Lighting device and lighting method

• US 8,513,875 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Negley, Gerald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Brenitra M
• Application Number:
  US11/736,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,316 Days
• Field of Search: 313502-504
• US Class Current: 313/502
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133617 Illumination with ultraviolet light; Luminescent elements or materials associated to the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/08 with a plurality of light emitting regions, e.g. laterally discontinuous light emitting layer or photoluminescent region integrated within the semiconductor body H01L27/15 takes precedence

Abstract

A lighting device comprising a first group of solid state light emitters, with peak wavelength from 430 nm to 480 nm, and optionally a second group with dominant wavelength from 600 nm to 630 nm, and a first group of lumiphors which emit light having dominant wavelength from 555 nm to 585 nm. In some embodiments, if current is supplied to a power line, a combination of (1) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of emitters, and (2) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of lumiphors would, in an absence of any additional light, produce a sub-mixture of light having x, y color coordinates within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram defined by points having coordinates (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), (0.36, 0.38). Also provided is a method of lighting.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters, said first group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter;

at least a first luminescent material;

a second group of solid state light emitters, said second group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter; and

at least a first power line, said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters electrically connected to said first power line,

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

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

said second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm;

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

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a plurality of first LEDs; and

said second group of solid state light emitters comprises a plurality of second LEDs.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one switch electrically connected to said first power line, said switch selectively switching on and off current to said first power line.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sub-mixture illumination has x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third and fourth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.41, 0.455, and said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least five light emitting diodes; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors that comprises at least five lumiphors.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters are illuminated, at least some of said first luminescent material is excited by light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters are illuminated, all of said lumiphors in said first group of lumiphors are excited by light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters.

8. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters is embedded within an encapsulant element in which at least some of said first luminescent material is also embedded.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mixture of light would have a CRI of at least 80.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device has an efficacy of at least 25 lumens per watt.

11. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein when current is supplied to said first power line, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosed space.

12. A structure comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein when current is supplied to said first power line, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

13. An area, comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost, having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 1.

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

said lighting device comprises at least a first set of parallel LED strings, said first set of parallel LED strings comprising at least a first LED string and a second LED string, said first set of parallel LED strings arranged in series relative to said first power line,

a first ratio differs from a second ratio,

said first ratio equal to (1) a number of LEDs in said second group of solid state light emitters and in said first LED string, divided by (2) a number of LEDs in said first group of solid state light emitters and in said first LED string;

said second ratio equal to (3) a number of LEDs in said second group of solid state light emitters and in said second LED string, divided by (4) a number of LEDs in said first group of solid state light emitters and in said second LED string.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 14, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second LED strings, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second LED strings.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 15, wherein said current adjuster is automatically adjusted to maintain said mixture of light within ten MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 440 nm to 480 nm;

said first luminescent material, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 560 nm to about 580 nm; and

said second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 605 nm to 630 nm.

18. A method of lighting comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters, said first group of solid state light emitters including at least a first solid state light emitter, such that said first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

illuminating a second group of solid state light emitters, said second group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter, such that said second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm

exciting a first luminescent material, such that said first luminescent material emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm;

wherein;

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

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters are electrically connected to a first power line; and

said first group of solid state light emitters and said second group of solid state light emitters are illuminated by supplying current to said first power line.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of said first luminescent material is excited by light emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters.

21. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

a first luminescent material; and

a second group of solid state light emitters;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

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

said second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm; and

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

22. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least a first power line and a second power line,

a first ratio equal to (1) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line, divided by (2) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line;

a second ratio equal to (3) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line, divided by (4) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line;

said first ratio differing from said second ratio.

23. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, wherein said first ratio is equal to zero.

24. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

25. A lighting device as recited in claim 22, further comprising at least one switch electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said switch selectively switching on and off current to said one of said first and second power lines.

26. A lighting device as recited in claim 25, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

28. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one power line, said first group of solid state light emitters comprising all solid state light emitters which are directly or switchably electrically connected to said at least one power line and which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

29. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group are illuminated, all of said lumiphors are excited by light emitted from said solid state light emitters.

