Method, apparatus and computer-readable media for controlling lighting devices
First Claim
1. A method for controlling pulse width modulated lighting devices within a lighting apparatus, the lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of sets of lighting devices, the method comprising:
- setting a counter for a first set of the plurality of sets of lighting devices using a master counter and an activation duration for one or more other sets of the plurality of sets of lighting devices; and
determining an activation time period within a duty cycle for the first set of lighting devices using the counter for the first set of lighting devices and an activation duration for the first set of lighting devices.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to method, system and computer-readable media for controlling lighting devices. In some embodiments, a method for controlling pulse width modulated lighting devices within a lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of sets of lighting devices is disclosed. The method includes setting a counter for a first set of the plurality of sets of lighting devices using a master counter and an activation duration for one or more other sets of the plurality of sets of lighting devices. The method further includes determining an activation time period within a duty cycle for the first set of lighting devices using the counter for the first set of lighting devices and an activation duration for the first set of lighting devices. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lighting devices are light emitting diodes grouped into sets (or banks) and controlled to limit the magnitude and/or quantity of instantaneous current fluctuations in a power supply within the lighting apparatus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling pulse width modulated lighting devices within a lighting apparatus, the lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of sets of lighting devices, the method comprising:
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setting a counter for a first set of the plurality of sets of lighting devices using a master counter and an activation duration for one or more other sets of the plurality of sets of lighting devices; and determining an activation time period within a duty cycle for the first set of lighting devices using the counter for the first set of lighting devices and an activation duration for the first set of lighting devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. A control apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of interfaces, each coupled to a respective one of a plurality of sets of pulse width modulated lighting devices; and a processing entity, coupled to the plurality of interfaces, configured to set a counter for a first set of the plurality of sets of lighting devices using a master counter and an activation duration for one or more other sets of the plurality of sets of lighting devices, and to determine an activation time period within a duty cycle for the first set of lighting devices using the counter for the first set of lighting devices and an activation duration for the first set of lighting devices.
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17. A method for controlling a plurality of sets of lighting devices, each of the sets of lighting devices having an activation duration within a duty cycle, the method comprising:
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setting start and end times for activation of each of the plurality of sets of lighting devices within the duty cycle to activate the set of lighting devices for its corresponding activation duration; wherein the plurality of sets of lighting devices are powered by a single power supply and the start and end times for activation of each of the plurality of sets of lighting devices are set to mitigate instantaneous fluctuations in current within the power supply; and wherein the plurality of sets of lighting devices comprises sets of lighting devices of a single color; and
wherein a sum of the activation durations within the duty cycle corresponding to the plurality of sets of lighting devices comprises an overall activation duration for the single color, the overall activation duration being set [the activation durations within the duty cycle corresponding to the plurality of sets of lighting devices are set] to generate a particular light intensity for the single color. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A lighting apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sets of lighting devices of a single color operable to be powered by a single power supply, each of the sets of lighting devices having an activation duration within a duty cycle; and a control apparatus operable to set start and end times for activation of each of the plurality of sets of lighting devices within the duty cycle to activate the set of lighting devices for its corresponding activation duration;
the start and end times for activation of each of the plurality of sets of lighting devices being set to mitigate instantaneous fluctuations in current within the power supply;
wherein a sum of the activation durations within the duty cycle corresponding to the plurality of sets of lighting devices comprises an overall activation duration for the single color, the overall activation duration being set [the activation durations within the duty cycle corresponding to the plurality of sets of lighting devices are set] to generate a particular light intensity for the single color. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification