DE112015006797B4 - WALL CONTROLLER AND LAMP - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall controller (126) comprising:a user input interface (152) comprising:a first portion for receiving an indication of a dim level; anda second section for receiving a correlated color temperature (CCT) parameter from a user, the second section being separate from the first section;a user output interface (154) through which an indication of a CCT level is presented to the user; a communications interface (156, 158) to enable communications with at least one light (10); anda control circuit (148) associated with the user input interface (152), the user output interface (154), and the communications interface (156, 158), the control circuit (148) being configured to control the user output interface (156, 158). 154) to provide the display via the CCT level.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a luminaire and a wall controller therefor, in particular for controlling the color temperature of luminaires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, there has been a trend toward replacing incandescent bulbs with fixtures that use more efficient lighting technologies, as well as replacing relatively efficient fluorescent fixtures with lighting technologies that produce more pleasant natural light. One such technology, which is very promising, uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Compared to incandescent lamps, LED-based lights are much more efficient at converting electrical energy into light, last longer and can also produce light that is very natural. Compared to fluorescent lighting, LED-based lights are also very efficient, but are also able to produce light that is much more natural; they are able to reproduce or produce colors accurately. As a result, lights that use LED technologies are currently replacing incandescent and fluorescent lamps in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

Unlike incandescent bulbs, which work by exposing a wire to a desired current, LED-based lights require electronics to drive one or more LEDs. The electronics generally include a power supply and dedicated control circuitry to provide uniquely configured signals needed to drive the one or more LEDs in a desired manner. The presence of the control circuitry adds a potentially significant level of intelligence to the luminaires, which can be exploited to apply various types of lighting control. Such lighting control may be based on various environmental conditions, such as ambient light, occupancy, temperature, and the like.

US 2008/0291673 A1 relates to a lighting device with a lighting and a control unit in a base of the lighting device. JP H04-48585 A relates to a control device for the color temperature of a lamp. JP H06-310284 A relates to lighting and lighting control. US 2012/0001555 A1 relates to a lighting device with LEDs, the LEDs being controlled in their lighting flow by means of a PWM-controlled current. US 2006/0104058 A1 relates to methods and devices for lighting controlled based on a reference color scale, the scale being shared by several lighting units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a wall controller according to claim 1 and a lamp according to claim 17.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the scope of the disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Troffer-gestützten Leuchte gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 2 eine Querschnittsansicht der Leuchte der 1;
• 3 eine Querschnittsansicht der Leuchte aus 1, wobei dargestellt ist, wie Licht von den LEDs der Leuchte austritt und durch Linsen reflektiert wird;
• 4 ein Treibermodul und ein Kommunikationsmodul, integriert innerhalb eines Elektronikgehäuses der Leuchte der 1;
• 5 ein Treibermodul, welches in einem Elektronikgehäuse der Leuchte der 1 vorgesehen ist, und ein Kommunikationsmodul in einem zugehörigen Gehäuse, welches mit dem Äußeren des Elektronikgehäuses gekoppelt ist, gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 6A bzw. 6B ein Kommunikationsmodul gemäß einer Ausführungsform, bevor und nachdem es an dem Gehäuse der Leuchte angebracht ist;
• 7 ein Sensormodul, das in einer Wärmesenke einer Leuchte gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung installiert ist;
• 8A ein Sensormodul gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 8B eine Explosionsansicht des Sensormoduls der 8A;
• 9A ein Blockdiagramm eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 10 ein Blockdiagramm eines Kommunikationsmoduls gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 11 eine Querschnittsansicht einer beispielhaften LED gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 12 eine Querschnittsansicht einer beispielhaften LED gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 13 ein CIE 1976-Chromatizitätsdiagramm, welches den Farbpunkt für drei unterschiedliche LEDs und eine Schwarzkörper-Ortskurve darstellt;
• 14 ein Treibermodul und eines LED-Felds gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Offenbarung;
• 15 eine funktionelle schematische Darstellung des Treibermoduls der 14;
• 16 ein Flussdiagramm, das die Funktionalität des Treibermoduls gemäß einer Ausführungsform darstellt;
• 17 eine grafische Darstellung, die individuelle LED-Ströme gegenüber der CCT für einen gesamten Lichtausgang einer Ausführungsform;
• 18 einen Wandcontroller zum Steuern von ein oder mehreren Leuchten gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 19 einen Wandcontroller zum Steuern gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 20 einen Wandcontroller zum Steuern von ein oder mehreren Leuchten gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 21 einen Wandcontroller zum Steuern von ein oder mehreren Leuchten gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 22 einen Wandcontroller zum Steuern von ein oder mehreren Leuchten gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform;
• 23 eine schematische Darstellung für einen Wandcontroller gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 24 und 25 unterschiedliche isometrische Ansichten eines Einstellwerkzeugs gemäß einer Ausführungsform; und
• 26 ein Blockdiagramm der Elektronik für ein Einstellwerkzeug gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Shown in the drawings:

• 1 a perspective view of a troffer-based light according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 2 a cross-sectional view of the lamp 1 ;
• 3 a cross-sectional view of the lamp 1 , showing how light emerges from the lamp's LEDs and is reflected through lenses;
• 4 a driver module and a communication module, integrated within an electronics housing of the light 1 ;
• 5 a driver module, which is located in an electronics housing of the light 1 is provided, and a communication module in an associated housing coupled to the exterior of the electronics housing, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 6A and 6B respectively a communication module according to one embodiment before and after it is attached to the housing of the luminaire;
• 7 a sensor module installed in a heat sink of a luminaire according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 8A a sensor module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 8B an exploded view of the sensor module 8A ;
• 9A a block diagram of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 10 a block diagram of a communication module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 11 a cross-sectional view of an exemplary LED according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;
• 12 a cross-sectional view of an exemplary LED according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;
• 13 a CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram showing the color point for three different LEDs and a blackbody locus;
• 14 a driver module and an LED array according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• 15 a functional schematic representation of the driver module 14 ;
• 16 a flowchart illustrating functionality of the driver module according to one embodiment;
• 17 a graph showing individual LED currents versus CCT for an overall light output of one embodiment;
• 18 a wall controller for controlling one or more lights according to a first embodiment;
• 19 a wall controller for controlling according to a second embodiment;
• 20 a wall controller for controlling one or more lights according to a third embodiment;
• 21 a wall controller for controlling one or more lights according to a fourth embodiment;
• 22 a wall controller for controlling one or more lights according to a fifth embodiment;
• 23 a schematic representation for a wall controller according to an embodiment;
• 24 and 25 different isometric views of an adjustment tool according to an embodiment; and
• 26 a block diagram of the electronics for an adjustment tool according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below provide the information necessary to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure and illustrate the preferred approach to practicing the disclosure. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts that are not specifically addressed herein. It should be noted that these concepts and applications are within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.

It should be noted that relative terms such as "front", "forward", "back", "below", "above", "above", "below", "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used here to describe a relationship of one element, layer or area to another element, layer or area as shown in the figures. It should be noted that these terms are not intended to include different orientations of the device in addition to the orientations shown in the figures.

• - Speichern eines Strommodells durch jede Kette, wobei jedes Strommodell effizient einen Strom als eine Funktion der CCT über einem CCT-Bereich definiert;
• - Bestimmen einer gewünschten CCT; und
• - Erzeugen eines Stroms für jede Kette auf Grundlage der gewünschten CCT unter Verwendung des entsprechenden Strommodells.

The present disclosure relates to a luminaire capable of providing white light over an extended range of correlated color temperatures. In one embodiment, the luminaire includes a driver module and a number of LED chains. Each of the LED chains emits light at a different color point. The driver module can be correlated to:

• - storing a current model by each chain, each current model efficiently defining a current as a function of CCT over a CCT range;
• - Determine a desired CCT; and
• - Generate a current for each chain based on the desired CCT using the appropriate current model.

As such, the light from each chain mixes to form white light with a color point along a blackbody locus at the desired CCT itself.

Before the present disclosure is discussed in more detail, an overview of one is given playful light provided. While the concepts of the present disclosure may be used in any type of lighting system, the description immediately following describes these concepts with respect to a troffer-type luminaire, such as those described in Figures 10 and 11 1-3 Illustrated light 10. This particular light is substantially similar to the CR and CS series of troffer-type lights manufactured by Cree, Inc. of Durham, NC.

While the disclosed luminaire 10 utilizes an indirect illumination configuration in which light is initially emitted upward from a light source and then reflected downward, direct illumination configurations may also take advantage of the concepts of the present disclosure. In addition to troffer-type lights, the concepts of the present invention may also be used in recessed lighting configurations, wall-mounted lighting configurations, outdoor lighting configurations, and the like. Reference is made to the co-pending US patent application 13/589,899 , which was filed on August 20, 2013, 13/649,531 , which was filed on October 11, 2012, and 13/606,713 , filed September 7, 2012, on behalf of the same applicant, the contents thereof being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as part of the present application.

Further, the functionality and control techniques described below can be used to control different types of lights, as well as different groups of the same or different types of lights simultaneously.

In general, troffer-type lights, such as light 10, are designed to be mounted on, on, or from a ceiling. In most applications, the troffer-type lights are installed in a suspended ceiling (not shown) of a commercial, educational or government facility. Like in the 1-3 As shown, the luminaire 10 includes a square or rectangular outer frame 12. Disposed in the central portion of the luminaire 10 are two rectangular lenses 14 which are generally transparent, transmissive or opaque. Reflectors 16 extend from the outer frame 12 to the outer edges of the lenses 14. The lenses 14 effectively extend between the innermost portions of the reflectors 16 to form an elongated heat sink 18 which serves to connect the two inner edges of the lenses 14.

