Abstract
A lighting system is disclosed. The example lighting system includes a plurality of LED lighting devices, where at least one of the LED lighting devices includes a same or different colored LED than a LED in at least one of the other LED lighting devices. The lighting system also includes a plurality of data communication circuits, where at least one of the data communication circuits is configured to transmit data signals to or receive data signals from at least one telecommunications device that comprises a circuit configured to detect human touch via capacitive sensing. The at least one data communication circuit is integrated in at least one of the LED lighting devices of the plurality of LED lighting devices. Additionally, the at least one telecommunication device is configured to control a brightness level of at least one of the LED lighting devices via the at least one data communication circuit.
Claims
1. A lighting system comprising: a plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein each of the plurality of LED lighting devices comprises: at least two LED packages that each includes a phosphor that produces a change in a color of light emitted from an LED chip inside the respective LED package, at least one full wave bridge rectifier, at least one driver, at least one electronic switch, and at least one data communication circuit, wherein at least one of the plurality of LED lighting devices includes at least one LED package with the phosphor that is capable of emitting a different color temperature of light than at least one of the other LED packages with the phosphor in at least one other LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein the at least one full wave bridge rectifier is configured to receive an AC mains voltage and provide a rectified DC voltage output to an input of the at least one driver, wherein the at least one driver is configured to provide a voltage output to at least one of the at least two LED packages in response to the at least one electronic switch, wherein the at least one driver and the at least one electronic switch are configured to respond to the at least one data communication circuit and selectively provide the voltage output of the at least one driver to at least one LED package of the at least two LED packages in the plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein the at least one data communication circuit is configured to receive data signals from at least one portable telecommunication device that includes at least one phosphor coated LED, at least one circuit that responds to capacitive touch, and at least one proximity sensing circuit, and wherein the at least one data communication circuit is configured to receive a signal from the at least one portable telecommunication device for causing the at least one electronic switch to selectively control a brightness level and the color temperature of at least one of the plurality of LED lighting devices.
2. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a lens.
3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least two LED packages are mounted to a printed circuit board having a reflective coating.
4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices is configured to transmit the data signals to or receive the data signals from at least another lighting device.
5. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a circuit configured to sense a proximity of a person or an object.
6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is coupled to a dimmer that dims at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices.
7. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a 3-way switch that is controllable by a user to change a color or a brightness of the different colored LED packages.
8. A lighting system comprising: a plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein each of the plurality of LED lighting devices comprises: at least two LED packages that each includes a phosphor that produces a change in a color of light emitted from an LED chip inside the respective LED package, at least one full wave bridge rectifier, at least one driver, at least one electronic switch, and at least one data communication circuit, wherein at least one of the plurality of LED lighting devices includes at least one LED package with the phosphor that is capable of emitting different color temperature of light than at least one of the other LED packages with the phosphor in at least one other LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein the at least one full wave bridge rectifier is configured to receive an AC mains voltage and provide a rectified DC voltage output to an input of the at least one driver, wherein the at least one driver is configured to provide a DC voltage output to at least one of the at least two LED packages via the at least one electronic switch, wherein the at least one electronic switch is configured to selectively provide the DC voltage output of the at least one driver at one of at least two different voltage levels to at least one of the at least two LED packages in the LED lighting devices, wherein the at least one data communication circuit is configured to receive data signals from at least one portable telecommunication device that includes at least one phosphor coated LED, at least one circuit that responds to capacitive touch, and at least one proximity sensing circuit, and wherein at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices is configured to have a brightness level controlled via the at least one electronic switch in response to having the at least one data communication circuit receive data from the at least one portable telecommunication device.
9. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising a lens.
10. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the at least two LED packages of each of the plurality of LED lighting devices are mounted to a printed circuit board having a reflective coating.
11. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices is configured to transmit the data signals to or receive the data signals from at least another LED lighting device.
12. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising a circuit configured to sense a proximity of a person or an object.
13. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the lighting system is coupled to a dimmer that dims at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices.
14. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising a 3-way switch that is controllable by a user to change a color or a brightness of the different colored LED packages.
