Apparatus, method and system for providing AC line power to lighting devices

• US 8,324,840 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2009
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Point Somee LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Shteynberg, Anatoly, Zhou, Dongsheng, Rodriguez, Harry, Eason, Mark, Lehman, Bradley M., Dreyer, Stephen F., Riordan, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, ANH Q
• Application Number:
  US12/478,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20100308739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 315/308
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/48 having LEDs organised in strings and incorporating parallel shunting devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/50 responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a first plurality of segments of LEDs coupled in series; a plurality of switches coupled to the plurality of segments of LEDs to switch a selected segment into or out of a series LED current path in response to a control signal; a memory; and a controller which, in response to a first parameter and during a first part of an AC voltage interval, determines and stores in the memory a value of a second parameter and generates a first control signal to switch a corresponding segment of LEDs into the series LED current path, and during a second part of the AC voltage interval, when a current value of the second parameter is substantially equal to the stored value, generates a second control signal to switch a corresponding segment of LEDs out of the first series LED current path.

Claims

1. A method of providing power to a plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to receive an AC voltage, the method comprising:

in response to a first parameter during a first part of an AC voltage interval;

determining and storing a value of a second parameter, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are coupled in series and form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, each segment of light emitting diodes comprising one or more light emitting diodes, and wherein the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series and are coupled to a corresponding plurality of switches to switch a selected segment of light emitting diodes into or out of a series light emitting diode current path; and

switching a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval;

monitoring the second parameter; and

in response to a current value of the second parameter being substantially equal to the stored value of the second parameter, switching the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the AC voltage comprises a rectified AC voltage, the method further comprising:

determining when the rectified AC voltage is substantially close to zero.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining the AC voltage interval from a determination of when the rectified AC voltage is substantially close to zero.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a first plurality of time intervals corresponding to a number of segments of light emitting diodes for the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

determining a second plurality of time intervals corresponding to the number of segments of light emitting diodes for the second part of the AC voltage interval.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the first plurality of time intervals, switching a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the second plurality of time intervals, in a reverse order, switching the next segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are at least one of a time parameter, a time interval, a time-based parameter, or a clock cycle count.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

rectifying the AC voltage to provide a rectified AC voltage.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first parameter is a light emitting diode current level and the second parameter is a rectified AC input voltage level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

in response to a light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determining and storing a first value of the rectified AC input voltage level and switching a first segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path;

monitoring the light emitting diode current level; and

in response to the light emitting diode current level subsequently reaching the predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determining and storing a second value of the rectified AC input voltage level and switching a second segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

monitoring the rectified AC input voltage level;

in response to the rectified AC input voltage level reaching the second value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switching the second segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to the rectified AC input voltage level reaching the first value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switching the first segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a light emitting diode current level successively reaching a predetermined peak, value;

determining and storing a corresponding value of the rectified AC input voltage level; and

successively switching a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the rectified AC input voltage level decreasing to a corresponding voltage value, switching the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said switching the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path is in a reverse order to said successively switching a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

in response to a light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determining and storing a first value of the rectified AC input voltage level; and

in response to the first value of the rectified AC input voltage level being substantially equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold, switching the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the AC voltage is phase modulated.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, switching a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a phase-modulated AC voltage level into the series light emitting diode current path.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, switching a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a time interval of the phase-modulated AC voltage into the series light emitting diode current path.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, maintaining a parallel light emitting diode current path through a first switch concurrently with switching a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path through a second switch.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether sufficient time remains in the first part of the AC voltage interval for a light emitting diode current level to reach a predetermined peak value if a next segment of light emitting diodes is switched into the series light emitting diode current path.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

in response to sufficient time remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak value, switching the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

when sufficient time does not remain in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak value, refraining from switching the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring a light emitting diode current level; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the light emitting diode current level being greater than a predetermined peak value by a predetermined margin, determining and storing a new value of the second parameter and switching the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

switching a first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a first series light emitting diode current path; and

switching a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path in parallel with the first series light emitting diode current path.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the series light emitting diode current path is a first series light emitting diode current path, the method further comprising:

during a third part of the AC voltage interval, switching a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path having a polarity opposite the first series light emitting diode current path formed in the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

during a fourth part of the AC voltage interval, switching the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the second series light emitting diode current path.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein selected segments of light emitting diodes of the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes each comprise light emitting diodes having light emission spectra of different colors or wavelengths.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

selectively switching the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding lighting effect.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

selectively switching the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding color temperature.

