A method for authentication between a control module and a lighting module for a motor vehicle, in which at least one of the two modules is a transmitter module, the other being a receiver module, the two modules comprising a unit for transmitting/receiving data and being linked by a data communication channel that enables the modules to exchange data. The method including transmitting of data describing at least one authentication factor from the transmitter module to the receiver module, verification of the authentication factor by means of a calculation unit, and abandoning communication, in the receiver module, with the transmitter module if the verification fails, or otherwise continuing communication.

A method for managing image data in an automotive lighting device. This method includes the steps of providing an image pattern, dividing the image pattern in rows or columns of pixels, and providing for each row pattern, a plurality of linear segments, each linear segment is characterized by two values. The data of the linear segments is compressed, and the compressed data is sent to the light module. The invention also provides an automotive lighting device for performing the steps of such a method.

The invention relates to a luminaire (10) comprising illuminants (170) for generating light, and a control unit (110) for controlling the illuminants (170), and at least one further element (140), in particular an operator control element (143) or a sensor (142), for generating control information that influences the operation of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) is configured in such a way that a self-test is carried out after a supply voltage has been applied to the luminaire (10). Said self-test is carried out automatically and independently in an analysis mode of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) checks the luminaire (10) for the presence and/or the functionality of the at least one further element (140). Depending on the checking result, and the type of further unit (140) checked, the control unit (110) controls the illuminants (170) such that a temporally variable light emission (171) signals the checking result. Measuring devices (200, 210, 220) are additionally specified which detect the checking result by measurement of operating parameters of the luminaire (10) and present this information preferably by way of a display (211, 221) of the measuring device (200, 210, 220). A method is likewise specified which includes checking the at least one further element (140) and controlling the illuminants (170) by means of the control unit (110).

A network bridge for a lighting system is disclosed. For one example, a lighting system includes an inter-integrated circuit (I.sup.2C) cable, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, and wireless module coupled to the LED driver by way of the I.sup.2C cable. The LED driver is configured to control one or more LED light sources. The wireless module includes an antenna configured to receive a message according to any number of a plurality of wireless communication protocols. The wireless module is configured to process the message into an I.sup.2C data frame and to deliver the I.sup.2C data frame to the LED driver via the I.sup.2C cable, and the LED driver is configured to control a lighting application or one or more LED light sources based on an I.sup.2C data frame. The message can be a wireless communication protocol message such as a ZigBee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message. The wireless module includes bridge circuitry configured to process the Zigbee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message into an I.sup.2C data frame and to deliver the I.sup.2C data frame to the LED driver via the I.sup.2C cable using a serial data communication protocol.

A network bridge for a lighting system is disclosed. For one example, a lighting system includes an inter-integrated circuit (I.sup.2C) cable, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, and wireless module coupled to the LED driver by way of the I.sup.2C cable. The LED driver is configured to control one or more LED light sources. The wireless module includes an antenna configured to receive a message according to any number of a plurality of wireless communication protocols. The wireless module is configured to process the message into an I.sup.2C data frame and to deliver the I.sup.2C data frame to the LED driver via the I.sup.2C cable, and the LED driver is configured to control a lighting application or one or more LED light sources based on an I.sup.2C data frame. The message can be a wireless communication protocol message such as a ZigBee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message. The wireless module includes bridge circuitry configured to process the Zigbee message, Bluetooth message or WiFi message into an I.sup.2C data frame and to deliver the I.sup.2C data frame to the LED driver via the I.sup.2C cable using a serial data communication protocol.

An expander circuit may be configured to control a plurality of driver circuits for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs). The expander circuit may comprise a bus interface circuit configured to receive control signals from a processor over a communication bus, and a plurality of modulation signal generators configured to generate modulation signals based on the control signals. The expander circuit may be configured to provide the modulation signals to the plurality of driver circuits for driving the LEDs.

An expander circuit may be configured to control a plurality of driver circuits for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs). The expander circuit may comprise a bus interface circuit configured to receive control signals from a processor over a communication bus, and a plurality of modulation signal generators configured to generate modulation signals based on the control signals. The expander circuit may be configured to provide the modulation signals to the plurality of driver circuits for driving the LEDs.

For a programmable direct current (DC)-DC converter application, a driver system includes a switched mode power circuit for providing a DC power signal to an electrical load and a control block. Control block includes interfaces coupled to receive at least one real-time input signal from a low voltage region of the switched mode power circuit and to provide at least one control signal to the low voltage region. Control block configures the switched mode power circuit to provide the DC power signal having at least one power parameter within a tolerance of a power configuration setting value of the electrical load. Control block responds to the at least one real-time input signal from the low voltage region to adjust operation of the low voltage region via the at least one control signal. Low voltage region can include a plurality of switched converter circuits.

For a programmable direct current (DC)-DC converter application, a driver system includes a switched mode power circuit for providing a DC power signal to an electrical load and a control block. Control block includes interfaces coupled to receive at least one real-time input signal from a low voltage region of the switched mode power circuit and to provide at least one control signal to the low voltage region. Control block configures the switched mode power circuit to provide the DC power signal having at least one power parameter within a tolerance of a power configuration setting value of the electrical load. Control block responds to the at least one real-time input signal from the low voltage region to adjust operation of the low voltage region via the at least one control signal. Low voltage region can include a plurality of switched converter circuits.

A light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture includes a lamp having a tube with at least one LED lamp positioned therein and operatively connected with external electrical contacts. The lamp has at least one communication protocol address associated therewith. A communication protocol converter is associated with the lamp and is configured to receive an instruction from a communication protocol controller, determine if the instruction is intended for the associated at least one communication protocol address, and if so, control the at least one LED lamp based on the instruction.