Multicolored LED lighting method and apparatus

• US 6,788,011 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Mueller, George G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/971,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20020057061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/292, 315/295, 315/294, 315/308, 315/312, 315/318, 315/314, 315/76, 315/360, 315/362, 315/316, 315/324, 362/800
• US Class Current: 315/294
• 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: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/06 Passive matrix structure, i.e. with direct application of both column and row voltages to the light emitting or modulating elements, other than LCD or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0272 Details of drivers for data electrodes, the drivers communicating data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/32 semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3283 in which the data driver supplies a variable data current for setting the current through, or the voltage across, the light-emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein relate to LED systems capable of generating light, such as for illumination or display purposes. The light-emitting LEDs may be controlled by a processor to alter the brightness and/or color of the generated light, e.g., by using pulse-width modulated signals. Thus, the resulting illumination may be controlled by a computer program to provide complex, predesigned patterns of light in virtually any environment.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

2. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured as an addressable controller capable of receiving at least one network signal including address information and lighting information.

3. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to controllably vary an overall color generated by the apparatus as perceived by an observer.

4. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation such that an overall color generated by the illumination apparatus represents a single observable color at a given time.

5. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to controllably vary an overall intensity of illumination generated by the apparatus as perceived by an observer.

6. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to independently control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to produce a dynamic lighting effect as perceived by an observer.

7. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one third LED adapted to output third radiation having a third spectrum different than the first spectrum and the second spectrum, wherein the at least one controller is further adapted to independently control a third intensity of the third radiation in response to the user operation of the at least one user interface.

8. The illumination apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one first LED, the at least one second LED, and the at least one third LED includes at least one blue LED.

9. The illumination apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one first LED, the at least one second LED, and the at least one third LED respectively include at least one red LED, at least one green LED, and at least one blue LED.

10. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical element disposed in a path of at least the first radiation and the second radiation to optically process at least the first radiation and the second radiation.

11. The illumination apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one optical element is configured to receive at least the first and second radiation and to display a color that is a combination of at least the first and second radiation.

12. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one sensor to monitor at least one detectable condition, wherein the at least one controller is configured to further control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the at least one detectable condition.

13. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one transceiver coupled to the at least one controller and configured to communicate at least one IR signal or at least one electromagnetic signal.

14. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one controller includes at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED and at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to program the at least one first register and the at least one second register based on the user operation.

15. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller includes at least one adjustable regulator configured to variably regulate power to at least one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

16. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

17. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the addressable controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

18. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement the PWM technique such that at least one potentially observable artifact in at least the first radiation and the second radiation is reduced.

19. The illumination apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one potentially observable artifact includes a flicker effect, and wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement the PWM technique such that the flicker effect is reduced.

20. The illumination apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one controller is configured to be capable of varying an overall intensity of illumination generated by the apparatus with essentially no perceivable flicker effect.

21. The illumination apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller includes:

at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED to store a first intensity value representing a first PWM control signal;

at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED to store a second intensity value representing a second PWM control signal; and

at least one PWM counter,

wherein;

the at least one controller is configured to program at least the at least one first register and the at least one second register with the first and second intensity values, respectively, based on the user operation; and

the at least one controller is configured to generate the first and second PWM control signals based on a comparison of the at least one PWM counter to the first and second intensity values, respectively.

22. The illumination apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first and second intensity values represent respective duty cycles of the first and second PWM control signals.

23. The illumination apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one controller is configured to freeze the at least one PWM counter when at least one of the at least one first register and the at least one second register is programmed with a new intensity value.

24. The illumination apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one controller is configured to update at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal based on the new intensity value after the at least one PWM counter is frozen, and then restart the at least one PWM counter where it left off after the at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal is updated.

25. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller includes at least one modular connection to facilitate coupling of the at least one controller to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

26. The illumination apparatus of claim 25, wherein:

the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED are supported by a first substrate;

the at least one controller is supported by a second substrate; and

the at least one modular connection facilitates mechanical and electrical coupling of the first substrate and the second substrate.

27. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the at least one user interface.

28. The illumination apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one external adjustment means.

29. The illumination apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one user interface consists of a single user-operated device to control the at least one controller.

30. The illumination apparatus of claim 27, wherein:

the at least one controller includes at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED and at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED; and

the at least one user interface and the at least one controller are configured to program the at least one first register and the at least one second register based on the user operation.

31. The illumination apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the at least one user interface and the at least one controller are configured to program, based on the user operation, the at least one first register and the at least one second register with intensity values representing duty cycles of PWM control signals.

32. The illumination apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one of at least one potentiometer, a thumb plate, a trackball, a joystick, a switch, and a network interface.

33. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a voltage converter to convert an AC potential to a DC power source to supply DC power to at least the at least one controller.

34. The illumination apparatus of claim 33, wherein the DC power source supplies DC power to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

35. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, in combination with a central network controller that is configured to generate the at least one network signal.

36. The illumination apparatus of claim 33, wherein:

the at least one controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

37. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing to support the at least one controller, the at least one first LED, and the at least one second LED.

38. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing includes at least one electrically conductive portion.

39. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing includes at least one heat conductive portion.

40. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing includes at least one light diffuser disposed in the path of the first radiation and the second radiation.

41. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing is configured such that the apparatus is a hand-held illumination device.

42. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing is configured such that the apparatus is an underwater swimming pool light.

43. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing is configured such that the at least one controller, the at least one first LED, and the at least one second LED are substantially enclosed by the housing.

44. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing is configured to resemble a conventional light bulb.

45. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing includes at least one power connection coupled to the at least one controller, the at least one power connection configured to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional light socket.

46. The illumination apparatus of claim 37, further comprising the at least one user interface.

47. The illumination apparatus of claim 46, wherein the at least one user interface is integrated with the housing.

48. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the addressable controller has an alterable address.

49. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one network signal is formatted using a DMX protocol, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the DMX protocol.

50. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface and the lighting information.

51. The illumination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one network signal is provided to the addressable controller based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

52. The illumination apparatus of claims 2, wherein the network signal includes address information and lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to process the network signal based on an address of the addressable controller and the address information in the network signal to recover from the lighting information the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

53. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising an act of:

a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface,

wherein the act a) includes an act of;

b) implementing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

54. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes acts of:

a1) receiving at least one addressed network signal including lighting information; and

a2) controlling at least the first intensity and the second intensity based at least in part on the lighting information.

55. The illumination method of claim 54, wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one addressed network signal based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

56. The illumination method of claim 54, wherein the at least one addressed network signal includes address information and lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the illumination apparatus has an address, and wherein the act a2) includes an act of:

processing the at least one addressed network signal based on the address of the illumination apparatus and the address information in the network signal to recover the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

57. The illumination method of claim 54, wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one addressed network signal from a central network controller.

58. The illumination method of claim 54, wherein the at least one addressed network signal is formatted using a DMX protocol, and wherein the act a2) includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the DMX protocol.

59. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to controllably vary an overall color generated by the apparatus as perceived by an observer.

60. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation such that an overall color generated by the illumination apparatus represents a single observable color at a given time.

61. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to controllably vary an overall intensity of illumination generated by the apparatus as perceived by an observer.

62. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

independently controlling at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation so as to produce a dynamic lighting effect as perceived by an observer.

63. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises at least one third LED adapted to output third radiation having a third spectrum different than the first spectrum and the second spectrum, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

independently controlling a third intensity of the third radiation in response to the user operation of the at least one user interface.

64. The illumination method of claim 63, wherein at least one of the at least one first LED, the at least one second LED, and the at least one third LED includes at least one blue LED.

65. The illumination method of claim 63, wherein the at least one first LED, the at least one second LED, and the at least one third LED respectively include at least one red LED, at least one green LED, and at least one blue LED.

