METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DEVICES IN A NETWORKED LIGHTING SYSTEM
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for computer-based control of light sources in a networked lighting system. In one example, a plurality of LED-based lighting systems are arranged as computer controllable “light strings.” Applications contemplated for such light strings include, but are not limited to, decorative and entertainment-oriented lighting applications (e.g., Christmas tree lights, display lights, theme park lighting, video and other game arcade lighting, etc.). Via computer control, one or more such light strings may provide a variety of complex temporal and color-changing lighting effects. In one example, lighting data is communicated in a given light string in a serial manner, according to a variety of different data transmission and processing schemes. In another example, individual lighting systems of a light string are coupled together via a variety of different conduit configurations to provide for easy coupling and arrangement of multiple light sources constituting the light string. In yet another example, small LED-based lighting systems capable of being arranged in a light string configuration are manufactured as integrated circuits including data processing circuitry and control circuitry for LED light sources, and are packaged along with LEDs for convenient coupling to a conduit to connect multiple lighting systems.
150 Citations
188 Claims
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1-140. -140. (canceled)
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141. An apparatus adapted to process serial data and to control at least one LED in response to the serial data, comprising:
a counter circuit adapted to measure a first period between a first edge of a first polarity of the serial data and a second edge of the first polarity of the serial data, the counter circuit being further adapted to measure a second period between the first edge of the first polarity of the serial data and a first edge of a second polarity of the serial data, the counter circuit being further adapted to compare the second period with a predetermined fraction of the first period to determine if the serial data is in a first state. - View Dependent Claims (142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159)
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160. An integrated circuit adapted to read serial data and to control at least one LED in response to the serial data, comprising:
a counter circuit adapted to measure a number of data transitions of the serial data within a predetermined period and determine if the data transitions represent a first data state. - View Dependent Claims (161, 162)
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163. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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a power input pin adapted to receive external power;
a ground pin adapted to connect the integrated circuit to a common reference potential;
a reference pin adapted to connect to an external component to provide the integrated circuit a reference from which to regulate at least one LED;
a serial data input pin for receiving serial data;
a serial data output pin for transmitting serial data; and
at least one switchable constant current output pin adapted to control the at least one LED. - View Dependent Claims (164, 165, 166, 167)
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168. A method of processing serial data to control at least one LED in response to the serial data, comprising acts of:
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(A) measuring a number of data transitions of the serial data within a predetermined period; and
(B) determining if the data transitions represent a first data state based on the act (A). - View Dependent Claims (169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188)
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Specification