A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

An electrical system can include first and second electrical loads. The electrical system can also include a first power supply coupled to the first electrical load, where the first electrical load receives first power from the first power supply at a first time. The electrical system can further include a second power supply coupled to the second electrical load, where the second electrical load receives second power from the second power supply at the first time. The electrical system can also include a first switch disposed between and coupled to the first electrical load and the second power supply. The first switch, when in an open position at the first time, can prevent the second power from being received by the first electrical load. The first switch, when in a closed position at a second time, can allow the second power to be received by the first electrical load.

Techniques for horticulture light are provided. A horticulture light can monitor at least one characteristic of a defined region in which at least one plant is planted in a horticulture environment in which horticulture light bulb is installed, determine at least one action for the horticulture light bulb to perform based on a state of the at least one characteristic and at least one objective of the installation of the horticulture light bulb in the horticulture environment, and execute the at least one action.

Techniques for horticulture light are provided. A horticulture light can monitor at least one characteristic of a defined region in which at least one plant is planted in a horticulture environment in which horticulture light bulb is installed, determine at least one action for the horticulture light bulb to perform based on a state of the at least one characteristic and at least one objective of the installation of the horticulture light bulb in the horticulture environment, and execute the at least one action.

A light emitting diode (LED) control circuit includes an inductor current sense circuit with a high-side diode string, a low-side diode string, and a sense resistor in series with and between the high-side and low side diode strings. The LED control circuit receives an input voltage on an end that connects to the high-side diode string. An end of the low-side diode string is connected to a switch through an inductor. A sense voltage developed on the sense resistor by an inductor current is sensed by a controller integrated circuit (IC). A pin of the controller IC that receives the sense voltage can have a breakdown voltage specification that is lower than the input voltage.

A quantum cascade laser integrated device includes: first and second lower semiconductor mesas extending in a direction of a first axis; a covering region disposed on top and side faces of the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, and including a first and second upper semiconductor mesas, the first and second upper semiconductor mesas extending in the direction of the first axis on the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, respectively; and a first and second electrodes disposed on the second upper semiconductor mesa, the first lower semiconductor mesa and the second lower semiconductor mesa each including a quantum cascading core layer, the covering region including a current blocking semiconductor region embedding the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, and a first conductivity-type semiconductor region disposed on the first and second lower semiconductor mesas and the current blocking semiconductor region, and the conductivity-type semiconductor region including an upper cladding region.

A lighting system (1) has a first lighting circuit (2) configured to provide a first predetermined level of lighting intensity. The first lighting circuit (2) is configured to receive power from a mains electricity supply (3) or from a battery source (4) if the mains supply is unavailable. The first lighting circuit (2) is connected to at least one first Light source (5) and configured, when actuated, to provide lighting at the first predetermined level of lighting intensity. At this time, the first light source is in either an on or off state or a level of light required to raise ambient light level above a predetermined level. The system (1) further has a second lighting circuit (13) configured to provide lighting at least a second predetermined level of lighting intensity. The second lighting circuit (13) is configured to receive power from the mains electricity supply (3) and is connected to at least one second light source (14). The second lighting circuit (13) has at least one sensor (18) with an input such that actuation thereof causes the second light source (14) to provide the second predetermined level of lighting intensity for a predetermined period of time, in response to ambient illumination meeting or exceeding a predetermined intensity, when said sensor has no input or has had no input for a predetermined period of time, or until re-set. In the system (1), the second predetermined level of lighting intensity is greater than said first predetermined level of lighting.

A configurable controllable under cabinet lighting fixture and system for controlling the same are provided. An example lighting fixture housing, includes one or more lighting elements defining a first lighting zone and circuitry configured to control one or more first parameters associated with the first lighting zone and one or more second parameters associated with one or more nearby lighting zones located within a proximity threshold of the first lighting zone.

System and method for voltage conversion to drive one or more light emitting diodes with at least a TRIAC dimmer. For example, the system includes: a phase detector configured to receive a first rectified voltage generated based at least in part on an AC input voltage processed by at least the TRIAC dimmer, the phase detector being further configured to generate a digital signal representing phase information associated with the first rectified voltage; a voltage generator configured to receive the digital signal and generate a DC voltage based at least in part on the digital signal; and a driver configured to receive the DC voltage and affect, based at least in part on the DC voltage, a current flowing through the one or more light emitting diodes; wherein the current changes with the phase information according to a predetermined function.

A color tuning system including a first plurality of LEDs having a first color temperature, a second plurality of LEDs having a second color temperature, a wave generator electrically connected to the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs, where the waveform generator transmits a first signal to the first plurality of LEDs for a first predetermined time and a second signal to the second plurality of LEDs for a second predetermined time.