Abstract: A system, remote control device and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a visible light communication system comprising a remote control device and a plurality of controlled devices. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the visible light communication system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.

Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.

Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.

Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.

Abstract: A recessed downlight fixture and method for installation is provided. The recessed downlight fixture can be installed in a retrofit application, after a ceiling is installed, through a pre-existing opening in that ceiling. Alternatively, a recessed downlight fixture according to a second embodiment can be installed before a ceiling is present. In either embodiment, the light source coupled to, for example, a heat sink, can be universally moved in three degrees of movement, rotationally, along a tilt axis, or further within the ceiling to increase or decrease the recess. All such universal adjustments can take place through and below the ceiling opening during or after installation.

Abstract: Intelligent illumination device are disclosed that use components in an LED light to perform one or more of a Wide variety of desirable lighting functions for very low cost. The LEDs that produce light can be periodically turned off momentarily, for example, for a duration that the human eye cannot perceive, in order for the light to receive commands optically. The optically transmitted commands can be sent to the light, for example, using a remove control device. The illumination device can use the LEDs that are currently off to receive the data and then configure the light accordingly, or to measure light. Such light can be ambient light for a photosensor function, or light from other LEDs in the illumination device to adjust the color mix.

Abstract: A recessed downlight fixture and method for installation is provided. The recessed downlight fixture can be installed in a retrofit application, after a ceiling is installed, through a pre-existing opening in that ceiling. Alternatively, a recessed downlight fixture according to a second embodiment can be installed before a ceiling is present. In either embodiment, the light source coupled to, for example, a heat sink, can be universally moved in three degrees of movement, rotationally, along a tilt axis, or further within the ceiling to increase or decrease the recess. All such universal adjustments can take place through and below the ceiling opening during or after installation.

Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.

Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.

Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for controlling individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an LED illumination device, so that a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device can be maintained over time as the LEDs age. According to one embodiment, the method comprises applying drive currents to a plurality of LED chains substantially continuously to produce illumination, measuring a photocurrent induced on the photodetector in response to the illumination produced by each LED chain, one LED chain at a time, and received by the photodetector, and measuring a forward voltage developed across the photodetector by applying a non-operative drive current to the photodetector.

Abstract: A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein.

Abstract: An illumination device described herein includes at least a phosphor converted LED, which is configured for emitting illumination for the illumination device, a first photodetector and a second photodetector. A spectrum of the illumination emitted from the phosphor converted LED comprises a first portion having a first peak emission wavelength and a second portion having a second peak emission wavelength, which differs from the first peak emission wavelength. The first photodetector has a detection range, which is configured for detecting only the first portion of the spectrum emitted by the phosphor converted LED. The second photodetector has a detection range, which is configured for detecting only the second portion of the spectrum emitted by the phosphor converted LED. Methods are provided herein for calibrating and controlling each portion of the phosphor converted LED spectrum, as if the phosphor converted LED were two separate LEDs.

Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.

Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.

Abstract: A linear multi-color LED illumination device that produces uniform color throughout the output light beam without the use of excessively large optics or optical losses is disclosed herein. Embodiments for improving color mixing in the linear illumination device include, but are not limited to, a shallow dome encapsulating a plurality of emission LEDs within an emitter module, a unique arrangement of a plurality of such emitter modules in a linear light form factor, and special reflectors designed to improve color mixing between the plurality of emitter modules. In addition to improved color mixing, the illumination device includes a light detector and optical feedback for maintaining precise and uniform color over time and/or with changes in temperature. The light detector is encapsulated within the shallow dome along with the emission LEDs and is positioned to capture the greatest amount of light reflected by the dome from the LED having the shortest emission wavelength.

Abstract: A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein.

Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided for controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs (specifically, the LED loads) are controlled, e.g., brightness and color of the LED loads, independent of a phase-cut dimmer applied to the AC mains feeding a DC power supply. The power supply is active dependent upon the duration of a conduction angle supplied from the dimmer. The power supply, however, produces drive currents that are independent from the conduction angle by using a two-stage power supply and a relatively slow and fast control loops that are controlled through a microprocessor based control circuit. Parameters stored in the control circuit are drawn by the microprocessor to control the two-stage power supply to produce the drive currents independent and decoupled from the conduction angle yet dependent on the controller parameters.

Abstract: A lighting control system and method is disclosed for not only controlling visual content loaded within a group set of illumination devices configured within a wireless network, but also for ensuring minimal control delay to those grouped devices. The lighting control system can include a lighting controller device that controls a plurality of lamps within a mesh network, not only to group those lamps but also to assign content to lamps within that group. The combination of a guaranteed groupcast to each of the group of lamps and an acknowledge back from those lamps that is aggregated over a single path achieves the improved lighting control system disclosed herein.

Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided for controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs (specifically, the LED loads) are controlled, e.g., brightness and color of the LED loads, independent of a phase-cut dimmer applied to the AC mains feeding a DC power supply. The power supply is active dependent upon the duration of a conduction angle supplied from the dimmer. The power supply, however, produces drive currents that are independent from the conduction angle by using a two-stage power supply and a relatively slow and fast control loops that are controlled through a microprocessor based control circuit. Parameters stored in the control circuit are drawn by the microprocessor to control the two-stage power supply to produce the drive currents independent and decoupled from the conduction angle yet dependent on the controller parameters.

Abstract: An illumination device comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a method for calibrating the illumination device is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the method may include subjecting a first LED to a first ambient temperature, measuring a forward voltage developed across the first LED upon applying a relatively small drive current to the first LED, detecting at least a first, a second and a third luminous flux output from the first LED upon successively applying at least a first, a second and a third drive current to the first LED, and storing results of the measuring and detecting steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the first LED may be subjected to a second ambient temperature, which is different from the first ambient temperature, and the method may repeat the steps of measuring, detecting and storing to calibrate the first LED at the second ambient temperature.