Abstract: A system and method for driving one or more LEDs by regulating their brightness by controlling the LEDs' average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal, and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a PI or PID controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. Current is provided through an inductor and a power switch during an on time of the power switch. The ampseconds of the inductor are measured at an off time and compared with a periodic ramp signal. A set reference signal is also compared with the periodic ramp signal. Based on the comparisons between the ramp signal, the measured ampseconds, and the reference signal, a control signal is generated to regulate the peak current through the power switch.

Abstract: A driver circuit for one or more LEDs includes a power circuit having an output terminal, a capacitor coupled to the output terminal and a switch, and a control circuit coupled to the power circuit for controlling the power circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate the switch for coupling a resistance in series with the capacitor in response to detecting an open circuit condition at the output terminal. Additionally, or alternatively, the driver circuit may include a switched mode power supply, and the control circuit may be configured to switch operation of the switched mode power supply from a current control mode to a voltage control mode, and reduce a current setting for the current control mode, in response to detecting an open circuit condition at the output terminal.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus is disclosed. The illuminating apparatus includes a detecting unit, an illuminating unit, and a control unit. The illuminating unit includes multiple illuminating sets and a switching unit for adjusting a connection relationship among the illuminating sets. The detecting unit is for detecting an inputted power supply received by the illuminating unit while the control unit is coupled to the detecting unit and the switching unit. The control unit based on a detected inputted power supply controls the switching unit according to a predetermined setting parameter, so as to ensure a conducting voltage of the illuminating unit to vary according to a variation in the inputted power supply.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a master power supply providing power to several illumination modules. The master power supply is constructed and arranged to generate high-frequency and low-voltage electrical power provided to a primary wire forming a current loop. Each illumination module includes an electromagnetic coupling element and several light sources. The electromagnetic coupling element includes a magnetic core arranged to receive the current loop in a removable arrangement, and a secondary wire wound around the magnetic core to enable inductive coupling. The secondary wire is connected to provide current to the light sources that may be arranged in the illumination module as a DC load or an AC load.

Abstract: A lamp driving device is provided for driving plural lamps. The lamp driving device includes a power conversion circuit and plural lamp connectors. The power conversion circuit is capable of converting an input voltage into a first DC voltage, and outputting a first current having a constant current value. The plural lamp connectors are serially connected with each other, and have respective positive terminals and respective negative terminals connected with corresponding lamps, thereby outputting respective output voltages and respective output currents to corresponding lamps. The first DC voltage is subject to voltage-division to obtain the output voltages, and the magnitudes of the output voltages from the lamps are substantially identical.

Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source control system for intelligentized layer breeding, comprises a plurality of LED lamps (30) equipped at a layer breeding place and a LED light source controller (10). Each of the LED lamps (30) comprises a red light LED and a green light LED. The LED light source controller (10) controls the LED lamps (30) to emit green light during the brooding period and the improved period of a layer; and the LED light source controller (10) controls the LED lamps (30) to emit red light during the egg producing period of a layer. The LED light source controller (10) controls the illumination intensity of the LED lamps (30) by regulating the duty ratio of an output Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM). The LED light source controller (10) controls the illumination time of the LED lamps (30) by utilizing a clock unit so as to implement different illumination time respectively during various stages of the brooding period, the improved period and the egg producing period of a layer.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a light source circuit board having one or more light emitting components that include providing at least one circuit component on a light source circuit board, wherein the at least one circuit component has an electrical circuit constant that specifies one or more performance parameters for the light source. The methods also include measuring the electrical circuit constant of the at least one circuit component. The methods also include identifying one or more performance parameters for the light source based on the measured electrical constant.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method are disclosed. The LED lighting system and method include an LED controller to accurately control a current in an LED system. The LED controller includes components to calculate, based on the current and an active time period of an LED current time period, an actual charge amount delivered to the LED system wherein the LED current time period is duty cycle modulated at a rate of greater than fifty (50) Hz and to utilize the actual charge amount to modify and provide a desired target charge amount to be delivered during a future active time period of the LED current time period. The LED system and method further involve components to compare the actual charge amount to a desired charge amount for the active time period and compensate for a difference between the actual charge amount and the desired charge amount during the future active time period.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device's microcontroller is used drive an LCD lamp ballast such that the scrolling effect from its light leakage may be reduced to a visually imperceptible level. A check may be performed of lamp's control status in order to verify the microcontroller's ability to properly and accurately control the lamp ballast. The microcontroller may then determine a frequency and duty cycle to use for the microcontroller's PWM control signal. Thereafter, the microcontroller may generate the PWM control signal in accordance with the determined frequency and duty cycle, and drive the lamp ballast using the control signal.

