., 240-256) may simulate a small amount of wind, while a smaller number of random fuel values (e.g., 25-160) may simulate a large amount of wind.

In an embodiment, the different types of simulated fuel sources may correspond to different quantity ranges within the 35 to 256 fuel range described above. Such simulated fuels may be selected from the group consisting of wax, paraffin, tallow, beeswax, spermaceti, stearin, gasoline, diesel, kerosene and gel. For example, the fuel value range for a gas will be different from the fuel value range for a paraffin.

It should be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited to utilizing fuel values that are generated solely by a random number generator. Although in alternative embodiments each new fuel value may be manually entered by the user, the fuel value may also be generated by utilizing both a random number generator and manual entry.

It should also be understood that times T1, T2, T3, etc. are consecutive time intervals. Although 25 milliseconds are used as time intervals in the above example, such consecutive time intervals may be any length of time greater than 1 nanosecond. Furthermore, the time intervals may, but need not, be equal. For example, T1 may be 25 milliseconds, T2 may be 30 milliseconds, and so on. Alternatively, T1 may be 25 milliseconds and T2 may be 10 milliseconds.

It should further be understood that although only 8 rows of LEDs are shown herein, the present invention is not necessarily limited to 8 rows of LEDs, and such lighting devices may include other numbers of rows of LEDs, alone or in combination, in achieving similar functionality.

Fig. 4 illustrates another method of operation to simulate flames produced by a particular type of fuel source (gas in this example) in view of the flickering effect of the flames. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary lighting device 200, the lighting device 200 comprising 11 rows of vertically arranged LED lamps, reference numeral 0 'referring to the bottom row of LED lamps and reference numeral 10' referring to the top row of LED lamps. In contrast to the embodiments shown in fig. 3A-3I, the embodiment shown in fig. 4 may include some or all of the functions described above, including but not limited to: generating a fuel value for the lowermost LED row; the subsequent row of LEDs receives the fuel value communicated from the previous lower row of LEDs; and/or to activate the LEDs in successive time periods. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the midpoint of the simulated flame is identified as the "hot zone" of the simulated flame. The "hot zone" may be configured to appear whiter and brighter than the other rows of LEDs. In FIG. 4, row 4' is the midpoint of the simulated flame at a given time and is considered a "hot zone" of the simulated flame and therefore may appear whiter and brighter than the other rows. The LED rows at the top and bottom of the midpoint are configured to display a darker and warmer color than the midpoint. Generally, the farther a row is from the midpoint, the warmer the color and darker the brightness of a row of LEDs along the row's central axis. For example, the LEDs in rows 0 'and 8' are the warmest in color along the axis and the darkest in brightness. As will be described in detail below, in one embodiment, an additional function "setHzone" is introduced into the process during the simulation of the flame in order to find the midpoint of the final height of the rising flame and the distance between a given row and the midpoint in order to set the appropriate actuation value for each row. The function "setHzone" may be defined as follows:

here, b is the number of fuels for a given row (which may be assigned to that row or passed from the previous row as described herein); c is the height of a given LED row, which is a number between 1-255; "hZone" is a percentage value representing the distance of a given row from the midpoint of a simulated flame. A larger "hZone" value corresponds to a given line spacing midpoint being closer, while a smaller "hZone" value corresponds to a given line spacing midpoint being farther. In this example, "warmScale" is used to scale down the "hZone" value so that smaller (shorter) flames are darker orange (warmer) and larger (taller) flames are bluer (cooler). In this example, if the fuel value is low (e.g., 50), "warmScale" causes the flame to add no white color on any row, making the flame appear more orange (warmer); if the fuel value is higher (e.g., 250), "warmScale" will not perform any operation, making the flame larger (higher) and showing more blue (cooler).

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the simulated flame process takes into account the wind forces occurring on the flame. At time T0', an actuation value A0' is determined for the LED in row 0 '. The actuation value a0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of each LED in row 0' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[0]；

dim＝lim(bri-25)；

r＝0；

g＝dim*.2；

b＝dim*.2；

w＝0；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,0,200).

the "bri" variable is simply the initial fuel value for row 0'. The "0" in the parenthesis of the "setRows" function represents the line number, and the "200" in the parenthesis of the "setRows" function represents the wind circle (wind circle) for line 0'. In an embodiment, the values of the windband are predetermined for rows 0 'and 1', and are calculated for rows 2 '-10'. In this example, a smaller value indicates a smaller radius of the given row of the windband, and a larger value indicates a larger radius of the given row of the windband. How different windband radii affect the illumination of the LEDs on different rows will be discussed in further detail below with reference to fig. 8A-8B. In this example, at approximately time T0', the actuation value A0' activates the LEDs in row 0 'and generally corresponds to the desired characteristic (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 0'.

Row 1 'is adjacent row 0' upward. At time T1 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T0'), the actuation value B0 'for the LEDs in row 1' is determined. The actuation value B0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 1' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[1]；

setHzone(bri,46)；

dim＝lim(bri-46)*1.2；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.5；

b＝dim*.08；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*15}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,1,150).

the actuation value B0' actuates the LEDs in row 1' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 1 '. At substantially the same time at time T1', the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value a1' determined by the second fuel value.

Row 2 'is upwardly adjacent row 1'. At time T2 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T1'), the actuation value C0 'for the LEDs in row 2' is determined. The actuation value C0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 2' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[2]；

setHzone(bri,67)；

dim＝lim(bri-67)*1.35；

r＝dim*1.5；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*120}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,2,hZone*250).

the actuation value C0' actuates the LEDs in row 2' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 2 '. At substantially the same time at time T2', the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by an actuation value B1 ' determined based on the second fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value a2' determined based on the third fuel value.

Row 3 'is adjacent up to row 2'. At time T3 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T2'), the actuation value D0 'for the LEDs in row 3' is determined. The actuation value D0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 3' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[3]；

setHzone(bri,88)；

dim＝lim(bri-88)*1.5；

r＝dim*1.5；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*140}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,3,hZone*250).

the actuation value D0' actuates the LEDs in row 3' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 3 '. At substantially the same time at time T3', the LEDs in row 2' are actuated by an actuation value C1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by an actuation value a2' determined based on the third fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value A3' determined based on the fourth fuel value.