Now referring in particular to 2 and 3 , the backside of the heat sink 18 provides an attachment structure for an LED array 20 (an LED array) that includes one or more rows of individual LEDs mounted on a suitable substrate. The LEDs are oriented so that they emit light primarily upward toward a concave cover 22. The space or volume defined by the cover 22, the lenses 40 and the back of the heat sink 18 provides a mixing chamber 24. Thus, light from the LEDs of the LED array 20 will emerge toward the cover 22 and will pass through the respective lenses 14, as shown in 3 shown, reflected downwards. In particular, not all of the light rays emitted from the LEDs will be reflected directly away from the bottom of the cover 22 and back through a particular lens 14 with a single reflection. Numerous light beams will bounce around within the mixing chamber 24 and effectively mix with other light beams so that a desired uniform light is emitted through the respective lenses 14.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the type of lenses 14, the type of LEDs, the shape of the cover 22 and any coating on the bottom side of the cover 22, along with other variables, affect the quantity and quality of the light output from the light 10 of the light emitted. As discussed in more detail below, the LED array 20 may include LEDs of different colors, with the light emitted from the different LEDs mixing together to form white light having a desired color temperature and color quality based on the design parameters for the particular embodiment.

Like from the 2 and 3 As can be seen, the elongated fins of the heat sink 18 may be visible from the bottom of the lamp 10. Arranging the LEDs of the LED array 20 in thermal contact along the top side of the heat sink 18 allows any heat generated by the LEDs to be effectively transferred to the elongated fins on the bottom side of the heat sink 18 for dissipation into the space in which the lamp 10 is attached, is transferred. Again, the special configuration of the lamp 10, which is in the 1-3 are shown, just one of the essentially unlimited configurations for luminaires in which the concepts of the present invention are applicable.

With further reference to the 2 and 3 , it is shown that an electronics housing 26 is attached to one end of the lamp 10 and is used to accommodate all or part of the electronics used to power and control the LED array 20. This electronics is connected to the LED field 20 via suitable cable connections 28. With reference to 4 The electronics provided in the electronics housing 26 can be divided into a driver module 30 and a communication module 32.

Roughly speaking, the driver module 30 is connected to the LED array 20 via the cable connection 28 and directly controls the LEDs of the LED array 20 based on control information provided by the communications module 32. In one embodiment, the driver module 30 provides the primary intelligence for the luminaire 10 and is capable of driving the LEDs of the LED array 20 in a desired manner. The driver module 30 may be provided on a single integrated module or may be divided into two or more sub-modules depending on the designer's desire.

If the driver module provides the primary intelligence for the light 10, then the communications module 32 acts as an intelligent communications interface that allows communications between the driver module 30 and other lights 10, a remote control system (not shown), or a portable, hand-held adjustment tool 36 , which may also be configured to communicate with a remote control system in a wired or wireless manner.

Alternatively, the driver module 30 may be configured primarily to drive the LEDs of the LED array 20 based on commands from the communications module 32. In such an embodiment, the primary intelligence of the luminaire 10 is provided in the communications module 32, which effectively becomes an overall control module with a wired or wireless communication capability for the luminaire 10. The luminaire 10 may share sensor data, commands, and any other data with other luminaires 10 in the lighting network or with remote devices. Essentially, the communications module 32 facilitates the sharing of intelligence and data among the lights 10 and other units.

In the embodiment of 4 The communication module 32 may be implemented on a separate printed circuit board (PCB) from the driver module 30. The respective PCBs of the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 may be configured to allow the connector of the communication module 32 to be plugged into the connector of the driver module 30, wherein the communication module 32 is mechanically attached or secured to the driver module 30 once the Connector of the communication module 32 is inserted into the mating connector of the driver module 30.

In other embodiments, a cable may be used to connect the respective connectors of the driver module 30 and the communication module 32; Other attachment mechanisms may be used to physically couple the communications module 32 to the driver module 30, or the driver module 30 and the communications module 32 may be separately attached to the inside of the electronics housing 26. In such embodiments, the interior of the electronics housing 26 is suitably sized to accommodate both the driver module 30 and the communication module 32. In some cases, the electronics housing 26 provides a secure enclosure for both the driver module 30 and the communications module 32.

With the embodiment of the 4 Adding or replacing the communications module 32 requires access to the interior of the electronics housing 26. If this is undesirable, the driver module 30 may be provided alone in the electronics housing 26. The communication module 32 may be outside the electronics housing 26 in an exposed manner or within an additional housing 34 which may be coupled directly or indirectly to the outside of the electronics housing 26, as shown in FIG 5 shown, be appropriate. The additional housing 34 can be screwed to the electronics housing 26. The accessory housing 34 may alternatively be connected to the electronics housing using snap-mount or hook-and-snap mechanisms. The additional housing 34 can provide a highly secure enclosure alone or when coupled to the external surface of the electronics housing 26.

In embodiments in which the electronics housing 26 and the additional housing 34 are mounted within a high quality enclosure, the additional housing 34 does not necessarily have to be of high quality. Further, the communication module 32 may be mounted directly to the outside of the electronics housing 26 without any need for an additional housing 34, depending on the type of electronics provided in the communication module 32 as to how and where the light 10 will be mounted , and the same.

The latter embodiment, in which the communications module 32 is mounted external to the electronics housing 26, may prove useful if the communications module 32 enables wireless communication with the other lights 10, the remote control system, or other network or auxiliary device. Essentially, the driver module 30 may be provided in a high quality electronics package 26, which may be non-conductive for wireless communications. The communication module 32 can be mounted outside the electronics housing 26 itself or inside the additional housing 34, which is more conductive for wireless communications. A cable may be provided between the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 in accordance with a defined communication interface. As an alternative, described in more detail below, the driver module 30 may be equipped with a first connector accessible through the wall of the electronics housing 26. The communications module 32 may include a second connector that mates with the first connector to enable communications between the driver module 30 and the communications module 32.

The embodiments that utilize mounting the communications module 32 external to the electronics housing 26 may be somewhat less expensive, but may provide significant flexibility in allowing the communications module 32 or other additional devices to be added to, serviced, or replaced with the light 10. The additional housing 34 for the communication module 32 may be formed of a high quality plastic or metal, or may be configured to be easily attached to the electronics housing 26 by snap connections, screws, bolts, or the like and also to accommodate the communication module 32. The communication module 32 may be attached to the inside of the additional housing 34 via snap mounts, screws, twistlocks and the like. The cabling and connectors used to connect the communication module 32 to the driver module 30 may take any available form, such as a 5/6 (cat 5/6) cable with standard category RJ45 connectors, edge card connectors, connector pairs with a blind Mating, terminal blocks and individual wires and the like. Providing an externally mounted communications module 32 relative to the electronics housing 26 that includes the driver module 30 allows for easy field installation of different types of communications modules 32 or modules with different functionality for a given driver module 30.

As in 5 shown, the communication module 32 is mounted within the additional housing 34. The additional housing 34 is attached to the electronics housing 26 with bolts. In itself, the communication module 32 is easily attached and removed using the bolts shown. Thus, depending on the type of head for the bolts, a screwdriver, ratchet or wrench is required to detach or remove the communication module 32 via the additional housing 34.

As an alternative, the communication module 32 can be as in the 6A and 6B configured as shown. In this configuration, the communication module 32 can be attached to the electronics housing 26 of the light 10 in a secure manner and can thereafter be detached from the electronics housing 26 without the need for bolts using available snap-in connectors, as shown in FIG US Patent Application No. 13/868,021 is illustrated, which has become part of the present application by reference. In particular, the back of the communication module housing includes a pin (or socket) snap-in connector (not shown) configured to securely and releasably engage a complementary socket (or pin) snap-in connector 38 on the electronics housing 26.

6A illustrates the communication module 32 before it is attached to the electronics housing 26 of the lamp 10 or immediately after it has been detached therefrom. A surface of the electronics housing 26 of the light 10 includes the snap-lock connector 38, which includes a receptacle electrical connector flanked by openings that extend into the electronics housing 26 of the light 10. The openings correspond in size and arrangement to the locking elements (not shown) on the back of the communication module 32. Furthermore, the electrical socket connector leads to or is coupled to a PCB (printed circuit board) of the electronics for the driver module 30. In this example, the electrical pin connector of the communication module 32 is configured to mate with the electrical socket connector mounted in the electronics housing 26 of the light 10.

When the communication module 32 is snapped into place on the electronics housing 26 of the lamp 10, as shown in 6B shown, then the electrical pin connector of the communication module 32 is inserted into the electrical socket connector binders of the driver module 30 intervene when the fastening elements of the communication module 32 engage in the respective openings of the locking interfaces in the electronics housing 26. At this point, the communications module 32 is snapped in place into the electronics housing 26 of the light 10 and the respective pin and socket connectors of the communications module 32 and the driver module 30 are fully engaged.

With reference to 7 the bottom of an embodiment of the lamp 10 is shown in a perspective view. In this embodiment, a sensor module 40 is shown integrated into an exposed side of the heat sink 18 at one end of the heat sink 18. The sensor module 40 may include one or more sensors, such as occupancy sensors S _o , ambient light sensors S _A , temperature sensors, sound sensors (microphones), image sensors (still or video), and the like. If multiple sensors are provided, they can be used to sense the same or different environmental conditions. When multiple sensors are used to sense the same environmental conditions, different types of sensors can be used.

