Abstract: A method of controlling a solid state lighting apparatus can be provided by receiving a solid state lighting characteristic selection signal at a solid state lighting apparatus and selecting, responsive to the solid state lighting characteristic selection signal, a solid state lighting model that defines a relationship between different lighting parameters used to vary light output from the solid state lighting apparatus responsive to a user input provided to the solid state lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a string of light emitting diode (LED) sets coupled in series where each set includes at least one LED. A current diversion circuit is coupled to the string and is configured to operate responsive to a bias state transition of one of the LED sets to direct current away from another one of the LED sets. A current limiting circuit is coupled in series with the string and is configured to conduct current responsive to a forward biasing of all of the LED sets. The current limiting circuit includes only passive electrical component(s).

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a string of Light Emitting Diode (LED) sets coupled in series, each set including at least one LED, a light spreading circuit configured to incrementally turn on respective ones of the LED sets responsive to a power signal, and an energy storage module that is configured to store energy during a first interval of a period of the power signal and to apply the stored energy to the string during a second interval of the period of the power signal.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light emitting device that has an attribute that is adjustable responsive to a control signal carried on a power line from which the light emitting device receives an Alternating Current (AC) power signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a lighting apparatus including a plurality of lighting circuits coupled in series. Each lighting circuit includes a control circuit configured to selectively provide current to at least one LED and at least one charge storage device coupled to the at least one LED. The control circuit may be configured to cause the at least one charge storage device to be selectively charged from a current source and to be discharged via the at least one LED responsive to a varying input. For example, the control circuit may be configured to limit current through the at least one LED to thereby divert current to the at least one charge storage device.

Abstract: A lighting device comprising a solid-state light source, and a diffuser configured for color mixing of the light from the solid-state light source and spatially separated therefrom, the diffuser comprising at least one phosphor material. Methods of fabricating a lighting device having a reduced total amount of phosphor comprising combining an amount of phosphor with a diffuser structure.

Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus can include a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, where at least one of the opposing surfaces is configured to mount devices thereon. A string of chip-on-board light emitting diode (LED) sets, can be on the first surface of the substrate and coupled in series with one another. An ac voltage source input, from outside the solid state lighting apparatus, can be coupled to the first or second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a first substrate including a switching circuit, the switching circuit including a first port, a second port and a current control circuit configured to generate a current at the second port of the current control circuit responsive to a varying voltage at the first port. The apparatus further includes a second substrate mounted on the first substrate and including at least two LEDs electrically coupled to the second port of the current control circuit of the first substrate.

Abstract: LED lighting systems include an enclosure adjacent at least one LED that is configured so that at least some light that is emitted by the at least one LED passes through the enclosure. The enclosure has less than about 10% total absorption. The enclosure also has a transmittance-to-reflectance ratio that is configured to homogenize light that emerges from the enclosure (1) directly from the at least one LED, and (2) after one or more reflections within the enclosure.

Abstract: Provided is a solid state lighting apparatus that includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) including at least a first LED and a second LED. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor that is configured to provide a temperature signal corresponding to an operating condition of the solid state lighting apparatus and a control circuit that is configured to receive the temperature signal and to selectively interrupt electrical current to a portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes responsive to the temperature signal including a value that exceeds a high temperature limit.

Abstract: A lighting device comprising plural excitation sources configured to provide at least two excitation peak emissions of different wavelength and at least one phosphor material radiationally coupled to the plural light source, the lighting device having a plurality of operational states comprising a first operation state wherein excitation of the at least one phosphor material by a first peak emission from the plural excitation sources provides a first correlated color temperature (CCT) value, and at least one additional operational state wherein excitation of the at least one phosphor material by a second peak emission from the plural excitation sources provides at least one additional CCT value different from the first CCT value. Methods of varying the CCT value using the lighting device with controlled power distribution to the plural excitation sources.