Row 4 'is adjacent row 3' upward. At time T4' (e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T3 '), the actuation values for the LEDs in row 4' are determined. The actuation value E0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 4' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[4]；

setHzone(bri,109)；

dim＝lim(bri-109)*1.7；

r＝dim*1.5；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*165}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,4,hZone*250).

the actuation value E0' actuates the LEDs in row 4' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 4 '.

At substantially the same time at time T4', the LEDs in row 3' are actuated by an actuation value D1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 2' are actuated by an actuation value C2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by an actuation value B3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value a4' determined based on the fifth fuel value.

Row 5 'is adjacent row 4' upward. At time T5 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T4'), the actuation value F0 'for the LEDs in row 5' is determined. The actuation value F0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 5' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[5]；

setHzone(bri,130)；

dim＝lim(bri-130)*2；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*190}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,5,hZone*250).

the actuation value F0' actuates the LEDs in row 5' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 5 '.

Similar to that described above, at substantially the same time at time T5', the LEDs in row 4' are actuated by an actuation value E1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 3' are actuated by an actuation value D2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 2' are driven by an actuation value C3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by an actuation value B4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value A5' determined based on the sixth fuel value.

Row 6 'is upwardly adjacent row 5'. At time T6 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T5'), the actuation value G0 'for the LEDs in row 6' is determined. The actuation value G0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 6' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[6]；

setHzone(bri,151)；

dim＝lim(bri-151)*2.4；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*200}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,6,hZone*250).

the actuation value G0' actuates the LEDs in row 6' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 6 '.

Similar to that described above, at substantially the same time at time T6', the LEDs in row 5' are actuated by an actuation value F1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 4' are actuated by an actuation value E2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 3' are actuated by an actuation value D3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2' are actuated by an actuation value C4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by an actuation value B5' determined based on the sixth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value A6' determined based on the seventh fuel value.

Row 7 'is upwardly adjacent to row 6'. At time T7 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T6'), the actuation values H0 'for the LEDs in row 7' are determined. The actuation value H0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each portion of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 7' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[7]；

setHzone(bri,172)；

dim＝lim(bri-172)*3.04；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*190}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,7,hZone*250).

the actuation value H0' actuates the LEDs in row 7' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and flicker) of the output light of the LEDs in row 7 '.

At substantially the same time at time T7', the LEDs in row 6' are actuated by an actuation value G1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 5' are actuated by an actuation value F2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 4' are actuated by an actuation value E3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3' are actuated by an actuation value D4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2' are driven by an actuation value C5' determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are driven by an actuation value B6' determined based on the seventh fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value a7' determined based on the eighth fuel value.

Row 8 'is adjacent row 7' upward. At time T8 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T7'), the actuation value I0 'for the LEDs in row 8' is determined. The actuation value I0 'includes a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 8', and may be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[8]；

setHzone(bri,193)；

dim＝lim(bri-193)*4.06；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*180}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,8,hZone*225).

the actuation value I0' actuates the LEDs in row 8' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 8 '.

At substantially the same time at time T8', the LEDs in row 7' are actuated by an actuation value H1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 6' are actuated by an actuation value G2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 5' are actuated by an actuation value F3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4' are actuated by an actuation value E4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3' are driven by a drive value D5' determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2' are driven by a drive value C6' determined based on the seventh fuel value, the LEDs in row 1' are actuated by a drive value B7' determined based on the eighth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0' are actuated by an actuation value a8' determined based on the ninth fuel value.

Row 9 'is upwardly adjacent to row 8'. At time T9 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T8'), the actuation values J0 'for the LEDs in row 3' are determined. The actuation value J0 'includes a value representing the brightness of each of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 9', and may be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[9]；

setHzone(bri,214)；

dim＝lim(bri-214)*6.19；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*180}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,9,hZone*200).

the actuation value J0' actuates the LEDs in row 9' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 9 '.

At substantially the same time, the LEDs in row 8 'are actuated by an actuation value I1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 7 'are actuated by an actuation value H2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 6 'are actuated by an actuation value G3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 5 'are actuated by an actuation value F4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4 'are actuated by an actuation value E5' determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 'are actuated by an actuation value D6' determined based on the seventh fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 'are actuated by an actuation value C7' determined based on the eighth fuel value, the LEDs in row 1 'are actuated by an actuation value B8' determined based on the ninth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0 'are actuated by an actuation value a9' determined based on the tenth fuel value.

Row 10 'is upwardly adjacent to row 9'. At time T10 '(e.g., 25 milliseconds after time T9'), the actuation value K0 'for the LEDs in row 3' is determined. The actuation value K0 'contains a value representing the brightness of each portion of the red, green, blue and white portions of the LEDs in row 10' and can be calculated as "setRows" by the following code:

bri＝fuel[10]；

setHzone(bri,235)；

dim＝lim(bri-235)*12.19；

r＝dim；

g＝r*.19；

b＝0；

if(dim>0){w＝warmScale*130}；and

setRows(r,g,b,w,10,hZone*250).

the actuation value K0' actuates the LEDs in row 10' and generally corresponds to the desired characteristics (e.g., intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, pause, and blink) of the output light of the LEDs in row 10 '.

Substantially simultaneously, the LEDs in row 9 'are actuated by an actuation value J1' determined based on the second fuel value, the LEDs in row 8 'are actuated by an actuation value I2' determined based on the third fuel value, the LEDs in row 7 'are actuated by an actuation value H3' determined based on the fourth fuel value, the LEDs in row 6 'are actuated by an actuation value G4' determined based on the fifth fuel value, the LEDs in row 5 'are actuated by an actuation value F5' determined based on the sixth fuel value, the LEDs in row 4 'are actuated by an actuation value E6' determined based on the seventh fuel value, the LEDs in row 3 'are actuated by an actuation value D7' determined based on the eighth fuel value, the LEDs in row 2 'are actuated by an actuation value C8' determined based on the ninth fuel value, the LEDs in row 1 'are actuated by an actuation value B9' determined based on the tenth fuel value, and the LEDs in row 0 'are actuated by an actuation value a10' determined based on the eleventh fuel value.