As shown, the sensor module includes an occupancy sensor 42 and an ambient light sensor internal to and in the occupancy sensor 42 7 is not visible. The ambient light sensor is associated with a light pipe 44 that is used to direct light to the internal ambient light sensor. The sensor module 40 can slide into the end of the heat sink 18 and be held in place by an end cap 46. The end cap 46 can be attached to the heat sink 18 using two screws 48. For purposes of this description, the term "screw" is broadly defined to cover any external threaded fastener, including traditional screws that are threadedly engaged with a nut or shoulder fasteners and screws that are threadedly engaged with nuts or other tapped fasteners cannot be in a thread engagement. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of the sensor module 80, which is shown in 7 was introduced. Main focus is on the exploded view of the 8B Referenced. The sensor module 40 includes an upper housing 50 and a lower housing 52 configured to be attached to one another by a snap-mount connector or other attachment mechanism, such as screws. A printed circuit board (PBC) 54 is mounted within the sensor module 40 and the various sensors are mounted on or at least connected to the PCB 54. In the illustrated embodiment, an ambient light sensor 56 and an occupancy sensor 42 are mounted on the printed circuit board. The ambient light sensor 56 is positioned such that it is aligned directly below the light tube 44 when the light tube 44 is inserted into a light tube receiver 64. The occupancy sensor 42 is aligned with a sensor opening 58 on the upper housing 50. The bulbous end of the occupancy sensor 42 projects into and partially through the occupancy sensor opening 58 when the sensor module 40 is assembled, as shown in FIG 8A shown. The PCB 54 includes a connector, cabling, or wiring harness (not shown) that is directly or indirectly connected to the driver module 30 or the communication module 32.

The sensor module 40 may also include opposing attachment tabs 60 used to assist in attaching the sensor module 40 to the heat sink 18. In this embodiment, the outer edges of the attachment lugs 60 taper to form bulbous edges 62.

Now referring to 9 an electrical block diagram of a lamp 10 is provided according to one embodiment. Assume for the purposes of discussion that the driver module 30, the communication module 32 and the LED array 20 are ultimately connected to form the core electronics of the luminaire 10 and that the communication module 32 is configured to bidirectionally with other luminaires 10 , the adjustment tool 36 or another control unit to communicate bidirectionally via wired or wireless techniques. In this embodiment, a standard communications interface and a first or standard protocol are used between the driver module 30 and the communications module 32. This standard protocol allows different driver modules 30 to communicate with and be controlled by different communication modules 32, assuming that both the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 operate in accordance with the standard protocol used by the standard communication interface. The term “standard protocol” is defined to mean any type of known or future developed, proprietary or industry standard protocol.

In the illustrated embodiment, the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 are coupled via communication and power buses, which may be separate or integrated with each other. The communication bus allows the communication module 32 to receive information from the driver module 30 and to control the driver module 30. An exemplary communications bus is the well-known inter-integrated circuit (I ² C) bus, which is a serial bus and is typically implemented with a two-wire interface using both data and clock lines. Other available buses include: a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, a 1-Wire serial bus from Dallas Semiconductor Corporation, a universal serial bus (USB), RS-232, UNI/O ^® the Microchip Technology Incorporated, and the like.

In this embodiment, the driver module 30 is configured to collect data from the ambient light sensor S _A and the occupancy sensor S _O and to drive the LEDs of the LED array 20. The data collected from the ambient light sensor S _A and the occupancy sensor S _O , as well as any other operating parameters of the driver module 30, may be shared with the communication module 32. As such, the communication module 32 can collect data about the configuration or operation of the driver module 30, information provided to the driver module 30 by the LED field 20, the ambient light sensor S _A and the occupancy sensor S _O. The collected data may be used by the communications module 32 to control how the driver module 30 operates, may be shared with other lights 10 or controllers, or may be processed to generate commands to be sent to other lights 10. In particular, the sensor module 40 can instead be coupled to the communication bus or directly to the driver module 30, so that sensor information from the sensor module 40 can be provided to the driver module 30 or the communication module 32 via the communication bus.

The communication module 32 can also be controlled in whole or in part by a remote control unit, such as the adjustment tool 36 or another light 10. In general, the communication module 32 will process sensor data and commands provided by the other lights 10 or remote control units and then provide commands to the driver module 30 over the communication bus. As an alternative approach, this can be viewed as allowing the communications module 32 to share system information, including occupancy detection, ambient light detection, dim switch setting, etc., and providing this information to the driver module 30, which then uses its own internal logic to determine what action(s) needs to be taken. The driver module 30 will respond by controlling the drive current or voltages provided to the LED array 20 as appropriate.

In some embodiments, the driver module 30 includes enough electronics to process an alternating current (AC) input signal (AC IN) and provide an appropriate rectified or direct current (DC) signal that is used to power the communication module 32 and possibly the LED Field 20 is sufficient. As such, the communications module 32 does not require any separate AC-to-DC conversion circuitry to power the electronics disposed therein and can simply receive DC power from the driver module 30 via the power supply bus. Similarly, the sensor module 40 may receive power directly from the driver module 30 or via the power bus powered by the driver module 30 or another source. The sensor module 40 may also be coupled to a power source (not shown) independent of the driver and communication modules 30, 32.

In one embodiment, one aspect of the standard communication interface is the definition of a standard power system. For example, the power bus may be set to a low voltage level, such as 5 volts, 12 volts, 24 volts, or the like. The driver module 30 is configured to process the AC input signal to provide the defined low voltage level and to provide that voltage across the power supply bus so that the communication module 32 or additional devices such as the sensor module 40 with respect to the desired low voltage level to be provided across the Power supply bus is provided by the driver module 30, can be designed without taking into account a connection to or processing from an AC signal to a DC power signal for powering the electronics of the communication module 32 or the sensor module 40.

With reference to 10 a block diagram of an embodiment of the communication module 32 is shown. The communications module 32 includes a control circuit 66 and an associated memory 68 that contains the necessary software instructions and data to enable operation as described herein. The control circuit 66 may belong to a communication interface to be coupled to the driver module 30 directly or indirectly via the communication bus. The control circuit 66 can be connected to a wired communication port 72, a wireless communication port 74 or both to enable wired or wireless communication with other lights 10, the adjustment tool 36 and remote control units (remote control units). The wired communications port 72 may support a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, or other interfaces.

The features or possibilities of the communication module 32 can differ greatly between individual embodiments. For example, the communication module 32 may act as a simple bridge between the driver module 30 and the other lights 10 or remote control units. In such an embodiment, the control circuit 66 will primarily pass data and commands received from the other lights 10 or remote control units to the driver module 30, and vice versa. The control circuit 66 can translate the commands as necessary based on the protocols currently in use to enable communication between the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 and between the communication module 32 and the remote control units.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 66 plays an important role in coordinating intelligence and data sharing between the lights 10, as well as providing significant, if not complete, control of the driver module 30. While the communications module may be capable of To control the driver module 30 itself, the control circuit 66 may also be configured to receive data and commands from the other lights 10 or remote control units and use this information to control the driver module 30. The communication module 32 may also provide commands to other lights 10 and remote control units based on the sensor data from the associated driver module 30 as well as the sensor data and commands received from the other lights 10 and remote control units.

Power for the control circuit 66, the memory 68, the communications interface 70, and the wired and/or wireless communications ports 72 and 74 may be provided via the power bus via the power port. As noted above, the power bus may receive its power from the driver module 30, which generates the DC power signal. As such, the communication module 32 does not need to be connected to AC power and may not include a rectifier and conversion circuit. The power port and the communication port can be separate or can be integrated with the standard communication interface. The energy port and the communication port are shown separately for clarity. In one embodiment, the communications bus is a 2-wire serial bus, where the connector or cabling configuration may be configured such that the communications bus and the power (supply) bus are connected using four wires: data, clock, power and ground. to be provided. In alternative embodiments, an internal power supply 76 associated with AC power or a battery is used to provide the power supply.

The communications module 32 may include a status indicator, such as an LED 78, to indicate the operational status of the communications module. Further, a user interface 80 may be provided to allow a user to manually interact with the communications module 32. The user interface 80 may include an input mechanism, an output mechanism, or both. The input mechanism may include one or more buttons, keys, keyboards, touch screens, or the like. The output mechanism may include one or more LEDs, a display, or the like. For purposes of this application, a button is defined to include switches, all or part of a toggle switch, a rotary dial, a slide button, or any other mechanical input mechanism.

A description of an exemplary embodiment of the LED array 20, the driver module 30 and the communication module 32 now follows. As indicated, the LED array 20 includes a plurality of LEDs, such as the LEDs 82 shown in 11 and 12 are shown. With reference to 11 is a single LED chip 84 mounted on a reflective lid (cap) 86 using solder or a conductive epoxy so that ohmic contacts for the cathode (or anode) of the LED chip 84 are electrically connected to the bottom of the conductive cap 86 are connected. The reflective cap 86 is either coupled to a first lead 88 of the LED 82 or formed integrally therewith. One or more bonding wires 90 connect ohmic contacts for the anode (or cathode) of the LED chip 84 to a second lead 92.

The reflective cap 86 may be filled with an encapsulation material 94 that encapsulates the LED chip 84. The encapsulation material 94 may be clear or a wavelength barrier contain material, such as phosphorus, as will be described in more detail below. The entire structure is encapsulated in a clear protective resin 96, which may be molded in the shape of a lens to control the light emitted from the LED chip 84.

An alternative package for an LED 82 is in 12 shown, wherein the LED chip 84 is mounted on a substrate 98. In particular, the ohmic contacts for the anode (or cathode) of the LED chip 84 are directly attached to the first contact pads 100 on the surface of the substrate 98. The ohmic contacts for the cathode (or anode) of the LED chip 84 are connected to second contact pads 102, also on the surface of the substrate 98, using bonding wires 104. The LED chip 84 lies in one Cavity of a reflector structure 105, which is formed of a reflective material and serves to reflect light emitted from the LED chip 84 through the opening formed by the reflector structure 105. The cavity formed by the reflector assembly 105 may be filled with an encapsulation material 94 that encapsulates the LED chip 84. The encapsulation material 94 may be clear or contain a wavelength conversion material such as phosphorus.

