Drivers with simplified connectivity for controls

Abstract

A lighting module may receive control signal having a first control scheme, the lighting module including a driver including at least one channel; and a control module; where the control module translates the received first control scheme into a predetermined second control scheme, when the first control scheme is different from the predetermined second control scheme; wherein the control module generates an identity voltage correlated with the received first control scheme; wherein the control module outputs to the driver a driver control signal including the predetermined second control scheme, and the identity voltage; and wherein the driver generates a driver output based on the identity voltage and the driver control signal.

Claims

1. A lighting module that receives a control signal having a first control scheme, comprising: a driver comprising at least one channel; and a control module; wherein said control module translates the received first control scheme into a predetermined second control scheme, when the first control scheme is different from said predetermined second control scheme; wherein the control module generates an identity voltage correlated with the received first control scheme; wherein said control module outputs to said driver a driver control signal comprising said predetermined second control scheme, and said identity voltage; and wherein said driver generates a driver output based on said identity voltage and said driver control signal.

2. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein said driver comprises a micro control unit and firmware connected to said micro control unit.

3. The lighting module of claim 2, wherein said firmware comprises a lookup table.

4. The lighting module of claim 3, wherein said micro control unit applies logical processing to said identity voltage based on said lookup table to generate said driver output.

5. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein said driver further comprises at least one MOSFET, and wherein said driver output controls said at least one MOSFET.

6. The lighting module of claim 5, wherein said driver control signal comprises a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle.

7. The lighting module of claim 6, wherein said driver output has a maximum value, and wherein the on percentage of said duty cycle is directly proportional to the percentage of said maximum value of said driver output.

8. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein said driver comprises a plurality of channels.

9. The lighting module of claim 8, wherein said driver controls a plurality of first LEDs via a first channel and a plurality of second LEDs via a second channel.

10. The lighting module of claim 8, wherein said first LEDs emit white light having a CCT of between substantially 4500-6000K, and wherein said second LEDs emit white light having a CCT of between substantially 2700-4000K.

11. The lighting module of claim 8, wherein the overall CCT is controlled by differentially controlling said first LEDs and said second LEDs.

12. The lighting module of claim 11, wherein the number of PWM signals is from one to five.

13. The lighting module of claim 8, wherein at least one said channel is associated with one of the applications selected from the group consisting of: simple dimming, two-channel white point tuning, and Red, Green, Blue, Warm White and Cool White full color tuning.

14. A method of controlling an LED system that receives a control signal having a first control scheme, the method comprising the steps of: providing a control module and an LED driver comprising at least one channel; translating, with said control module, the control signal having a first control scheme into a predetermined second control scheme, when the first control scheme is different from said predetermined second control scheme, and wherein the translating is performed by the control module; generating, with said control module, an identity voltage associated with the first control scheme; transmitting to said LED driver said identity voltage and a driver control signal comprising said predetermined second control scheme; and generating an LED driver output based on said identity voltage and said driver control signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said driver comprises a micro control unit and firmware connected to said micro control unit, wherein said firmware comprises a lookup table; and wherein said generating an LED driver output comprises applying, using said micro control unit, logical processing to said identity voltage based on said lookup table to generate said driver output.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said driver output is pulse width modulated, and wherein said generating an LED driver output comprises controlling the duty cycle of said driver output based on an identity of the first control scheme.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising, for each channel, performing said generating, with said control module, an identity voltage associated with the first control scheme; transmitting to said LED driver said identity voltage and a driver control signal comprising said predetermined second control scheme; and generating an LED driver output based on said identity voltage and said driver control signal.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising dimming the lighting module in response to said generating an LED driver output.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wirelessly controllable LED module comprising a single channel system according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a single channel LED driver;

(4) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wirelessly controllable LED module comprising a two-channel system according to another embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a multi-channel LED driver;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

(8) FIG. 7 is an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting; rather, the invention is intended to encompass other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration. Throughout this specification like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

(10) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a wirelessly controllable lighting module comprising a single-channel system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The brightness (dimming level) of light generated by the lighting module comprising a system 10 can be wirelessly controlled in response to a wireless control signal 12 having a Wi-Fi control scheme received from a remote control device 14. The remote control device 14 device can comprise a dedicated controller such as a handset or may be a cell phone or Wi-Fi enabled device.

