Lighting device and lighting method

• US 7,744,243 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cree Lighting Company (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Negley, Gerald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US12/117,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20080310154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 362/231, 362/545, 362/800, 362/612, 257/89, 257/98, 313/485, 315/307
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/8592 Applying permanent coating, e.g. protective coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A lighting device comprising two or more solid state light emitters which emit light in the range of 430 nm to 480 nm and one or more lumiphors which emit light in the range of 555 nm to 585 nm. Also, a lighting device comprising two or more solid state light emitters. The lighting devices make a mixture of light which in the absence of any other light would be within an area defined by coordinates (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), and (0.36, 0.38). The lighting device may further comprise one or more 600 nm to 630 nm light emitters, and the lighting device may emit light within ten MacAdam ellipses of the blackbody locus. Also, packaged solid state light emitters and methods of lighting.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

a second group of solid state light emitters; and

a first group of lumiphors;

wherein;

each of said first group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm;

each of said second group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm;

each of said first group of lumiphors, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm, each of said first group of lumiphors being positioned and oriented such that if each of said first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, each of said first group of lumiphors will be excited by light emitted by at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters;

if each of said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters consists of a single solid state light emitter.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a plurality of solid state light emitters.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters and at least one of said first group of lumiphors.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device further comprises at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein if each of said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

8. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters and at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters, at least one of said first group of lumiphors, and at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if each of said first group of solid state light emitters and each of said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, said mixture would have a CRI Ra of at least 85.

11. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said first group of lumiphors and said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm consist of a single first group-second group lumiphor.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first mixed lumiphor, said first mixed lumiphor comprising at least one of said first group of lumiphors and at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is at least one solid state light emitter.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 13, wherein if each of said first group of solid state light emitters, each of said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, and each of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is illuminated, said mixture would have a CRI Ra of at least 85.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm comprises a light emitting diode.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 6, wherein said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is at least one lumiphor.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first packaged solid state light emitter and a second packaged solid state light emitter,

said first packaged solid state light emitter comprising a first of said first group of solid state light emitters and a first of said first group of lumiphors;

said second packaged solid state light emitter comprising a second of said first group of solid state light emitters.

18. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device further comprises an encapsulant and is in the form, of a packaged solid state light emitter.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a first power line, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a second group of lumiphors,

said second group of lumiphors, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of lumiphors would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

21. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters,

said third group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said third group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

22. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if each of said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of all light emitted from said lighting device from solid state light emitters and lumiphors which emit light having a dominant wavelength which is outside the range of between 600 nm and 700 nm would have x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

23. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

a second group of solid state light emitters;

wherein;

if each of said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

24. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters consists of a single solid state light emitter.

25. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a plurality of solid state light emitters.

26. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

27. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein said lighting device further comprises at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

28. A lighting device as recited in claim 27, wherein said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is at least one solid state light emitter.

29. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm comprises a light emitting diode.

30. A lighting device as recited in claim 23, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a first power line, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

31. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters, such that each of said first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm, at least a portion of said light emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters exciting at least some of a first group of lumiphors, such that each of said first group of lumiphors emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm; and

illuminating a second group of solid state light emitters, such that each of said second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm

wherein;

a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

32. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

33. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein said method further comprises exciting a second group of lumiphors, such that each of said second group of lumiphors emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of lumiphors, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

35. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters excites at least some of said second group of lumiphors.

36. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters excites at least some of said first group of lumiphors and at least some of said second group of lumiphors.

37. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein said method further comprises illuminating a third group of solid state light emitters, such that each of said third group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of lumiphors, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said third group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

39. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein at least one of said third group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

40. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters; and

illuminating a second group of solid state light emitters

wherein;

a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

41. A method as recited in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

42. A method as recited in claim 40, wherein said method further comprises exciting a first group of lumiphors, such that each of said first group of lumiphors emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

43. A method as recited in claim 42, wherein said mixture has a CRI Ra of at least 85.

44. A method as recited in claim 40, wherein said method further comprises illuminating a third group of solid state light emitters, such that each of said third group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

45. A method as recited in claim 40, wherein said mixture has a CRI Ra of at least 85.

46. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters comprising at least a first solid state light emitter;

a second group of solid state light emitters comprising at least a second solid state light emitter; and

at least a first luminescent material;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm;

said second group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm;

said first luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm;

if said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, and at least a portion of said first luminescent material is excited, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

47. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein if said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

48. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein at least a portion of said first luminescent material is positioned such that if said first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, said portion of said first luminescent material will be excited by light emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters.

49. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters and at least a portion of said first luminescent material.

50. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said lighting device further comprises at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

51. A lighting device as recited in claim 50, wherein if said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CI Chromaticity Diagram.

52. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a first power line, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

53. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a third group of solid state light emitters,

said third group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said third group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

54. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters, such that said first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm, exciting at least a portion of a first luminescent material, such that said portion of said first luminescent material emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm; and

illuminating a second group of solid state light emitters, such that said second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm,

wherein;

a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

55. A method as recited in claim 54, wherein at least some of said first luminescent material is excited by light emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters.

56. A method as recited in claim 54, wherein said method further comprises illuminating a third group of solid state light emitters, such that said third group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

57. A method as recited in claim 56, wherein a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters, and (4) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said third group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.