In each of the in 11 and 12 In the embodiments shown, when the encapsulating material 94 is clear, the light emitted from the LED chip 84 passes through the encapsulating material 94 and the protective resin 96 without any significant shift in color. As such, the light emitted by the LED chip 84 is effectively the light emitted by the LED 82. If the encapsulation material 94 includes a wavelength conversion material, substantially all or a portion of the light emitted from the LED chip 84 in a first wavelength range may be absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, which in response converts light into will emit in a second wavelength range. The concentration and type of wavelength conversion material will dictate how much of the light emitted from the LED chip 84 is absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, as well as the extent of wavelength conversion. In embodiments where some of the light emitted from the LED chip 84 passes through the wavelength conversion material without being absorbed, the light will mix with the light as it passes through the wavelength conversion material is emitted from the wavelength conversion material. Thus, if a wavelength conversion material is used, then the light emitted from the LED 82 will be shifted in color from the actual light emitted from the LED chip 84.

For example, the LED array 20 may include a group of BSY or BSG LEDs 82 as well as a group of red LEDs 82. The BSY LEDs 82 include an LED chip 84 that emits bluish light, and the wavelength conversion material is yellow phosphorus that absorbs the blue light and emits yellowish light. Even if some of the blue light passes through the phosphor, the resulting mixture of light emitted from the entire BSY-LED 82 is a yellowish light. The yellowish light emitted by the BSY-LED 82 has a color point that falls above the blackbody locus (BBL) on the 1976 CIE chromaticity diagram, where the BBL corresponds to the different color temperatures of white light.

Similarly, the BSG LEDs 82 include an LED chip 84 that emits bluish light; however, the wavelength conversion material is a greenish phosphor which absorbs the blue light and emits greenish light. Even if some of the bluish light passes through the phosphor, the resulting mixture of light emitted from the entire BSG LED 82 is greenish light. The light emitted from the BSG-LED 82 has a color point that falls on the BBL on the 1976 CIE chromaticity diagram, where the BBL corresponds to the different color temperatures of white light.

The red LEDs 82 generally emit reddish light at a color point on the opposite side of the BBL than the yellowish or greenish light of the BSY or BSG LEDs 82. As such, the reddish light from the red LEDs 82 may differ from the yellowish or greenish light , emitted from the BSY or BSG LEDs 82, mix to produce white light that has a desired color temperature and falls within a desired proximity of the BBL. In effect, the reddish light from the red LEDs 82 attracts the yellowish or greenish light from the BSY or BSG LEDs 82 to a desired color point on and/or near the BBL. It should be noted that the red LEDs 82 may include LED chips 84 that naturally emit reddish light using no wavelength conversion material. Alternatively, the LED chips 84 may be associated with a wavelength conversion material, with the resulting light emitted from the wavelength conversion material and any light emitted from the LED chips 84 without the wavelength conversion material being absorbed, mixes to form the desired reddish light.

The blue LED chip 84 used to form either the BSY or BSG LEDs 82 may be made of a gallium nitride (GaN), an indium gallium nitride (InGaN), silicon carbide (SiC), zinc selenide (ZnSe), or any other material system. The red LED chip 84 may be formed from aluminum indium gallium nitride (AlInGaP), gallium phosphide (GaP), aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), or a similar material system. Exemplary yellow phosphors include cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce), yellow BOSE (Ba, O, Sr, Si, Eu) phosphors, and the like. Exemplary green phosphors include BOSE green phosphors, a lutetium aluminum yarn (LuAg), cerium-doped LuAg (LuAg:Ce), Maui M535 from Lightscape Materials, Inc. of 201 Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08540, and the like . The LED architectures, phosphors and material systems shown above are merely exemplary and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of architectures, phosphors and material systems as applicable to the concepts disclosed herein.

The International Commission on Illumination (Commission Internationale de l'eclairage or CIE) has defined various chromaticity diagrams over the years. The chromaticity diagrams are used to project a color space that represents all colors perceived by humans without reference to brightness or luminosity. 13 shows a CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram which includes part of a Planckian locus or blackbody locus (BBL). The BBL is a path within color space along which the color of a glowing blackbody would move as the temperature of the blackbody changes. While the color of the glowing body can range from orange-red to blue, the middle sections of the path include what is traditionally considered "white light."

• - unterhalb von 3200 K ist, ist ein gelbliches Weiß und wird allgemein als ein warmes (weißes) Licht wahrgenommen;
• - zwischen 3 200 K und 4 000 K ist, wird allgemein als neutral (weißes) Licht angesehen; und
• - über 4 000 K ist, ist ein bläuliches Weiß und wird allgemein so betrachtet, dass es ein kühles (weißes) Licht ist.

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) or color temperature is used to characterize white light. CCT is measured in Kelvin (K) and is defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) as the “absolute temperature of the blackbody whose chromaticity best resembles that of the light source.” The light output, the

• - below 3200 K, is a yellowish white and is generally perceived as a warm (white) light;
• - between 3,200 K and 4,000 K is generally considered neutral (white) light; and
• - above 4,000 K, is a bluish white and is generally considered to be a cool (white) light.

The coordinates (u', v') are used to define color points within the color space of the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram. The v' value defines a vertical position and the u' value defines a horizontal position. As an example, the color points for a first BSY LED 82 are approximately (0.1900, 0.5250), a second BSY LED 82 is approximately (0.1700, 0.4600), and a red LED 82 is approximately (0.4900, 0.5600). It should be noted that the first and second BSY LEDs 82 are significantly spaced apart from each other along the v' axis. As such, the first BSY-LED 82 is much higher than the second BSY-LED 82 in the chromaticity diagram. For ease of reference, the higher, first BSY LED 82 is referred to as the high or upper BSY-H LED and the lower, second BSY LED 82 is referred to as the lower BSY-L LED.

As such, the Δv' for the high BSY-H LED and the lower BSY-L LED is approximately 0.065 in the example shown. In other embodiments, the Δv' may be greater than 0.025, 0.030, 0.033, 0.040, 0.050, 0.060, 0.075, 0.100, 0.110, and 0.120, respectively. Exemplary, but not absolute, upper limits for Δv' may be 0.150, 0.175 or 0.200 for any of the lower limits mentioned above. For groups of LEDs of a particular color, the Δv' between two groups of LEDs is the difference between the average v' values for each group of LEDs. As such, Δv' between groups of LEDs of a particular color can also be greater than 0.030, 0.033, 0.040, 0.050, 0.060, 0.075, 0.100, 0.110 and 0.120, respectively, with the same upper limits as described above. Further, the variation of color points among the LEDs 82 within a particular group of LEDs may be limited to within a seven-, five-, four-, three-, or two-step MacAdam ellipse in certain embodiments. In general, the larger the delta-v', the larger the range through which the CCT of the white light can be adjusted along the blackbody locus. The closer the white light is to the blackbody locus, the more accurately the white light will replicate that of a radiant or glowing radiator.

In one embodiment, the LED array 20 includes a first group of BSY-L low-only LEDs, a second LED group of BSY-H high-only LEDs, and a third group of red-only LEDs. The currents used to drive the first, second and third LED groups, can be controlled independently so that the intensity of the light emitted from the first, second and third LED groups is independently controlled. As such, the light output from the first, second and third LED groups can be mixed or blended to produce a light output that has an entire color point virtually somewhere within a triangle formed by the color points of the respective lower BSY-L LEDs BSY-H LEDs and the red LEDs are formed. Within this triangle is a significant portion of the BBL, and as such the overall color point of the light output can be dynamically adjusted to fall along the portion of the BBL located within the triangle.

A hatched pattern highlights the portion of the BBL that falls within the triangle. Adjusting the overall color point of the light output along the BBL corresponds to adjusting the CCT of the light output, which is considered white light when incident on the BBL, as stated above. In one embodiment, the CCT of the total light output may be adjusted over a range of about 2700K to about 5700K. In another embodiment, the CCT of the total light output may be adjusted over a range of approximately 3000K to 5000K. In yet another embodiment, the CCT of the total light output may be adjusted over a range of approximately 2700K to 5000K. In yet another embodiment, the CCT of the total light output may be adjusted over a range of about 3000K to about 4000K. These variations in CCT can be achieved while maintaining a high Color Rendering Index Value (CRI), such as a CRI equal to or greater than 90.

To be considered “white” light, the overall color point must not fall exactly on the BBL. Unless otherwise defined, and for the purposes of this application only, a color point within a five-step MacAdam ellipse of the BBL is defined as white light on the BBL. Four-, three- and two-step MacAdam ellipses can be defined for higher tolerances.

As indicated, the LED array 20 may include a mixture of red LEDs 82, high BSY-H LEDs 82, and low BSY-L LEDs 82. The driver module 30 for controlling the LED field 20 is in 14 shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The LED field 20 can be divided into several chains of series of controlled LEDs 82. Basically, an LED string S1 comprising a number of red LEDs (ROT) forms a first group of LEDs 82. An LED string S2 comprising a number of lower BSY LEDs (BSY-L). a second group of LEDs 82. And an LED chain S3, which includes a number of high BSY-LEDs (BSY-H), forms a third group of LEDs 82.

For clarity, the various LEDs of the LED array 20 are in RED, BSY-L and BSY-H 14 to clearly indicate which LEDs are arranged in the different LED chains S1, S2 and S3. While BSY LEDs 82 are shown, BSG or other phosphor coated wavelength converted LEDs may be used in an analogous manner. For example, a string of high BSG-H LEDs 82 can be combined with a string of lower BSG-L LEDs 82, and vice versa. Furthermore, a string of lower BSY-H LEDs can be combined with a string of high BSG-H LEDs, and vice versa. Non-phosphor coated LEDs, such as non-wavelength converted red, green, and blue LEDs, may also be used in certain embodiments.

In general, the control module 30 controls the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ used to drive the respective LED strings S1, S2 and S3. The ratio of currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ provided by respective LED strings S1, S2 and S3 can be adjusted to effectively control the respective intensities of reddish light emitted by the red LEDs 82 of the LED string S1, the yellowish, greenish light that is emitted by the lower BSY-L LEDs 82 of the LED chain S2, and the yellowish/greenish light that is emitted by the high BSY-H LEDs 82 of the LED chain S3 is sent out to control effectively. The resulting light from each LED string S1, S2 and S3 mixes to produce a total light output having a desired color, CCT and intensity, the latter of which may also be referred to as a dimming level. As indicated, the total light output may be white light incident on or within a desired proximity to the BBL and having a desired CCT.

The number of LED strings Sx can vary from one to many and different combinations of LED colors can be used in the different strings. Each LED string Sx may include LEDs 82 of the same color, variations of the same color, or substantially different colors. In the illustrated embodiment, each LED string S1, S2 and S3 is configured such that all of the LEDs 82 that are in the string are substantially identical in color. However, the LEDs can 82 in each chain vary significantly in color or may have completely different colors in certain embodiments. In another embodiment, three LED strings Sx with red, green and blue LEDs may be used, with each LED string Sx dedicated to a single color. In yet another embodiment, two LED strings Sx may be used, with different colored BSY or BSG LEDs used in one of the LED strings Sx and red LEDs in the other of the LED strings Sx. A single string embodiment is also contemplated, where currents for the LEDs of different colors can be individually adjusted using bypass circuits or the like.

This in 14 The driver module shown generally includes an AC-DC conversion circuit 106, a control circuit 110, and a number of power sources, such as the illustrated DC-DC converters 112. The AC-DC conversion circuit 106 is configured to provide an AC power signal (AC IN ), rectify the AC power signal, correct the power factor of the AC power signal, and provide a DC output signal. The DC output signal can be used to directly power the control circuit 110 and any other circuits provided in the driver module 30, including the DC-DC converters 112, a communication interface 114, as well as the sensor module 40.

The DC output signal may also be provided to the power bus coupled to one or more power ports, which may be part of the standard communications interface. The DC output signal provided on the power bus may be used to provide power to one or more external devices coupled to the power bus and separate from the driver module 30. These external devices may include the communication module 32 in any type of additional devices, such as the sensor module 40. Accordingly, these external devices can rely on the driver module 30 for power and can be designed to be efficient and cost-effective. The AC-DC conversion circuit 108 of the driver module 30 is robustly designed in that it must not only supply power to its internal circuitry and the LED array 20, but also supply power to these external devices. Such a design greatly simplifies the power supply design and can eliminate the need for a power supply and reduces the cost of these external devices.

As shown, the three respective DC-DC converters 112 of the driver module 30 provide currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ to the three LED strings S1, S2 and S3 in response to the control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3. The control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 may be pulse width modulated (PWM) signals that effectively turn on the respective DC-DC converters during a high logic state and turn off during a low logic state of each period of the PWM signal. In one embodiment, control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 are the product of two PWM signals.

The first PWM signal is a higher frequency PWM signal that has a duty cycle that effectively sets the DC current level through a corresponding one of the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 when current is allowed through the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 to flow. The second PWM signal is a lower frequency signal that has a ratio that corresponds to a desired dimming or overall output level. Basically, the higher frequency PWM signals set the relative current levels through each LED string S1, S2 and S3, while the lower frequency PWM signal determines how long the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ are allowed, to flow through the LED chains S1, S2 and S3 during each period of the lower frequency PWM signal. The longer the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ are allowed to flow through the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 during each period, the higher the output level and vice versa. Given reactive components associated with the DC-DC converters 112, the relative current levels set with the higher frequency PWM signals may be filtered to a relative DC current. However, this DC current is essentially pulsed in and out based on the duty cycle of the lower frequency PWM signal. For example, the higher frequency PWM signal may have a switching frequency of approximately 200 KHz, while the lower frequency PWM signal may have a switching frequency of approximately 1 KHz.

In some cases, a dimming device may control the AC power signal. The AC-DC conversion circuit 106 may be configured to sense the relative amount of dimming associated with the AC energy signal and provide a corresponding dimming signal to the control circuit 110. Based on the dimming signal, the control circuit 110 will adjust the currents i _i , i ₂ and i ₃ provided to each of the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 to effectively control the intensity of the resulting light emitted from the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 is sent out, to ver while maintaining the desired CCT. As will be further described below, the CCT and dimming levels may be initiated internally or received from the adjustment tool 36, a wall controller, or other light fixture 10. When received from an external device via the communications module 32, the CCT and/or dimming levels are provided from the communications module 32 to the control circuit 110 of the driver module 30 in the form of a command over the communications bus. The driver module 30 will respond by controlling currents I ₁ , I ₂ and I ₃ in the desired manner to achieve the desired CCT and/or dimming levels.

The intensity and CCT of the light emitted by the LEDs 82 can be influenced by temperature. When associated with a thermistor S _T or other temperature sensing device, the control circuit 110 can control the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ provided to each of the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 based on the ambient temperature of the Control the LED field 20 to achieve compensation for temperature effects. The control circuit 110 may also monitor the output of the occupancy and ambient light sensors S _O and S _A for occupancy and ambient light information and further control the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ in a desired manner. Each of the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 may have different temperature compensation settings, which may also be functions of the magnitude of the various currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ .

The control circuit 110 may include a central processing unit (CPU) and sufficient memory 116 to enable the control circuit 110 to communicate bidirectionally with the communications module 32 or other devices over the communications bus through an appropriate communications interface (I/F) 114 using a defined protocol, such as for example, the standard protocol described above to communicate. The control circuit 110 may receive commands from the communications module 32 or other device and take appropriate action to implement the received commands. The commands can range from controlling how the LEDs 82 of the LED array 20 are controlled to returning operating data such as temperature, occupancy, light output and ambient light information provided by the control circuit 110 to the Communication module 32 or another device was collected via the communication bus. In particular, the functionality of the communication module 32 can be integrated into the driver module 30, and vice versa.

With reference to 15 An exemplary approach to controlling the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ provided to the respective LED strings S1, S2 and S2 is shown so that the CCT of the total light output over a relatively long range and through basically Each darkening level can be fine-tuned. As indicated above, control circuit 110 generates control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 that control currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other approaches to controlling the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ .

Basically, the control circuit 110 of the driver module 30 is loaded with a current model in the form of one or more functions (equation) or lookup tables for each of the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ . Each current model is a reference model that is a function of the obscuration or output level, temperature and CCT. The output of each model provides a corresponding control signal CS1, CS2 and CS3, which effectively sets the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ in the LED strings S1, S2 and S3. The three electricity models are related to each other. At any given output level, temperature and CCT, the resulting currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ cause the LED strings S1, S2 and S3 to emit light which, when combined, provides a total light output that is a desired output level and CCT, regardless of temperature. While the three current models need not be a function of each other, they are created to coordinate with each other to ensure that the light from each of the chains S1, S2 and S3 mixes with another in a desired manner.

With reference to 16 An exemplary process for generating the control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 is provided. Initially, assume that the current models are loaded into the memory 116 of the control circuit 110. Furthermore, it is assumed that the current models are reference models for the specific type of luminaire 10.

Further, assume that the desired CCT is input to a color change function 118 based on the reference models. The color change function 118 selects reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 for each of the streams i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ based on the desired CCT. Next, the reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 are each adjusted as necessary by a current tuning function 120 based on a set of tuning offsets. The tuning offsets (also known as tuning offsets net) can be determined through a calibration process during manufacturing or during testing and uploaded to the control circuit 110. The tuning offset correlates a calibration setting with the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ that should be applied to bring the CCT of the total light output into agreement with a reference CCT. Details about the tuning offsets are described in more detail below. Basically, the current tuning function 120 modifies the reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 based on the tuning offsets to provide tuned control signals T1, T2 and T3.

In a similar manner, the temperature compensation function 122 modifies the tuned control signals T1, T2 and T3 based on the current temperature measurements to provide temperature compensated control signals TC1, TC2 and TC3. Since light output from the various LEDs 82 can change in intensity and color with temperature, the temperature compensation function 122 effectively adjusts the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ to substantially compensate for the effect of these changes. The temperature sensor S _T can provide the temperature input and is generally located near the LED field 20.

Finally, the dimming function 124 modifies the temperature compensated control signals TC1, TC2 and TC3 based on the desired dimming (output) levels to provide control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 that drive the DC-DC converters 112 at the appropriate currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ to be provided on the LED chains S1, S2 and S3. Since light emitted from the various LEDs 82 can also change in relative intensity and color over changing current levels, the dimming function 124 helps ensure that the CCT of the overall light output is of the desired CCT and intensity at the selected dimming levels (output) levels.

A wall controller, adjustment tool 36, or other light 10 may be programmed to provide the CCT setting and dimming levels. Further, the control circuit 110 may be programmed to adjust the CCT and dimming levels in accordance with a defined schedule, a state of occupancy and ambient light sensors S _O and S _A , another external control input, the time of day, day of the week, date, or any combination to set it. For example, these levels can be controlled based on a desired efficiency or a correlated color temperature.

These levels may be controlled based on the intensity (level) and/or the spectral content of the ambient light measured by the ambient light sensor S _A. When controlled based on spectral content, dimming or CCT levels can be adjusted based on the overall intensity of the ambient light. Alternatively, the darkening levels, color point, or CCT levels can be adjusted to either match the spectral content of the ambient light or to help fill spectral regions of the ambient light that are missing or attenuated. For example, if the ambient light is deficient in a cooler region of the spectrum, then the light output may be adjusted to provide more light in that cooler region of the spectrum so that the ambient light and the light provided by the luminaire 10 are combined to provide a desired spectrum. CCT, dimming or color levels can also be controlled based on energy conditions (power failure, battery backup operation, etc.) or alarm conditions (fire alarm, security alarm, weather warning, etc.).

