LIGHTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20070145915A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Morgan, Frederick, Roberge, Brian, Piepgras, Colin, McCormick, Kevin, Swai, Peter, Hyer, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,207,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/047 for light-buoys
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/004 mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/33 Pulse-amplitude modulation [PAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/335 Pulse-frequency modulation [PFM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/345 Current stabilisation; Maintaining constant current
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/355 : Power factor correction [PFC]; Reactive power compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 : Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for lighting systems, including high output linear lighting systems for various environments. The linear lighting systems may include power systems for driving light sources in high-voltage environments.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a plurality of lighting units contained within a single housing;

a first selector for selecting a base address for the lighting system;

a second selector for partitioning the plurality of lighting units into a number of differently addressable groups; and

a controller for controlling the plurality of lighting units based on the number of differently addressable groups and the base address, such that each of the plurality of lighting units in a given addressable group responds identically to commands issued to the given addressable group.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface for displaying a plurality of candidate base addresses from which the base address is selected.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first selector comprises a press and hold selector that allows a sequential display of the plurality of candidate base addresses when pressed.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the press and hold selector is configured to sequentially increment the plurality of candidate base addresses at increasing rates the longer the press and hold selector is pressed.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the interface dims over time when the press and hold selector is released.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a test button to sequentially activate each differently addressable group for a short period of time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the single housing is substantially linear in shape.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second selector partitions the plurality of lighting units such that each differently addressable group comprises an equal number of lighting units.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each lighting unit of the plurality of lighting units is an LED-based lighting unit.

10. A method for controlling a plurality of lighting units contained within a single housing, comprising

selecting a base address for the plurality of lighting units;

partitioning the plurality of lighting units into a number of differently addressable groups; and

controlling the plurality of lighting units based on the number of differently addressable groups and the base address, such that each of the plurality of lighting units in a given addressable group responds identically to commands issued to the given addressable group.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of candidate base addresses from which the base address is selected.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

sequentially displaying the plurality of candidate base addresses in response to pressing a selector.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

sequentially incrementing the plurality of candidate base addresses at increasing rates the longer the selector is pressed.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

dimming a display of the plurality of candidate base addresses over time when the selector is released.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sequentially activating each differently addressable group for a short period of time.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

partitioning the plurality of lighting units such that each differently addressable group comprises an equal number of lighting units.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of lighting units is an LED-based lighting unit.