It should be understood that the process described herein may be iterative in the time that the illumination device 100 is energized. It is also understood that T0', T1', T2', etc. may be consecutive time intervals. Although 25 milliseconds are used as time intervals in the above example, such consecutive time intervals may be any length of time greater than 1 nanosecond. Furthermore, the time intervals may, but need not, be equal. For example, T0 'may be 25 milliseconds, T1' may be 30 milliseconds, and so on. Or T0 'may be 25 milliseconds and T1' may be 10 milliseconds.

Although 11 rows of LEDs are shown in the example provided herein, the invention is not necessarily limited to 11 rows of LEDs, and such lighting devices may include other numbers of rows of LEDs, alone or in combination, in achieving similar functionality.

In addition to the flickering effect, the simulated flames may also be configured to simulate the bending of the flames in the wind in order to more realistically simulate a fire. To this end, two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) representing discrete wind points (windpoints) in a given row are introduced into the above-described simulation, which is described in further detail below.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the LED strip 300 in a two-dimensional plane. Similar to the fuel values being transferred on each row of each cycle, the X and Y values of the wind points may also be transferred up into each row in each cycle. In addition, at each new row, a new discrete wind point (e.g., X and Y coordinates) is assigned to the row, which may be randomly generated (e.g., optionally generated by a random number generator). The X and Y values passed from the previous row are added or subtracted (depending on the X and Y values) with the X and Y values of the new discrete wind point. For example, in one embodiment, the LEDs in row 1 may have a wind point where X is 0 and Y is 0. The LEDs in row 2 may be assigned a wind point with coordinates X ═ 1 and Y ═ 2. And, the LEDs in row 3 are assigned wind points with coordinates X-2 and Y-1. Since the X and Y values from row 2 are passed to row 3, the resulting X and Y coordinates from row 3 are X-3 and Y-1. These X and Y values are then passed to row 4 and added to (or subtracted from, as the case may be) the X and Y values assigned to the discrete wind points of row 4. Thus, due to the effect of the simulated wind, the top row of LEDs will have the greatest motion because the X and Y coordinate values are added as the process progresses up the vertically aligned row of LEDs.

The location of the wind point is directly related to the illumination intensity of the LEDs in a particular LED row. The intensity may be output as a brightness or color (e.g., white more than warm). As shown below, a wind point equidistant from all LEDs in a particular row will result in each LED in that row being of equal or substantially equal intensity. However, as the wind point moves closer to, and thus further away from, certain LEDs, the LED closest to the wind point will have a higher intensity than the LED further from the wind point.

Fig. 6A-6B illustrate an exemplary control of 4 LEDs substantially aligned in a two-dimensional horizontal plane or "row". The two dimensional coordinates (X, Y) represent the relative position of the wind points, indicating wind effects in a two dimensional plane. Fig. 6A shows the LEDs in row 1 in the 4 LED columns, the wind point having two-dimensional coordinates X-0 and Y-0, and being equidistant from all the LEDs in that row (311-. In other words, each of the

LEDs

311, 312, 313, and 314 has an equal or substantially equal intensity. Also in this case no numbers will be passed up to the next row, either added or subtracted from the new value.

Fig. 6B shows LEDs in another row. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the wind point has a two-dimensional coordinate (3, 1) that places the wind point closest to the LED 322 and farthest from the LED 324. In this case, the intensity of the LED 322 is the greatest, while the intensity of the LED324 is the smallest of the 4 LEDs shown in the figure. Similarly, the intensities of the LEDs in the other rows are selectively actuated in the same manner, creating the effect of bending the flame in the wind.

It should be understood that although only one row of LEDs on one two-dimensional horizontal plane is shown in fig. 6B, the rows of LEDs on the other planes may have their own two-dimensional coordinates indicating their own simulated wind bending effects, which may be the same or different from the wind bending effects shown in fig. 6B.

Fig. 7A-7C show examples of how wind points pass from row 3 to row 5 along a horizontal axis and how this movement affects each row of LEDs along the way. As described, in the embodiment, at each successive time interval, the fuel value is passed up from the lower row. The wind point (X, Y) represented by (window X, window Y) in the simulation similarly moves upward. In addition, at each successive time interval, all of the windows x and y values are varied by adding or subtracting random numbers (or semi-random numbers) to simulate the wind effect. As the figure advances from fig. 7A to fig. 7C, the wind point moves away from the LED columns. In this simulation, LED 331 is brighter than LED 341, and LED 341 is itself brighter than LED 351, due to the movement of the wind point location as the process moves up the column. Similarly, LED 332 is brighter than LED 342, and LED 342 itself is brighter than LED 352 due to the movement of the wind point location as the process moves up the column.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the iteration of the window X and window Y values is performed as follows. At each successive time interval, the wind point coordinate values (window X, window Y) are calculated as

Here, the values of widXi and widYi are iterated during the calculation of row i. In this embodiment, windows x [ i ] and windows y [ i ] in row 0' have initial values of windows x [0] ═ 0 and windows y [0] ═ 0. During the iteration of row i or row i, a random or semi-random number is added to or subtracted from the wind-point values (window X [ i-1], window Y [ i-1]) received by row i from row i-1 to generate the wind-point values (window X [ i ], window [ i ]) for row i. In other words, the iteration of the wind point values (windows X [ i ], windows Y [ i ]) for row i is based on the wind point values (windows X [ i-1], windows Y [ i-1]) for the previous row i-1, and this dependency of the wind point values continues from row i up to row 0', the initial wind point value for row 0' being (0, 0).

Further, the distance between the wind point and each LED in a given row is calculated as a "dist" function by the following code:

double dist(double x1,double y1,double x2,double y2){

int distance＝sqrt((x1-x2)*(x1-x2)+(y1-y2)*(y1-y2))；

return distance}.

here, "double x 1" and "double y 1" are coordinate values of a local LED, and "double x 2" and "double y 2" are coordinate values of a wind point in a two-dimensional horizontal plane in which the local LED is located.

