Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the relative electrical positions of lighting units (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d) arranged in a linear configuration along a communication bus (204) are provided. The methods may involve addressing each lighting unit (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d) of the linear configuration once, and counting a number of detected events at the position of each lighting unit. The number of detected events may be unique to each electrical position, thus providing an indication of the relative position of a lighting unit within the linear configuration. The methods may be implemented at least in part by a controller (210) common to multiple lighting units of a lighting system, or may be implemented substantially by the lighting units (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d) themselves.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus and methods employing LED light sources are described. The LED light sources are integrated with other components in the form of a luminaire or other general purpose lighting structure. Some of the lighting structures are formed as Parabolic Aluminum Reflector (PAR) luminaires, allowing them to be inserted into conventional sockets. The lighting structures display beneficial operating characteristics, such as efficient operation, high thermal dissipation, high output, and good color mixing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a switched-mode converter circuit having an output configured to be coupled to at least one light-emitting device. The apparatus further includes a control circuit configured to generate a measure of a voltage magnitude of a time-varying voltage applied to an input of the switched-mode converter circuit and a measure of a dimming level to be applied to the at least one light-emitting device. The control circuit is configured to control a switch of the switched-mode converter circuit responsive to the generated measures. The control circuit may be implemented using functional units of a microcontroller.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sets coupled in series. The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit coupled in parallel with one of the LED sets and configured to sense and control a bypass current when the one of the LED sets is in a first bias state and to attenuate the bypass current responsive to a transition of the one of the LED sets to a second bias state. The first bias state may be substantially non-conducting and the second bias state may be conducting. The apparatus may include a plurality of such bypass circuits, respective ones of which are coupled in parallel with respective ones of the LED sets such that the bypass circuits are coupled in series.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a process of designing, selecting, and/or customizing lighting effects or lighting shows. A library of indexed (tagged) predefined lighting effects or shows is searched by a search engine, based upon information provided by a user/designer, to identify a set of effects or shows having attributes that are in some way related to the information provided by the user. The user is then presented with search results, i.e., a manageable subset of intelligently chosen lighting effects or shows, which may be ranked in terms of relevance, any one or more of which may be readily selected by the user. The user may select one or more effects or shows from the search results “as is” for execution by a lighting system, may combine one or more effects or shows from the search results, or may modify one or more effects or shows from the search results to refine some aspect of the effect(s)/show(s) in accordance with user preferences.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a string of serially-connected light-emitting devices including at least a first segment and a second segment and a control circuit configured to control a relationship of light outputs of the first segment and the second segment by diverting current from a node of the string to at least one energy storage device and subsequently transferring energy from the at least one energy storage device to at least the first segment. The control circuit may be configured to divert the current responsive to a control input, such as a temperature and/or a dimming level. The at least one energy storage device may include at least one inductor. In some embodiments, the control circuit may control at least one color characteristic of light produced by the string.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a string of serially-connected light-emitting devices including at least a first segment and a second segment and a control circuit configured to control a relationship of light outputs of the first segment and the second segment by diverting current from a node of the string to at least one energy storage device and subsequently transferring energy from the at least one energy storage device to at least the first segment. The control circuit may be configured to divert the current responsive to a control input, such as a temperature and/or a dimming level. The at least one energy storage device may include at least one inductor. In some embodiments, the control circuit may control at least one color characteristic of light produced by the string.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exterior architectural fixtures employing LED-based light sources that are capable of projecting light over long distances and providing a wide variety of lighting effects with high lumen output. These lighting fixtures have improved heat dissipation properties and are particularly suitable for large-scale façade washing and for illuminating large architectural structures, such as skyscrapers, casinos, and retail establishments, integrating efficient and compact power supply and control components for driving high-intensity LEDs to achieve a vast variety of lighting effects on a large scale.