30. A lighting device as recited in claim 29, wherein said power line comprises a wire.

31. A lighting device as recited in claim 30, further comprising a power plug directly or switchably electrically connected to said power line.

32. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, wherein said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters are illuminated, all of said lumiphors in said first group of lumiphors are excited by light emitted from said solid state light emitters.

33. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters is embedded within an encapsulant element in which at least some of said first luminescent material is also embedded.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least ten light emitting diodes; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises at least ten lumiphors.

35. A lighting device as recited in claim 34, further comprising at least a first power line, said at least ten light emitting diodes in said first group of solid state light emitters and at least four solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least twenty-five light emitting diodes; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises at least twenty-five lumiphors.

37. A lighting device as recited in claim 36, further comprising at least a first power line, said at least twenty-five light emitting diodes in said first group of solid state light emitters and at least ten solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line.

70. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 21, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

76. A lighting element as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one thermistor.

77. A lighting element as recited in claim 76, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

78. A lighting element as recited in claim 77, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

94. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 21.

100. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 21.

106. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

112. A lighting device as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

113. A lighting device as recited in claim 112, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

114. A lighting device as recited in claim 112, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

38. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

a first luminescent material; and

a second group of solid state light emitters;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

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

said second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm; and

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

39. A lighting device as recited in claim 38, wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

40. A lighting device as recited in claim 38, further comprising at least a first power line, at least one of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters and at least one of said solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line.

41. A lighting device as recited in claim 38, further comprising at least a first power line and a second power line,

a first ratio equal to (1) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line, divided by (2) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line;

a second ratio equal to (3) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line, divided by (4) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line;

said first ratio differing from said second ratio.

42. A lighting device as recited in claim 41, wherein said first ratio is equal to zero.

43. A lighting device as recited in claim 41, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

44. A lighting device as recited in claim 41, further comprising at least one switch electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said switch selectively switching on and off current to said one of said first and second power lines.

45. A lighting device as recited in claim 44, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

65. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 38, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosure.

71. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 38, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device at least a portion of said surface.

79. A lighting element as recited in claim 38, further comprising at least one thermistor.

80. A lighting element as recited in claim 79, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

81. A lighting element as recited in claim 80, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

95. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 38.

101. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 38.

107. A lighting device as recited in claim 38, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

115. A lighting device as recited in claim 38, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

116. A lighting device as recited in claim 115, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

117. A lighting device as recited in claim 115, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

46. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

a first luminescent material; and

a second group of solid state light emitters;

at least a first power line directly or switchably electrically connected to said lighting device,

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

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

said second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm; and

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

47. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, at least one of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters and at least one of said solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said power line.

48. A lighting device as recited in claim 46, wherein said at least one power line comprises at least a first power line and a second power line,

a first ratio equal to (1) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line, divided by (2) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said first power line;

a second ratio equal to (3) a number of solid state light emitters in said second group of solid state light emitters, directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line, divided by (4) a number of solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters directly or switchably electrically connected to said second power line; and

said first ratio differing from said second ratio.

49. A lighting device as recited in claim 48, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

50. A lighting device as recited in claim 48, further comprising at least one switch electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said switch selectively switching on and off current to said one of said first and second power lines.

51. A lighting device as recited in claim 50, further comprising at least one current adjuster directly or switchably electrically connected to one of said first and second power lines, said current adjuster, when adjusted, adjusting the current supplied to said one of said first and second power lines.

52. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

a first luminescent material;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

said first luminescent material, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm; and

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

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

54. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, further comprising at least one power line, said first group of solid state light emitters comprising all solid state light emitters which are directly or switchably electrically connected to said at least one power line and which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm.

55. A lighting device as recited in claim 54, wherein said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group are illuminated, all of said lumiphors are excited by light emitted from said solid state light emitters.

56. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and when all of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters are illuminated, all of said lumiphors in said first group of lumiphors are excited by light emitted from said solid state light emitters.