Similar to the aforementioned, in this embodiment, the wind point coordinates are iterated in each calculation of a given row. For example, row 0' will always have a (0, 0) wind point. Also, the wind points (window x (3), window y (3)) of row 3' would iterate three times from the original wind points (window x (0), window y (0)). Similarly, the wind points on row 5' (windX (5), windY (5)) will iterate five times from the original wind points (windX (0), windY (0)).

In view of the above windward simulation, the LED is actuated by calculating the actuation value as a function of "setRows" from the following code:

in addition to the above calculations of Red/Green/Blue/White values, wind point movement, and distance between the wind point and the LED, "cooler" is a variable that darkens the LED as the distance between the LED and the wind point increases. The local "rad" variable is the incoming previous "hZone" value. As described above, a smaller "rad" value indicates a smaller radius windband for a given row, and a larger "rad" value indicates a larger radius windband for a given row. This is illustrated further in fig. 8A-8B.

FIG. 8A shows a simulated flame without the wind effect. In this case, the wind points of all rows remain at the central (0, 0) position like a straight spine. The black line is the wind circle determined based on the coordinates of the wind point. The LEDs in each row are all equidistant from the wind point on each two-dimensional horizontal plane and therefore all have the same intensity (e.g., brightness) based on the wind effect. However, the LEDs in the middle row are brighter and whiter than the LEDs on the top or bottom rows because the LEDs in the middle row are closer to the midpoint of the flame. FIG. 8B shows the simulated bending of the flame in a typical gust of wind. The wind point in row 0' remains at the center (0, 0) point, while the other wind points above are offset from the central axis. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, LED 441 is brightest, as it is both closest to the wind point of its row and closest to the midpoint of the flame. The LEDs in row 6' and below are partially or fully within the calculated windband of the row in which they are located and are therefore partially or fully activated. The LEDs located above row 6' are so far from the wind point that they are not within the calculated wind circle of the row in which they are located. In this case, the LEDs located above row 6' are not activated at all. Thus, by moving the wind point locations line by line, LEDs near the wind point are illuminated, LEDs far from the wind point are darkened, and LEDs outside the wind circle where the wind point is located are turned off to simulate the bending of the flame caused by a wind gust.

The above demonstrates flame simulation by driving the LEDs based on fuel value, distance to midpoint, and wind effect. However, in alternative embodiments, simulating a flame by actuating the LEDs may be based solely on fuel value, distance to midpoint, or wind effect, or any combination of these factors.

Further, the fuel value, wind point value, distance value, or any other initial value may be generated by a random number generator, a semi-random number generator, or a manual input. Alternatively, it may be generated by a pseudo random number generator, a deterministic random bit generator, a hardware random number generator, a cryptographic algorithm, an algorithmic pattern (sine or cosine wave) number generator, a periodic pattern number generator, or any other deterministic or deterministic number generating algorithm.

Additionally, one or more sensors (e.g., wind sensors) may be used, alone or in combination, to measure and determine the initial values. For example, a wind sensor may measure wind in an environment and generate a wind point value based on the measurement. The sensors may be configured to extract weather data (including but not limited to wind data) at different times and locations from the weather broadcast and generate wind values based on the weather data.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure also provides flame simulation methods and systems using LEDs and microcontrollers based on spark simulation and/or permanent intermediate simulation. The microcontroller runs a program to control the LEDs, the program utilizing object oriented programming. A simulation is created that represents the rising spark within and at the center of the flame, the properties of the flame accommodating the sparks passing through and above it. The LEDs may be vertically aligned in a single row or may include groups in which some of the groupings are adjacent above or below other groupings. The LEDs can be arranged in numerous directions, as long as some LEDs are higher or lower than others.

9-11 illustrate spark simulation at different times during a simulation cycle in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment. The spark simulation uses ten rows of LEDs numbered from row 1 to row 10, with the bottom LED unit or group being row 1 and the top LED unit or group being row 10.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a spark simulation. In this simulation, the height (Altidude) was defined as 0 to 1000, with 0 being the lowest and 1000 being the highest. The 10 rows of LEDs are arranged on top of each other in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 9, row 1 is at a height of 200, row 2 is at a height of 272, row 3 is at a height of 344, row 4 is at a height of 416, row 5 is at a height of 488, row 6 is at a height of 561, row 7 is at a height of 633, row 8 is at a height of 705, row 9 is at a height of 777, and row 10 is at a height of 850. It should be understood that although fig. 9 illustrates a spark simulation with a non-limiting height arrangement of 10 rows of LEDs, the LED units or groups may be arranged in different numbers, positions, heights, orientations, and/or different relative distances from each other. It should also be understood that although the LED units or groups in fig. 9 are arranged above each other in the vertical direction, they may be arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, diagonal direction or other angled direction, either individually or in combination. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the spark is represented in the simulation software, including an integer variable called "center". The range of spark centers (0 to 1000 heights in this exemplary embodiment) is the range of heights of the sparks, and the value of the spark center is the height of the sparks. For example, the height of the spark center with a height of 100 is lower, while the height of the spark center with a height of 900 is higher. The center of the spark is its brightest area. Areas further from the center of the spark are less bright. The area outside the maximum spread of the spark is completely dark. The center of the simulated spark in fig. 9 is at 450 f. The closer a given LED row is to the height of the spark center 450, the brighter it will be; the farther the LED row is from the height of the spark center 450, the darker it will be. For example, the LEDs in row 4 at height 416 are brightest, the LEDs in row 3 at height 344 are next to brighter, the LEDs in row 5 at height 488 are immediately followed by the LEDs in row 2 at height 272, and the LEDs in row 6 at height 561 are smallest. The LEDs in rows 7-10 and the LEDs in row 1 are outside the maximum extension of the simulated spark. Thus, they are completely closed. The different brightness levels of the LED rows are indicated by the different shades of gray in the figure, where white is 100% on and black is 0% on (100% off). Specifically, the LED brightness may be determined by the following code.

LED Brightness Function

d＝ledAltidude-center；and

ledTemp＝temp*(spread-d/spread).