Abstract: A device for detecting a dimmer phase angle set by operation of a dimmer for a solid state lighting load includes a processor having a digital input, a first diode connected between the digital input and a voltage source and a second diode connected between the digital input and ground. The device further includes a first capacitor connected between the digital input and a detection node, a second capacitor connected between the detection node and ground, and a resistance connected between the detection node and a rectified voltage node, which receives a rectified voltage from the dimmer. The processor is configured to sample digital pulses at the digital input based on the rectified voltage and to identify the dimmer phase angle based on lengths of the sampled digital pulses.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus and methods employing LED light sources are described. The LED light sources are integrated with other components in the form of a luminaire or other general purpose lighting structure. Some of the lighting structures are formed as Parabolic Aluminum Reflector (PAR) luminaires, allowing them to be inserted into conventional sockets. The lighting structures display beneficial operating characteristics, such as efficient operation, high thermal dissipation, high output, and good color mixing.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus (100) includes one or more first LEDs (202) for generating a first spectrum of radiation (503), and one or more second LEDs (204) for generating a second different spectrum radiation (505). The first and second LEDs are electrically connected in series between a first node (516A) and a second node (516B), between which a series current (550) flows with the application of an operating voltage (516) across the nodes. A controllable current path (518) is connected in parallel with one or both of the first and second LEDs so as to at least partially divert the series current, such that a first current (552) through the first LED(s) and a second current (554) through the second LED(s) are different. Such current diversion techniques may be employed to compensate for shifts in color or color temperature of generated light during thermal transients, due to different temperature-dependent current-to-flux relationships for different types of LEDs.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus, such as an LED lighting apparatus, includes at least one light-emitting device, a rectifier circuit having an input configured to be coupled to an AC source, and a driver circuit coupled to an output of the rectifier circuit and to the at least one light emitting device. The apparatus further includes an active current limiter circuit coupled to the output of the rectifier circuit and configured to limit a current provided to the driver circuit, such as a current drawn by an EMI filter of the driver circuit, which may cause erratic operation of a dimmer controlling the lighting apparatus.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sets coupled in series. The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit coupled in parallel with one of the LED sets and configured to sense and control a bypass current when the one of the LED sets is in a first bias state and to attenuate the bypass current responsive to a transition of the one of the LED sets to a second bias state. The first bias state may be substantially non-conducting and the second bias state may be conducting. The apparatus may include a plurality of such bypass circuits, respective ones of which are coupled in parallel with respective ones of the LED sets such that the bypass circuits are coupled in series.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus and methods employing LED light sources are described. The LED light sources are integrated with other components in the form of a luminaire or other general purpose lighting structure. Some of the lighting structures are formed as Parabolic Aluminum Reflector (PAR) luminaires, allowing them to be inserted into conventional sockets. The lighting structures display beneficial operating characteristics, such as efficient operation, high thermal dissipation, high output, and good color mixing.

Abstract: This invention describes a system and method to provide a service to advertisers and businesses that enables adaptation of advertising priorities using information collected by a lighting infrastructure. The system uses outdoor lighting networks to manage/control data sensors connected to a network, e.g. hosted at lighting units. This invention enables new business scenarios where operators and/or owners of the city's lighting infrastructure can provide a value added service or generate revenue from ad providers and local businesses by leveraging the data acquired through the lighting and adjacent infrastructure (e.g. sensors) to help the businesses to increase their advertising performance/targets; particularly, with respect to Location Based Services (LBS).

Abstract: A device for detecting a dimmer phase angle set by operation of a dimmer for a solid state lighting load includes a processor having a digital input, a first diode connected between the digital input and a voltage source and a second diode connected between the digital input and ground. The device further includes a first capacitor connected between the digital input and a detection node, a second capacitor connected between the detection node and ground, and a resistance connected between the detection node and a rectified voltage node, which receives a rectified voltage from the dimmer. The processor is configured to sample digital pulses at the digital input based on the rectified voltage and to identify the dimmer phase angle based on lengths of the sampled digital pulses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating resistive loads, and facilitating series, parallel, and/or series-parallel connections of multiple loads to draw operating power. Current-to-voltage characteristics of loads are altered in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable and/or desirable behavior of multiple loads drawing power from a power source. Exemplary loads include LED-based light sources and LED-based lighting units. Altered current-to-voltage characteristics may cause a load to appear as a substantially linear or resistive element to the power source, at least over some operating range. In connections of multiple such loads, the voltage across each load is relatively more predictable. In one example, a series connection of multiple loads with altered current-to-voltage characteristics may be operated from a line voltage without requiring a transformer.

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: Disclosed herein are exterior architectural fixtures employing LED-based light sources that are capable of projecting light over long distances and providing a wide variety of lighting effects with high lumen output. These lighting fixtures have improved heat dissipation properties and are particularly suitable for large-scale façade washing and for illuminating large architectural structures, such as skyscrapers, casinos, and retail establishments, integrating efficient and compact power supply and control components for driving high-intensity LEDs to achieve a vast variety of lighting effects on a large scale.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating resistive loads, and facilitating series, parallel, and/or series-parallel connections of multiple loads to draw operating power. Current-to-voltage characteristics of loads are altered in a predetermined manner so as to facilitate a predictable and/or desirable behavior of multiple loads drawing power from a power source. Exemplary loads include LED-based light sources and LED-based lighting units. Altered current-to-voltage characteristics may cause a load to appear as a substantially linear or resistive element to the power source, at least over some operating range. In connections of multiple such loads, the voltage across each load is relatively more predictable. In one example, a series connection of multiple loads with altered current-to-voltage characteristics may be operated from a line voltage without requiring a transformer.