As indicated, the tuning offset is generally determined during manufacture, but may also be determined and loaded into the luminaire 10 during use. The tuning offset is stored in memory 116 and correlates to a calibration setting with currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ to be applied to cause the CCT of the total light output to match a reference CCT. With reference to 17 Example current curves are provided for reference (pre-tuned) currents and tuned (post-tuned) currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ over a CCT range of approximately 3000 K to 5000 K. The reference currents represent currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ which are expected to provide a desired CCT in response to the reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 for the desired CCT. However, the actual CCT provided in response to the reference currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ may not match the desired CCT based on changes in the electronics in the driver module 30 and the LED array 20. As such, the reference currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ may need to be calibrated or adjusted to ensure that the actual CCT corresponds to the desired CCT. The tuning offset represents the difference between the curves for the model and tuned streams i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ .

For a single point calibration, the tuning offset can be fixed multipliers that can be applied over the desired CCT range for the corresponding reference currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ . An application of the fixed multipliers represents a multiplication of the reference currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ by corresponding percentages. In 13 The tuning offsets for the reference currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ can be 0.96 (96%), 1.04 (104%) and 1.06 (106%), respectively. As such, the tuned currents i ₂ and i ₃ will increase at a greater rate as the reference currents i ₂ and i ₃ increase. If the reference current i ₁ increases, then the tuned current i ₁ will increase at a slower rate.

For example, a single calibration may occur at 25 C and a CCT of 4000 K when the tuning offsets for each of the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ are determined. The resulting tuning offsets for the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ at 25 C and 4000 K can be applied to the respective model current curves. The effect is to shift each current curve up or down by a fixed percentage. As such, the same tuning offsets required for currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ at 4000K are applied to any chosen CCT between 3000K and 5000K. The tuning offsets are implemented by multiplying the reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 by a percentage that causes the currents I ₁ , I ₂ and I ₃ to increase or decrease. As indicated above, the reference control signals R1, R2 and R3 are varied with the tuning offsets to provide the tuned control signals T1, T2 and T3. The tuned control signals T1, T2 and T3 can be dynamically adjusted to provide compensation for temperature and dimming (output) levels.

While the fixed percentage based tuning offsets can be used for calibration and manufacturing efficiency, other tuning offsets can be derived and applied. For example, the tuning offsets may be fixed size offsets that are applied equally to all streams regardless of the CCT value. In a more complex scenario, an offset function can be derived for each of the currents i ₁ , i ₂ and i ₃ and applied to the control signals CS1, CS2 and CS3 over the CCT region.

The light 10 need not immediately change from one CCT level to another in response to a user or other device changing the desired CCT level. The luminaire 10 may use a fading rate, which dictates the rate of change for the CCT when transferred from one CCT level to another. The fade rate may be adjusted during manufacture, by the adjustment tool 36, the wall controller, or the like. For example, the fade rate could be 5000K per second. For example, assume that the CCT levels for a 5% dimming level and a 100% dimming level are 3000K and 5000K, respectively. If the user or some event changed the dimming level from 5% to 100%, then the CCT level can transition from 3000K to 5000K at a rate of 500K per second. The transition in this example would take 2 seconds. The darkening rate may or may not match the CCT fade rate. A fade rate allows changes in the selected CCT level to transition in a smooth manner to avoid abrupt switches from one CCT level to another.

With reference to 18 an exemplary wall controller 126 is shown. The wall controller 126 is shown in this embodiment with three buttons: an on/off button 130, a dim button 132, and a CCT button 134. As will be described in more detail below, the wall controller 126 may be hardwired to one or more lights 10 via wires be or may be configured to communicate directly or indirectly wirelessly with one or more lights 10. The wired or wireless communications will support delivery of signals, messages or commands, hereinafter referred to as signals, to the lights 10. The wall controllers 126 may be configured to easily pass the various user inputs to the associated light(s) 10 as the user inputs are received. In this case, the lights 10 will process the user input to determine the appropriate response to be made. If the wall controllers 126 operate primarily as an additional function, then the primary intelligence or ability to make decisions resides in the light(s) 10. Alternatively, significant processing and the ability to make decisions may be provided in the wall controller 126. wherein the wall controller 126 may process the various user inputs and determine how to instruct the light(s) 10 based on various criteria such as program rules, sensor information from local or remote sensors, previous user input, and the like ).

When discussing the various examples described below, any of these configurations or a combination thereof may be used. For the relay embodiment, the user input is passed to one or more lights 10 which will process the user input and provide the required lighting response. If the wall controller 126 needs to provide a user-perceivable response, the response may be initiated internally by the wall controller 126 based on available information or in response to commands received from the light 10. For example, if the wall controller 126 needs to control an LED disposed on the wall controller 126 to provide user feedback, this may be initiated internally or in response to a signal from a light fixture 10. With a smarter wall controller 126, the wall controller 126 can simply instruct the associated luminaire 10 to provide a specific lighting response, such as dimming to 50% with a CCT of 3500K, or to control the LED accordingly. In this case, the light 10 does not necessarily have to know the LED control.

If the wall controller 126 is equipped for wireless communications, then it can operate as a node in a multi-node wireless network in which certain nodes are lights 10. For further information regarding grid-based lighting networks, please see US Patent Application No. 13/782,022 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,040 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,053 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,068 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,078 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,096 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/782,131 , filed March 1, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/838,398 , filed March 15, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/868,021 , which was filed on April 22, 2013 and is US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/932,058 , filed January 27, 2014, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

With the in 18 In the embodiment shown, each of the three buttons (130, 132, 134) is shown as a rocker switch, with pressing the upper half of the button or button producing a first lighting control response and pressing the lower half of the button or button producing a second Lighting control response elicits. Regarding the on/off button 130, pressing the top half will cause the wall controller 126 to send a signal to turn on any associated light(s) 10. Pressing the lower half of the on/off button 130 will cause the wall controller to send a signal to turn off the associated light(s) 10. As with all of these signals, the signals may be sent directly or indirectly through a network to the associated luminaire(s) 10.

The dimming button or scan button 132 can be used to change the light output level or dimming level (also referred to as dimming level) of the associated light(s) 10.

For the dim button 132, pressing the top half will cause the wall controller 126 to send a signal to increase the output light level of the associated light(s) 10. Pressing the lower half of the dimming button 132 will cause the wall controller to send a signal to reduce the output light level of the associated luminaire(s) 10. Each time the upper half or lower half of the dimming button 132 is pressed, the associated light(s) 10 may be instructed to increase or decrease their output light level by a defined amount. When the upper half or lower half of the dimming button 132 is held down, the associated light(s) 10 may be instructed to continuously increase or decrease their output level until the dimming button 132 is released.

The CCT button 134 can be used to change the CCT of the light output of the associated lamp(s) 10. Regarding the CCT button 134, pressing the top half will cause the wall controller 126 to send a signal to increase the CCT level of the associated light(s) 10. Pressing the lower half of the CCT button 134 will cause the wall controller to send a signal to reduce the CCT level of the associated luminaire(s) 10. Each time the upper half or lower half of the CCT button 134 is pressed, the associated light(s) 10 may be instructed to increase or decrease their CCT by a defined amount. For example, each press of the top Half or lower half of the dimming button 132 cause the CCT of the light output of the associated lamp(s) 10 to be increased or decreased by 100 K. Alternatively, each press could result in a 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, or 500K change in light output. When the upper half or lower half of the dimming button 132 is held down, the associated light(s) 10 may be instructed to continuously increase or decrease their CCT level until the CCT button 134 is released . The rate of change may be fixed or may vary based on how long the CCT button 134 is held down. The longer the CCT button 134 is pressed, the faster the change in the CCT.

A modification of the wall controller 126 18 is in 19 shown. In this embodiment, a first CCT LED 186 is provided directly above the CCT button 134. However, the first CCT LED 136 could be provided anywhere on the wall controller 126. As with any of the features described in the embodiments above, the first CCT LED 136 could be included with any feature or part of any embodiment of the invention. The first CCT LED 136 may be a variable color LED that can output light of different colors and intensities depending on how it is driven. For example, the first CCT LED 136 may be configured to output light in a range from red to white to blue through a color spectrum in a continuous or gradual manner. The particular color or particular brightness of the light provided by the first CCT LED 136 may correspond to a particular CCT LED level adjusted by the wall controller 126 in response to a user using the CCT -Button 134 sets. For example, assume that the wall controller 126 is capable of changing the CCT of any associated lights 10 from 3000K to 5000K in 100K increments. If the user has used the CCT button 134 to select the lowest CCT (3000K), which corresponds to a warmer CCT, then the first CCT LED 136 is driven to omit a red light. If the user has used the CCT button 134 to select the highest CCT (5000K), which corresponds to a cooler CCT, then the first CCT LED 136 is driven to omit a blue light. If the user has used the CCT button 134 to select a mid-range (4000K) CCT, which corresponds to a relatively neutral CCT, then the first CCT LED 136 is driven to omit white light.

For these relatively warmer CCT levels between 3000K and 4000K, the light emitted from the first CCT LED 136 may gradually transition from red to orange to yellow to white as the CCT level increases progressively in 100K increments from 3000 to 4000 K progresses. For these relatively cooler CCT levels between 4000K and 5000K, the light emitted from the first CCT LED 136 may gradually transition from white to green to blue as the CCT level progresses from 4000 to 5000K in 100K increments . In an alternative to gradually changing colors along the visible light spectrum to indicate a relative CCT level, the first CCT LED 136 could be driven to change in intensity, where the warmer the CCT level, the brighter will be the red light emitted. In contrast, the cooler the CCT level, the brighter the blue light emitted will be. The LED can be turned off or can be a very dim red, white or blue at the mid-range CCT level. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various approaches exist to drive the first CCT LED 136 in a manner that causes the light emitted by the first CCT LED 136 to be output, regardless of whether it is color, the dimming level, or a combination thereof, corresponds to the current CCT level of the luminaire(s) 10 currently being controlled by the wall controller 126.