As indicated by the code above, d is the distance from the center of the spark to the height of the LED. ledAlstedide is the height of the LED, center is the height of the spark center, ledTemp is the brightness value used to control the LED power to achieve varying brightness, temp is the brightness of the LED at the same height as the spark center, and spread is the distance from the spark center within which the LED lamp will no longer receive any brightness.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the first half (the "rising" half) of the spark simulation cycle from time T1 to time T4. At time T1, a spark simulation cycle begins. The spark center is below the LED in row 1, and the upper end of the maximum spread (max spread) passes through row 1. The LEDs in rows 2-10 are beyond the maximum extension and are completely extinguished. From this time on, the brightness of the spark starts to increase. At time T2, the spark center moves upward near row 1 and the upper end of the spark reaches row 3. The intensity of the spark continues to increase as the center of the spark continues to move upward. At time T3, the center of the spark passes row 2 and the upper end of the spark passes row 4. Similar to T2, the intensity of the spark remains increasing as the center of the spark continues to move upward. At time T4, the spark center moves near row 4, the upper end of the spark reaches row 6, and the lower end of the spark is between

rows

1 and 2. The brightness of the spark reaches its peak in the first half of the simulation period ("the rising half"). It should be appreciated that while diffusion remains relatively constant in the ascending spark simulation from time T1 to time T4, its value may vary randomly or automatically according to a preset program or manual input. For example, the spread may increase from time T1 to time T4 and peak at time T4. Alternatively, the extension may increase from time T1 to time T2 and decrease from time T3 to time T4.

Next, FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the second half of the spark simulation cycle (the "scaled down" half) from time T5 to time T9 after the first half of the spark simulation at times T1 to T4 illustrated in FIG. 10. At time T5, the spark center reaches the middle of the spark simulation and is located between rows 5 and 6. From this time, the maximum spread of the spark begins to decrease. At time T6, the spark center is near row 7. As the center of the spark continues to move upward, the maximum spread of the spark is continuously reduced. At time T7, the spark center passes row 8, and the spread continues to decrease as the spark center continues to move upward. At time T8, the simulated spark terminates and the expansion or diffusion diminishes to zero. All 10 rows of LEDs do not have any brightness. T9 is similar to T8: no spark, no diffusion and no brightness. In some embodiments of single spark simulation, at time T9, the spread value of a single spark, its intensity, and the rate at which its center increases all change until they are similar to that at time T1, indicating the end of the current spark simulation cycle and the beginning of the next spark simulation cycle. In other embodiments of spark simulation, at time T9, those values may be changed to other numbers, integers, or percentages different from their values at time T1.

It should be appreciated that while the intensity of the simulated spark remains relatively constant in the scaled-down spark simulation from time T5 to time T7, its value may vary randomly or automatically according to a preset program or manual input. For example, the brightness may decrease from time T5 to time T7. Alternatively, it may increase from time T5 to time 6 and decrease from time T7 to time T9.

Fig. 12 shows an example of a permanent intermediate simulation. Similar to the spark simulation in FIG. 9, the permanent middle simulation in FIG. 12 also has 10 rows of LEDs arranged vertically above each other, with the permanent middle centers near row 4' being brightest. The closer a given LED row is to the permanent center of the middle, the higher its brightness; the farther an LED row is from the permanent center, the darker its brightness. For example, in FIG. 12, the LEDs in row 4' are brightest, the LEDs in row 3' are next to the brightness, the LEDs in row 5' are next to the brightness, and so on. The luminance of row 7' is lowest. The LEDs in rows 8 '-10' are beyond the maximum extension in the middle of the simulation permanence. Thus, they are completely closed.

In some embodiments, the permanent intermediate simulation does not rise or terminate as in the spark simulation. In other embodiments, the permanent intermediate simulation is raised or terminated like a spark simulation.

The permanent intermediate simulation may use the same LED brightness function as the spark simulation to calculate the brightness it provides to each LED unit or group. Alternatively, the permanent intermediate simulation may use a different LED brightness function than the spark simulation to calculate brightness.

It should be understood that although fig. 12 shows a permanent intermediate simulation with a non-limiting height arrangement of 10 rows of LEDs numbered from row 1 'to row 10', where the bottom group is row 1 'and the top group is row 10', the LED units or groups may be arranged in different numbers, positions, heights, orientations, and/or different relative distances from each other. It should further be understood that although the LED units or groups in fig. 12 are arranged above each other in the vertical direction, they may be arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, diagonal direction or in other angled directions, either individually or in combination.

13-21 illustrate a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a flame simulation based on a combination of a permanent intermediate simulation and a spark simulation over a simulation period from time T1 to time T9. Fig. 13-16 show the first half or half of the flame simulation cycle from time T1 to time T4 (the "ascending" half) based on a combination of a permanent middle simulation and an ascending flame simulation. 17-21 illustrate the second half or half of the flame simulation cycle from time T5 to time T9 (the "reduced" half portion) based on a combination of a permanent intermediate simulation and a reduced flame simulation.

As shown in fig. 13-21, the flame simulation utilizes ten rows of LEDs numbered from row 1 "to row 10", with the bottom cell or group being row 1 "and the top cell or group being row 10". The LED units or groups may be arranged in different numbers, positions, heights, orientations and/or different distances relative to each other. It should be understood that although the LED units or groups in fig. 13 are arranged above each other in the vertical direction, they may be arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, diagonal direction or other angled direction, either individually or in combination. The spark simulation shown in fig. 13-21 may be the same as or different from the spark simulation or permanent intermediate simulation shown in fig. 9-12. The individual simulated flames/sparks/permanent intermediates, their brightness, and the rate of increase at their centers can be randomly or automatically set according to a preset program or manual input. In some embodiments, creating multiple simulated sparks, permanent intermediates, and/or flames with one or more of these values may help simulate changes in an actual flame.

In each of the ten rows, the brightness of the LED for simulating flames is calculated by adding the brightness of the LED for simulating permanent middle and the brightness of the LED for simulating sparks. For example, row 1 ″, row 1 '+ row 1, row 2 ″, row 2' + row 2, and so on. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by adding the control integers for the permanent middle analog LED and the spark analog LED and driving the summed LEDs with the added control integers. The permanent intermediate may be independent of the rising or diminishing spark or may be time varying to account for the rising or diminishing spark. Alternatively, the brightness of the LEDs used to simulate flames in one row may be calculated by adding the brightness of the LEDs used to simulate the permanent middle in the second row and the brightness of the LEDs used to simulate the spark in the third row. The number of rows of flame simulating LED rows, spark simulating LED rows or permanent intermediate LED rows may be the same or different. For example, row 5 ″ + row 6', or row 2 ″ + row 3', row 8 '.