Abstract: A primary side PFC driver circuit is disclosed that includes a switch control circuit for commanding a switch to allow an inductor coupled to an output load (e.g., LEDs) to transfer energy provided by an input voltage source. The switch control circuit provides two signals for commanding the switch. A first signal having a first frequency, with a duty cycle in proportion to the input voltage amplitude, commands the switch to allow the average input current to be proportional to the input voltage amplitude. A second signal having a second frequency higher than the first frequency pulses the output load with substantially constant current pulses based on a value of the first signal (e.g., while the first signal is high). The current pulses produce a substantially constant current in the output load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that can provide improved power factor correction and total harmonic distortion, efficiency and/or direct feedback of load current variations to a power source inverter. In one example, a power supply, for example, a ballast, can have an input circuit, an output circuit and an inverter circuit coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. A current feedback circuit is coupled between the output circuit and the inverter circuit and configured to feed current back to the inverter circuit through a transformer stage separate from the inverter as a function of a current level in the output circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an LED device having a plurality of LED channels is disclosed. Each LED channel has a plurality of LEDs connected in series. A power converter converts an input voltage into an output voltage and outputs the output voltage to an output terminal that is connected to first terminals of the plurality of LED channels. A plurality of current controllers are connected to second terminals of the plurality of LED channels, respectively. Each current controller controls a current of a corresponding LED channel. A detection controller determines a detection time based on voltages of the second terminals of the plurality of LED channels. A state detector detects the open-circuited states of the plurality of LED channels based on voltages of the second terminals of the plurality of LED channels at the detection time.

Abstract: A programmable lighting control system integrates time-based, sensor-based, and manual control of lighting and other loads. The system includes one or more groups of controlled lighting areas, which may be, for example, floors of a building. Each group may have one or more lighting zones, which may be, for example, individual rooms or offices on a building floor. Each lighting zone includes occupancy and/or daylight sensors that may be wirelessly coupled to a gateway of the group. Each gateway is coupled to a network, such as, for example, a local area network (LAN). Control software, residing on a computer (e.g., a personal computer or a server) coupled to the network and accessible via the network, remotely communicates with and controls the lighting zones either individually, groupwise, or globally. Each lighting zone can also be locally controlled at the gateway and can function independently of the control software and the gateway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED emitting device and a driving method thereof including at least two LED channels. If a power source voltage supplied to an LED emitting device reaches a predetermined threshold voltage, the power source voltage is maintained as a threshold voltage during an overvoltage regulation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-output current-balancing circuit, which in one embodiment can include: (i) a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, where the primary winding receives an AC input current; (ii) a plurality of first and second rectifier circuits and a plurality of first current balancing components, where each of the first and second rectifier circuits and the first current balancing components is coupled to a corresponding secondary winding, where each the first current balancing component is configured for current balancing between each of the first and second rectifier circuits of the corresponding secondary winding; and (iii) at least one second current balancing component, where each second current balancing component is coupled to a pair of the second rectifier circuits that correspond to different secondary windings, where the second current balancing components are configured for current balancing between different the secondary windings.

Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for controlling brightness of a light emitting apparatus include controlling a brightness of a light emitting device based on a brightness value, receiving a message over a network, and detecting a modulation of a power input of the light emitting apparatus. The brightness value is changed based on both the message and the modulation.

Abstract: A semiconductor light source lighting circuit includes a transistor and a current detection resistor provided in series in a semiconductor light source current supply path, a control circuit for controlling the transistor so as to decrease any difference between the voltage occurring at the current detection resistor and a reference voltage, and a bypass resistor to establish a bypass path for the current supplied to the semiconductor light source, where a first end of the bypass path is located at a connection node between the transistor and the semiconductor light source.

Abstract: A single magnetic storage element is used to provide power to multiple lighting devices, which may be strings of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different color. A switching circuit controls alternating application of energy among the multiple lighting devices and another switching circuit may charge the primary winding to different energy levels to control the intensity of the multiple lighting devices. In particular, the multiple lighting devices may be controlled to provide a desired color profile while dimming the lighting devices, while requiring only a single magnetic storage element for supplying energy to the lighting devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses a driving circuit structure for driving light-emitting loads. The driving circuit structure may include a power supplying device, a signal processing device and an impedance balancing device and a dimming control unit. The power supplying device is used for supplying an alternating current power supply. The signal processing device is used for converting the alternating current power supply into a direct current power supply, so as to drive the light-emitting loads. The impedance balancing device is used for balancing an alternating current magnitude of the alternating current power supply, so as to stabilize a direct current magnitude of the direct current power supply for driving the light-emitting loads. The dimming control unit is capable of controlling output luminance of the light-emitting loads.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for automated control of lighting systems. Such lighting system controllers can provide a range of control without requiring substantial programming, and that are compatible with existing, conventional, and new lighting systems. Such controllers include devices that can provide several features including network connectivity, a range of output levels, automated demand response control to manage electricity consumption, automated response to secondary sensor input (such as from photoreceptors and motion detectors), and generation of statistics showing power savings. A lighting controller polls a remote server or associated sensors to gather data relating to light output levels, determines to modify light output of corresponding light fixtures, and then transmits radio frequency signals over electrical power lines to light fixtures to modify light output.

Abstract: A regulating system includes a tricolor LED system including at least one first LED that emits light having a first color, at least one second LED that emits light having a second color, and at least one third LED that emits light having a third color, at least one fourth LED that emits light having a fourth color, a sensor that detects the light emitted by the LEDs and generating sensor signals representing characteristics of the light, a controller that outputs control signals depending on the sensor signals and reference values, and LED drivers that drive the first, second, third and fourth LEDs depending on the control signals.

Abstract: Nanostructure array optoelectronic devices are disclosed. The optoelectronic device may have one or more intermediate electrical contacts that are physically and electrically connected to sidewalls of the array of nanostructures. The contacts may allow different photo-active regions of the optoelectronic device to be independently controlled. For example, one color light may be emitted or detected independently of another using the same group of one or more nanostructures. The optoelectronic device may be a pixilated device that may serve as an LED display or imaging sensor. The pixilated device may have an array of nanostructures with alternating rows and columns of sidewall electrical contacts at different layers. A pixel may be formed at the intersection of a row contact and a column contact. As one example, a single group of one or more nanostructures has a blue sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a red sub-pixel.

Abstract: A system may include an LED array, an optical plane, optics, a sensor and a controller. The LED array is configured to generate LED light. The optical plane has a plurality of scattering features and with a mixing chamber. The optics is configured to direct the LED light to the optical plane. The plurality of scattering features are configured to reflect a sampled portion of the LED light into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is configured to mix the sampled portion of the LED light. The sensor is configured to sense the sampled portion of the LED light received from the mixing chamber. The controller is connected to the sensor and configured to control the LED array using the sensed, sampled portion of the LED light received from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the spectral content of the output of a light fixture. The method of one embodiment includes driving the output of a light fixture to a target color and controlling the spectral content of the output of the light fixture. For example, a desired color is inputted using a color control methodology. A set of light source output intensity values that produce the desired color are identified, and then the light sources are driven to the identified output intensity values. A user is able to control the spectral content of the output of the light fixture by modifying the output intensity value of one or more of the light sources. After modifying the output intensity values, the color control and matching technique is used to identify a new set of output intensity values that maintain the previous target color but incorporate the changes in spectral content.