The wall controller 126 may control the first CCT LED 136 to emit light indicating the CCT level continuously when a user selects the CCT level using the CCT button 134 and possibly for a short time thereafter or on a periodic basis just changes. In the latter case, the first CCT LED 136 may light periodically to provide an indication of the CCT level.

20 illustrates an alternative configuration for the wall controller 126. Essentially, the operation and functionality of this wall controller 126 is analogous to that discussed above in connection with 19 was described. Instead of providing a separate dimming button 132 and CCT button 134, a multifunction button 138 is provided together with a selector switch 140. The selector switch 140 can be switched between a dimming mode and a CCT mode. When dimming mode is selected, the multifunction button 138 operates like the dimming button 132. When in CCT mode, the multifunction button 138 operates like the CCT button 134. Optionally, the first CCT LED 136 may be provided as described above and can be used so that the user has feedback as to the current or selected CCT level.

Another embodiment of the wall controller 126 is shown in 21 shown. The wall controller 126 has an on/off button 130 and a dim button 132 that operates as described above. The wall controller 126 also includes a first CCT LED 136 and a second CCT LED 142. As shown, the first CCT LED 136 is located above the dim button 132 and the second CCT LED 142 is located below the dim button 142. The first CCT LED 136 is part of or belongs to the first CCT button 144 and the second CCT LED 142 is part of or belongs to the second CCT button 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the first CCT LED forms 136 and the first CCT button 144 forms a first pushbutton switch and the second CCT LED 142 and the second CCT button 146 form a second pushbutton switch.

In one embodiment, the wall controller 126 may have minimum and maximum dim levels that are selectable through interaction with the dim button 132. The maximum darkening level can be set to 100% of the maximum light output level or less (i.e. 90% of the maximum light output level). The minimum setting can be completely off or at a lower dimming level, such as 5% of the maximum light output level. For illustrative purposes only, assume that the maximum darkening level is 100% of the maximum light output level and that the minimum darkening level is 5% of the maximum light output level.

The wall controller 126 allows a user to select a first CCT level for the maximum dim level using the first CCT button 144 and a second CCT level for the minimum dim level using the second CCT button 146. The respective first and second CCT LEDs 136, 142 are used to provide feedback for the current or selected maximum and minimum CCT levels, respectively. For example, the first and second CCT LEDs 136, 142 may be controlled to cycle through a series of colors ranging from red to blue through white to the relative CCT levels (i.e., 300K (Red), 4000 K (white) and 5000 K (blue).

The wall controller 126 will thus receive user input via the first and second CCT buttons 144, 146 to adjust the first and second CCT levels for the respective maximum and minimum dimming levels. Once the first and second CCT levels are identified, the CCT level of the lights 10 will transition from the second CCT level to the first CCT level as the dimming level changes from the minimum dimming level to the maximum dimming level.

For example, the wall controller 126 may receive user input via the first and second CCT buttons 144, 146 to set the first and second CCT levels to 5000K and 3000K, respectively. Assume that the corresponding maximum and minimum darkening levels are 100% and 5%, respectively. Once the CCT levels are set, the wall controller 126 will send commands to the luminaires 10 to cause the CCT level to transition from 3000K to 5000K when the dimming level changes from the minimum dimming level (5%) to the maximum dimming level (100%) changed. CCT levels and dimming levels vary from application to application. Furthermore, the lower darkening levels need not be associated with lower CCT levels, as the reversal may be desired in certain applications.

22 illustrates another variation of the concepts of 21 . In this embodiment, the first and second CCT LEDs 136 and 142 are each formed by an array of LEDs. The LEDs in each array can be different colored LEDs or can be controlled to emit different colors of light, which in turn can transition from red to blue to white or another color spectrum. For example, if the arrays of LEDs have five individual LEDs, as shown, the LEDs of the array of LEDs may transition from left to right as follows: Red, Yellow, White, Green, and Blue, with the CCT level associated with each LED heard, transitions from the minimum CCT level for red to the maximum CCT level for blue. Again, the first and second CCT buttons do not necessarily have to be integrated with the first and second CCT LEDs 136 and 142. Further, certain buttons on the wall controller 126 may support multiple functions and modes.

In particular, the first and second CCT LEDs 136 and 142 in the embodiments of FIG 21 and the 22 can also be used to easily set a current CCT level for one or more associated lights 10 by the user. In one mode, the user can set the maximum and minimum CCT levels for the maximum and minimum dimming levels. In another mode, the user may be able to change or set a fixed CCT level independent of a dimming level or changes to a dimming level.

Again, in any of the foregoing embodiments, the primary control may be assigned to either the wall controller 126 or a light fixture 10. If control resides primarily in the wall controller 126, then the user input may be processed alone or in conjunction with other criteria to determine how to command the light 10 to operate. If control resides primarily in the light 10, then the user input will be passed to the light 10, which will determine how it responds. The light 10 may also determine how the wall controller 126 should respond and may provide commands to respond accordingly. For example, if the wall controller 126 can set an LED on the wall controller 126 to emit light at a color or intensity that indicates a current CCT or CCT setting, then the light 10 can instruct the wall controller 126 to emit light at a specific color Based on the current state of the lamp 10.

An exemplary block diagram of the wall controller 126 is shown in 23 shown. The wall controller 126 includes a control circuit 148 associated with the memory 150 and configured to handle the necessary software or firmware required to implement the functionality described herein. The control circuitry includes a user input interface (I/F) 152 and a user output interface (I/F) 154. As noted above, the user input interface 152 may include the various switches, knobs, slide switches, and buttons, such as the on -/off button 130, the dim button 132, the CCT button 134, the first CCT button 144, the second CCT button 146 and the like. The user input interface 152 may be arranged in various groups of switches, buttons, slide switches, and keys. The user input interface could also be a touch screen interface. The user output interface 154 may include the CCT LEDs 136, 142, other LEDs or indicators, a display, or the like. The display could form part of the touch screen interface.

The control circuit 148 is also associated with one or both of a wireless communications interface 156 and a wired communications interface 158. The wireless communication interface 156 is configured to directly enable wireless communication to the one or more associated lights 10, a wireless network that includes the associated lights, or the like. Essentially, any type of wireless communication technology may be used, including Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), and the like. Even infrared, acoustic and optical communication technologies are possible.

In one embodiment, the wireless communications interface 156 is capable of communicating with the communications module 32 of at least one of the associated lights 10. Each light 10 can be configured to pass messages between other lights 10 and wall controller 126. The lights 10 may also be able to receive a signal from a wall controller 126 and then control other lights 10 based on that command. The wired communication interface 158 is designed to be wired directly to at least one of the associated lights 10 and to send the control signals over the wire connection.

In operation, the control circuit 148 may receive user input via the user input interface 152 or information from the lights 10 and the adjustment tool 36. Based on this input or information, the control circuit 158 may provide feedback to the user, via the user output interface 154, to provide commands via an appropriate signal to one or more associated lights 10 via the wireless or wired communication interfaces 156, 158, or both send. For example, the control circuit 148 may receive on/off commands, dimming levels, CCT settings, maximum or minimum CCT levels, and the like from the user input interface 152, as described above, and output to the user via the user output interface 154 and the associated lights 10. The output provided to the user may be control of the color or intensity of the first and second CCT LEDs 136, 142. The signal provided to the lights 10 may include user input or commands to turn on, turn off, adjust or transition to a particular CCT level, adjust or transition to a particular dim level, and the like.

The wall controller 126 may also include various sensors, such as an occupancy sensor 160 and an ambient light sensor 162. The control circuit 148 may simply pass the sensor outputs of the occupancy sensor 160 and the ambient light sensor 162 to the associated lights 10 or use the sensor outputs to help determine how to control the associated lights 10 are. For example, the ambient light levels and occupancy information may influence whether the wall controller 126 will turn the associated lights 10 on or off, as well as what dimming levels and CCT levels will be set based on a desired lighting schedule implemented in the wall controller 126. assuming that the lighting plan is not controlled by one of the associated lights 10. The time of day, day of the week, and date may also influence how the associated lights 10 are controlled generally as well as in connection with sensor outputs, user inputs, and the like.

With reference to the 24 and 25 an exemplary adjustment tool 36 is shown. The setting tool 36 (which is also referred to as a commission tool) includes a housing 164 in which a display 166 and user buttons 168 are integrated. The display 166 may be configured as a touch screen device, with all or a portion of the user buttons 168 or similar input mechanisms effectively integrated with the display 166. A power and communications port 170 is at one end of the housing 164 in 24 shown, and a light output port 172 is on the opposite end of the housing 164 in 25 shown. The light output port 172 is the mechanism from which a beam of light can be projected. The electronics of the adjustment tool 36 are described below.

With reference to 26 The electronics for the adjustment tool 36 may include a control circuit 174 associated with a wireless communications interface 176, a wired communications interface 178, a light projection system 80, a location sensing system 182, a display 166, and the user buttons 168. The control circuit 174 is based on one or more application-specific integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, or similar hardware associated with sufficient memory to run the firmware, hardware, and software necessary to produce the functionality described herein.

Everything may be powered by a power supply 184, which may include a battery and any necessary DC-DC conversion circuitry to convert the battery voltage to the desired voltages to power the various electronics. The display 166 and user buttons 168 provide a user interface that displays information to the user and allows a user to input information to the setting tool 36.

