Light emitting device (LED) lighting systems for emitting light in multiple directions and related methods

1. A lighting system for emitting light in multiple directions comprising:

at least one light emitting device (LED) configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system; and

a housing configured to receive the at least one LED, the housing being configured to reflect a portion of the generated light so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system, wherein the first and second areas proximate to the lighting system are outside the housing,

wherein the first direction is below the housing and the second direction is above the housing.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 , further comprising a lens between the at least one LED and the first area proximate to the lighting system, the lens being configured to diffuse the light generated to illuminate the first area.

3. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED comprises at least two LEDs, a first of the at least two LEDs positioned to emit light in the first direction and a second of the at least two LEDs being positioned to emit light in the second direction.

4. The lighting system of claim 3 , further comprising a third LED being positioned to emit light in a third direction, different from the first and second directions.

5. The lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED comprises at least one blue LED and wherein the system further comprises:

a transparent lens between the at least one blue LED and the first area proximate the lighting system; and

a phosphor coating on the transparent lens between the transparent lens and the at least one blue LED, the phosphor coating being configured to allow the lighting system including the at least one blue LED to provide white light in the first direction.

6. A lighting system for emitting light in multiple directions comprising:

at least one light emitting device (LED) configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system; and

a housing configured to receive the least one LED, the housing being configured to reflect a portion of the generated light so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system wherein the first and second areas proximate to the lighting system are outside the housing,

wherein from about 75 to about 90 percent of a total amount of light generated by the at least one LED illuminates the first area and wherein from about 10 to about 25 percent of the total amount of light generated by the at least one LED illuminates the second area.

7. The lighting system of claim 6 , wherein a viewing angle of the at least one LED is from about 100 to about 120 degrees.

8. A lighting system for emitting light in multiple directions comprising:

at least one light emitting device (LED) configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system; and

a housing configured to receive the at least one LED, the housing being configured to reflect a portion of the generated light so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system, wherein the first and second areas proximate to the lighting system are outside the housing,

wherein the housing defines a cavity, wherein the at least one LED is positioned to emit light into the cavity towards the housing, wherein the housing is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted into the cavity to illuminate the first area proximate to the lighting system and wherein the housing comprises a semi-reflective housing including silver, chrome, metal alloys and/or any semi-reflective material.

9. A method of emitting light in multiple directions in lighting systems including light emitting devices (LEDs) comprising:

generating light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system using at least one LED; and

reflecting a portion of the generated light in the first direction using a semi-reflective housing so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system, wherein the first and second areas proximate to the lighting system are outside the semi-reflective housing.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising adjusting an angle and/or position of the at least one LED to change an amount of light output by the lighting system.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the light in the first direction comprises about 75 to about 90 percent of a total amount of light generated by the at least one LED and the light generated in the second direction is from about 10 to about 25 percent of the total amount of light generated by the at least one LED.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising diffusing the light generated in the first direction using a lens between the at least one LED and the first area proximate to the lighting system.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first direction is below the housing and the second direction is above the housing.