15. A lighting system comprising: a plurality of LED lighting devices, wherein each of the plurality of LED lighting devices comprises: at least two LED packages, at least one full wave bridge rectifier, at least one driver circuit, at least one electronic switch, and at least one data communication circuit, wherein at least one of the plurality of LED lighting devices includes at least one LED package with a phosphor coating that is capable of emitting a different color temperature of light from at least one other LED package in any of the LED lighting devices of the plurality of LED lighting devices, and wherein at least one of the plurality of LED lighting devices has the at least two phosphor coated LED packages mounted to a printed circuit board having a reflective coating, wherein the at least one full wave bridge rectifier is configured to receive an AC mains voltage and provide a rectified DC voltage output to an input of the at least one driver circuit, wherein the at least one driver circuit is configured to provide a voltage output to at least one of the at least two LED packages, wherein the at least one electronic switch is configured to selectively provide the voltage output of the at least one driver circuit to the at least two LED packages in the respective LED lighting device, wherein the at least one data communication circuit is configured to receive data signals from at least one portable telecommunication device that includes at least one phosphor coated LED, at least one circuit that responds to capacitive touch, and at least one laser, wherein the at least one of the data communication circuit is integrated in each of the LED lighting devices of the plurality of LED lighting devices, and wherein the at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices is configured to have a brightness level controlled via the at least one switch in response to having the at least one of the data communication circuit receive data from the at least one portable telecommunication device.
16. The lighting system of claim 15, further comprising a lens.
17. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein at least one LED lighting device of the plurality of LED lighting devices is configured to transmit the data signals to or receive the data signals from at least another LED lighting device.
18. The lighting system of claim 15, further comprising a sensing circuit configured to sense a proximity of a person or an object.
19. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the lighting system is coupled to a dimmer that dims at least one LED lighting device within the plurality of LED lighting devices.
20. The lighting system of claim 15, further comprising a 3-way switch that is controllable by a user to change a color or a brightness of the different colored LED packages.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(5) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(6) FIG. 6a shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(7) FIG. 6b shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(8) FIG. 7a shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(9) FIG. 7b shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(10) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(11) FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(12) FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(13) FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(14) FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(15) FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(16) FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(17) FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(18) FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(19) FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(20) FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(21) FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(22) FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(23) FIG. 21 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(24) FIG. 22 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(25) FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(26) FIG. 24 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(27) FIG. 25 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(28) FIG. 26 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(29) FIG. 27 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(30) FIG. 28 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(31) FIG. 29 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(32) FIG. 30 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(33) FIG. 31 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(34) FIG. 32 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(35) FIG. 33 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(36) FIG. 34 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(37) FIG. 35 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(38) FIG. 36 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(39) FIG. 37 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(40) FIG. 38 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(41) FIG. 39 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(42) FIG. 40 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(43) FIGS. 41A-41E show a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(44) FIG. 42 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(45) FIG. 43 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(46) FIG. 44 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(47) FIG. 45 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
(48) FIG. 46 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
(49) FIG. 47 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(50) FIG. 1 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 12 configured in an imbalanced bridge circuit, each of which have at least two LEDs 14. The at least two AC LED circuits have electrical contacts 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d at opposing ends to provide various connectivity options for an AC voltage source input. For example, if 16a and 16c are electrically connected together and 16b and 16d are electrically connected together and one side of the AC voltage input is applied to 16a and 16c and the other side of the AC voltage input is applied to 16b and 16d, the circuit becomes a parallel circuit with a first operating forward voltage. If only 16a and 16c are electrically connected and the AC voltage inputs are applied to electrical contacts 16b and 16d, a second operating forward voltage is required to drive the single chip 18. The single chip 18 may also be configured to operate at more than one brightness level “multi-brightness” by electrically connecting for example 16a and 16b and applying one side of the line of an AC voltage source to 16a and 16b and individually applying the other side of the line from the AC voltage source a second voltage to 26b and 26c.
(51) FIG. 2 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 20 similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 described above in FIG. 1. The at least two AC LED circuits 12 are integrated onto a substrate 22. The at least two AC LED circuits 12 configured in a imbalanced bridge circuit, each of which have at least two LEDs 14. The at least two AC LED circuits have electrical contacts 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d on the exterior of the substrate 22 and can be used to electrically configure and/or control the operating voltage and/or brightness level of the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device.
(52) FIG. 3 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30 similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 and 20 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 32 having at least two LEDs 34 connected in series and anti-parallel configuration. The at least two AC LED circuits 32 have electrical contacts 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d at opposing ends to provide various connectivity options for an AC voltage source input. For example, if 36a and 36c are electrically connected together and 36b and 36d are electrically connected together and one side of the AC voltage input is applied to 36a and 36c and the other side of the AC voltage input is applied to 36b and 36d, the circuit becomes a parallel circuit with a first operating forward voltage. If only 36a and 36c are electrically connected and the AC voltage inputs are applied to electrical contacts 36b and 36d, a second operating forward voltage is required to drive the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30 may be a monolithically integrated single chip 38, a monolithically integrated single chip integrated within a LED package 38 or a number of individual discrete die integrated onto a substrate 38 to form a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30.
(53) FIG. 4 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 30 as described in FIG. 3 having the at least two AC LED circuits 32 connected in parallel configuration to an AC voltage source and operating at a first forward voltage. A resistor 40 may be used to limit current to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30.
(54) FIG. 5 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 30 as described in FIG. 3 having the at least two AC LED circuits 32 connected in series configuration to an AC voltage source and operating at a second forward voltage that is approximately two times greater than the first forward voltage of the parallel circuit as described in FIG. 4. A resistor may be used to limit current to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device.
(55) FIGS. 6a and 7a disclose schematic diagrams of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting devices 50. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting devices 50 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 52, each of which have at least two LEDs 54 in series and anti-parallel relation. The at least two AC LED circuits 52 have at least three electrical contacts 56a, 56b and 56c, and in the case of FIG. 7a a fourth electrical contact 56d. The at least two AC LED circuits 52 are electrically connected together in parallel at one end 56a and left unconnected at the opposing ends of the electrical contacts 56b and 56c, and in the case of FIG. 7a, 56d. One side of an AC voltage source line is electrically connected to 56a and the other side of an AC voltage source line is individually electrically connected to 56b, 56c, and 56d with either a fixed connection or a switched connection thereby providing a first brightness when AC voltage is applied to 56a and 56b and a second brightness when an AC voltage is applied to 56a, 56b and 56c, and a third brightness when an AC voltage is applied to 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d. It is contemplated that the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting devices 50 are a single chip, an LED package, an LED assembly or an LED lamp.
(56) FIGS. 6b and 7b disclose a schematic diagram similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 50 shown in FIGS. 6a and 7a integrated within a lamp 58 and connected to a switch 60 to control the brightness level of the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 50.
(57) FIG. 8 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 having at least two bridge rectifiers 68 in series with LED circuits 69. Each of the at least two bridge rectifiers 68 in series with LED circuits 69 comprise four LEDs 70 configured in a bridge circuit 68. LED circuits 69 have at least two LEDs 71 connected in series and electrical contacts 72a, 72b and 72c. When one side of an AC voltage is applied to 72a and the other side of an AC voltage line is applied to 72b and 72c individually, the brightness level of the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 can be increased and/or decreased in a fixed manner or a switching process.
(58) FIG. 9 discloses a schematic diagram the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 as shown above in FIG. 8 with a switch 74 electrically connected between the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 and the AC voltage source 78.
(59) FIG. 9 discloses a schematic diagram of at least two single voltage LED circuits integrated with a single chip or within a substrate and forming a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device.
(60) FIG. 10 discloses a schematic diagram of a single chip LED bridge circuit 80 having four LEDs 81 configured into a bridge circuit and monolithically integrated on a substrate 82. The full wave LED bridge circuit has electrical contacts 86 to provide for AC voltage input connectivity and DC voltage output connectivity.
(61) FIG. 11 discloses a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a single chip multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 has at least two series LED circuits 92 each of which have at least two LEDs 94 connected in series. The at least two series LED circuits 92 have electrical contacts 96 at opposing ends to provide a means of electrical connectivity. The at least two series LED circuits are monolithically integrated into a single chip 98. The electrical contacts 96 are used to wire the at least two series LEDs circuit 92 into a series circuit, a parallel circuit or an AC LED circuit all within a single chip.
(62) FIG. 12 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 as shown above in FIG. 11. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 has at least two series LED circuits 92 each of which have at least two LEDs 94 connected in series. The at least two series LED circuits can be monolithically integrated within a single chip or discrete individual die can be integrated within a substrate to form an LED package 100. The LED package 100 has electrical contacts 102 that are used to wire the at least two series LEDs circuit into a series circuit, a parallel circuit or in anti-parallel to form an AC LED circuit all within a single LED package.
(63) As seen in FIGS. 13-15, a single rectifier 110 may be provided for two or more LED circuits 92, each containing at least two LEDs 94 connected in series. The single rectifier 110 comprises standard diodes 112 connected to an AC voltage source 116, or in the alternative may be connected to a driver or power supply which ultimately provides an AC voltage, like for example a high frequency AC driver 118. The single rectifier 110 is electrically connected to the LED circuits 92. Specifically, the rectifier 110 connects to a common junction of an anode of at least one LED 94 in each LED circuit 92, and to the cathode of at least one LED 94 in each LED circuit 92. As shown in FIG. 15, the rectifier may instead be connected to a switch, allowing for either one or both of LED circuits 92 to be operative at any given time.
(64) It is contemplated by the invention that diodes 112 in FIGS. 13-15 are interchangeable with LEDs 70 in rectifiers 68 in FIGS. 8 and 9 and vice versa. As should be appreciated by those having skill in the art, any combination of LEDs 70 and diodes 112 can be used in rectifiers 68 and 110, so long as rectifiers 68 and 110 provide DC power from an AC source.
(65) As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and further shown in FIGS. 16-20, any lighting devices, chips, or AC LED or DC LED circuits contemplated by the present invention may be powered through a high-frequency AC driver, inverter or transformer 118. As shown in FIG. 13, any AC source 116 may be connected to the high-frequency driver or inverter or transformer 118, however, as shown in FIGS. 16-20 it is contemplated that low frequency voltage 124, like for example a mains voltage, is provided to the high-frequency driver or transformer or inverter 118.
(66) FIGS. 16 and 17 show two embodiments of an AC LED lighting system 140 wherein a high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118 for provides a high-frequency voltage to an AC LED circuit, lighting device, or chip 126. AC LED circuit, lighting device, or chip 126 may be any of the devices, circuits, or chips shown and described in FIGS. 1-7, like for example LED lighting devices 10, 20, 30 and/or AC LED circuits 12, 32, or any combination thereof. When multiple AC LED circuits, lighting devices, or chips are connected to the high-frequency driver in combination, such AC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s) may be connected together in either a series relationship, a parallel relationship, or a series-parallel relationship.
(67) As shown in FIG. 16, the high-frequency AC driver, inverter or transformer 118 may be packaged separately from an (or multiple) AC LED circuit, device, or chip 126. In such embodiments a power source 128 provides voltage to the high-frequency AC driver; inverter or transformer 118 which steps up the frequency of the voltage to a higher frequency and provides the higher-frequency voltage to the AC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 126. High-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118 may further include necessary circuitry, for example a transformer, for stepping-up or stepping-down the AC voltage provided by the power source 128.
(68) As shown in FIG. 17, high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118 may be packaged with AC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 126 in a unitary AC LED light bulb, lighting element 130. It is contemplated by the invention that a switch may be configured between the high-frequency driver, inverter, or transformer 118 and the AC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 126 for selectively operating one or more AC LED circuit, lighting device, or chip. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B a 2-way or 3-way switch may be attached at the input side of the AC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s). Such a switch may be located between the high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118, and the AC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s).
(69) FIGS. 14 and 18-20 show a DC LED lighting system 142 having a DC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 92, 132 being powered by a high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118 through a rectifier 110. In operation, the combination of AC sources 116, 128, high-frequency AC driver, inverter or transformer 118, and DC LED circuit, device, or chip 92, 132 operate in substantially the same manner as that described with respect to FIGS. 16 and 17. However, in each system shown in FIGS. 14 and 18-20, rectifier 110 rectifies the high-frequency AC voltage output of the high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer before a voltage is provided to the DC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 92, 132. DC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 132 are not limited in form to just circuit 92, and instead may take the form of any of the lighting devices, circuits, or chips shown and described, for example, in FIGS. 8-12. When multiple DC LED circuits, lighting devices, or chips are connected to the high-frequency driver in combination, such DC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s) may be connected together in either a series relationship, a parallel relationship, or a series-parallel relationship. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15, a switch, like for example a 2-way switch or a 3-way switch, may also be attached at the input side of DC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s).
(70) As shown in FIGS. 18-20, like in an AC embodiment, AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118, rectifier 110, and DC LED circuit(s), device(s), or chip(s) 132 may be packaged in any number of ways. As shown in FIG. 18, each element may be packaged separately and electrically connected together in series. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, a DC LED driver 134 may be formed by combining the high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118 with rectifier 110. As shown in FIG. 20, an additional alternative contemplated by the invention is forming a DC LED lighting element 136, which may be embodied as a light bulb, lighting system, lamp, etc., wherein the DC LED lighting element 136 includes each of a high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer 118, a rectifier 110, and a DC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s) 132. It should be appreciated by those having skill in the art that a lighting element containing only rectifier 110 and a DC LED circuit(s), lighting device(s), or chip(s) 132 may also be designed. Such lighting elements have the advantage of being able to be plugged into any AC source, whether it is a high-frequency AC driver, inverter, or transformer, or a simple mains voltage, and provide a light output in the same manner as the imbalanced circuit shown in, for example FIGS. 1-7.
(71) FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of the voltage source stage 216. The voltage source stage 216 provides universal AC mains inputs 228 that drive a diode bridge 230 used to deliver DC to the LED circuit driver system 214. Direct DC could eliminate the need for the universal AC input 228. Power factor correction means 232 may be integrated into the LED circuit driver 216 as part of the circuit. The voltage source stage 216 includes a low voltage source circuit 234 that may include more than one voltage and polarity.
(72) FIG. 22 discloses a preferred circuit 2010 according to the invention. The circuit 2010 includes a first source for providing an alternating electric field. The source may be 120V or 240V line power, RF energy or the output of a standard AC signal generator such as generator 2012 of FIG. 22. This generator 2012 may produce its signal with reference to ground as indicated in FIG. 22. Circuit 2010 also discloses a directional circuit 2014 connected to the generator 2012 by a transmission conductor 2016. According to the invention the conductor 2016 may be any form of conventional conductive path whether twisted wire bundles, single wires, etc. The point is that the transmission conductor 2016 provides a single transmission path to the directional circuit 2014. Important to the invention is the fact that there is no conductive return path provided back from the directional circuit 2016 to the generator 2012.
(73) In the broad sense, the directional circuit 2014 is a loop circuit which includes one or more circuit elements causing the loop circuit to be asymmetric to current flow. Again it is important that the directional circuit 2014 has no continuous conductive path to earth ground, or a battery ground. As such, and as disclosed in FIG. 22 the directional circuit 2014 develops a DC potential across a load, such as resistor R1 in response to the alternating electric field. This DC potential is not referenced to ground but merely to the potential differences created by the circulation of current (see FIG. 23) in the loop across the load (resistor R1 of FIG. 22). Accordingly, the DC potential is self referencing. As far as the resistor R1 is concerned, circuit 2010 presents it with a relatively higher DC potential output at 2020 and a relatively lower potential output at 2022.
(74) FIG. 23 discloses circuit 2010 with the load represented as a generic load 2024 (rather than resistor R1) to show the circulation path of current flow (indicated by the arrows) in any generic load circuit utilizing the DC potential of circuit 2010.
(75) FIGS. 22 and 23 disclose that the loads connected to the directional circuit 2014 do not have a continuous conductive path to earth ground or a battery ground. They also disclose that the directional circuit 2014 has circuit elements causing the directional circuit to be asymmetric to current flow. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, these circuit elements are diodes D1 and D2. However, it is contemplated that numerous other circuit elements could provide the same functionality, in particular, semiconductors with “pn” junctions; electrets, plasma, organic; or combinations thereof.
(76) The circuit 2010 is preferably used for delivering power and sensing proximity. The circuit 2010 is also preferably useful in TTL logic applications as disclosed in FIG. 46 showing a standard TTL logic output circuit 2026 powered by circuit 2010. In that application, the DC voltages necessary range from 0V to +/−5V.
(77) FIGS. 22-24 each disclose that directional circuit 2014 includes first and second diodes D1 and D2, with D1 having an anode and diode D2 having a cathode which are commonly connected to the transmission conductor 2016. the cathode of the first diode D1 is connected to the relatively more positive side of the load 2020 while the anode of the second diode is connected to the relatively less positive side load 2022 to form the directional loop circuit among the diodes and the load.