Abstract: A capacitive full-wave circuit for LED light strings makes use of capacitors and diodes together to drive a LED string with full AC waves. Different from the conventional four-diode full-wave rectifying circuit, one embodiment of capacitive full-wave circuit includes two capacitors and two diodes. Because of the large imaginary impedance, the capacitors not only limit and the voltage and current through the LEDs, but also consume almost no electrical power. The electrical current-voltage performance can be further improved by introducing four resistors with a cost of some additional power consumption. A LED light string module with the capacitive full-wave circuit is also presented, with the capacitive full-wave circuit integrated inside of a front power plug and a back power socket.

Abstract: An LED drive circuit (10) for driving an LED circuit (220) includes: a constant current driver (110) including transistors (111-114) whose collector terminals are respectively connected with LED rows (221-224) connected with each other in parallel and whose emitter terminals are grounded; and an LED drive control section (120) for setting a voltage to be commonly applied on the LED rows (221-224), the setting being performed in accordance with a maximum base current out of base currents of the transistors (111-114).

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure includes a LED module. A substrate is provided. A light sensor is positioned in the substrate. A LED chip is attached to the substrate. The LED chip has a first side and a second side. The second side is covered by an opaque layer with an opening. The opening is substantially aligned with the light sensor. The light sensor receives a light output emitting from the LED chip through the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved light-emitting device for an AC power operation. A conventional light emitting device employs an AC light-emitting diode having arrays of light emitting cells connected in reverse parallel. The arrays in the prior art alternately repeat on/off in response to a phase change of an AC power source, resulting in short light emission time during a ½ cycle and the occurrence of a flicker effect. An AC light-emitting device according to the present invention employs a variety of means by which light emission time is prolonged during a ½ cycle in response to a phase change of an AC power source and a flicker effect can be reduced. For example, the means may be switching blocks respectively connected to nodes between the light emitting cells, switching blocks connected to a plurality of arrays, or a delay phosphor.

Abstract: The LED driver includes a rectifier, a switching circuit and a feedback circuit. The rectifier connects an AC power source and outputting DC power. The switching circuit connects the DC power of the rectifier to switch the DC power with pulse width modulation (PWM) and has an output end for connecting a load and a feedback control end. The feedback circuit is connected between the output end and the feedback control end of the switching circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit depending on an output current of the output end to keep the output current constant.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry for color-mixing in an LED light fixture during AC power dimming is disclosed to achieve adjustable color temperature. According to one embodiment, a dimmable LED light fixture has first, second, and third LED light sources, the first and second LED light sources producing white light, the third LED light source producing colored light, the LED driver configured to power the LED light sources by providing a single-channel variable-DC current source having two output terminals, and a current regulator for maintaining the current in the third LED light source path substantially constant as the LED driver output current is decreased when the AC power is reduced by the dimmer module, thereby altering the color of the light produced by the combination of the LED light sources.

Abstract: A lighting system for areal illumination is disclosed which includes a remote driver and a plurality of fixtures including luminaires, control devices, and/or standalone sensors. The luminaires include a light source whose output light level can be adjusted, a light sensor co-located therewith adapted to measure light received from adjacent fixtures, and a microcontroller capable of transmitting the output of the light sensor over wires to the remote driver. The remote driver is capable of bidirectional communication with the luminaires and provides independently controllable power for the light sources of the luminaires. A movable orb region containing luminaires can also be defined and the light levels of individual luminaires can be set according to their location within the orb region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.

