Multiplexed segmented lighting lamina
View Patent ↗Apparatus and methods for providing LED lighting on light tape and light sheet. A controller may provide lighting control data to one or more ICs on a segment of tape or sheet. The lighting control data may include a data packet. The data packet may include an address. The address may correspond to one or more of the ICs. The address may correspond to one or more LEDs on the segment. The address may correspond to one or more LEDs on a light tape. The address may correspond to one or more LEDs on a light sheet. The LEDs corresponding to the address may be controlled by a current regulator or regulators on a single IC. The LEDs corresponding to the address may be controlled by current regulators on different ICs.
1. Apparatus comprising:
light-emitting diodes (“LED”s) that are:
mounted to a lamina; and
in electrical communication with an integrated circuit that is mounted to the lamina;
wherein:
the integrated circuit is configured to:
receive input at three terminals:
a first terminal that is configured to receive a data packet including, for each of the LEDs, a corresponding light level;
a second terminal that is designated to receive an excitation voltage; and
a third terminal that is designated to receive a reference voltage; and
regulate LED-driving currents;
each of the LEDs is configured to emit light of a color that is different from that of each of the other LEDs; and
the colors of the LEDs are more numerous than the currents.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the colors are more numerous, by one, than the currents.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the colors are more numerous, by two, than the currents.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the LEDs number five LEDs; and
the currents number four currents.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the LEDs number more than five LEDs; and
the currents number more than four currents.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lamina;
wherein the LEDs and the integrated circuit are mounted to the lamina.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein other than the first terminal the integrated circuit has no terminal that is configured to receive a light level.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising, when:
the integrated circuit is a first integrated circuit, and
the currents are first currents,
a second integrated circuit that is configured to regulate second currents, each being distinct from the first currents and corresponding to a different one of the LEDs.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LEDs include:
a red LED;
a green LED;
a blue LED;
a white LED having a first CCT; and
a white LED having a second CCT that is different from the first CCT.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LEDs are mounted to the lamina; and include:
a white LED having a first CCT;
a white LED having a second CCT; and
a white LED having a third CCT.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the third CCT is different from the first CCT and the second CCT; and
the second CCT is different from the first CCT.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the LEDs include:
a white LED having a first CCT; and
a white LED having a second CCT;
wherein the second CCT is different from the first CCT.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light levels correspond to a user command that conforms to a lighting format.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the format is a digital multiplexing format available under the tradename “DMX”.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data packet corresponds to a user command configured to change an operational state of at least one of the LEDs.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the user command conforms to a lighting format.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the format is a digital multiplexing format available under the tradename “DMX”.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the LEDs include:
a red LED;
a green LED;
a blue LED;
a white LED having a first CCT; and
a white LED having a second CCT that is different from the first CCT.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the LEDs are mounted to the lamina; and include:
a white LED having a first CCT;
a white LED having a second CCT; and
a white LED having a third CCT.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:
the third CCT is different from the first CCT and the second CCT; and
the second CCT is different from the first CCT.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the LEDs include:
a white LED having a first CCT; and
a white LED having a second CCT;
wherein the second CCT is different from the first CCT.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the colors are more numerous, by one, than the currents.
23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the colors are more numerous, by two, than the currents.
24. Apparatus comprising:
light-emitting diodes (“LED”s) that:
emit a number of different colors; and
are:
mounted to a lamina; and
in electrical communication with an integrated circuit that is mounted to the lamina; and
integrated circuits that are configured to:
receive input at three terminals:
a first terminal that is configured to receive a data packet including, for each of the colors, a corresponding light level;
a second terminal that is designated to receive an excitation voltage; and
a third terminal that is designated to receive a reference voltage; and
regulate currents, each current corresponding to a light level of a different one of the colors;
wherein:
with respect to propagation of the data packet, the integrated circuits are arranged in series; and
at least one of the integrated circuits is configured to regulate a number of currents that is less than the number of colors.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein all of the integrated circuits are configured to regulate a number of currents that is less than the number of colors.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a first of the integrated circuits is configured to provide to a second of the integrated circuits a pointer that distinguishes between light levels administered by the first integrated circuit and light levels not administered by the first integrated circuit.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the data packet corresponds to a user command configured to change an operational state of at least one of the LEDs.
28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the colors include:
red;
green;
blue;
a first CCT white; and
a second CCT white that is different from the first CCT.
29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the LEDs are mounted to the lamina; and the colors include:
a first CCT white;
a second CCT white; and
a third CCT white.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein:
the third CCT white is different from the first CCT white and the second CCT white; and
the second CCT white is different from the first CCT white.