Fig. 13-16 show the first half or half of the flame simulation based on a combination of the permanent intermediate simulation and the ascending spark simulation (the "ascending" half) during the simulation period from time T1 to time T4. In the first half of the simulation cycle, the brightness of the permanent mid and rising sparks are summed together and the summed LED brightness values are electrically sent to the LEDs at T1, T2, T3 and T4 to activate the LEDs. 17-21 illustrate the second half or half of the flame simulation based on the combination of the permanent intermediate simulation and the scaled-down spark simulation (the "scaled-down" half) over the simulation period from time T5 to time T9. In the second half of the simulation cycle, the brightness of the permanent middle and reduced sparks are added together and the resulting LED brightness values are then electrically sent to the LEDs at T5, T6, T7, T8, and T9 to activate the LEDs. The brightness value of the flame/spark/permanent intermediate may be an integer or percentage of one or more LED controls. In some embodiments of single flame simulation, at time T9, the spread value of the single simulated flame/spark/permanent middle, its intensity, and the rate at which its center increases all change until they are similar to when they were at time T1, which indicates the end of the current flame simulation cycle and the beginning of the next flame simulation cycle. In other embodiments of multiple flame simulations, at time T9, those values may be changed to other numbers, integers, or percentages different from their values at time T1.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T1. It is the beginning of the first half of the flame simulation cycle (the "rise" half). The permanent middle has a brightest center located near row 4 and an expanded extent of about 3 rows. The spark center starts below row 1' and then moves upward. The upper end of the spark extension reaches row 1', and thus, the LEDs of rows 2' through 10' are not activated at time T1. From this time on, the brightness of the spark starts to increase. This simulated flame combines simulated permanent middle and simulated spark, and therefore, has its brightest center located near row 4 ". As the center of the spark continues to move upward, the brightness of the simulated flame begins to increase.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T2. Substantially the same as that of time T1 in the permanent middle of time T2. The spark center now reaches row 1'. The upper end of the spark extension reaches row 3'. The simulated flame combines simulated permanent middle and simulated spark, and therefore has the brightest center near row 4 ". The brightness of the simulated spark and simulated flame continues to increase as the center of the spark continues to move upward.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T3. The permanent middle at time T3 is substantially the same as that at time T2. The spark center now passes through row 2'. The upper end of the spark extension passes through row 4 'and the lower end of the spark is below row 1'. The simulated flame combines simulated permanent middle and simulated spark with the brightest center located between rows 3 "and 4". The brightness of the simulated spark and simulated flame continues to increase as the center of the spark continues to move upward.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a flame simulation combining a permanent intermediate simulation and a rising spark simulation at time T4. It is the end of the upper half of the flame simulation cycle (the "rise" portion). The permanent middle at time T4 is substantially the same as that at time T3. The spark center continues to move up and reaches row 4'. The upper end of the spark extension reaches row 6 'and the lower end of the spark reaches row 2'. In the first half of the simulation period from time T1 to time T4, the brightness of the spark continues to increase and peaks. It should be appreciated that while the spread of the spark remains relatively constant in the ascending spark simulation from time T1 to time T4, its value may vary randomly or automatically according to a preset program or manual input. The simulated flame combines simulated permanent middle and simulated spark, with the brightest center located near row 4 ". Similar to the brightness of the simulated spark, the brightness of the simulated flame continuously increases and peaks during the simulated time from time T1 to time T4.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a flame simulation incorporating a permanent middle and a pinch-out spark at time T5. It is the beginning of the second half of the flame simulation cycle (the "reduced" half portion). The brightness in the eternal middle at time T5 begins to decrease and spread, and has the brightest center between

rows

3 and 4. The spark center continues to move up and through row 5'. As the spark center continues to move upward, the spread of the spark begins to decrease. The simulated flame combines a simulated permanent middle and a simulated spark, the brightest center of the flame begins to split as the brightest center of the permanent middle and the brightest center of the spark move in opposite directions.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a flame simulation incorporating a permanent middle and a pinch-out spark at time T6. The permanent middle of time T6 continues to decrease in brightness and expand, with the brightest center located near row 3. The spark center continues to move up and reaches row 7'. As the spark center continues to move upward, the spread of the spark continues to decrease. The simulated flame combines simulated permanent intermediate and simulated spark. The brightest center of the flame at time T5 splits into two bright portions at time T6. The upper light portion continues to move up to near row 7 "and the lower light portion continues to move down to near row 3".

FIG. 19 shows an example of a flame simulation incorporating a permanent middle and a pinch-out spark at time T7. The permanent middle of time T7 is continuously reduced and brightness and divergence reach a minimum. The brightest center of the permanent centers is near row 3. The spark center continues to move up and reaches row 8'. As the spark center continues to move upward, the spread of the spark continues to decrease. The simulated flame combines simulated permanent middle and simulated spark and has two bright portions. The upper bright portion of the flame continues to move up to row 8 "while the lower bright portion continues to move down to near row 3".

FIG. 20 shows an example of a flame simulation incorporating a permanent middle and a pinch-out spark at time T8. The permanent middle of time T8 begins to increase in brightness and expand and has the brightest center located between

rows

3 and 4. The simulated spark is terminated and the expansion of the simulated spark is reduced to zero at time T8. Since the simulated spark has now terminated, the simulated flame is similar to a simulated permanent middle.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a flame simulation incorporating a permanent middle and a pinch-out spark at time T9. It is the end of the second half of the flame simulation cycle (the "reduced" half portion). The brightness in the permanent middle of time T8 increases and peaks and spreads, similar to those at time T1. Further, the permanent middle has the brightest center located near row 4, which is also similar to that at time T1. As with time T8, at time T9 there is no simulated spark, and the simulated flame is similar to a simulated permanent middle.

