Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of this invention, one or more I/O devices accept input from a human user. The input is indicative of a value for each control variable in a set of separate control variables. A computer analyzes the input and outputs control signals to specify a set of separate setpoints. Dimmers adjust the intensity or color of a set of luminaires according to the setpoints. The number of separate control variables is much less than the number of separate setpoints. Having a human control a small number of control variables, in order to control a much larger number of separate luminaire setpoints of luminaires, has at least two advantages: control is faster and control is more intuitive. In illustrative implementations, the luminaire setpoints that are being controlled are not functions of each other.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of this invention, one or more I/O devices accept input from a human user. The input is indicative of a value for each control variable in a set of separate control variables. A computer analyzes the input and outputs control signals to specify a set of separate setpoints. Dimmers adjust the intensity or color of a set of luminaires according to the setpoints. The number of separate control variables is much less than the number of separate setpoints. Having a human control a small number of control variables, in order to control a much larger number of separate luminaire setpoints of luminaires, has at least two advantages: control is faster and control is more intuitive. In illustrative implementations, the luminaire setpoints that are being controlled are not functions of each other.

Abstract: In illustrative implementations of this invention, a lighting system comprises a plurality of LEDs, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, a processor, a sensor node and a human-computer interface. The sensor is adapted to be moved by a user and placed in the location that a user wants to illumine. The LED lights are adapted to emit pulse-width modulated (PWM) light, controlled by signals from the processor. The lighting system is adapted to optimize parameters (such as efficacy or color rendering index) selected by the user, subject to certain constraints (such as desired illuminance or color temperature). According to principles of this invention, if a sensor is moved, attenuation may be measured and the inverse square law may be used to determine how constraints in an optimization algorithm need to be updated.

Abstract: In illustrative implementations of this invention, a lighting system comprises a plurality of LEDs, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, a processor, a sensor node and a human-computer interface. The sensor is adapted to be moved by a user and placed in the location that a user wants to illumine. The LED lights are adapted to emit pulse-width modulated (PWM) light, controlled by signals from the processor. The lighting system is adapted to optimize parameters (such as efficacy or color rendering index) selected by the user, subject to certain constraints (such as desired illuminance or color temperature). According to principles of this invention, if a sensor is moved, attenuation may be measured and the inverse square law may be used to determine how constraints in an optimization algorithm need to be updated.

Abstract: Disclosed examples of printed circuit boards for lighting systems have identical LED landing zones printed on the board. Each zone includes at least two sets of LED contact pads. One pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a first structural type, e.g. from a first product line or manufacturer. The other pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a second type, e.g. from a different product line or manufacturer. The layout may enable an easy system re-design, e.g. to shift from one type of LED to another. Alternatively, the layout may enable one system to use LEDs of the two different types in a single LED set or array. Exemplary systems disclosed herein include an element for mixing light produced by LEDs mounted to the landing zones, such as an optical integrating cavity.

Abstract: An exemplary system to provide visible lighting of a selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity or other diffuse mixing element to combine light of different colors from different color LEDs. Amplitude modulation of pulsed operation the light sources, e.g. pulse amplitude modulation added to a baseline forward bias current for each of the LEDs, controls the amount of each light color supplied to the diffuse mixing element and thus the amount included in the combined light output of the system. A color sensor may provide feedback as to a color characteristic of the combined light, for closed-loop control of one or more of the pulse amplitude modulations. Examples are also disclosed that utilize phosphor doping of one or more of the system's reflective elements, to add desired wavelengths of light to the combined output.