27. An apparatus couplable to receive an AC voltage, the apparatus comprising:

a rectifier configured to provide a rectified AC voltage;

a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series;

a plurality of switches correspondingly coupled to the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and configured to switch a selected segment of light emitting diodes into or out of a series light emitting diode current path;

a current sensor configured to sense a light emitting diode current level;

a voltage sensor configured to sense a rectified AC voltage level;

a memory configured to store a plurality of parameters; and

a controller coupled to the plurality of switches, the memory, the current sensor, and the voltage sensor, wherein the controller is configured to;

during a first part of an AC voltage interval and in response to the light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak light emitting diode current level, to determine and store in the memory a corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval, monitor the rectified AC voltage level and in response to the current value of the rectified AC voltage level being substantially equal to the stored corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level, switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a corresponding synchronization signal in response to the rectified AC voltage level being substantially close to zero.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the AC voltage interval from a determination of the rectified AC voltage level being substantially close to zero.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

in response to the light emitting diode current level reaching the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level during the first part of a the AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a first value of the rectified AC voltage level, switch a first segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path, and monitor the light emitting diode current level; and

in response to the light emitting diode current level subsequently reaching the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a second value of the rectified AC voltage level and switch a second segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller is further configured to:

monitor the rectified AC voltage level and, in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the stored second value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switch the second segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the stored first value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switch the first segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

monitor the light emitting diode current level;

in response to the light emitting diode current level again reaching the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level during the first part of an AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a corresponding next value of the rectified AC voltage level; and

switch a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the controller is further configured to:

monitor the rectified AC voltage level; and

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the next value of the rectified AC voltage level during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switch the corresponding next segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the light emitting diode current level reaching the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level, determine and store a corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and successively switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the rectified AC voltage level decreasing to a corresponding value, switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller is further configured to switch the corresponding segments of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path in a reverse order to the switching of the corresponding segments of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the rectified AC voltage is phase modulated.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein in response to the rectified AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to switch into the series light emitting diode current path a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to the rectified AC voltage level.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein in response to the rectified AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to switch into the series light emitting diode current path a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a time interval of the rectified AC voltage level.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein in response to the rectified AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to maintain a parallel light emitting diode current path through a first switch concurrently with switching a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path through a second switch.

40. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether sufficient time remains in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level if a next segment of light emitting diodes is switched into the series light emitting diode current path.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the controller is further configured to:

in response to sufficient time remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level, switch the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to sufficient time not remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak light emitting diode current level, refrain from switching the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

42. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

monitor a light emitting diode current level; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the light emitting diode current level being greater than a predetermined peak level by a predetermined margin, determine and store another corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

43. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is further configured to:

switch a first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a first series light emitting diode current path; and

switch a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path in parallel with the first series light emitting diode current path.

44. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein selected segments of light emitting diodes of the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes each comprise light emitting diodes having light emission spectra of different colors or wavelengths.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively switch the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding lighting effect.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively switch the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding color temperature.

