Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a curtain configured decorative lighting system. The curtain configuration of decorative light stings is obtained by using light-string distribution elements, each of which receives an input signal by a conductive lead. The input signal is indicative of a plurality of lighting commands. The light-string distribution element then provides an output signal to a tap connector, to which a decorative light string can be connected. The provided output signal is indicative of lighting commands corresponding to a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string connected thereto. The plurality of lighting elements of the attached decorative light string each illuminate in response to one of the lighting commands indicated by the output signal. In some embodiments, the decorative light string provides to the tap connector a signal indicative of lighting commands that do not correspond to lighting elements of that decorative light string.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The power controller can send a load-query signal the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The connected light strings respond to the query with a load-response signal, which is indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the one or more interconnected light strings. The load-response signal can be indicative of a total number of lighting elements of the one or more interconnected light strings, for example. Similarly, the load-response signal can be indicative of a desired power level for a predetermined illumination level of the one or more interconnected light strings.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a curtain configured decorative lighting system. The curtain configuration of decorative light stings is obtained by using light-string distribution elements, each of which receives an input signal by a conductive lead. The input signal is indicative of a plurality of lighting commands. The light-string distribution element then provides an output signal to a tap connector, to which a decorative light string can be connected. The provided output signal is indicative of lighting commands corresponding to a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string connected thereto. The plurality of lighting elements of the attached decorative light string each illuminate in response to one of the lighting commands indicated by the output signal. In some embodiments, the decorative light string provides to the tap connector a signal indicative of lighting commands that do not correspond to lighting elements of that decorative light string.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a light string having pluralities of lighting elements and one or more expandable links thereon, so as to facilitate expansion of the light string in response to applied tensile forces. The one or more expandable links includes a segment of flexible cable and an expansion member mechanically engaging the segment of the flexible cable. The one or more expandable links is in a natural state if no tensile force is applied between the first and second ends of the light string and in an expanded state if a tensile force is applied between the first and second ends of the light string. In the natural state, an arcuate portion of the flexible cable is between the first and the second ends of the light string. The arcuate portion of the flexible cable changes shape in response to an applied tensile force applied therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a series-connectable decorative light string. High-voltage power is received via a first electrical connector at a first end of the decorative light string and is conducted to a complementary second electrical connector at a second end of the decorative light string. The decorative light string has a power converter that converts the received high-voltage power to low-voltage DC power for consumption by a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string. Each of the plurality of lighting elements has an illumination controller. The plurality of lighting elements is wired in daisy chain fashion from the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector via data-in and data-out ports of each lighting element. The wire high-voltage power received by the first electrical connector can provide power to additional decorative light strings connected via the second electrical connector without resulting in degraded illumination.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a light string having pluralities of lighting elements and expandable links thereon, so as to facilitate expansion of the light string in response to applied tensile forces. Each of the expandable links includes a segment of flexible cable between an adjacent pair of the lighting elements and an expansion member mechanically engaging the segment of the flexible cable at first and second engagement portions. Each of the expandable links is in a natural state if no tensile force is applied between the first and second engagement portions and in an expanded state if a tensile force is applied between the first and second engagement portions. In the natural state, an arcuate portion of the flexible cable is between the first and the second engagement portions. The arcuate portion of the flexible cable changes shape in response to an applied tensile force applied therebetween.

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 providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected to a light-string connector. The constant brightness operating power is both independent of the variable voltage of the power source and independent of a number, up to a predetermined maximum number, of the one or more interconnected light strings connected to the light-string connector. Additional light strings can be connected to the one or more interconnected light strings without affecting a brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings. The brightness of the one or more interconnected light strings is similarly unaffected by voltage variations of the power source.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to modular series-connectable LED light strings having an input connector and an output connector for electrically communicating power and a control signal, an input control signal being actively level-shifted to a level suitable to a first lighting element of the LED light string. In an illustrative embodiment, the LED light string may have a plurality of series connected lighting elements that generate a series of intermediate supply voltage levels. In some embodiments, the active level shifter may bias the input control signal between an DC voltage level applied to a positive supply pin of the first lighting element and the intermediate supply voltage level generated at the connection of a negative supply pin of the first lighting element and the positive supply pin of the second lighting element. In some embodiments, active level-shifting may advantageously restore the proper bias for a series connected light string.

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 may relate to a collapsible tree system having limbs which automatically pivot from a low-profile position while the tree is in a collapsed state to an in-use position when the tree is in an extended state. In an illustrative example, the system may include limb supports movably disposed along a central support. Movement of the limb supports closer together and further apart may cause the limbs to pivot to and from positions. For example, due to limb contact with an adjacent limb support, the limbs may be caused to pivot to the low-profile position. When no forcible contact is present between an adjacent limb support and limb, gravitational forces may permit the limbs to freely pivot to the in-use position. In an illustrative example, each limb support may include a nesting cup for receiving a proximal end of the limbs while in the stowed position.

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.