Duty Cycle Protocol for Driving a Matrix of LEDs

Abstract

A method for driving LEDs involves arranging the LEDs in a matrix. The LEDs are designed as RGB LEDs and are driven by means of a duty cycle control protocol.

Claims

1. A method for driving LEDs comprising: arranging the LEDs are in a matrix, wherein the LEDs comprising RGB LEDs; and driving the LEDs with a duty cycle control protocol.

2. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of arranging the LEDs in the matrix comprises arranging the LEDS in the matrix to give an effect of a fluid animation.

3. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of arranging the LEDs in the matrix comprises providing at least two LEDs in the matrix of LEDs.

4. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of arranging the LEDs in the matrix comprises arranging the LEDs at least as a single strip of at least two LEDs.

5. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of driving the LEDs with the duty cycle protocol comprises driving the LEDS with a programmable IC.

6. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of driving the LEDs with the duty cycle protocol comprises driving the LEDS with multiple ICs.

7. A method for driving LEDs according to claim 1 wherein the step of driving the LEDs with the duty cycle protocol comprises driving the LEDS with a microcontroller.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0057] The invention is described in more detail with the help of a schematic circuit diagram, wherein:

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a circuit of eight LEDs,

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a circuit of three LEDs and

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram, comprising two or more packages of LEDs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In FIG. 1 the LEDs 1 are shown in a matrix 2 of eight LEDs 1.

[0062] The LEDs 1 are arranged parallel 3 to each other.

[0063] A controller 4 communicates with a battery 5. The controller 4 is grounded at the reference digit 6.

[0064] A local interconnector network (LIN) is shown with reference numeral 7.

[0065] Each LED 1 is connected to a so-called MOSFET switch 8, respectively. The MOSFET switch 8 is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. It goes without saying that other switches can also be used.

[0066] Each MOSFET switch 8 draws electrical energy from the battery 5.

[0067] In addition, each MOSFET switch 8 is connected to the controller 4.

[0068] In the FIG. 1 the local interconnection network (LIN) 7 is connected to the controller 4.

[0069] In FIG. 2 three LEDs 1 are arranged serially 11 in a package of two sets 9, 10 of LEDs 1. Set 9 includes one LED 1, while set 10 shows two LEDs 1.

[0070] The FIG. 2 shows that the controller 4 communicates with a battery 5. Also, the controller 4 is grounded at the reference digit 6.

[0071] A local interconnector network (LIN) is shown with reference numeral 7.

[0072] In the FIG. 2 the LEDs 1 are connected to the MOSFET switches 8. However, in the LED set 9 (comprising one single LED 1) the single LED 1 is connected to the MOSFET switch 8 individually.

[0073] In the LED set 10 (comprising one pair of two LEDs 1) the two LEDs 1 are connected to one MOSFET switch 8 as a pair.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a diagram, wherein a number of two to n packages 13, 14 of LEDs 1 are arranged in parallel 3.

[0075] By way of example, FIG. 3 shows two packages 13, 14, with each package 13, 14 comprising individual LEDs 1, respectively.

[0076] By way of example the package 13, 14 may comprise a number of 192 LEDs 1. It goes without saying that there may also be another number of LEDs 1 arranged per package 13, 14.

[0077] In the example of FIG. 3 the packages 13 and 14 of LEDs 1 are arranged in parallel 3. Each package 13, 14 comprises eight vertical columns 16 of eight LEDs 1, respectively.

[0078] Each package 13, 14 of LEDs 1 comprises eight horizontal rows 15 of eight LEDs 1, each.

[0079] A multi-purpose connector 12 supplies electrical energy from the battery 5 to MOSFET switches 8.

[0080] The MOSFET switches 8 draw electrical energy from the battery 5, wherein a so-called buck regulator 17 is arranged between the MOSFET switches 8 and the multi-purpose connector 12.

[0081] Preferably, the buck regulator 17 is a DC (direct current) to DC power converter. The buck regulator 17 steps down a voltage value from its input (supply) to its output (load). The buck regulator 17 serves both the package 13 of the LEDs 1 and the package 14 of the LEDs 1.

[0082] In the FIG. 3 the package 14 is also referred to as package n. Thus, between the package 13 and the package 14 (package n) any number of additional packages 13, 14, ... n can be implemented.

[0083] The multi-purpose connector 12 is grounded at the reference digit 6.

[0084] In the FIG. 3 a controller interconnector network (LIN) 18 connects the multi-purpose connector 12 to two microcontroller 19, with one microcontroller 19 being arranged per package 13, 14, ... n of the LEDs 1.

[0085] Each microcontroller 19 is connected via a general purpose input output (GPIO) 20 to the MOFETS 8 of the package 13, 14 to which the respective microcontroller 19 is assigned by links 21.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 3 a number of lines 21 link the microcontroller 19 to the respective package 13, 14, ..., n of the LEDs 1.

List of References

[0087] 1 LED

[0088] 2 Matrix

[0089] 3 Parallel

[0090] 4 Controller

[0091] 5 Battery

[0092] 6 Ground

[0093] 7 LIN

[0094] 8 MOSFET

[0095] 9 Set of LED

[0096] 10 Set of LED

[0097] 11 Serially

[0098] 12 Multi-purpose connector

[0099] 13 Package of LEDs

[0100] 14 Package of LEDs

[0101] 15 Row of LEDs

[0102] 16 Column of LEDs

[0103] 17 Buck regulator

[0104] 18 LIN

[0105] 19 Microcontroller

[0106] 20 General purpose input/ output

[0107] 21 Links