Lighting methods and systems

• US 8,207,821 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Solid State Lighting Solutions Inc (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Roberge, Brian, Piepgras, Colin, Hyer, Jeffrey, McCormick, Kevin, Swai, Peter, Morgan, Frederick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US11/672,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20070145915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,965 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.62, 340/9.11, 340/10.6, 340/12.52, 340/815.73, 315/318, 315/319
• US Class Current: 340/9.11
• 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 selectable on a user interface;

a first selector in said user interface for selecting a base address for the lighting system from a plurality of lighting systems;

said user interface displaying groups of said plurality of lighting units to be controlled based upon said base address;

a second selector in said user interface for selecting and partitioning the displayed 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 selected 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

wherein said controller dynamically partitions said plurality of lighting units into said selected differently addressable groups, said selected differently addressable groups representing said partitioned lighting units from said plurality of lighting units in said single housing;

said dynamic partitions of said plurality of lighting units being a selectable dynamic grouping of said plurality of lighting units for individual control of said addressable groups;

and further having an interface for displaying a plurality of candidate base addresses from which said base address is selected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first selector comprises a press and hold selector that allows a sequential display of the plurality of candidate base addresses when pressed.

3. The system of claim 2, 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.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the interface dims over time when the press and hold selector is released.

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

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

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

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said selectable dynamic grouping represented by said second selector representing an evenly divisible number of said plurality of lighting units.

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

selecting a base address on a user interface of a lighting control system for the plurality of lighting units in said single housing;

displaying on said user interface allocatable partitions of said plurality of lighting units related to said base address as differently addressable and selectable groups representing said lighting units;

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

controlling the plurality of lighting units based on the selected 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;

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

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

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

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

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

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

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

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

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

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

providing a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally therein, the first cavity holding a circuit board, the circuit board supporting a plurality of LED lighting units;

providing a channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity between the circuit board and a power facility for shielding the lighting units from heat produced by the power facility;

selecting a base address on a user interface of the lighting control system for the plurality of lighting units in said single housing;

displaying on said user interface allocatable partitions of said plurality of lighting units related to said base address as differently addressable and selectable groups representing said lighting units;

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

controlling the plurality of lighting units based on the selected 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.

14. A lighting system, comprising:

a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally within the linear housing;

a circuit board positioned within the first cavity;

a plurality of LED lighting units, the lighting units supported within the first cavity by the circuit board;

a first channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity for shielding the lighting units from heat produced by a power facility;

said plurality of lighting units contained within said linear housing and selectable on a user interface;

a first selector in said user interface for selecting a base address for the lighting system from a plurality of lighting systems, said user interface displaying groups of said plurality of lighting units to be controlled based upon said base address;

a second selector in said user interface for selecting and partitioning the displayed 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 selected 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

wherein said controller partitions said plurality of lighting units into said selected differently addressable groups, said selected differently addressable groups representing said partitioned lighting units from said plurality of lighting units in said single housing.