66. The illumination method of claim 53, further comprising an act of:

optically processing at least the first radiation and the second radiation.

67. The illumination method of claim 66, wherein the act of optically processing includes an act of:

optically processing at least the first and second radiation so as to display a color that is a combination of at least the first and second radiation.

68. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the illumination apparatus further includes at least one sensor to monitor at least one detectable condition, and wherein the method further includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the at least one detectable condition.

69. The illumination method of claim 53, further including an act of:

communicating with the illumination apparatus via at least one IR signal or at least one electromagnetic signal.

70. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the illumination apparatus includes at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED and at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED, and wherein the act a) includes an act of:

programming the at least one first register and the at least one second register based on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

71. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

variably regulating power to at least one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

72. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein each of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED is associated with a switch, and wherein the act a) includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the respective switches on and off at high speeds.

73. The illumination method of claim 58, wherein each of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED is associated with a switch, and wherein the act a2) further includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the respective switches on and off at high speeds.

74. The illumination method of claim 53, wherein the act b) includes an act of:

c) implementing the PWM technique such that at least one potentially observable artifact in at least the first radiation and the second radiation is reduced.

75. The illumination method of claim 74, wherein the at least one potentially observable artifact includes a flicker effect, and wherein the act c) includes an act of:

implementing the PWM technique such that the flicker effect is reduced.

76. The illumination method of claim 75, wherein the act c) includes an act of:

varying an overall intensity of illumination generated by the apparatus with essentially no perceivable flicker effect.

77. The illumination method of claim 74, wherein the illumination apparatus includes:

at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED to store a first intensity value representing a first PWM control signal;

at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED to store a second intensity value representing a second PWM control signal; and

at least one PWM counter,

and wherein the act c) includes acts of;

d) programming at least the at least one first register and the at least one second register with the first and second intensity values, respectively, based on the user operation; and

e) generating the first and second PWM control signals based on a comparison of the at least one PWM counter to the first and second intensity values, respectively.

78. The illumination method of claim 77, wherein the first and second intensity values represent respective duty cycles of the first and second PWM control signals.

79. The illumination method of claim 77, wherein the act e) includes an act of:

f) freezing the at least one PWM counter when at least one of the at least one first register and the at least one second register is programmed with a new intensity value.

80. The illumination method of claim 79, wherein the act e) further includes acts of:

g) updating at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal based on the new intensity value after the at least one PWM counter is frozen in the act f); and

h) restarting the at least one PWM counter where it left off after the at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal is updated in the act g).

81. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising an act of:

a) implementing a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation such that at least one potentially observable artifact in at least the first radiation and the second radiation is reduced.

82. The illumination method of claim 81, wherein the at least one potentially observable artifact includes a flicker effect, and wherein the act a) includes an act of:

implementing the PWM technique such that the flicker effect is reduced.

83. The illumination method of claim 82, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

varying an overall intensity of illumination generated by the apparatus with essentially no perceivable flicker effect.

84. The illumination method of claim 81, wherein the illumination apparatus further includes:

at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED to store a first intensity value representing a first PWM control signal;

at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED to store a second intensity value representing a second PWM control signal; and

at least one PWM counter,

and wherein the act a) includes acts of;

b) programming at least the at least one first register and the at least one second register with the first and second intensity values, respectively; and

c) generating the first and second PWM control signals based on a comparison of the at least one PWM counter to the first and second intensity values, respectively.

85. The illumination method of claim 84, wherein the first and second intensity values represent respective duty cycles of the first and second PWM control signals.

86. The illumination method of claim 84, wherein the act c) includes an act of:

d) freezing the at least one PWM counter when at least one of the at least one first register and the at least one second register is programmed with a new intensity value.

87. The illumination method of claim 86, wherein the act c) further includes acts of:

e) updating at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal based on the new intensity value after the at least one PWM counter is frozen in the act d); and

f) restarting the at least one PWM counter where it left off after the at least one of the first PWM control signal and the second PWM control signal is updated in the act e).

88. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum;

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation; and

at least one sensor to monitor at least one detectable condition,

wherein the at least one controller is configured to further control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the at least one detectable condition.

89. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum;

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation; and

at least one transceiver coupled to the at least one controller and configured to communicate at least one IR signal or at least one electromagnetic signal.

90. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein;

the at least one controller includes at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED and at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to program the at least one first register and the at least one second register based on the user operation.

91. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein the at least one controller includes at least one adjustable regulator configured to variably regulate power to at least one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

92. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein;

the at least one controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

93. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising acts of:

a) receiving at least one signal formatted at least in part using a DMX protocol and including lighting information based at least in part on user operation of at least one user interface; and

b) controlling at least the first intensity and the second intensity based at least in part on the lighting information.

94. The illumination method of claim 93, wherein the at least one user interface includes a central network controller, and wherein the act a) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one signal from the central network controller.

95. The illumination method of claim 93, wherein the act a) includes an act of:

a1) receiving at least one network signal formatted at least in part using the DMX protocol and including lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus.

96. The illumination method of claim 95, wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one network signal based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

97. The illumination method of claim 95, wherein the at least one network signal includes address information, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the illumination apparatus has an address, and wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

a2) processing the at least one network signal based on the address of the illumination apparatus and the address information in the at least one network signal to recover the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

98. The illumination method of claim 97, wherein the address information relates to an arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal, and wherein the act a2) includes an act of:

processing the at least one network signal based on the address of the illumination apparatus and the arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal to recover the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

99. The illumination method of claim 97, wherein the at least one user interface includes a central network controller, and wherein the act a) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one signal from the central network controller.

100. The illumination method of claim 93, wherein the act b) further includes an act of:

implementing a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

101. The illumination method of claim 93, wherein each of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED is associated with a switch, and wherein the act a) further includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the respective switches on and off at high speeds.

102. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum;

at least one user interface; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of the at least one user interface, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one external adjustment means.

103. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation,

wherein the at least one controller is configured as an addressable controller capable of receiving at least one network signal including lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus.

104. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface and the lighting information.

105. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the at least one network signal is provided to the addressable controller based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

106. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to process the at least one network signal based on an address of the addressable controller to recover from the lighting information the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

107. The illumination apparatus of claim 106, wherein the at least one network signal includes address information.

108. The illumination apparatus of claim 107, wherein the address information relates to an arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal.

109. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the addressable controller has an alterable address.

110. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the at least one network signal is formatted using a DMX protocol, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the DMX protocol.

111. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, in combination with the at least one user interface, wherein the at least one user interface is a central network controller that is configured to generate the at least one network signal.

112. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein the addressable controller is configured to implement a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

113. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, wherein:

the addressable controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the addressable controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

114. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, further including at least one modular connection to facilitate coupling of the at least one controller to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

115. The illumination apparatus of claim 103, further including at least one modular connection to facilitate coupling of the at least one controller to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

116. The illumination apparatus of claim 115, wherein:

the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED are supported by a first substrate;

the at least one controller is supported by a second substrate; and

the at least one modular connection is configured to facilitate at least one of a mechanical coupling and an electrical coupling of the first substrate and the second substrate.

117. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum, at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, and at least one sensor to monitor at least one detectable condition, an illumination control method, comprising acts of:

independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface; and

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED in response to the at least one detectable condition.

118. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising acts of:

independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface; and

communicating with the illumination apparatus via at least one IR signal or at least one electromagnetic signal.

119. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising an act of:

a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface, wherein the illumination apparatus includes at least one first register associated with the at least one first LED and at least one second register associated with the at least one second LED, and wherein the act a) includes an act of;

programming the at least one first register and the at least one second register based on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

120. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising acts of:

independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface; and

variably regulating power to at least one of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

121. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising an act of:

a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface, wherein each of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED is associated with a switch, and wherein the act a) includes an act of;

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the respective switches on and off at high speeds.