It should be appreciated that while the intensity of the simulated spark remains relatively constant in the scaled-down spark simulation from time T5 to time T7, its value may vary randomly or automatically according to a preset program or manual input. For example, the brightness may decrease from time T5 to time T7.

It should be understood that a "row" of lighting units (e.g., LEDs) may refer to a horizontal grouping of a plurality of lighting units, but is not necessarily limited to such horizontal grouping. In embodiments, a "row" may comprise different horizontal or vertical positions of a single lighting unit or a combined plurality of lighting units. In one embodiment, a single lighting unit may comprise a plurality of lighting sections arranged vertically and/or horizontally, and these lighting sections may be actuated individually or in combination. In this case, different rows may refer to different parts of a single lighting unit, alone or in combination, rather than different lighting units, alone or in combination. The lighting units (or lighting portions of a single lighting unit) may be actuated based on positioning relative to other lighting units (or lighting portions of a single lighting unit). For example, as described herein, a value may be passed "up" from one row to the next. However, in the case where the LEDs are not positioned in a true "row," values may be passed from LEDs having a lower position (e.g., vertical position) to LEDs having a higher position (e.g., vertical position). Each LED may be configured to determine its distance from one or more nearby LEDs, and values may be passed from one LED to another based on the relative positions of the LEDs. When these values take altitude, X and Y values corresponding to the wind point may be additionally specified.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, flames may be simulated by alternatively or further incorporating a tortuous feature that allows the LED display to appear as if the flames were dancing or jumping. The meandering feature may be realized by randomly varying the height of the permanent middle. Although by definition the permanent middle is permanent in nature, changes in properties of the permanent middle (e.g., maximum extension, center, and brightness) may enhance the display effect. More specifically, by varying various characteristics in the middle of the permanence, the flame can more accurately mimic the dancing or jumping exhibited by a real flame.

Fig. 22-27 show a permanent intermediate simulation in combination with a meandering simulation effect. The permanent intermediate simulation is described above with reference to fig. 12. Fig. 22 shows the permanent middle at time 1 (T1). The brightest point along the LED line occurs between the centre or

LED rows

7 and 8. The brightness decreases towards the maximum expansion top and the maximum expansion bottom. The meander analog effect randomly varies the center (i.e., the brightest point) to create a dancing effect of a real flame. The value of the target (target 1 in fig. 22) can be randomly selected by the code. In addition, the code will randomly select an acceleration value. As described herein, acceleration is defined as the change in height of the center from time 1(T1) to time 2 (T2). The acceleration may be positive or negative depending on the target value. Here, target 1 is lower than center, so the defined value of acceleration is negative, making the permanent middle squat towards target 1.

FIG. 23 shows time 2(T2), the center and the top of the maximum spread having moved downward toward target 1 according to the defined acceleration values. The center is still equidistant from the top and bottom of the maximum extension range. In most cases where acceleration is negative, the bottom of the maximum extended range does not alter altitude or height. Instead, the top of the maximum extension range will decrease towards the defined target. Similarly, in the case of a positive acceleration, the top of the maximum extension will in most cases not change height, but the bottom of the maximum extension will increase towards the defined target.

Next, at time 3(T3), as shown in fig. 24, the center and the top of the maximum expansion range have moved downward toward the target 1 by a distance equal to the value of the acceleration. Again, this center is equidistant from the top and bottom of the maximum expansion region. At T3, the center reaches target 1. When the center is less than or equal to target 1, the code randomly selects a new value for target (target 2). The new target value must be within a defined range, here between a maximum range upper limit and a maximum range lower limit. Since the center is lower than or equal to the maximum range lower limit, the target 2 must be defined at a height higher than the target 1. The program may also select a new acceleration value, or the acceleration value may remain unchanged (however, depending on the target value, the value may be positive or negative).

Fig. 25 shows a simulation at time 4 (T4). Here, the code selects a value for target 2, where target 2 has a higher height than target 1. Therefore, the acceleration value must be positive. Continuing next to time T5, as shown in FIG. 26, the center has moved upward toward object 2a distance equal to the acceleration value. Again, at time T6, the center has moved up to target 2 as shown in fig. 27. Since the center has reached target 2, the code will randomly select a new target value and optionally an acceleration value, and the center will react accordingly.

The meander simulation effect may work with various other simulation effects. For example, the meandering simulation may be combined with the spark simulation. In such a combination, the height of the permanent center at any given time affects the time at which the spark begins to diminish. The trigger for the spark to begin to contract may be, for example, when the center of the spark passes through the center of the permanent center or very near the permanent center (e.g., center x 1.3 or center x 0.7).

While the tortuosity simulation is described in one dimension, it should be understood that the simulation may be performed in two or three dimensions to more accurately simulate a flame.

As described herein, the presence of simulated wind may help accurately simulate flame movement. Candles typically exhibit a soft, smooth change in brightness and movement when there is little wind. However, in the presence of a strong wind, the candle may flicker or twinkle more quickly. Wind speed, as it relates to other embodiments of the invention, is a variable that can vary over time, similar to the way a permanent central meander is simulated according to the meander described immediately above.

28-31 illustrate exemplary embodiments of flame simulations based on a combination of permanent intermediate simulation, spark simulation, and wind variable simulation over a simulation period from time T1 to time T30. For illustrative purposes, the permanent intermediate and spark reduction in each time period remain static in height and spread. However, it should be appreciated that many sparks will pass through the permanent middle and contract during a particular time period. In addition, the permanent intermediate center may meander over time, as described immediately above.

For wind variable simulation, the wind speed value may be randomly selected by a program. In fig. 28, the wind speed values are very low to represent flames that are only slightly affected by the wind. However, the wind speed increases toward the target 1. As with the meander simulation, the target value (target 1 in this example) is randomly selected by the program and must fall within a maximum range. The increase in wind speed is based on a set wind acceleration rate, which may be programmed or randomly selected. Like the acceleration of the permanent center, the wind acceleration may be positive or negative depending on whether the wind speed is increasing (representing a positive wind speed acceleration) or decreasing (representing a negative wind speed acceleration). In fig. 28, the permanent center is at nearly full brightness (between LED rows 7 and 8) and the passing spark is very dim due to the low wind speed values. The result of the summation of the permanent intermediate and spark simulations at low wind speeds is a simulated flame that appears to be very stable with minimal flickering effects.