57. A lighting device as recited in claim 56, wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

58. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein each of said solid state light emitters in said first group of solid state light emitters is embedded within an encapsulant element in which at least some of said first luminescent material is also embedded.

59. A lighting device as recited in claim 58, wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

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

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises at least twenty-five solid state light emitters; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises at least twenty-five lumiphors.

66. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosure.

72. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 52, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

82. A lighting element as recited in claim 52, further comprising at least one thermistor.

83. A lighting element as recited in claim 82, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

84. A lighting element as recited in claim 83, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

96. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 52.

102. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 52.

108. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

118. A lighting device as recited in claim 52, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

119. A lighting device as recited in claim 118, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

120. A lighting device as recited in claim 118, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

61. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

a first luminescent material;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

said first luminescent material, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 inn; and

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

62. A lighting device as recited in claim 61, wherein:

said first group of solid state light emitters comprises all of the solid state light emitters in said lighting device which, when illuminated, emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 430 nm to about 480 nm; and

said first luminescent material is in each of a first group of lumiphors, and said first group of lumiphors comprises all of the lumiphors in said lighting device which, when excited, emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

67. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 61, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosure.

73. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 61, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

85. A lighting element as recited in claim 61, further comprising at least one thermistor.

86. A lighting element as recited in claim 85, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

87. A lighting element as recited in claim 86, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

97. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 61.

103. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 61.

109. A lighting device as recited in claim 61, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

121. A lighting device as recited in claim 61, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

122. A lighting device as recited in claim 121, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

123. A lighting device as recited in claim 121, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

63. An LED package, comprising:

an encapsulant element;

a solid state light emitter which, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm; and

a first luminescent material which, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm,

wherein;

said solid state light emitter and said first luminescent material are embedded within said encapsulant element;

when said solid state light emitter is illuminated, said first luminescent material is excited by light emitted from said solid state light emitter; and

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

68. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 63, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosure.

74. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 63, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

88. A lighting element as recited in claim 63, further comprising at least one thermistor.

89. A lighting element as recited in claim 88, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

90. A lighting element as recited in claim 89, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

98. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 63.

104. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 63.

110. A lighting device as recited in claim 63, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

124. A lighting device as recited in claim 63, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

125. A lighting device as recited in claim 124, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

126. A lighting device as recited in claim 124, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

64. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

a first luminescent material; and

at least one power line directly or switchably electrically connected to said lighting device,

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

said first luminescent material, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm; and

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

69. An enclosure, comprising an enclosed space and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 64, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said enclosure.

75. A lighting element, comprising a surface and at least one lighting device as recited in claim 64, wherein when said lighting device is illuminated, said lighting device illuminates at least a portion of said surface.

91. A lighting element as recited in claim 64, further comprising at least one thermistor.

92. A lighting element as recited in claim 91, further comprising at least one current adjuster, wherein said thermistor causes said at least one current adjuster to adjust current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

93. A lighting element as recited in claim 92, further comprising at least one switch, wherein said thermistor further causes said at least one switch to interrupt current passing through at least one of said solid state light emitters in response to temperature change.

99. A structure comprising at least one item selected from among the group consisting of a swimming pool, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a vehicle, a road sign, a billboard, a ship, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium, a tree, a window, and a lamppost having mounted therein or thereon at least one lighting device as recited in claim 64.

105. A light fixture comprising at least one lighting device as recited in claim 64.

111. A lighting device as recited in claim 64, further comprising at least one reflective element having at least one aperture, said solid state light emitters and said first luminescent material oriented such that light emitted from said lighting device exits from a remote end of said reflective element.