Abstract: Light emitting devices include a first string of LEDs that emit light having a color point that is within at least eight MacAdam ellipses of a first blue-shifted-yellow region on the 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, a second string of LEDs that emit light having color point that is within at least eight MacAdam ellipses of a second blue-shifted-green region on the 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, and a third light source that emits radiation having a dominant wavelength between 600 and 720 nm. A drive circuit supplies respective drive currents to the first string of LEDs, the second string of LEDs and the third light source, at least two of which are independently controllable.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes at least two sets of light-emitting devices with overlapping spectra and different chromaticities, such as two sets of blue-shifted yellow (BSY) LEDs producing outputs with different yellow content. The devices may be selectively controlled, e.g., by using selective current bypass circuits, to provide a desired color temperature or other visual performance in response to a dimming control input such that, for example, a light output approximating that of an incandescent lamp may be achieved.

Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting circuits include semiconductor light emitting diodes that are serially connected between a pair of input terminals. Four layer semiconductor devices, such as Shockley diodes and/or thyristors are also provided, a respective one of which is connected across a respective one of the semiconductor light emitting diodes. The four layer semiconductor devices can allow a string of light emitting diodes to continue to be lit if one light emitting diode fails.

Abstract: LED lighting systems operate their LED above a junction temperature of 85° C. and space apart from the LED, components of the LED lighting system that reduce an expected lifetime of the LED lighting system to less than 25,000 hours as a result of operating the LED above the junction temperature of 85° C. Accordingly, the LED itself may be driven hotter than is conventionally the case, without impacting its lifetime. By allowing the LED to operate hotter, reduced heat sinking may be needed for the LED itself, which can decrease the cost, size and/or complexity of the thermal management system for the LED lighting system and/or can allow a thermal budget for the LED lighting system to be used elsewhere. Related structures are also described.

Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a sensor configured to output a sensor signal indicative of at least one operating condition of the solid state lighting apparatus, and a control circuit coupled to the sensor. The control circuit is configured to temporarily interrupt electrical current to ones of the plurality of light emitting diodes at respective intervals responsive to the sensor signal indicating that the operating condition does not meet a desired operating threshold to provide a visible indicator thereof in light emitted by the apparatus. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: A solid state lighting comprising: at least one LED element positioned on a top surface of a substrate or a submount; and a polygonal structure comprising a plurality of edges forming a plurality of facets configured to receive light from the at least one LED element, the polygonal structure comprising a wavelength converting material, wherein the wavelength converting material is remotely positioned from the at least one LED element.

Abstract: LED lighting systems operate their LED above a junction temperature of 85° C. and space apart from the LED, components of the LED lighting system that reduce an expected lifetime of the LED lighting system to less than 25,000 hours as a result of operating the LED above the junction temperature of 85° C. Accordingly, the LED itself may be driven hotter than is conventionally the case, without impacting its lifetime. By allowing the LED to operate hotter, reduced heat sinking may be needed for the LED itself, which can decrease the cost, size and/or complexity of the thermal management system for the LED lighting system and/or can allow a thermal budget for the LED lighting system to be used elsewhere. Related structures are also described.

Abstract: A solid state lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the LEDs includes an LED device configured to emit light having about a first dominant wavelength and a phosphor configured to receive at least some of the light emitted by the LED device and responsively emit light having about a second dominant wavelength. A combined light emitted by the LED device and the phosphor of a first one of the plurality of LEDs has a first color point and a combined light emitted by the LED device and the phosphor of a second one of the plurality of LEDs has a second color point that falls outside a seven step Macadam ellipse around the first color point.

Abstract: A diode selection circuit for a light emitting apparatus according to some embodiments includes a plurality of light emitting devices coupled in series. The diode selection circuit includes a comparator configured to receive a rectified AC input signal and a reference voltage and to generate a control signal in response to comparison of the rectified AC input signal with the reference voltage, a voltage controlled current source configured to supply a current to the plurality of light emitting diodes that is proportional to the rectified AC input signal, and a switch configured to receive the control signal and to shunt current away from at least one of the plurality of light emitting devices in response to the control signal.