(78) FIG. 25 discloses a circuit 2024 according to the invention having a standard AC signal generator 2026 and a directional circuit 2028 includes first and second light emitting diodes (LEDs), the first LED 1 has an anode and the second LED 2 has a cathode, which are commonly connected to the conductor 2030 from the generator 2026. The cathode of LED 1 is connected to the relatively more positive voltage side 2032 of the load 2036 while the anode of LED 2 is connected to the relatively less positive side 2034 of the load 2036 to form the loop circuit 2028 among the LEDs 1 and 2. In this embodiment the load is configured to optimize the lumen produced by the directional circuit, for example the LEDs 1, 2 used to deliver power to the load 2036 which can be a third LED as shown in FIG. 26.
(79) FIG. 26 discloses a circuit 2038 according to the invention. In this embodiment, a generator 2040 produces an alternating electric field on transmission conductor 2040. The conductor 2041 is connected to a directional circuit 2042 having circuit elements causing an asymmetrical response to the alternating field and current flow. In particular, circuit 2042 includes three LEDs 1, 2, 3, configured to provide circulation according to the direction of the arrows (see FIG. 26). In this embodiment, all three LEDs 1-3 provide light as an output that can be considered as a load. This shows that relative nature of the positioning of elements in the various directional circuits disclosed herein according to the invention. If light is desired, then each of the diodes may be considered both loads and circuit elements which cause asymmetrical current flow. For example, FIG. 27 discloses the same circuit 2038 with only the substitution of LEDs 1 and 3 by diodes D1 and D2. In this circuit, optimization of the light emitted by LED 2 is of paramount concern, whereas the diodes 1, 2 provide directionality and a DC offset to the AC signal source as will be disclosed in more detail below. In preferred embodiments, the directional circuits, including directional circuit 2014, disclosed herein throughout this invention may be connected to ground through capacitance 2039 at a point within the directional circuit other than the AC signal input point 40 as shown in FIG. 27. This ground connection seems to provide increased circulation current, as it is noted that the LEDs get brighter for a given alternating electromagnetic source. The capacitor 2039 may alternatively be placed on the other side of the AC line 2041. The capacitor is used to drop the voltage from the AC source.
(80) FIG. 28 discloses a circuit 2042 having an AC signal generator 2044 inducing an alternating electric field onto transmission conductor 2046 which is connected to a first directional circuit 2048 having LEDs 1-3. LED 2 acting as a load to circuit 2048, provides the relatively high DC potential at point 2050 and a relatively lower DC potential at point 2052 to another directional circuit 2054 comprised of LEDs 4-6. This is repeated for another directional circuit 2056 and LEDs 7-9. Again, the circuit components LEDs 1-9 provide both directionality and useful work as a load in the form of producing light. According to another aspect of the invention, the circuit 2042 discloses the multiplexing possibilities of the directional circuits 2048, 2052, 2056. According to another aspect of the invention, the circuit 2042 discloses a parallel LED directional circuit.
(81) FIG. 29 discloses a circuit 2058 to illustrate another aspect of the invention, in particular the transmission of information or data as one may use the terms. Accordingly, the alternating electric field is provided (as it could be with any embodiment disclosed herein) by either an antenna 2060 or a signal generator 2061. The alternating signal source is imposed on transmission conductor 2062. A directional circuit 2064 is comprised of a load 2066 and two diodes D1 and D2. The circuit 2058 discloses the directional DC current flow as well as an AC plus DC current flow and potential indicated by “AC+DC” in FIG. 29. This DC plus AC component is important to the transmission of information or data signals from the generators 2060, 2061.
(82) In particular, FIG. 30 discloses a circuit 2068 having a signal generator 2070, a transmission conductor 2072, and a directional circuit 2074. The directional circuit has asymmetrical diode elements D1 and D2 and a load R1. In this and the other embodiment disclosed herein (see FIG. 29), the directional circuit 2074 is constructed to permit a DC voltage level to accrue on the transmission conductor 2072 along with the AC signal to provide an offset to the signal. This offset is preferential to the signal as the signal is ungrounded. It is believed that this may prevent noise in the system to be added to the line 2072 as a second alternating field but with reference to ground. Accordingly the noise adds to the DC level but not to the signal level in the same proportions.