127. A lighting device as recited in claim 64, further comprising at least one mounting structure.

128. A lighting device as recited in claim 127, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one circuit board.

129. A lighting device as recited in claim 127, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one heat sink.

130. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters, said first group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter;

a first luminescent material; and

at least a first power line, said first group of solid state light emitters electrically connected to said first power line,

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm;

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

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

131. An LCD display device comprising:

liquid crystals; and

at least one light source that comprises at least one non-white luminescent material-converted light emitting diode,

wherein light exiting the LCD display device which was emitted by said at least one light source that comprises at least one non-white luminescent material-converted light emitting diode would, in an absence of any additional light, produce light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

132. An LCD display device comprising:

liquid crystals; and

at least one light source that comprises (1) a first group of solid state light emitters that comprises at least a first solid state light emitter and (2) at least a first luminescent material, at least a first portion of light emitted from the first solid state light emitter converted by the first luminescent material and at least a second portion of light emitted from the first solid state light emitter not converted by the first luminescent material, the first portion of light and the second portion of light mixing to form mixed light which, in the absence of any other light, would be non-white light,

wherein when the first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a combination of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, and (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material would, in an absence of any additional light, produce a sub-mixture of light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, the first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, the second line segment connecting the second point to a third point, the third line segment connecting the third point to a fourth point, the fourth line segment connecting the fourth point to a fifth point, and the fifth line segment connecting the fifth point to the first point, the first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, the second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, the third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, the fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and the fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

133. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein the first solid state light emitter and at least a portion of the first luminescent material are in a packaged device.

134. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter, when illuminated, emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm; and

the first luminescent material, when excited, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

135. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein:

the LCD display device further comprises at least a first power line; and

when current is supplied to the first power line, a combination of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, and (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material would, in an absence of any additional light, produce a sub-mixture of light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, the first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, the second line segment connecting the second point to a third point, the third line segment connecting the third point to a fourth point, the fourth line segment connecting the fourth point to a fifth point, and the fifth line segment connecting the fifth point to the first point, the first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, the second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, the third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, the fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and the fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

136. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein:

the at least one light source further comprises a second group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter; and

when the first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, and the second group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material and (3) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the second group of solid state light emitters produces a mixed illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

137. An LCD display device as recited in claim 136, wherein the second group of solid state light emitters, when illuminated, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.

138. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein:

the at least one light source further comprises a second group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter;

the LCD display device further comprises a power line; and

when current is supplied to the first power line, a mixture of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material and (3) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the second group of solid state light emitters produces a mixed illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

139. An LCD display device as recited in claim 132, wherein at least a portion of the first luminescent material is in at least one lumiphor.

140. A method of lighting comprising:

illuminating an LCD display device that comprises liquid crystals by illuminating at least one light source that comprises at least one non-white luminescent material-converted light emitting diode.

141. A method of lighting comprising:

illuminating an LCD display device that comprises liquid crystals by illuminating at least one light source that comprises at least a first luminescent material and a first group of solid state light emitters comprising at least a first solid state light emitter, at least a first portion of light emitted from the first solid state light emitter converted by the first luminescent material and at least a second portion of light emitted from the first solid state light emitter not converted by the first luminescent material, the first portion of light and the second portion of light mixing to form mixed light which, in the absence of any other light, would be non-white light,

a combination of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, and (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material would, in an absence of any additional light, produce a sub-mixture of light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, the first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, the second line segment connecting the second point to a third point, the third line segment connecting the third point to a fourth point, the fourth line segment connecting the fourth point to a fifth point, and the fifth line segment connecting the fifth point to the first point, the first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, the second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, the third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, the fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and the fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

142. A method as recited in claim 141, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter emits light having a peak wavelength in the range of from 430 nm to 480 nm; and

the first luminescent material emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 555 nm to about 585 nm.

143. A method as recited in claim 141, wherein:

the at least one light source comprises a first group of solid state light emitters that comprises the first solid state light emitter;

the at least one light source further comprises a second group of solid state light emitters, the second group of solid state light emitters including at least one solid state light emitter;

the method further comprises illuminating the second group of solid state light emitters; and

a mixture of (1) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the first luminescent material and (3) light exiting the at least one light source which was emitted by the second group of solid state light emitters would produce a mixed illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

144. A method as recited in claim 143, wherein the second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 630 nm.