FIG. 29 represents time T10, showing that the wind speed has increased at the rate of wind acceleration. As a result, the permanent middle center between

LEDs

7 and 8 appears dark, while the spark across the permanent middle increases brightness. This change in brightness gives the impression that more flicker appears as the wind speed increases.

Again, in fig. 30, representing time T20, the wind speed has increased at the rate of wind acceleration. As a result, the permanent middle center between

LEDs

7 and 9 appears still darker and the spark passing through the permanent middle has increased brightness compared to time T10. The result is a more flickering impression.

At time T30, the value of the wind again increases, as shown in fig. 31, and has actually passed target 1. This will cause the program to randomly select a new target value, identified here as target 2. A new value for the wind acceleration may be defined in addition and in this example must be negative, since the target 2 is lower than the current wind speed value. From time T30 to time T40, for example, the wind speed value will decrease at the new wind acceleration rate until target 2 is reached. Once the wind speed value reaches target 2, a new target wind speed value is randomly selected by the program, along with the wind acceleration, value, and the process will continue.

In addition to randomly selecting new target values and wind acceleration values once wind speed passes the target, the program may also change values related to spark simulations running simultaneously (e.g., the rate of new spark ignition) and/or to permanent intermediate tortuosity simulations (e.g., acceleration of the tortuosity function, maximum upper range limit, maximum lower range limit, etc.). For example, increasing wind speed may cause the program to increase the acceleration value because it is associated with a permanent medium tortuosity simulation, and may additionally increase the total range between the maximum top and bottom. Laterally, lower wind speed values may result in a programmed decrease in acceleration values as it relates to a permanent medium camber simulation and the total range between the maximum top and bottom may be decreased.

It should be understood that the wind speed value may be accelerated or decelerated towards a random target set by a program as described herein, but in some embodiments, a hardware sensor such as a sound sensor, accelerometer, motion sensor, or other sensor may be used to control the wind value. When the sensor detects a particular event, the program may increase or decrease the wind speed accordingly. For example, in the case of a sound sensor, if the sensor detects a higher overall level of sound amplitude (i.e., the amplitude may be averaged over time), the wind speed value may increase; conversely, if the sensor detects a lower overall value of sound amplitude, the wind speed value may be decreased.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. The skilled person can develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated as being within the scope of the claims. Unless otherwise indicated, not all steps listed in the various figures must be performed in the particular order described.

Claims

1. An illumination device, comprising:

a housing having a cover and a base, the cover having an emission area;

a plurality of LEDs enclosed in the cover for emitting light through the emission area;

a power interface for electrically transmitting electricity to the plurality of LEDs; and

a control circuit in communication with each of the LEDs to cause the plurality of LEDs to simulate a flame having a spark, wherein the control circuit:

(a) calculating or accessing a first set of LED control integers for simulating a permanent middle having a permanent middle center and a permanent middle range, wherein within the permanent middle range one or more of the plurality of LEDs are to be at least partially actuated;

(b) calculating or accessing a second set of LED control integers for simulating a spark having a spark center and a spark range, wherein within the spark range one or more of the plurality of LEDs will be at least partially actuated;

(c) calculating a third set of LED control integers by adding the first set of LED control integers to the second set of LED control integers;

(d) actuating one or more of the plurality of LEDs based on the third set of LED control integers;

(e) calculating or accessing a fourth set of LED control integers for simulating upward movement of the spark and an increase in spark brightness;

(f) calculating a fifth set of LED control integers by adding the first set of LED control integers to the fourth set of LED control integers; and

(g) actuating one or more of the plurality of LEDs based on the fifth set of LED control integers.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein steps (a) to (c) are performed continuously.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein steps (a) to (g) are performed continuously.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein, at step (g), the control circuit actuates at least two of the plurality of LEDs based on the fifth set of LED control integers, the at least two actuated LEDs separated by at least one of the LEDs having a brightness less than a brightness of each of the at least two actuated LEDs.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises at least five LEDs, wherein each LED has a different altitude from one another.

6. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises at least ten LEDs, wherein each LED has a different altitude from one another.

7. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of LEDs are substantially aligned in at least one column.

8. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises LEDs facing in different angular directions about a longitudinal axis.

9. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein at all times during operation, the control circuit causes at least one of the plurality of LEDs to be activated and at least one of the plurality of LEDs to be deactivated.

10. An illumination device, comprising:

a housing having a cover and a base, the cover having an emission area;

(e) calculating or accessing a fourth set of LED control integers simulating the permanent intermediate brightness reduction and the permanent intermediate range reduction;

(f) calculating or accessing a fifth set of LED control integers for simulating spark-up motion and a reduction in said spark range;

(g) calculating a sixth set of LED control integers by adding the fourth set of LED control integers to the fifth set of LED control integers; and

(h) actuating one or more of the plurality of LEDs based on the sixth set of LED control integers.

11. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein:

steps (a) to (c) are performed continuously; and is

Steps (e) to (g) are performed continuously.

12. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein steps (a) to (h) are performed continuously.

13. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of LEDs are substantially aligned in at least one column.

14. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises LEDs facing in different angular directions about a longitudinal axis.

15. The lighting device of claim 10, wherein at all times during operation, the control circuit causes at least one of the plurality of LEDs to be activated and causes at least one of the plurality of LEDs to be deactivated.

16. A method for simulating a spark, comprising the steps of:

at time T1: actuating one or more LEDs to simulate a spark having a spark center and a spark range, wherein within the spark range one or more LEDs are at least partially actuated;

at time T2: actuating one or more LEDs to simulate upward movement of a spark and an increase in spark brightness;

at time T3: actuating one or more LEDs to simulate upward movement of the spark and a reduction in spark range; and

at time T4: one or more LEDs are actuated to terminate the spark simulation cycle and reset the state to that at time T1;

where time T1 precedes time T2, time T2 precedes time T3, and time T3 precedes time T4.