(83) Also as disclosed in FIG. 30, an output 2076 is provided which will transmit the AC signals from transmission line 2072 to an information or data signal receiver 2078 which will detect the signal riding the DC level. The DC level can easily be distinguished and handled by such a receiver as is conventional. It should be understood that the signal receiver 2078 may be of any conventional type of TTL logic device, modem, or telecommunications receiver and is believed to operate best with the preferred systems of the invention when it is not connected to earth ground or a battery ground, or a current sink or charge collector (as is the case for the working loads disclosed through out this disclosure).
(84) According to another embodiment, FIG. 31 discloses another information or data communication circuit 2080. The circuit 2080 includes a signal generator 2082, a transmission conductor 2084, a directional circuit 2086, a data receiver 2088, and a ground switch 2090. In this embodiment, the directional circuit 2086 provides both the DC power for the receiver 2088, and a data signal through output 2092 connected between the receiver input and the common connection between the conductor 2084 and directional circuit input to anode of diode D1 and cathode D2. In the meantime, the receiver is powered on the DC potential difference between D1 the relatively more positive side 2094 and D2 the relatively less positive side 2096 of the directional circuit. In this embodiment, resistor R1 is provided according to another aspect of the invention to regulate or select as desired the level of DC offset the AC data signal will have at line 2092.
(85) According to another aspect of the invention, the ground switch 2090 is provided to provide a non-continuous connection to a circuit, such as the ground circuit disclosed in FIG. 31, to dissipate excessive accumulations of charge or voltage potentials in the circuit 2080. It is contemplated that the switch 2090 be actuated based upon a timing (such as a pre-selected clock pulse) criteria, or by a sensor (not shown) of an undesirable DC level developing in the circuit 2080. Once engaged, the circuit 2090 would dissipate the excess energy to a ground, ground, plane, capacitor, battery ground, or the like.
(86) FIG. 32 discloses a circuit 2092 wherein directional circuits 2094-2100 are connected through a common bus conductor 2102 to provide DC power and signals from generator 2104 as described previously herein.
(87) FIGS. 33 and 34 disclose a circuit 2104 to illustrate another aspect of the invention. Accordingly, an alternating electric field is provided to a first transmission conductor by a signal generator 2102 and a second transmission conductor is provided by an antenna 2108 (see FIG. 33) or wire 2124 (see FIG. 34) that is connected to a relatively less positive side 2114-2122 within the directional circuit 2110. A difference in DC potential between a relatively more positive side 2112 within the directional circuit, and relatively less positive side 2114-2122 is provided. Another aspect of the invention is sensing proximity with impedance changes within the directional circuits described herein (as it could be with any embodiment disclosed herein) by approaching any of the directional circuits or transmission conductors (also any of which are described herein), for example approaching 2108 (shown in FIG. 33) and/or 2124 (as shown in FIG. 34) with a conductive substance such as a person or metallic material thereby changing the circulation of current flow within the directional circuit by changes in impedance through the capacitance of the conductive substance.
(88) FIG. 35 discloses a circuit 2126 to illustrate another aspect of the invention. Accordingly, an alternating electric field is provided to a transmission conductor 2132 by a signal generator 2128 that provides a first voltage level output equal to that provided by the signal generator 2128. A lump inductance 2130 is provided in series of the transmission conductor 2132 between the signal generator 2128 and directional circuit 2134. The lump inductance 2130 provides an increased voltage level from the relatively lower voltage on the transmission conductor 2132 at the point 2136 between the signal generator 2128 and lump inductance 2136 and a relatively higher voltage level on the transmission conductor 2132 at the point 2138 between the lump inductance 2130 and the directional circuit 2134 thereby providing an increase in current flow within the directional circuit 2134 or electromagnetic field energy radiating from the circuit 2126. The amount of current flow within the directional circuits described herein and electromagnetic field energy external of the directional circuits described herein is dependent on the frequency of an AC signal provided to the transmission conductor 2132 (or any of which are described herein). In preferred embodiments, the circuits disclosed in FIGS. 22-35 may be connected to ground through capacitance. This ground connection seems to provide increased circulation current, as it is noted that the LEDs get brighter for a given alternating electromagnetic source.
(89) FIG. 36 shows a device 2482 comprising individual light emitting diode circuits 2484 on a flexible printed circuit board having a mirror like reflective material or coating 2488 designed into or on the flexible printed circuit board in an area at least near the light emitting diodes for providing more efficient light output from the circuit board areas surrounding the light emitting diodes by having the flexible printed circuit board reflect light rather than absorb it. Power connection points 2490 and 2492 are provided to the board.