(11) The system 10 comprises a control module 16 and a single channel LED driver 20. The system 10 is used to adjust the power level/dim an LED array 18 comprising a plurality, x, of LEDs designated A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x that generate light of a given color/color temperature. The LED driver 20 operates (drives) the LEDs A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x. As indicated in FIG. 1, the plurality of LEDs can be serially connected, though it will be appreciated that they can be connected in other configurations.

(12) The control module 16 comprises an antenna 26 for receiving the wireless control signal 12 having a Wi-Fi control scheme from the remote control device 14; a transceiver 28; and controller logic 30 for generating a driver control signal (including A.sub.i and A.sub.pA) for operating the LED driver 20 in response to the received control signal 12. In this embodiment, the driver control signal includes a predetermined control scheme comprising PWM. Therefore, the control module 16 is capable of translating the received control signal 12 having a Wi-Fi control scheme into the driver control signal having the predetermined PWM control scheme. The controller logic 30 includes firmware/software and outputs a driver control signal having two parts A.sub.i and A.sub.pA that are input directly to the LED driver 20. For instance, A.sub.i may be the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme, while A.sub.pA may be the power level associated with the predetermined PWM control scheme.

(13) The LED driver 20 is configured for generating a driver output (constant-current) I.sub.A based on the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme and the driver control signal. The operation of the LED driver 20 is further described with reference to FIG. 2.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a block/circuit diagram of the LED driver 20 of FIG. 1. The LED driver 20 can be considered a “linear” driver (linear power regulator). In this specification, a “linear” power regulator/driver is defined as a power regulator that operates in a current control mode and produces a driver output I.sub.A (constant-current output). A linear regulator is to be contrasted with a “switching” regulator that operates in a constant power control mode (e.g. a switch mode power supply) that produces a switched (modulated) output current.

(15) The LED driver 20 receives the driver control signal having two parts A.sub.i and A.sub.pA from the control module 16. As indicated in FIG. 2, the driver control signal A.sub.i can be a separate analog control signal having a value of between 0 and 10V. The LED driver 20 comprises a micro control unit 20a for identifying the Wi-Fi control scheme. More particularly, the LED driver 20 is configured to identify the Wi-Fi control scheme from the voltage of the driver control signal A.sub.i, wherein the voltage of the driver control signal A.sub.i has a voltage range selected from 0.9-1.1V, 1.1-1.3V, 1.3-1.5V . . . 9.8-10V.

(16) The LED driver 20 comprises firmware 20b in the form of a lookup table. The lookup table is operable to generate the driver output I.sub.A by correlating the information from the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme A.sub.i and the driver control signal A.sub.pA. In this way, the micro control unit 20a and the firmware 20b in the form of a lookup table control the behavior of the driver output I.sub.A by applying logical processing based on the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme A.sub.i and the duty cycle of the driver control signal A.sub.pA.

(17) The LED driver 20 also comprises a MOSFET 40. The LED driver 20 applies a voltage to the gate, G, of the MOSFET 40 to set the constant-current driver output I.sub.A passing through the MOSFET and LEDs A.sub.1 to A.sub.x to an appropriate value. For example, if the duty cycle of A.sub.pA is 100% the control logic will set the constant-current driver output I.sub.A to its maximum value, if duty cycle of A.sub.pA is 50% it might set the constant current-current driver output I.sub.A to 50% of its maximum value and if duty cycle of A.sub.pA is 0% it will switch off the MOSFET 40 so that no current flows through the LEDs A.sub.1 to A.sub.x. The maximum value of the constant-current driver output I.sub.A that the LED driver 20 can generate can be set by a resistor 42 connected between ground and the source, S, of the MOSFET 40.

(18) In a particular embodiment (not shown), the LED driver 20 and the control module 16 are electrically connected by wires comprising a CAT5 Cable and/or an RJ45 Connector. Moreover, the RJ45 Connector is keyed and/or locked.

(19) Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of a wirelessly controllable lighting module comprising a multi-channel (2-channel) system 310 according to another embodiment of the invention.

(20) The color/color temperature and/or brightness (dimming level) of light generated by the system 310 can be wirelessly controlled in response to a wireless control signal 312 having a Bluetooth control scheme received from, for example, a remote wall switch 14.