122. In an illumination apparatus comprising at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum and at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum, an illumination control method, comprising an act of:

a) independently controlling at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to user operation of at least one user interface, wherein the act a) includes acts of;

a1) receiving at least one network signal including lighting information; and

a2) controlling at least the first intensity and the second intensity based at least in part on the lighting information.

123. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one network signal based at least in part on the user operation of the at least one user interface.

124. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein the at least one network signal includes address information and lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, wherein the illumination apparatus has an address, and wherein the act a2) includes an act of:

a3) processing the at least one network signal based on the address of the illumination apparatus and the address information in the at least one network signal to recover the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

125. The illumination method of claim 124, wherein the address information relates to an arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal, and wherein the act a3) includes an act of:

processing the at least one network signal based on the address of the illumination apparatus and the arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal to recover the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

126. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein the at least one user interface includes a central network controller, and wherein the act a1) includes an act of:

receiving the at least one network signal from the central network controller.

127. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein the at least one network signal is formatted using a DMX protocol, and wherein the act a2) includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED based at least in part on the DMX protocol.

128. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein the act a2) further includes an act of:

implementing a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

129. The illumination method of claim 122, wherein each of the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED is associated with a switch, and wherein the act a2) further includes an act of:

controlling the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the respective switches on and off at high speeds.

130. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to at least one signal formatted at least in part using a DMX protocol, the at least one signal including lighting information based at least in part on user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the lighting information.

131. The apparatus of claim 130, in combination with the at least one user interface.

132. The combination of claim 131, wherein the at least one user interface includes a central network controller.

133. The illumination apparatus of claim 130, further including at least one modular connection to facilitate coupling of the at least one controller to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

134. The illumination apparatus of claim 133, wherein:

the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED are supported by a first substrate;

the at least one controller is supported by a second substrate; and

the at least one modular connection is configured to facilitate at least one of a mechanical coupling and an electrical coupling of the first substrate and the second substrate.

135. The illumination apparatus of claim 130, wherein the at least one controller further is configured as an addressable controller capable of receiving the at least one signal as at least one network signal including lighting information for a plurality of illumination apparatus.

136. The illumination apparatus of claim 135, wherein the lighting information includes intensity values for LEDs of the plurality of illumination apparatus, and wherein the addressable controller is configured to process the at least one network signal based on an address of the addressable controller to recover from the lighting information the intensity values for at least the first and second LEDs of the illumination apparatus.

137. The illumination apparatus of claim 136, wherein the at least one network signal includes address information.

138. The illumination apparatus of claim 137, wherein the address information relates to an arrangement of data packets in the at least one network signal.

139. The illumination apparatus of claim 136, wherein the addressable controller has an alterable address.

140. The illumination apparatus of claim 136, in combination with the at least one user interface, wherein the at least one user interface is a central network controller that is configured to generate the at least one network signal.

141. The illumination apparatus of claim 130, wherein the at least one controller is configured to implement a pulse width modulation technique to control at least the first intensity of the first radiation and the second intensity of the second radiation.

142. The illumination apparatus of claim 130, wherein:

the at least one controller includes a first switch and a second switch respectively associated with the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED; and

the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED by turning the first and second switches on and off at high speeds.

143. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

at least one first LED adapted to output at least first radiation having a first spectrum;

at least one second LED adapted to output second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum;

at least one controller coupled to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED and configured to respond to user operation of at least one user interface in communication with the at least one controller, the at least one controller further configured to independently control at least a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation in response to the user operation; and

at least one modular connection to facilitate coupling of the at least one controller to the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED.

144. The illumination apparatus of claim 143, wherein:

the at least one first LED and the at least one second LED are supported by a first substrate;

the at least one controller is supported by a second substrate; and

the at least one modular connection is configured to facilitate at least one of a mechanical coupling and an electrical coupling of the first substrate and the second substrate.