Abstract: Methods of calibrating a lighting panel including a plurality of segments, each of said segments configured to emit a first color light and a second color light in response to pulse width modulation control signals having respective duty cycles include determining an average segment luminance for the lighting panel, determining a luminance variation of each segment to the average segment luminance, comparing the luminance variation of each segment to a threshold, and adjusting the duty cycle of at least one color of at least one segment to reduce the luminance variation in response to the luminance variation of a segment exceeding the threshold. Calibration systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.

Abstract: A lighting panel system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling a solid state lighting panel. A system according to some embodiments of the invention includes a controller that provides control signals to current drivers that are configured to provide current to multiple solid state lighting devices. The system also includes a sequence generator that generates a firing sequence for firing multiple strings of slid state lighting devices.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling a solid state lighting panel. A system according to some embodiments of the invention includes a controller that provides control signals to current drivers that are configured to provide current to multiple solid state lighting devices. The system also includes a sequence generator that generates a firing sequence for firing multiple strings of slid state lighting devices.

Abstract: A solid state lighting unit includes a plurality of solid state lighting tiles including a planar surface and a plurality of solid state light sources on the planar surface. The lighting unit includes a plurality of bar support members. Respective ones of the bar support members include at least two of the plurality of tiles affixed thereon to form respective bar assemblies, and respective ones of the solid state light sources on the solid state lighting tiles of a bar assembly are electrically connected in series so as to be simultaneously energized upon application of a voltage thereto. Methods of forming a solid state lighting unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state lighting tile includes a substrate and a plurality of lighting element clusters on a surface of the substrate. Respective ones of the plurality of lighting element clusters include first and second mounting positions configured to receive solid state light emitting devices, and at least first and second ones of the solid state lighting element clusters may be electrically connected in series. The tile further includes a plurality of solid state light emitting devices configured to emit a first color light, and respective ones of the solid state light emitting devices may be mounted in respective ones of the plurality of solid state lighting element clusters. One of the first color light emitting devices is mounted in the first mounting position of the first solid state lighting element cluster and a second of the first color light emitting devices is mounted in the second mounting position of the second solid state lighting element cluster.

Abstract: A solid state lighting unit includes a plurality of solid state lighting tiles including a planar surface and a plurality of solid state light sources on the planar surface. The lighting unit includes a plurality of bar support members. Respective ones of the bar support members include at least two of the plurality of tiles affixed thereon to form respective bar assemblies, and respective ones of the solid state light sources on the solid state lighting tiles of a bar assembly are electrically connected in series so as to be simultaneously energized upon application of a voltage thereto. Methods of forming a solid state lighting unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lighting panel system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.

Abstract: A lighting panel system includes a lighting panel including a first string of solid state lighting devices configured to emit light at a first wavelength and a second string of solid state lighting devices configured to emit light at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, and a current supply circuit configured to supply a drive current to the first string in response to a control signal. A photosensor is arranged to receive light emitted by the panel, and a control system is configured to sample an output signal of the photosensor and adjust the control signal responsive thereto to thereby adjust an average current supplied to the first string by the current supply circuit. Methods of operating a lighting panel are also provided.

Abstract: A lighting panel system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.

Abstract: A lighting panel includes a tile having a first side parallel to a principal plane of the lighting panel, a plurality of solid state lighting devices arranged on the first side of the tile and configured to emit light, a reflector sheet on the first side of the tile, and a brightness enhancement film on the reflector sheet. The reflector sheet may be arranged between the tile and the brightness enhancement film and the brightness enhancement film may be configured to increase the on-axis intensity of emitted light. A luminaire adapted for general illumination includes a lighting panel as described above, a current supply circuit configured to supply an on-state drive current to a string of lighting devices in response to a control signal, a photosensor arranged to receive light from one of the solid state lighting devices, and a control system configured to receive an output signal from the photosensor and to adjust the control signal responsive to the output signal of the photosensor.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically controlling exterior vehicle lights includes an image sensor and a controller to generate control signals. The control signals are derived based on information obtained from the image sensor as well as other detected parameters pertaining to the detected light source(s), the vehicle having the inventive control system, and the ambient environment. The control circuit may simply turn certain exterior lights on or off, or change the brightness, aim, focus, etc. to produce various beam patterns that maximize the illuminated area in front of the vehicle without causing excessive glare in the eyes of other drivers.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.

Abstract: An LED light unit includes a tile, a plurality of discrete LED light sources, and an edge connector. The LED light sources are on and dispersed across a major surface of the tile and are electrically connected to electrical pads along an edge region of the tile. The edge connector includes a plurality of contacts that are connected to a plurality of wires extending away from the edge connector, and is configured to releasably connect to an edge of the tile so that the contacts directly connect to the pads and electrically connect the wires of the edge connector to the LED light sources. An LED lighting assembly includes a plurality of the discrete tiles mounted to a plurality of bars, and a plurality of edge connectors that are each connected to an end one of the tiles along different ones of the bars.

Abstract: A lighting panel includes a tile having a first side parallel to a principal plane of the lighting panel, a plurality of solid state lighting devices arranged on the first side of the tile and configured to emit light, a reflector sheet on the first side of the tile, and a brightness enhancement film on the reflector sheet. The reflector sheet may be arranged between the tile and the brightness enhancement film and the brightness enhancement film may be configured to increase the on-axis intensity of emitted light. A luminaire adapted for general illumination includes a lighting panel as described above, a current supply circuit configured to supply an on-state drive current to a string of lighting devices in response to a control signal, a photosensor arranged to receive light from one of the solid state lighting devices, and a control system configured to receive an output signal from the photosensor and to adjust the control signal responsive to the output signal of the photosensor.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An LED light unit includes a tile, a plurality of discrete LED light sources, and an edge connector. The LED light sources are on and dispersed across a major surface of the tile and are electrically connected to electrical pads along an edge region of the tile. The edge connector includes a plurality of contacts that are connected to a plurality of wires extending away from the edge connector, and is configured to releasably connect to an edge of the tile so that the contacts directly connect to the pads and electrically connect the wires of the edge connector to the LED light sources. An LED lighting assembly includes a plurality of the discrete tiles mounted to a plurality of bars, and a plurality of edge connectors that are each connected to an end one of the tiles along different ones of the bars.