(90) FIG. 37 shows a device 2494 comprising a device 2496 identical to the device shown in FIG. 36 adhered to a device 2498 having a cylindrical shape for providing improved uniformity and increased angle of light output from device 2496.
(91) The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.
(92) FIG. 38 discloses a circuit 2242 identical to circuit 126 (e.g. FIG. 35) but that the circuit has a capacitance added in series within the directional circuit thereby adding to the inherent capacitance of the directional circuit. Another aspect of the invention is to have the added capacitance 2244 adjustable so that the directional circuit 2242 is tuned to resonance by adjusting the capacitance 2244.
(93) FIG. 39 discloses a circuit 2246 identical to circuit 2126 (e.g. FIG. 35) but that the circuit has a capacitance 2248 added in parallel to the inductor 2130 thereby adding to the inherent capacitance of the transmission conductor and inductor 2130. Another aspect of the invention is to have the added capacitance 2248 adjustable so that the directional circuit 2242 is tuned to resonance by adjusting the capacitance 2244.
(94) FIG. 40 shows a block diagram of an LED circuit driver 204 having a high frequency inverter 206 stage that provides a relatively constant voltage and relatively constant frequency output. The high frequency inverter 206 stage has an internal dual half bridge driver with an internal or external voltage controlled oscillator that can be set to a voltage that fixes the frequency. A resistor or center tapped series resistor diode network within the high frequency inverter 206 stage feeds back a voltage signal to the set terminal input of the oscillator. An AC regulator 208 senses changes to the load at the output lines 210 and 212 of the inverter 206 and feeds back a voltage signal to the inverter 208 in response changes in the load which makes adjustments accordingly to maintain a relatively constant voltage output with the relatively constant frequency output.
(95) FIGS. 41A-E shows a schematic diagram of an LED circuit driver 214 having a voltage source stage 216, a fixed/adjustable frequency stage 218, an AC voltage regulator and measurement stage 220, an AC level response control stage 222, an AC regulator output control stage 224 and a driver output stage 226.
(96) FIG. 42 shows a schematic diagram of the voltage source stage 216 described in FIGS. 41A-E. The voltage source stage 216 provides universal AC mains inputs 228 that drive a diode bridge 230 used to deliver DC to the LED circuit driver system 214. Direct DC could eliminate the need for the universal AC input 228. Power factor correction means 232 may be integrated into the LED circuit driver 216 as part of the circuit. The voltage source stage 216 includes a low voltage source circuit 234 that may include more than one voltage and polarity.
(97) FIG. 43 shows a schematic diagram of the fixed/adjustable frequency stage 218. The fixed/adjustable frequency stage 218 includes a bridge driver 236 that may include an integrated or external voltage controlled oscillator 238. The oscillator 238 has a set input pin 240 that sets the frequency of the oscillator to a fixed frequency through the use of a resistor or adjustable resistor 242 to ground. The adjustable resistor 242 allows for adjusting the fixed frequency to a different desired value through manual or digital control but keeps the frequency relatively constant based on the voltage at the set terminal 240.
(98) FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram of the AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement stage 220 as described in FIG. 41D. The AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement circuit 220 monitors the voltage at the driver output 226 as shown in FIG. 41B and sends a voltage level signal to the AC level response control stage 222 as shown FIG. 41E.
(99) FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram of the AC level response control 228 stage. The AC level response control stage 228 receives a voltage level signal from the AC voltage regulator with voltage measurement circuit 220 as shown in FIG. 41D and drives the AC regulator output control stage 224 as shown in FIG. 41E.
(100) FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram of the AC regulator output control stage 230. The AC regulator output control stage 230 varies the resistance between the junction of the drive transistors 232 and the transformer input pin 234 of the driver output 226. The AC regulator output control stage 230 is a circuit or component such as but not necessarily a transistor, a voltage dependent resistor or a current dependent resistor circuit having a means of varying its resistance in response to the voltage or current delivered to it.
(101) FIG. 47 is a schematic diagram of the driver output stage 226. The driver output stage 226 includes drive transistors 232 and the transformer 236 that delivers an AC voltage output 238 to LED circuits at a relatively constant voltage and frequency.