47. An apparatus couplable to receive an AC voltage, the apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the first plurality of light emitting diodes form a first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series;

a first plurality of switches coupled to the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes configured to switch a selected segment of light emitting diodes into or out of a first series light emitting diode current path in response to a control signal;

a memory; and

a controller coupled to the first plurality of switches and to the memory, wherein the controller is configured to;

in response to a first parameter and during a first part of an AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a value of a second parameter and generate a first control signal to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a current value of the second parameter being substantially equal to the stored value of the second parameter, generate a second control signal to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter comprise at least one of the following:

a time parameter, a time interval, a time-based parameter, or a clock cycle count.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the controller is further configured to determine:

a first plurality of time intervals corresponding to a number of segments of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes for the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

a second plurality of time intervals corresponding to the number of segments of light emitting diodes for the second part of the AC voltage interval.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the controller is further configured to retrieve from the memory:

a first plurality of time intervals corresponding to a number of segments of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes for the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

a second plurality of time intervals corresponding to the number of segments of light emitting diodes for the second part of the AC voltage interval.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the controller is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the first plurality of time intervals, generate a corresponding control signal to switch a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the second plurality of time intervals, in a reverse order, generate a corresponding control signal to switch the next segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a rectifier configured to provide a rectified AC voltage.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the AC voltage interval from a determination of the rectified AC voltage being substantially close to zero.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a current sensor coupled to the controller; and

a voltage sensor coupled to the controller.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the first parameter is a light emitting diode current level and the second parameter is a rectified AC voltage level.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the controller is further configured to:

in response to a light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a first value of the rectified AC voltage level and generate the first control signal to switch a first segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to the light emitting diode current subsequently reaching the predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store in the memory a next value of the rectified AC voltage level and generate a next control signal to switch a next segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the controller is further configured to:

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the next value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, generate another control signal to switch the next segment out of the first series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the first value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, generate the second control signal to switch the first segment out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the controller is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a light emitting diode current level successively reaching a predetermined peak level, determine and store a corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the rectified AC voltage level decreasing to a corresponding voltage level, successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch the corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the controller is further configured to successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch the corresponding segment out of the first series light emitting diode current path in a reverse order to the switching of the corresponding segment into the first series light emitting diode current path.

60. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the AC voltage is phase modulated.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to generate a corresponding control signal to switch a segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a phase-modulated AC voltage level into the first series light emitting diode current path.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to generate a corresponding control signal to switch a segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a time interval of the phase-modulated AC voltage level into the first series light emitting diode current path.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein in response to the AC voltage being phase modulated, the controller is further configured to generate corresponding control signals to maintain a parallel second light emitting diode current path through a first switch concurrently with switching a next segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path through a second switch.

64. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether sufficient time remains in the first part of the AC voltage interval for a light emitting diode current level to reach a predetermined peak level if a next segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes is switched into the first series light emitting diode current path.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein in response to sufficient time remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current to reach the predetermined peak level, the controller is further configured to generate a corresponding control signal to switch the next segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path.

66. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein during the second part of the AC voltage interval and in response to the light emitting diode current level being greater than a predetermined peak level by a predetermined margin, the controller is further configured to determine and store a new value of the second parameter and generate a corresponding control signal to switch the corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path.

67. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the controller is further configured to generate corresponding control signals to switch a plurality of segments of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path in parallel with the first series light emitting diode current path.

68. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a second plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the second plurality of light emitting diodes form a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series; and

a second plurality of switches coupled to the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and configured to switch a selected segment of the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into or out of a second series light emitting diode current path,

wherein the controller is further coupled to the second plurality of switches, and wherein the controller is further configured to generate corresponding control signals to switch a plurality of segments of the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form the second series light emitting diode current path in parallel with the first series light emitting diode current path.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the second series light emitting diode current path has a polarity opposite the first series light emitting diode current path.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein a first current flow through the first series light emitting diode current path has an opposite direction to a second current flow through the second series light emitting diode current path.

71. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the controller is further configured to:

generate corresponding control signals to switch a plurality of segments of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form the first series light emitting diode current path during a positive polarity of the AC voltage; and

generate corresponding control signals to switch a plurality of segments of the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form the second series light emitting diode current path during a negative polarity of the AC voltage.

72. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first plurality of switches comprise a plurality of bipolar junction transistors or a plurality of field effect transistors.

73. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein each switch of the first plurality of switches is coupled to a first terminal of a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and coupled to a second terminal of the last segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes.

74. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a plurality of tri-state switches, comprising;

a plurality of operational amplifiers correspondingly coupled to the first plurality of switches;

a second plurality of switches correspondingly coupled to the first plurality of switches; and

a third plurality of switches correspondingly coupled to the first plurality of switches.

75. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein each switch of the first plurality of switches is coupled to a first terminal of a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and coupled to a second terminal of the corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes.

76. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a second plurality of switches.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein each switch of the first plurality of switches is coupled to a first terminal of the first segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and coupled to a second terminal of a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein each switch of the second plurality of switches is coupled to a second terminal of a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and coupled to a second terminal of the last segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes.

78. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a current limiting circuit.

79. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a dimming interface circuit.

80. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a DC power source circuit coupled to the controller.

81. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a temperature protection circuit.

82. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein selected segments of light emitting diodes of the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes each comprise light emitting diodes having light emission spectra of different colors.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the controller is further configured to generate corresponding control signals to selectively switch the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding lighting effect.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the controller is further configured to generate corresponding control signals to selectively switch the selected segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path to provide a corresponding color temperature.

85. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the controller further comprises:

a first analog-to-digital converter couplable to a first sensor;

a second analog-to-digital converter couplable to a second sensor;

a digital logic circuit; and

a plurality of switch drivers correspondingly coupled to the first plurality of switches.

86. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of analog comparators.

87. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter comprise at least one of the following parameters:

a time period, a peak current level, an average current level, a moving average current level, an instantaneous current level, a peak voltage level, an average voltage level, a moving average voltage level, an instantaneous voltage level, an average output optical brightness level, a moving average output optical brightness level, a peak output optical brightness level, or an instantaneous output optical brightness level.

88. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are the same parameter.

89. An apparatus couplable to receive an AC voltage, the apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the first plurality of light emitting diodes form a first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series;

a first plurality of switches coupled to the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and configured to switch a selected segment of light emitting diodes into or out of a first series light emitting diode current path in response to a control signal;

a sensor; and

a control circuit coupled to the first plurality of switches and to the sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to;

in response to a first parameter and during a first part of an AC voltage interval, determine a value of a second parameter and generate a first control signal to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a current value of the second parameter being substantially equal to a corresponding determined value, generate a second control signal to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter comprise at least one of the following:

a time parameter, a time interval, a time-based parameter, or a clock cycle count.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

calculate or obtain from a memory a first plurality of time intervals corresponding to a number of segments of light emitting diodes of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes for the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

calculate or obtain from a memory a second plurality of time intervals corresponding to the number of segments of light emitting diodes for the second part of the AC voltage interval.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the first plurality of time intervals, generate a corresponding control signal to switch a next segment of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the second plurality of time intervals, in a reverse order, generate a corresponding control signal to switch the next segment of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

93. The apparatus of claim 89, further comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of determined values.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the first parameter is a light emitting diode current level and the second parameter is a voltage level, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a light emitting diode current level successively reaching a predetermined level, determine and store in the memory a corresponding value of the AC voltage level and successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the AC voltage level decreasing to a corresponding voltage level, successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch the corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

95. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are the same parameter comprising a voltage or a current level, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the voltage or current level successively reaching a predetermined level, successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes into the first series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the voltage or current level decreasing to a corresponding level, successively generate a corresponding control signal to switch the corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the first series light emitting diode current path.

96. An apparatus couplable to receive an AC voltage, the apparatus comprising:

a rectifier configured to provide a rectified AC voltage;

a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, and wherein the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes are coupled in series;

a plurality of switches, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is coupled to a first terminal of a corresponding segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes and coupled to a second terminal of the last segment of the first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes;

a current sensor configured to sense a light emitting diode current level;

a voltage sensor configured to sense a rectified AC voltage level;

a memory configured to store a plurality of parameters; and

a controller coupled to the plurality of switches, the memory, the current sensor, and the voltage sensor, wherein the controller is configured to;

during a first part of an AC voltage interval and in response to the light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak light emitting diode current level, determine and store in the memory a corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and generate corresponding control signals to switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into a series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval and in response to the current value of the rectified AC voltage level being substantially equal to the stored corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level, generate corresponding control signals to switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

97. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to:

in response to a first parameter during a first part of an AC voltage interval;

determine and store a value of a second parameter, wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series are couplable to receive an AC voltage, and wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes; and

switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into a series light emitting diode current path; and

during a second part of the AC voltage interval;

monitor the second parameter; and

in response to a current value of the second parameter being substantially equal to the stored value, switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

98. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

generate a rectified AC voltage; and

determine when the rectified AC voltage is substantially close to zero.

99. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 98, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to determine the AC voltage interval from at least one determination of the rectified AC voltage being substantially close to zero.

100. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 99, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

determine a first plurality of time intervals corresponding to a number of segments of light emitting diodes for the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

determine a second plurality of time intervals corresponding to the number of segments of light emitting diodes for the second part of the AC voltage interval.

101. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the first plurality of time intervals, switch a next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, at the expiration of each time interval of the second plurality of time intervals, in a reverse order, switch the next segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

102. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to rectify the AC voltage to provide a rectified AC voltage.

103. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 102, wherein the first parameter is a light emitting diode current level and the second parameter is a rectified AC voltage level.

104. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 103, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

in response to a light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store a first value of the rectified AC voltage level and switch a first segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path;

monitor the light emitting diode current level; and

in response to the light emitting diode current level subsequently reaching the predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store a second value of the rectified AC voltage level and switch a second segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

105. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 104, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

monitor the rectified AC voltage level;

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the second value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switch the second segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path; and

in response to the rectified AC voltage level reaching the first value during the second part of the AC voltage interval, switch the first segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

106. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 103, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

during the first part of the AC voltage interval, in response to a light emitting diode current level successively reaching a predetermined peak value, determine and store a corresponding value of the rectified AC voltage level and successively switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the rectified AC voltage level decreasing to a corresponding voltage level, switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes out of the series light emitting diode current path.

107. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 106, wherein the corresponding segments of light emitting diodes are switched out of the series light emitting diode current path in a reverse order to the corresponding segments of light emitting diodes switched into the series light emitting diode current path.

108. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 103, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

in response to a light emitting diode current level reaching a predetermined peak value during the first part of the AC voltage interval, determine and store a first value of the rectified AC voltage level; and

in response to the first value of the rectified AC voltage level being substantially equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage threshold, switch the corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

109. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to determine whether the AC voltage is phase modulated.

110. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to, when the AC voltage is phase modulated, switch a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a phase-modulated AC voltage level into the series light emitting diode current path.

111. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to, when the AC voltage is phase modulated, switch a segment of light emitting diodes which corresponds to a time interval of the phase-modulated AC voltage into the series light emitting diode current path.

112. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to, when the AC voltage is phase modulated, maintain a parallel light emitting diode current path through a first switch concurrently when a next segment of light emitting diodes is switched into the series light emitting diode current path through a second switch.

113. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to determine whether sufficient time remains in the first part of the AC voltage interval for a light emitting diode current level to reach a predetermined peak value if a next segment of light emitting diodes is switched into the series light emitting diode current path.

114. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 113, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to switch the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path in response to sufficient time remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak value.

115. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 113, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to not switch the next segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path in response to sufficient time not remaining in the first part of the AC voltage interval for the light emitting diode current level to reach the predetermined peak value.

116. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

monitor a light emitting diode current level; and

during the second part of the AC voltage interval, in response to the light emitting diode current level being greater than a predetermined peak level by a predetermined margin, determine and store a new value of the second parameter and switch a corresponding segment of light emitting diodes into the series light emitting diode current path.

117. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

switch a first plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a first series light emitting diode current path; and

switch a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path in parallel with the first series light emitting diode current path.

118. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 97, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one computing device to:

during a third part of the AC voltage interval, switch a second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes to form a second series light emitting diode current path having a polarity opposite the series light emitting diode current path formed in the first part of the AC voltage interval; and

during a fourth part of the AC voltage interval, switch the second plurality of segments of light emitting diodes out of the second series light emitting diode current path.