Abstract: A power supply circuit drives circuits having different numbers of series-connected LEDs without changing a circuit constant or a component. An LED series circuit is connected to a power converter circuit of a power supply circuit. The power converter circuit is controlled by a control arithmetic circuit, and supplies a constant current to the LED series circuit. A voltage detection circuit detects a voltage applied to the LED series circuit. The control arithmetic circuit checks whether the LED series circuit has 40 LEDs or 20 LEDs, based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit. The control arithmetic circuit holds a constant-current value table for 40 LEDs and a constant-current value table for 20 LEDs. In accordance with the detected voltage, the control arithmetic circuit selects one constant-current value table, and controls the power converter circuit based on the constant-current value table selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination apparatus, which is constituted by a plurality of OLED devices and makes it possible to improve an accuracy of a dimming control operation. The apparatus is provided with a driving electric power source including: a pulse generating section; an OLED driving section; a first voltage source; a second voltage source; a current source; a switchover section that conducts a switchover operation between the first voltage source and the current source during the time when the duty ratio of the driving pulses is increasing, and also conducts another switchover operation between the first voltage source and the current source during the time when the duty ratio of the driving pulses is decreasing; and an OLED illumination disabling section that makes the second voltage source supply the second electric power to the OLED unit, only during the time when each of the pulses is the OFF state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device includes a display panel, a plurality of first flexible circuit films, a plurality of first driving ICs, a plurality of second flexible circuit films, and a plurality of second driving ICs. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels including a pixel circuit connected to a gate line, a data line, and a high-level voltage line. The first flexible circuit films are connected to a first pad part of the display panel, and supply a high-level voltage to the high-level voltage line. The second flexible circuit films are connected to a second pad part of the display panel, and supply the low-level voltage to a cathode electrode layer.

Abstract: A display device (301) includes a plurality of pixels (302,309,310,315,330,331,332) operable to emit or modulate light. Each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprising a plurality of subpixels (303,304,305,306,307,308,311,312,313,333,334,335). To create an asymmetrical spacing across the display module, every pixel can at least two subpixels spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (336), while one or more pixels, which form a subportion of the plurality of pixels, each comprise at least one subpixel spaced apart from at least one adjacent subpixel by another predetermined distance (337), where the other predefined spacing is greater than the predefined spacing.

Abstract: A light emitting system includes: first, second, and reference light emitting components having first, second, and reference forward voltages when driven under constant current, respectively; an instrumentation amplifier for generating a temperature detection voltage with a magnitude dependent on the reference forward voltage of the reference light emitting component; first and second compensation voltage modules each generating a respective one of first and second compensation voltages based at least on the temperature detection voltage; and first and second power control modules providing first and second driving currents through the first and second light emitting components according to the first and second compensation voltages and the first and second forward voltages, respectively.

Abstract: Representative embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting system has a first emitted spectrum at a full intensity level and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Representative embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature; and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting system to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures.

Abstract: The light troffer/fixture which contains photovoltaic sheets that reclaims the direct/ambient light/heat energy of the internal lamps/tubes of said troffer and converts it into useable energy, thereby powering additional tubes/lamps located either in the same fixture, or adjacent fixtures.

Abstract: A traffic lamp and a method of controlling the traffic lamp based on a power signal are provided. The traffic lamp can include a controller and a light emitting element. When a plurality of light emitting elements is included in the traffic lamp, each light emitting element is coupled with a separate controller. Each controller can be configured to include a predetermined light emitting timing sequence for the corresponding light emitting element. When the power signal is supplied to the traffic lamp, each controller determines a power signal characteristic such as a frequency or a period of the power signal and controls a light output of the light emitting element based on the power signal characteristic and the light emitting timing sequence. A plurality of light emitting elements can be synchronized using the power signal applied to the traffic lamp.

