LED assemblies and light strings containing same
First Claim
1. A light string comprising:
- a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, andan alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage,wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An LED light string employs a plurality of electrical components defined by LEDs and sockets wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. In order to directly drive a network of diodes without current-limiting circuitry, the voltage of each series block of diodes must be matched to the input source voltage. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. For the voltage to be “matched,” it is possible to employ LED assemblies of different resistance values; e.g., the LED assemblies may emit different colors or be formed with a dedicated resistor (e.g., drop down resistor) integrally formed as part of at least one of the LED assemblies.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A light string comprising:
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a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A light string comprising:
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a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, wherein said individual resistance values of at least two of said electrical components is substantially different because said at least two of said electrical components is adapted to emit a different color light.
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6. A light string comprising:
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a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, wherein said individual resistance values of at least two of said electrical components is substantially different because one of said at least two electrical components comprises a dedicated resistor integrally formed as part of said electrical component.
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7. A light string comprising:
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a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, wherein at least one of said electrical components comprises a dedicated resistor integrally formed as part of said electrical component.
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8. A light string comprising:
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a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, wherein said individual resistance values of at least three electrical components is substantially different from the remaining individual components. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification