Led-based light source having decorative and illumination functions

A light source comprising:

• a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sources, said plurality of LED sources comprising at least one LED source configured to emit an associated light output at an associated one of each of a plurality of colors,
• said plurality of LED sources being configured in separate groups, each of said separate groups comprising associated ones of said plurality of LED sources coupled for being energized or dimmed at the same time for establishing a changing pattern of said associated light outputs and a corresponding changing pattern of light emitted at said plurality of colors that is visible to an observer,
• said changing pattern of associated light outputs comprising changing combinations of said associated light outputs configured to combine at a distance from said light source for establishing a white light illumination of a target area.

A method of providing simultaneous decorative and white light illumination, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sources, said plurality of LED sources comprising at least one LED source configured to emit an associated light output at an associated one of each of a plurality of colors;
• and
• selectively energizing said LED sources for establishing a changing pattern of said associated light outputs and a corresponding changing pattern of light emitted at said plurality of colors that is visible to an observer, said changing pattern of associated light outputs comprising changing combinations of said associated light outputs that combine at a distance from said light source for establishing a white light illumination of a target area.

A light source comprising:

• a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sources, said LED sources simultaneously producing a changing pattern of light that is visible to an observer and a white light illumination at a target area at a distance from said light source, said changing pattern of light comprising a plurality of colors and said white light illumination exhibiting a correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI) or Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) x,y coordinates within a range of ±10%.