Abstract: A system and method for calibrating light output from an LED is provided. The system includes a support on which an LED is positioned, a photosensor to measure the light output from the LED, and means for calibrating and adjusting the light output of the LED. Calibration is accomplished by measuring the light output from the LED, comparing such output against a reference value, and adjusting the measured output against the reference value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.

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: 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: 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: Provided herein are methods and systems for providing controlled lighting, including methods and systems for providing both white and non-white colored lighting, including color temperature controlled lighting. Such methods and systems include optical facilities for modifying light from a lighting unit, such as an LED-based lighting unit, including variable optical facilities and fixed optical facilities. Also provided are methods and systems for using multi-color lighting units in a variety of commercial applications. Also provided are methods and systems for lighting control, including methods to assist lighting designers and installers to improve the quality of lighting in environments. Also provided are intelligent dimmers, switches, sockets and fixtures, as well as facilities for programming and using them. Also provided are various sensor-feedback applications of lighting technology, including sensor-feedback involving light sensors and forward voltage sensors.

Abstract: LED-based lighting fixtures suitable for general illumination in surface-mount or suspended installations, in which heat dissipation properties of the fixtures are significantly improved by decreasing thermal resistance between LED junctions and the ambient air. In various examples, improved heat dissipation is accomplished by increasing a surface area of one or more heat-dissipating elements proximate a trajectory of air flow through the fixture. In one aspect, various structural components of the fixtures are particularly configured to create and maintain a “chimney effect” within the fixture, resulting in a high air-flow rate, natural convection cooling system capable of efficiently dissipating the waste heat from the fixture without active cooling.

Abstract: The systems and methods descried herein relate in part to intuitive methods for creation and design of lighting sequences, e.g., for theatrical, entertainment or advertising purposes, using a software interface. Additionally, the lighting sequences can be coordinated with control of additional devices. Also described herein is a controller capable of executing programs for lighting sequences and modifying the output and/or execution of the program based on external signals. In this way, the final output can be made responsive to external stimuli, or even interactive.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an LED-based lighting system includes a comparison circuit configured to compare at least one signal representative of a supply voltage with at least one other signal representative of a series voltage drop over at least some of a plurality of LEDs connected electrically in series. The apparatus includes a controller, connected to the comparison circuit; and a power section connected to the controller. The power section is configured to operate at least one switch such that the number of LEDs operated in series may be changed in response to the comparison circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling series-connected LEDs. Two or more LEDs are connected in series between a first node and a second node, wherein a series current flows between the nodes when an operating voltage is applied across the nodes. One or more controllable current paths are connected in parallel with at least a first LED for at least partially diverting the series current around at least the first LED. A controller monitors at least one parameter representative of the operating voltage, determines a maximum number of the series-connected LEDs that can be energized by the operating voltage, and controls the controllable current path(s) so as to increase an amount of the series current that is diverted around at least the first LED when the maximum number is less than a total number of all of the LEDs connected in series. In one example, the foregoing may be implemented as an integrated circuit package to provide a lighting apparatus suitable for automotive applications.

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: In computer games, there is typically a display that represents a view into a virtual world of some type. There is also typically a user in a real world environment that surrounds the display screen interacting with the virtual world. Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using lighting systems, in particular LED based lighting systems, to allow a user to receive information from the virtual world in coordination with, in addition to, and/or instead of the information received from the display.

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 s 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: A system and method for calibrating light output from an LED is provided. The system includes a support on which an LED is positioned, a photosensor to measure the light output from the LED, and means for calibrating and adjusting the light output of the LED. Calibration is accomplished by measuring the light output from the LED, comparing such output against a reference value, and adjusting the measured output against the reference value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing and controlling power to loads including one or more LEDs. In one example, a controlled predetermined power is provided to a load without requiring any feedback information from the load (i.e., without monitoring a load voltage and/or load current). In another example, a “feed-forward” power driver for an LED-based light source combines the functionality of a DC-DC converter and a light source controller, and is configured to control the intensity of light generated by the light source based on modulating the average power delivered to the light source in a given time period, without monitoring and/or regulating the voltage or current provided to the light source. In various examples, significantly streamlined circuits having fewer components, higher overall power efficiencies, and smaller space requirements are realized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying information. One or more information signals representing scalar or numeric information that is not associated with color is/are received from a data base, a network, the World Wide Web, or a software program. The information signal(s) is/are converted into one or more illumination control signals representing at least color information, and a color of illumination generated by one or more LED-based light sources is controlled in response to the illumination control signal(s) so as to convey the scalar or numeric information via at least the color of the generated illumination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing and controlling power to at least some types of loads. In one example, a controlled predetermined power is provided to a load without requiring any feedback information from the load (i.e., without monitoring a load voltage and/or load current). In another example, a “feed-forward” power driver for an LED-based light source combines the functionality of a DC-DC converter and a light source controller, and is configured to control the intensity of light generated by the light source based on modulating the average power delivered to the light source in a given time period, without monitoring and/or regulating the voltage or current provided to the light source. In various examples, significantly streamlined circuits having fewer components, higher overall power efficiencies, and smaller space requirements are realized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involving at least two LEDs configured to generate at least two different spectra of radiation that are combined to produce white light. At least one parameter of the at least two different spectra of radiation generated by the at least two LEDs is controlled, based at least in part on at least one lighting control signal received by the apparatus over at least one wireless communication link, so as to control at least a color temperature of the white light.

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: Methods and apparatus for conveying information. One or more information signals representing scalar or numeric information that is not associated with color is/are received from a data base, a network, the World Wide Web, or a software program. The information signal(s) is/are converted into one or more illumination control signals representing at least color information, and a color of illumination generated by one or more LED-based light sources is controlled in response to the illumination control signal(s) so as to convey the scalar or numeric information via at least the color of the generated illumination.