Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are passed through wire apertures formed by a combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module may be deformable and deform when affixed to the cap module. In some embodiments a sealing agent may be disposed in an interior of the capture device. The sealing agent may, for example, be assembled in solid form and be at least partially liquified for distribution. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The sealing agent may provide a water resistant seal between a base and a housing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an expandable light string that can span various length dimensions. The expandable light string has a flexible backbone cable, a plurality of lighting elements and single expandable member. The flexible backbone cable has a plurality of conductive wires extending and providing electrical conduction along a length between a first end and a second end of the flexible backbone cable. Each of the plurality of lighting elements is conductively coupled to at least two of the plurality of conductive wires of the flexible backbone cable so as to illuminate in response to receiving electrical operating power therefrom. The single expandable member is coupled at a plurality of coupling locations to the flexible backbone cable along the length thereof. The single expandable member is configured to expand or contract so as to change a length dimension of the expandable light string.

Abstract: A cable interface is configured to mechanically and electrically connect to, via a plurality of piercing members, power-channel wires and a common wire of a ribbon cable. A lighting-element socket coupled to the cable interface is configured to receive a lighting element within and to provide electrical connection between power and common electrical contacts of the lighting element received and power-channel and common electrical contacts of the lighting-element socket. A channel selector conductively connected to the power electrical contact of the lighting-element socket is configured to select and electrically connect to a selected one of the plurality of power-channel wires via the power-channel contacting members.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighting display that has a plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements distributed therealong. The plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements are series-connected from a first, through intervening one(s), to a last of the plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements. The intervening one(s) of the plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements receiving input power from and providing an output control signal to an immediately preceding one of the plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements. The intervening one(s) of the plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements providing output power to and receiving an input control signal from an immediately succeeding ones of the plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are passed through wire apertures formed by a combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module may be deformable and deform when affixed to the cap module. In some embodiments a sealing agent may be disposed in an interior of the capture device. The sealing agent may, for example, be assembled in solid form and be at least partially liquified for distribution. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The sealing agent may provide a water resistant seal between a base and a housing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are passed through wire apertures formed by a combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module may be deformable and deform when affixed to the cap module. In some embodiments a sealing agent may be disposed in an interior of the capture device. The sealing agent may, for example, be assembled in solid form and be at least partially liquified for distribution. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The sealing agent may provide a water resistant seal between a base and a housing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lighting system configured to be suspended overhead between two supporting structures. A tensile force will be imparted to the lighting system as a consequence of suspending the lighting system overhead. The lighting system can include one or more lighting sections connected end to end. Each of the lighting sections has a structural support cable and a light string coupled thereto. Each of the lighting sections has first and second end connectors on first and second ends of the lighting section. The first and second end connectors provide mechanical connection between adjacent structural support cables as well as electrical connection between adjacent light strings. The lighting sections are configured such that the tensile force imparted to the lighting section is mostly borne by the structural support cable.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are passed through wire apertures formed by a combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module may be deformable and deform when affixed to the cap module. In some embodiments a sealing agent may be disposed in an interior of the capture device. The sealing agent may, for example, be assembled in solid form and be at least partially liquified for distribution. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The sealing agent may provide a water resistant seal between a base and a housing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an electrical interface design architecture to independently excite each of a network of light strings and/or light string controllers with any of a number of independent excitation signals. In an illustrative example, each of the light strings may receive a selected one of the excitation signals conducted via a wiring assembly to an interface formed as a plug or a corresponding socket. In some embodiments, the interface may galvanically connect one or more of the excitation signals to a corresponding load according to user-selection of a relative orientation between the plug and the socket. In some implementations the load may include a down-stream controller that draws operating power through a selected one of the conductors at the interface. In various implementations, the interface may supply a load such as a multi-channel cable or single channel light string, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a water-resistant capture device for enclosing wired electro-magnetic components, the capture device having a base module and a connecting cap module, wherein when the base module and cap module enclose an electro-magnetic component and the base module is connected to the cap module, one or more electric wires are compressed within deformable wire apertures formed by the combined base module and cap module. In some embodiments, the base module is deformable and deforms when affixed to the cap module so as to form a compressive water-resistant seal to an interior of the capture device. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED may be captured within the capture device. The cap module may provide a compressing aperture to provide a water resistant seal around the lens of a LED projecting therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to synchronizing a plurality of lighting display controllers so as to temporally coordinate a corresponding plurality of lighting displays controlled thereby. A clock or timer is configured to generate a time sequence of timing signals, to which the plurality of lighting display systems synchronize themselves. Each of the plurality of lighting display systems display a first of a time sequence of spatial illumination patterns in response to receiving, from the transmitter, a signal indicative of a temporal start of the synchronized plurality of lighting displays. Each of the plurality of lighting display systems displays a subsequent spatial illumination patterns in response to receiving, from the transmitter, a subsequent timing signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an LED-based lighting element configured to emulate a glass-bulb filament light. The lighting element has a diffuser between an LED and a transparent lens. The LED emits light of a predetermined color in an emission pattern having a preferential direction of emission. The diffuser receives the light emitted according to the emission pattern and scatters the received light according to a diffusion pattern, thereby reducing the light projected in the preferential direction. The diffuser has an absorption coefficient that is substantially constant throughout the visible spectrum so as not to substantially change the predetermined color of the emitted light as it is scattered by the diffuser. The transparent lens is configured to receive the light scattered by the diffuser and to transmit the received light therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an LED-based lighting element configured to emulate a glass-bulb filament light. The lighting element has a diffuser between an LED and a transparent lens. The LED emits light of a predetermined color in an emission pattern having a preferential direction of emission. The diffuser receives the light emitted according to the emission pattern and scatters the received light according to a diffusion pattern, thereby reducing the light projected in the preferential direction. The diffuser has an absorption coefficient that is substantially constant throughout the visible spectrum so as not to substantially change the predetermined color of the emitted light as it is scattered by the diffuser. The transparent lens is configured to receive the light scattered by the diffuser and to transmit the received light therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to apparatus and methods for distributing a plurality of lighting control signals to a plurality of independently-controllable lighting elements coupled to an artificial tree. A subset of the plurality of lighting control signals are transmitted to each of the plurality of branch segments. Both operating power and these subsets of lighting control signals are transmitted to the independently-controllable lighting elements via two-conductor wires that engage each of the branch segments.