Abstract: Color management and color-managed workflow concepts are applied to lighting apparatus configured to generate multi-colored light, including lighting apparatus based on LED sources. In particular, color management principles are employed to facilitate the generation of variable color light from a given lighting apparatus based on any of a number of possible input specifications for a desired color. In one example, a transformation between an arbitrary input specification for a desired color and a lighting command processed by the lighting apparatus is accomplished via the use of a source color management profile for the input specification of the desired color, a target color management profile for the lighting apparatus, and a common working color space. Colors defined in the common working color space may be reproduced or approximated (e.g., according to one or more rendering intents) by one or more lighting apparatus.

Abstract: Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involving at least two LEDs configured to generate at least two different spectra of radiation that are combined to produce white light. At least one parameter of the at least two different spectra of radiation generated by the at least two LEDs is controlled, based at least in part on at least one lighting control signal received by the apparatus over at least one wireless communication link, so as to control at least a color temperature of the white light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cove lighting apparatus for architectural surfaces, particularly, recessed cove lighting apparatus integrated with an architectural surface and employing LED-based light sources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing and controlling power to at least some types of loads. In one example, a controlled predetermined power is provided to a load without requiring any feedback information from the load (i.e., without monitoring a load voltage and/or load current). In another example, a “feed-forward” power driver for an LED-based light source combines the functionality of a DC-DC converter and a light source controller, and is configured to control the intensity of light generated by the light source based on modulating the average power delivered to the light source in a given time period, without monitoring and/or regulating the voltage or current provided to the light source. In various examples, significantly streamlined circuits having fewer components, higher overall power efficiencies, and smaller space requirements are realized.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating one or more scents in conjunction with light. Light of various colors, including dynamic lighting effects, may be generated such that at least one characteristic of the light may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics of a scent or scents, and/or proximate environmental conditions. In one example, one or more LED-based light sources are employed together with a scent-producing facility in a conventional household product (e.g., an integrated air-freshener/LED night light, an LED-simulated candle with scent, etc.).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for LED modules that include an LED die integrated in an LED package with a submount that includes an electronic component for controlling the light emitted by the LED die. The electronic component integrated in the submount may include drive hardware, a network interface, memory, a processor, a switch-mode power supply, a power facility, or another type of electronic component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying information. One or more information signals representing scalar or numeric information that is not associated with color is/are received from a data base, a network, the World Wide Web, or a software program. The information signal(s) is/are converted into one or more illumination control signals representing at least color information, and a color of illumination generated by one or more LED-based light sources is controlled in response to the illumination control signal(s) so as to convey the scalar or numeric information via at least the color of the generated illumination.

Abstract: Methods for allocating power amongst different source spectrums, or “channels,” of a multi-channel lighting unit, and apparatus that employ such methods. Power allocation methods exploit the total light-generating capability of a lighting unit while maintaining safe operating power conditions, so as to avoid damage to the lighting unit due to excessive thermal power generation. In one example, a power allocation method ensures that a lighting unit operates at or near its maximum power handling capability for a variety of possible high brightness lighting conditions by ascribing a maximum per channel operating power equal to the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computer-based control of light sources in a networked lighting system. In one example, a plurality of LED-based lighting systems are arranged as computer controllable “light strings.” Applications contemplated for such light strings include, but are not limited to, decorative and entertainment-oriented lighting applications (e.g., Christmas tree lights, display lights, theme park lighting, video and other game arcade lighting, etc.). Via computer control, one or more such light strings may provide a variety of complex temporal and color-changing lighting effects. In one example, lighting data is communicated in a given light string in a serial manner, according to a variety of different data transmission and processing schemes. In another example, individual lighting systems of a light string are coupled together via a variety of different conduit configurations to provide for easy coupling and arrangement of multiple light sources constituting the light string.

Abstract: Disclosed are various methods and apparatus for controlling illumination sources in a networked lighting system. For example, disclosed is an integrated circuit to control at least one illumination source. The integrated circuit includes a data reception circuit; an illumination control signal generation circuit coupled to the data reception circuit; and a clock generating circuit coupled to the data reception circuit for extracting information from serial data input to the integrated circuit in coordination with a clock pulse generated by the clock generating circuit. The illumination control signal generation circuit generates at least one illumination control signal to control the at least one illumination source based on the extracted information.

Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) methods and apparatus in which at least one first OLED generates first radiation having a first spectrum, and at least one second OLED generates second radiation having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum. In one example, an addressable controller is coupled to the first OLED and the second OLED for independently controlling a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation based on a network signal including lighting information for a plurality of light-generating apparatus. An OLED controller may be in communication with a user interface to control different OLED-generated spectrums in response to user operation of the user interface. In one aspect, a controller may be configured to implement a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control the OLEDs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing and controlling power to loads including one or more LEDs. In one example, a controlled predetermined power is provided to a load without requiring any feedback information from the load (i.e., without monitoring a load voltage and/or load current). In another example, a “feed-forward” power driver for an LED-based light source combines the functionality of a DC-DC converter and a light source controller, and is configured to control the intensity of light generated by the light source based on modulating the average power delivered to the light source in a given time period, without monitoring and/or regulating the voltage or current provided to the light source. In various examples, significantly streamlined circuits having fewer components, higher overall power efficiencies, and smaller space requirements are realized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downloading one or more lighting programs including one or more lighting effects. The lighting program(s) may be downloaded from a web site to one or more LED-based lighting devices that are configured to execute the downloaded lighting program(s) so as to reproduce the lighting effect(s). In various examples, a variety of programming devices may be employed to facilitate wired or wireless downloading, including one or more computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, media players (e.g., MP3 players), and the like. Information may be uploaded to the web site to facilitate selection and/or creation of lighting effect(s) that are included in the downloaded lighting program(s).

Abstract: Described herein are lighting units of a variety of types and configurations, including linear lighting units suitable for lighting large spaces, such as building exteriors and interiors. Also provided herein are methods and systems for powering lighting units, controlling lighting units, authoring displays for lighting units, and addressing control data for lighting units.

Abstract: Methods and means for embedding electronic components, such as LED-based light sources and associated control circuitry, into molded or continuously cast surface materials (e.g., material manufactured under the trademark CORIAN®). During the manufacture of the surface material, the components can be held in position using a scaffold or frame constructed of a sacrificial material, the same material as the finished surface material and/or another material used in the manufacture of the finished product. The embedded components can include control circuitry, e.g., printed circuit boards, for separately controlling each component, power conductors and data busses. Conductors and/or busses can be in the form of conductive rails, wire mesh or sheets. Access to the conductors in the finished product can be made by a number of methods, including but not limited to sanding, grinding, drilling into, screwing into, and/or inserting pins into the finished material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for providing a luminous writing surface, whose color, color temperature, and/or brightness are controlled to achieve a desired contrast between the writing surface and markings removably made thereon. For example, LED-based light sources and/or LED-based controllable lighting units can be employed to back-light or edge-light a transparent or translucent material thereby providing the luminous writing surface.

Abstract: A switching power supply is modified to mitigate potentially adverse effects of near zero loads on power delivery. In one example, a processor-controlled dummy load is coupled to the power supply output in addition to an actual load. The dummy load is controlled so that at least some minimal load is presented to the power supply when the actual load is drawing low or near zero power. In another example, the feedback loop of the switching power supply is modified to mitigate the effects of a potential overvoltage condition in a bias supply from which the switch controller of the power supply draws power, which condition may occur at low or near zero load power. A lighting system may include a switching power supply thusly modified to provide power to a variable load that includes one or more LED-based lighting apparatus.

Abstract: Vehicle lighting methods and apparatus, in which an LED-based light source is configured to generate at least visible radiation associated with a vehicle. The light source is controlled such that the generated visible radiation has a variable color over a range of colors including at least three different perceivable colors. Examples of vehicles in which such methods and apparatus may be used include, but are not limited to, an automobile, airplane, boat, non-motorized vehicle, etc. The LED-based light source may be disposed inside the vehicle (e.g., dashboard, instrument panel) or outside the vehicle (e.g., brake lights, undercarriage lighting), and may be controlled to generate white light as one of the perceivable colors. A user interface may be employed to facilitate an adjustment of the variable color of the generated visible radiation.