Abstract: A driver circuit receiving wireless communication over a wireless network is disclosed. The driver circuit includes a lighting load, a main driver, and an auxiliary driver. The lighting load is selectively illuminated based on an output voltage being provided to the lighting load that is at least a forward voltage of the lighting load. The wireless communication is indicative of whether the lighting load is to be illuminated. The main driver is for controlling current and voltage within the driver circuit such that if the wireless communication indicates the lighting load is to be illuminated, then the current delivered to the lighting load is regulated by the main driver, and if the wireless communication indicates the lighting load is not to be illuminated, then the output voltage delivered to the lighting load is controlled by the main driver is below the forward voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for creating functional lighting groups. The apparatus includes one or more wireless devices and a commissioning device. The one or more wireless devices are coupled together via a line voltage, and are configured to enter a grouping mode responsive to commands sent over a wireless network, and are configured to send messages over the wireless network indicating that they have been power cycled via the line voltage. The commissioning device is coupled to the one or more wireless devices over the wireless network, and is configured to send the commands, and is configured to receive the messages, and is configured to create a functional lighting group comprising the one or more wireless devices.

Abstract: A multimode switch is provided that has a wireless transceiver, a line voltage switch, and a switch controller. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit and receive messages over a wireless network. The line voltage switch is coupled to a line voltage and to one or more wireless devices. The switch controller, responsive to first messages received over the wireless network, is configured to direct the line voltage switch to provide the line voltage to, and subsequently remove line voltage from, the one or more wireless devices, and is configured to receive first identifying information and functional group designation for the one or more wireless devices in second messages over the wireless network, and is configured to thereafter control the one or more wireless devices according to the identifying information and functional group designation via transmission of third messages over the wireless network.

Abstract: Power consumption in a start-up circuit for a LED-based light bulb may be reduced by digitally switching a transistor of the start-up circuit coupled to the input voltage. When the transistor is digitally switched between on and off, a reduced amount of power is dissipated by the transistor, because it may not enter a saturation region of operation where the resistance of the transistor between drain and source terminals increases. The transistor may be coupled to a voltage regulator for generating one or more output voltages, including a supply voltage for a host controller IC. The transistor may be switched on and off by a digital signal generated by logic circuitry, which may decide to switch the transistor on and off based on a voltage level at an output of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided. The lighting system includes at least one light-emitting diode and a monitoring output, and a fault signal is present at the monitoring output in the event of a defect of the light-emitting diode during operation of the lighting system. The lighting system also includes a switch for switching a connection between a current source and the light-emitting diode. The lighting system further includes a comparator which is coupled with the monitoring output and the switch. The current source is disconnected from the light-emitting diode in an activated state of the switch, and the comparator is configured to switch the switch into the activated state when the fault signal is present at the monitoring output.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination device for controlling illumination in a vehicle interior includes an operation input portion configured to receive an instruction operation of either lighting or light adjustment by a user, a first state detection portion configured to detect a first state representative of a getting-off preparation of the user, a second state detection portion configured to detect a second state representative of a getting-off completion of the user, and a light adjustment degree setting portion configured to shift the illumination to a preset light adjustment degree including off when the first state and the second state are detected.

Abstract: Indicator circuit having a backlight and an indicator light associated with a graphical element. The graphical element is adapted to be illuminated by the indicator light for indicating an active vehicle function as well as backlit by the backlight. A switch coupled to the backlight selectively turns OFF the backlight in response to a drive signal supplied by the indicator light. In this manner, the backlight is OFF when the graphical element is illuminated by the indicator light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma accelerator that produces and controls a plasma stream exhaust, in particular for space propulsion. The ions are produced inside the discharge chamber by working gas collisional ionization by electrons from a single electron source placed outside, also employed for ion beam neutralization. The ion motion is directed outwards through the exit side by the electric field between a cathode grid and the walls of the plasma chamber. The acceleration voltage imparts energy to the ion flux and an electrically biased control grid modulates the ion outflow from the discharge chamber and the electron inflow from the electron source. This allows electrical control of throttle and/or modulation of thrust delivered along the longitudinal direction of the thruster axis. Several plasma accelerators could be clustered together to provide controlled non-axial thrust using the individual control of throttle.

Abstract: A lighting device which causes a first light source to emit illumination light and a second light source to emit illumination light having a color temperature higher than a color temperature of the illumination light emitted by the first light source includes: an illuminator which includes a first switching element connected in series to the first light source, and a second switching element connected in series to the second light source; an illumination controller which controls the illuminator to place at least one of the first switching element and the second switching element into an off state; and a constant-current controller which detects a sum of values of currents flowing through the first light source and the second light source, and controls the first switching element and the second switching element based on the sum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lighting system including a detector, which is configure to obtain an indicator data of a RF signal. The detector compares the indicator data with a baseline indicator data to generate a difference value and determines a rate of change from the indicator data. The detector also determines a data metric based on the rate of change and the difference value and compares the data metric with a transition threshold to detect one of an occupancy condition or a non-occupancy condition in the area. The lighting system also includes a light source, which is controlled in response to the detected one of the occupancy condition or the non-occupancy condition in the area.