Abstract: It is provided an LED lighting device calibratable to 0 to 100% of wide range about a chromaticity and luminance of a illumination light by a simple configuration, and a driving method for the LED lighting device. The LED lighting device is provided with a first light-emitting unit and a second light-emitting unit differing a color temperature mutually, and a control circuit for executing a cyclic light/quench control of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, and for executing a light control of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit by a PNM (Pulse Number Modulation) control in a fixed cycle so as to have a lighting period Ton for lighting/quenching the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit complementarily, and a quenching period Toff for quenching both the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit.

Abstract: A lighting system includes light fixtures not in communications with and not synchronized with one another, and one or more light sensors. Each light fixture separately emits data encoded visible light including light fixture information encoded therein in a manner that avoids visually perceptible flicker and enables light fixture information emitted by one light fixture to be distinguished from light fixture information emitted by other light fixtures. The light fixture information is encoded into data encoded visible light such that a difference between different levels of the data encoded visible light is indicative of an illumination capability of the light fixture and such that visually perceptible flicker is avoided. Each light sensor separately receives portions of data encoded light visible light emitted by multiple light fixtures and separately determines the identity of and the maximum and present illumination contributions for each light fixture.

Abstract: A system includes a first solid-state lamp that generates a first illuminated output having a first color. A second solid-state lamp generates a second illuminated output having a second color. The second illuminated output is mixed with the first illuminated output to generate a third illuminated output having a third color. An inductor or a transformer includes a primary coil and a bias coil. A first circuit includes the primary coil and a first switch. The first circuit supplies power to the first solid-state lamp. A second circuit includes the bias coil and a second switch. The second circuit supplies power to the second solid-state lamp. A control module alters the third color including controlling (i) a state of the first switch to adjust current supplied to the first solid-state lamp, and (ii) a state of the second switch to adjust current supplied to the second solid-state lamp.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin lighting kit includes: a driving/dimming module generating output signals for controlling illumination of at least one lighting unit according to command signals from a cabin management system; and at least one wire assembly interfacing the driving/dimming module with a power bus for receiving operational power, and a communication bus for receiving the command signals and for communicating the output signals to the at least one lighting unit. The present aircraft cabin lighting kit is certified by a governmental aviation-regulating body for installation in multiple aircraft. An aircraft cabin lighting system, which includes the kit, is also provided.

Abstract: A simple, cost-effective and efficient short circuit protection with simple routing of the ground on the PCB is achieved in an asynchronous DC-DC boost converter wherein a voltage sensing controller selectively isolates an input power supply to a load in the event of a short circuit. The controller alleviates need for additional components by utilizing the circuit for under voltage lockout protection and the circuit for overvoltage protection to generate signals for detecting short circuit. A predetermined offset voltage is added to a sensed output voltage to generate a reference voltage that is compared to a sensed input voltage and an output signal having a high state is generated in the event that the reference voltage is less than the sensed input voltage for selectively disabling the source of input power when the output signal is in the high state.

Abstract: The invention provides a current balancing circuit, which includes a plurality of light-emitting diode assemblies; an AC power generator for providing currents required by the light-emitting diode assemblies; and a plurality of current-equaling elements connected to the AC power generator, each of which is connected to a common mode connecting two light-emitting diode assemblies for balancing currents of the light-emitting diode assemblies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, associated ballasts, sensors, and other devices.

Abstract: A multi-state switch network is provided that includes a serially connected diode pair configured to receive a single control signal at a control node. The serially-connected diode pair is configured to control a pair of switches. Moreover, the single control signal is operative to drive the serially connected diode pair to a first state, a second state, or a third state based at least in part on a state of the single control signal. Furthermore, the single control signal is operative to alternatively turn ON a first diode of the diode pair and turn OFF a second diode of the diode pair when the state of the single control signal is a first state, turn OFF the first diode and turn ON the second diode when the state of the single control signal is a second state, and turn OFF the first diode and turn OFF the second diode when the state of the single control signal is a third state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, LED-luminaire drivers, sensors, and other devices.