The wireless communication interface 176 allows wireless communications with the lights 10 directly or indirectly via a suitable wireless network. The wireless communications interface 176 may also be used to enable wireless communications with a personal computer, a wireless network (WLAN), and the like. Essentially, any communications standard may be used to enable such communications, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (Wireless LAN), Near Field, Cellular and similar wireless communications standards. The wired communications interface 178 can be used to communicate with a personal computer, a wired network (LAN), lights 10, and the like. The light projection system 180 may take various forms, such as a laser diode or a light-emitting diode capable of emitting a light signal that can be received by the lights 10 via the ambient light sensor S _A or other receiver mechanism.

For example, the light projection system 180 can be used to transmit a focused light signal that can be directed to and recognized by a specific light 10 to select the light 10. The selected light 10 and the adjustment tool 36 may initiate communication with each other via the wireless communication interface 176 to exchange information and enable the commands and data to be uploaded to the light 10. With other embodiments, the adjustment tool 36 may query the addresses of the lights 10 and systematically instruct the lights to control their light outputs to assist in identification of each light 10. Once the correct light 10 is identified, the adjustment tool 36 can begin configuration or control of the light 10.

The adjustment tool 36 can be used to adjust any parameter in the lights 10 and the wall controllers 26 and essentially control any aspect of the lights 10. For example, the adjustment tool can be used to adjust the CCT levels, CCT fade rates, darkening rates, darkening levels, maximum and minimum CCT levels and darkening levels, or the like. The adjustment tool 36 can be used to provide all of the control described above for the wall controllers 126 and thus can be used as a remote control for the lights 10, as well as a program ming tool for more complicated planning, parameter setting and the like. After installation of a luminaire 10, the adjustment tool 36 can be used to adjust or change the CCT level for the luminaire 10 in essentially any increment for any light output level, a maximum dimming level, a minimum dimming level, and the like, as well as the maximum and to set the minimum darkening level for the lights 10. The adjustment tool 36 can also be used to program the wall controllers 126 to set parameters and perform various tasks in response to essentially any input, including a user input, a time of day, a day of the week, a date, sensor data, and the like.

All control circuitry discussed herein for the lights 10, the wall controllers 126, and the adjustment tool 36 is defined as hardware-based and configured to run software, firmware, and the like to implement the functionality described above. These systems are able to track the time of day and day of the week to implement scheduled programming.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the techniques disclosed herein may be used in a luminaire using waveguide technology such as that provided in International Application No. PCT/US14/13937 , filed January 30, 2014, entitled “Optical Waveguide Bodies and Luminaires Utilizing Same,” which is the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/922,017 filed December 30, 2013, entitled “Optical Waveguide Bodies and Luminaires Utilizing Same” and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/842,521 , filed March 15, 2013, entitled “Optical Waveguides,” the disclosure thereof herein in its entirety being incorporated herein by reference.

All such improvements and modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

Claims (28)

Wall controller (126), comprising: a user input interface (152) comprising: a first section for receiving an indication of a dimming level; and a second section for receiving a correlated color temperature (CCT) parameter from a user, the second section being separate from the first section; a user output interface (154) through which a display above a CCT level is presented to the user; a communications interface (156, 158) to enable communications with at least one light (10); and a control circuit (148) associated with the user input interface (152), the user output interface (154), and the communications interface (156, 158), the control circuit (148) being configured to control the user output interface ( 154) to provide the display via the CCT level. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the control circuit (148) is further configured to receive information from the at least one lamp (10), and the user output interface (154) is controlled to provide the indication of the CCT level based on the information received from which at least one light (10) is received. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein, to control the user output interface (154), the control circuit (148) is further adapted to control the user output interface (154) to provide the indication of the CCT level based on user input. Wall controller (126) according to the Claims 2 or 3 , where the signal contains the user input. Wall controller (126) according to the Claims 2 or 3 , wherein the signal is a command based on the user input and generated by the control circuit (148). Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user output interface (154) includes at least one LED (136, 142) and the control circuit (148) is configured to adjust a color of the at least one LED (136, 142) based on the CCT level, when the CCT level changes, the color of the at least one LED (136, 142) changes in connection with the CCT level. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user output interface (154) includes an array of LEDs and the control circuit (148) is configured to set a number of LEDs in the array based on the CCT level are switched to be controlled such that when the CCT level changes, the number of LEDs in the array that are turned on changes with respect to the CCT level and the LEDs in the array have different colors. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user output interface (154) includes an array of LEDs and the control circuit (148) is configured to control which LEDs in the array are turned on based on the CCT level so that when the CCT level changes, different ones of the LEDs in the field are turned on in relation to the CCT level and the LEDs in the field have different colors. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user input interface (152) includes a switch for receiving the display of the dimming level and a button for receiving the CCT parameter. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user input interface (152) includes a first switch for receiving the dimming level indication and a second switch for receiving the CCT parameter, the user input interface (152) providing the CCT parameter when in a first position , and receives a dimming level parameter when it is in a second position. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user output interface (154), through which the display of the CCT level is presented to the user, comprises at least a first LED (136) and at least a second LED (142), the control circuit (148) being further configured, to control the at least one LED (136) to provide a first display of a first CCT level and to control the at least one second LED (142) to provide a second display of a second CCT level and the first CCT level is a minimum CCT level and the second CCT level is a maximum CCT level for the at least one lamp (10). Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the CCT level corresponds to an actual CCT of the light emitted by the at least one lamp (10). Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the CCT level corresponds to at least a minimum or a maximum CCT level that is set for the at least one lamp (10). Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the user input interface (152) includes a first button for receiving an indication of a dim level, a second button for receiving the indication of a CCT level, and a third button for receiving an indication of an on-off state. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , where the signal indicates an increase or a decrease in CCT level or a specific CCT level based on the user input. Wall controller (126). Claim 1 , wherein the control circuit (148) is further configured to: receive user input via the user input interface (152); and send a signal based on the user input toward the at least one light (10) via the communication interface (156, 158). Luminaire (10), comprising: at least one wavelength-converted LED of a first color with a first color point on a CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram, the first color point being defined by first color point coordinates (u', v') on the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram, at least one wavelength-converted LED of a second color having a second color point on the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram, the second color point being defined by second color point coordinates (u', v') on the CIE 1976 chromaticity diagram, and at least one third LED of a third Color with a third color point on the CEE 1976 chromaticity diagram; and a driver module (30) comprising: a control circuit (148); and at least one DC-DC converter (112), wherein the driver module (30) is configured to: a first current for the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color, a second current for the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color, and to generate a third current for the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third color; receive both correlated color temperature information indicating a desired correlated color temperature and dimming information indicating a desired dimming level; receive temperature information indicating a temperature; select reference control signals (R1, R2, R3) for the first, second and third streams (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) based on the desired correlated color temperature; the reference control signals (R1, R2, R3) for the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) based on the darkening information and the temperature to set temperature information; to adjust the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) based on the set reference control signals (R1, R2, R3) for the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ), so that light emitted by the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color, light emitted by the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color, and light emitted by the at least one LED of the third color, is combined to form a light having the desired correlated color temperature and corresponding to the desired darkening level, while maintaining the desired correlated color temperature such that when an intensity changes or the temperature changes corresponding to the desired darkening level, the desired one correlated color temperature remains unchanged; and wherein a difference in v' of the first color point coordinates and the second color point coordinates is greater than 0.033. light (10). Claim 17 , where the difference in v' of the first color point coordinates and the second color point coordinates is preferably greater than 0.0400 and less than 0.1500 and more preferably greater than 0.0500 and less than 0.1500. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the driver module (30) is configured to provide the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) such that the light emitted from the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color, the light emitted from the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color and the light emitted from the at least one LED of the third color are combined to form white light with a color point extending along a blackbody -Locus curve falls. light (10). Claim 19 , wherein the color point that falls along the blackbody locus is preferably within a five-level MacAdam ellipse of the blackbody locus, and more preferably within a four-level MacAdam ellipse of the blackbody locus. light (10). Claim 19 , wherein the driver module (30) is further configured to variable control ratios of the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) such that a correlated color temperature for the white light along the blackbody locus preferably of about 2700 K, about 5700 K, more preferably from about 3000 K to about 5000 K and most preferably from about 3000 K to about 4000 K. light (10). Claim 19 , where the white light has a color rendering index of greater than 90. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color is a blue-shifted yellow LED, the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color is a blue-shifted yellow LED, and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third Color is a red LED and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third color is not wavelength converted. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color is a blue-shifted green LED, the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color is a blue-shifted green LED, and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third Color is a red LED. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color consists essentially of a chain of wavelength-converted LEDs of essentially the first color, the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color consisting essentially of a chain of wavelengths converted LEDs of essentially the second color; and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third color consists essentially of a string of LEDs of essentially the third color. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the driver module (30) is configured to: provide the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) such that light from a chain of wavelength-converted LEDs of substantially the first color is sent out; light emitted from a string of wavelength-converted LEDs of substantially the second color; and light emitted from a string of LEDs of substantially the third color is combined to form white light with a color point falling along a blackbody site; and to variably control ratios of the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) such that a correlated color temperature for the white light can be set along the blackbody locus from approximately 3000 K to approximately 5000 K, wherein at least a wavelength-converted LED of the first color is a blue-shifted LED, at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color is a blue-shifted LED, and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third color is a red LED. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the driver module (30) is further configured to variably control ratios of the first, second and third currents (i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃ ) such that a desired correlated color temperature for the white light along a blackbody locus of about 3000 K to about 5000 K is adjustable and the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the first color consists essentially of a chain of wavelength-converted LEDs of essentially the first color, the at least one wavelength-converted LED of the second color essentially consists of a string of wavelength-converted LEDs of essentially the second color; and the at least one LED (136, 142) of the third color consists of essentially a string of LEDs of essentially the third color. light (10). Claim 17 , wherein the correlated color temperature information indicates a desired correlated color temperature on a blackbody locus for white light.

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