(21) The system 310 comprises a control module 16; a two-color LED array 318 comprising a plurality, x, of first LEDs designated A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x that generate light of a first color/color temperature and a plurality, y, of second LEDs designated B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.y that generate light of a second color/color temperature; and a multi-channel (2-channel) LED driver 320 for operating (driving) the first LEDs A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x and the second LEDs B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.x. As indicated in FIG. 3, the plurality of first and second LEDs can be serially connected, though it will be appreciated that they can be connected in other configurations.

(22) The control module 316 comprises an antenna 326 for receiving the wireless control signal 312 having a Bluetooth control scheme from the wall switch 314; a transceiver 328; and controller logic 330 for generating a control signal (including A.sub.i3, A.sub.pA3 and A.sub.pB3) for operating the LED driver 320 in response to the received control signal 312. In this embodiment, the driver control signal has a predetermined DALI control scheme. Therefore, the control module 316 is capable of translating the received control signal 312 having a Bluetooth control scheme into the driver control signal having the predetermined DALI control scheme. The controller logic 330 includes firmware/software and outputs a driver control signal having three parts A.sub.i3, A.sub.pA3 and A.sub.pB3 that are input directly to the LED driver 320. For instance, A.sub.i3 may be the identity voltage associated with the Bluetooth control scheme, while A.sub.pA3 may be the first channel power level associated with the predetermined DALI control scheme and A.sub.pB3 may be the second channel power level associated with the predetermined DALI control scheme.

(23) The LED driver 320 is configured for generating driver outputs I.sub.A3 and I.sub.B3, for controlling first LEDs A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x and second LEDs B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.x respectively, based on the identity voltage associated with the Bluetooth control scheme and the driver control signal. The operation of the LED driver 320 is further described with reference to FIG. 4.

(24) FIG. 4 shows a block/circuit diagram of the multi-channel (2-channel) LED driver 320 of FIG. 3. The LED driver 320 receives the driver control signal having three parts A.sub.i3, A.sub.pA3 and A.sub.pB3 from the control module 316. As indicated in FIG. 4, the driver control signal A.sub.i3 can be an analog control signal having a value of between 0 and 10V. The LED driver 320 comprises a micro control unit 320a for identifying the Bluetooth control scheme. More particularly, the LED driver 320 is configured to identify the Bluetooth control scheme from the voltage of the driver control signal A.sub.i3, wherein the voltage of the driver control signal A.sub.i3 has a voltage range selected from 0.9-1.1V, 1.1-1.3V, 1.3-1.5V . . . 9.8-10V.

(25) The LED driver 320 comprises firmware 320b in the form of a lookup table. The lookup table is operable to generate the driver outputs (constant currents) I.sub.A and I.sub.B by correlating the information from the identity voltage associated with the Bluetooth control scheme A.sub.i3 and the driver control signals A.sub.pA3 and A.sub.pA3. In this way, the micro control unit 320a and the firmware 320b in the form of a lookup table control the behavior of the driver outputs I.sub.A and I.sub.B by applying logical processing based on the identity voltage associated with the Bluetooth control scheme A.sub.i3 and the driver control signal A.sub.p3.

(26) The LED driver 320 also comprises MOSFETS 340a and 340b. The LED driver 320 applies a voltage to the gate, G, of the MOSFET 340a to set the constant-current driver output I.sub.A passing through the MOSFET and first LEDs A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x to an appropriate value. Similarly, the LED driver 320 applies a voltage to the gate, G, of the MOSFET 340b to set the constant-current driver output I.sub.B passing through the MOSFET and second LEDs B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.x to an appropriate value. The maximum value of the constant-current driver output I.sub.A that the driver 320 can generate can be set by a resistor 342 connected between ground and the source, S, of the MOSFETS 340a, 340b.

(27) The first LEDs A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.x and second LEDs B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.x can generate white light of different CCTs (Correlated Color Temperature). Such an arrangement enables light generated by the LED module to be controlled between the two color temperatures and color temperatures therebetween. For example, the first LEDs may generate Cool White (CW) light, and the second LEDs may generate Warm White (WW) light enabling control of light generated by the LED module between WW and CW and color temperatures therebetween. In this patent specification, Cool White is defined as white light having a CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) of between about 4500K to about 6000K and Warm White is defined as white light having a CCT of between about 2700K to about 4000K. More particularly, the first LEDs can generate Cool White light having a color temperature of 5000K to 5500K and the second LEDs generate Warm White light having a color temperature of 2700K to 3000K.

(28) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, an External Control Device transmits a control signal having a first control scheme at S510. The External Control Device may be selected from a PC, tablet, phone, application, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wall switch, IoT enabled devices, or remote control, for example. The first control scheme may be a control protocol selected from Pulse Width Modulated, 0-10V, DALI, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, DMX 512, or Bluetooth, for example.

(29) At S520, a Control Module of the system receives the control signal having a first control scheme from the External Control Device.

(30) At S530, the Control Module establishes whether the first control scheme is different from a predetermined second control scheme. The predetermined second control scheme may be a control protocol selected from Pulse Width Modulated, 0-10V, DALI, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, DMX 512, or Bluetooth, for example. Having a “predetermined” second control scheme ensures that the Driver always receives a control scheme/protocol that it recognizes and with which it is compatible.

(31) From this follows the capability of the Control Module to translate (convert) the received control signal from the first control scheme to the predetermined second control scheme carried by the driver control signal. Therefore, regardless of the identity of the first control scheme, the driver will still be compatible and be able to operate with this information and generate a driver output based on the identity voltage associated with the first control scheme and the driver control signal. For instance, if the Control Module establishes that the first control scheme is different from the predetermined second control scheme at S540, the Control Module translates the received control signal having a first control scheme into a driver control signal having a predetermined second control scheme at S560, and transmits to the driver an identity voltage associated with the identity of the first control scheme.

(32) The main significance of the capability of the Control Module to translate (convert) is that it makes essentially the driver “universal” in that it can function with any Control Module receiving a control signal having a first control scheme that may be different from the predetermined control scheme. Therefore, rather than matching every wireless communication protocol and every provider's unique firmware stack and software interface with a compatible (unique) driver, a system formed according to the present invention provides a Driver that is compatible with a variety of different Control Modules, since the driver always receives a driver control signal having a predetermined (i.e. common/uniform) second control scheme. In this way, the number of Drivers required can be significantly reduced. While a control signal having a first control scheme/protocol will still be assigned an individual Control Module, since it is much less expensive to manufacture control modules than Drivers—the overall manufacturing costs for the system can be significantly reduced. In other words, the SKU count of the Drivers that need to be supported can be significantly reduced, thereby saving substantial costs. In this way, the size of the system may also be reduced (due to reduced number of Driver variants).

(33) Conversely, for instance, if the Control Module establishes that the first control scheme is the same as the predetermined second control scheme at S550, the Control Module need not translate the received control signal having a first control scheme into a driver control signal having a predetermined second control scheme at S570, since it is already in the predetermined format.

(34) Therefore, regardless of whether or not translation has taken place, the Control Module is able to transmit a driver control signal in the form of the predetermined second control scheme, and an identity voltage associated with the identity of the first control scheme. At S580, the Driver of the system receives the driver control signal having the predetermined second control scheme, and the identity voltage, from the Control Module.

(35) Based on the information the Driver receives from the Control Module, at S590, the Driver is configured for generating a driver output based on the identity voltage associated with the first control scheme and the driver control signal. This allows the system to have utility in applications such as the control and operation of LEDs, fluorescent lamps which have very dynamic electrical resistance and are optimally operated within a short range of currents, shielded metal arc lamps, and gas tungsten arc lamps, which typically require a constant current power supply, for example.

(36) Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 6, a Wall Switch transmits a control signal having a Wi-Fi control scheme at S610.

(37) At S620, a Control Module of the system receives the control signal having a Wi-Fi control scheme from the Wall Switch.

(38) At S630, the Control Module establishes whether the Wi-Fi control scheme is different from a predetermined second control scheme. In this embodiment, the predetermined second control scheme is a Pulse Width Modulated control scheme. Having a “predetermined” second control scheme ensures that the Driver always receives a control scheme/protocol that it recognizes and with which it is compatible.

(39) From this follows the capability of the Control Module to translate (convert) the received control signal from the Wi-Fi control scheme to the Pulse Width Modulated control scheme carried by the driver control signal. Therefore, regardless of the identity of the first control scheme—the driver will still be compatible and be able to operate with this information and generate a driver output based on the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme, and the driver control signal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the Control Module establishes that the Wi-Fi control scheme is different from the Pulse Width Modulated control scheme at S640; thus, the Control Module translates the received control signal having a Wi-Fi control scheme into a driver control signal having a Pulse Width Modulated control scheme at S660, and also outputs an identity voltage associated with the identity of the first control scheme.

(40) The main significance of the capability of the Control Module to translate (convert) is that it makes the driver “universal” in that it can function with any Control Module receiving a control signal having a Pulse Width Modulated control scheme, for example. Therefore, rather than matching every wireless communication protocol and every provider's unique firmware stack and software interface with a unique driver, a system formed according to the present invention provides a Driver that is compatible with a variety of different Control Modules, since the driver always receives a driver control signal having a predetermined (i.e. common/uniform) Pulse Width Modulated control scheme, for example. In this way, the number of Drivers required in any particular application can be significantly reduced. While a control signal having a Wi-Fi control scheme/protocol will still be assigned an individual Control Module, since it is much less expensive to manufacture control modules than Drivers—the overall manufacturing costs for the system can be significantly reduced. In other words, the SKU count of the Drivers that need to be supported can be significantly reduced, thereby saving substantial costs. In this way, the size of the system may also be reduced (due to reduced number of Driver variants).

(41) Therefore, regardless of whether or not translation has taken place, the Control Module is able to transmit a driver control signal in the form of the Pulse Width Modulated control scheme. At S680, the Driver of the system receives the driver control signal having the Pulse Width Modulated control scheme from the Control Module.

(42) Based on the information the Driver receives from the Control Module, at S690, the Driver is configured for generating a driver output based on the identity voltage associated with the Wi-Fi control scheme and the driver control signal. In this embodiment, the system controls the emission characteristics of LEDs.

(43) Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an exemplary method of operation of a system formed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, a Remote Control transmits a control signal having a DALI control scheme at S710.

(44) At S720, a Control Module of the system receives the control signal having a DALI control scheme from the Remote Control.

(45) At S730, the Control Module establishes whether the DALI control scheme is different from a predetermined second control scheme. In this embodiment, the predetermined second control scheme is also a DALI control scheme. Having a “predetermined” second control scheme ensures that the Driver always receives a control scheme/protocol that it recognizes and with which it is compatible.

(46) Therefore, in this embodiment, the Control Module establishes that the Wi-Fi control scheme is the same as the predetermined second (DALI) control scheme at S750; thus, the Control Module need not translate the received control signal having a DALI control scheme into a driver control signal having a predetermined DALI control scheme at S770, since it is already in the predetermined format.

(47) The main significance of the capability of the Control Module to translate (convert) is that it makes essentially the driver “universal” in that it can function with any Control Module receiving a control signal having a DALI control scheme, for example. Therefore, rather than matching every wireless communication protocol and every provider's unique firmware stack and software interface with a unique driver, a system formed according to the present invention provides a Driver that is compatible with a variety of different Control Modules, since the driver always receives a driver control signal having a predetermined (i.e. common/uniform) DALI control scheme, for example. In this way, the number of Drivers required in any particular application can be significantly reduced. While a control signal having a DALI control scheme/protocol will still be assigned an individual Control Module, since it is much less expensive to manufacture control modules than Drivers—the overall manufacturing costs for the system can be significantly reduced. In other words, the SKU count of the Drivers that need to be supported can be significantly reduced, thereby saving substantial costs. In this way, the size of the system may also be reduced (due to reduced number of Driver variants).

(48) Therefore, regardless of whether or not translation has taken place, the Control Module is able to transmit a driver control signal in the form of the DALI control scheme. At S780, the Driver of the system receives the driver control signal having the DALI control scheme from the Control Module.

(49) Based on the information the Driver receives from the Control Module, at S790, the Driver is configured for generating a driver output based on the identity voltage associated with the DALI control scheme and the driver control signal.

(50) As used in this document, both in the description and in the claims, and as customarily used in the art, the words “substantially,” “approximately,” and similar terms of approximation are used to account for manufacturing tolerances, manufacturing variations, manufacturing and operational imprecisions, and measurement inaccuracy and imprecision that are inescapable parts of fabricating and operating any mechanism or structure in the physical world.

(51) While the invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and/or the method set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. Statements in the abstract of this document, and any summary statements in this document, are merely exemplary; they are not, and cannot be interpreted as, limiting the scope of the claims. Further, the figures are merely exemplary and not limiting. Topical headings and subheadings are for the convenience of the reader only. They should not and cannot be construed to have any substantive significance, meaning or interpretation, and should not and cannot be deemed to indicate that all of the information relating to any particular topic is to be found under or limited to any particular heading or subheading. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in accordance with the following claims and their legal equivalents.