Abstract: An LED driver uses a switch mode power supply either to provide a regulated LED current (in a first mode) that connects directly to the LED arrangement or a regulated LED voltage (in a second mode) to an LED output terminal. An auxiliary power supply is either based on an auxiliary secondary side (i.e. an auxiliary secondary side winding) when in the first mode, or it is based on the regulated LED voltage when in the second mode. The LED driver further comprises an input adapted to receive a standby command for the driver, wherein the main controlling unit is adapted to control the driver in the second mode when receiving the standby command for the driver. In this way, the driver has a single shared stage which can operated in a regulated current (i.e. constant current) mode to drive the LED arrangement directly or a regulated voltage (i.e. constant voltage) mode. It can adaptively change between modes to improve the standby power efficiency. When the load is turned on (e.g.

Abstract: An LED Lighting System for use with AC voltage power source configured such that a driver, and LED circuit is combined, the driver having an input of a first AC voltage and first frequency and an output of a second voltage and frequency delivered to the LED circuit. Embodiments include the LED circuit, driver and at least one capacitor mounted to a reflective substrate.

Abstract: A DC current driver includes a DC current drive circuit configured to provide a DC supply current and receive a DC return current. A switch is coupled in series with the DC return current, and a supplemental power supply is coupled in parallel with the switch and configured to provide a supplemental voltage. Opening the switch diverts the DC return current through the supplemental supply and closing the switch causes the DC return current to bypass the supplemental supply.

Abstract: A rain gutter illumination system having a cover for attaching to a rain gutter with an aperture along the substantial length of the cover, and opposing recesses for retaining a decorative insert. When the decorative insert is inserted in the cover, it is held in place by the recesses, and a light source and optional diffusing panel may be arranged in the cover so that the light source projects light through the aperture of the illuminable surface. The light source may be remotely controllable using a wireless remote control device, such as a smart phone over a network connection.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for controlling aquatic lighting using power line communication are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a lighting controller configured to receive power via an AC power line, the lighting controller comprising a light driver circuit configured to be coupled to at least one light source, a first power line modem configured to be connected to a local area network via a second powerline modem and the AC power line, and a processor that is configured to receive, from a user interface via the first power line modem, lighting data corresponding to a lighting selection specified by user input received by the user interface and cause the light driver circuit to drive the at least one light source to present the lighting selection based on the lighting data.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided for changing the spectrum of light emission from a light-emitting diode (LED) light set. The LED light set may include LEDs, each of which having at least a first LED chip and a second LED chip configured to emit light at differing wavelengths. The first and second LED chips may be connected in series with opposite polarities. Responsive to receiving a power flow in a first direction from a power terminal, the first LED chip may emit light of a first color while the second LED chip may remain powered off. Responsive to receiving the power flow in a second direction opposite the first direction from the power source, the second LED chip may emit light of a second color different from the first color while the first LED chip may remain powered off.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame. A three dimensional carrier includes an array of a plurality of light sources distributed on it. A control circuit coordinates on/off of the light sources in a manner to simulate a jumping flame. In one embodiment, the three dimensional carrier and LEDs are encapsulated in an at least partially light transmissive cover. This light modular engine includes a control circuit and an interface to electrical power. The system can include the light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture. The methodology can include a sequence of on/off and brightness variations for the array of light sources.

Abstract: A multi-port communications gateway for one or more LED based illumination devices includes a lighting communications interface that is configured to be coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). The lighting communications interface transmits both data signals and power signals. A lighting control network interface is configured to be coupled to a lighting control system, which generates control commands. A building management network interface is configured to be coupled to a building management system and is configured to receive and transmit information from sensors coupled to the LED based illumination device(s). Memory in the gateway stores information received from the LED based illumination device (s). A processor determines a summary status value associated with the LED based illumination device(s) based on information stored in memory. A real time clock determines a date and time that is periodically transmitted to the LED based illumination device(s).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for remotely dimming lights are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light-dimming apparatus for placement within a lighting enclosure of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The light-dimming apparatus can comprise an AC live input terminal, an AC neutral input terminal, an AC live output terminal, an AC neutral output terminal, a dimmer module, and a microcontroller unit comprising a plurality of wireless communication modules, a first processor core, and a second processor core. The first processor core can be programmed to execute instructions to receive a dimming command from another device via at least one of the plurality of wireless communication modules and the second processor core can be programmed to execute further instructions to receive zero-crossing signals from the dimmer module and transmit switching signals to the dimmer module to modulate the power supplied to the lighting load to dim the brightness of the lighting load.

Abstract: A lighting control system includes control devices each configured to be coupled with one or more lighting devices. Each of the control devices includes sensor(s) configured to measure a characteristic of an environment, and hardware circuitry configured to connect with a network for one or more of remotely controlling operation of the one or more lighting devices, communicating the characteristic that is sensed, or monitoring information received through the network. The hardware circuitry of the control devices are configured to operate between different operational modes to perform different functions to control the one or more lighting devices based on the characteristic that is measured by the one or more sensors, based on the information received via the network, or based on both the characteristic that is measured and the information received via the network. The system also includes switching hardware configured to change the operational mode of the control devices.