# US 2014/0152178 A1 · Lighting devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152178 A1 - Document ID: US20140152178A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/034,385 - Filed: 2013-09-23 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-22 - Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company - Applicants: Johnson Controls Technology Company - Inventors: Thomas Scott HODGSON; Kathleen M. PACHECO; Steven M. SPOERRE; Randy L. ARENDSEN; Art VONDERWELL; Bryan T. JONES; Mark J. BUSSIS; Rodney J. TINDALL; Theron J. HICKS; Chad WERNICKE; Bryan THIEME - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152178A1 ## CPC - B60Q 3/66: for distributing light among several lighting devices - B60Q 3/14: lighting through the surface to be illuminated - B60Q 3/208: Sun roofs; Windows - B60Q 3/225: Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments - B60Q 3/74: for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps (general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43) - B60Q 3/80: Circuits; Control arrangements (for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47) - H05B 45/18: using temperature feedback - H05B 45/3725: Switched mode power supply [SMPS] - H05B 45/395: Linear regulators - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - H05B 47/198: {Grouping of control procedures or address assignation to light sources} - H05K 1/0284: {Details of three-dimensional rigid printed circuit boards (H05K1/119 takes precedence; shaping of the substrate H05K3/0014)} - H05K 1/148: {Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means} - B60Q 2500/30: Arrangements for illuminating different zones in the vehicle, e.g. front/rear, different seats - H05K 2201/0999: Circuit printed on or in housing, e.g. housing as PCB; Circuit printed on the case of a component; PCB affixed to housing - H05K 2201/10106: Light emitting diode [LED] - H05K 2201/10356: Cables - Y02B 20/30: Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED] - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract Lighting devices for a vehicle arc disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-27. (canceled) ### Claim 28 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode; and a mechanism for sensing temperature for protecting the light emitting diode and the control circuitry from an over-temperature condition. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a control circuit for controlling one or more light emitting diodes, wherein the control circuit is configured to control a second lighting device. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a wireless control system. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a switch illumination control circuit. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a switch mode power supply for driving the light emitting diodes. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a linear amplifier power supply for driving the light emitting diodes. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) A lighting device, as claimed in claim 28, further comprising at least one of a switch mode power supply and a linear amplifier power supply for driving the light emitting diodes. ### Claim 35 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode: and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: a power source: a switch, connected to the power source and connected in series with an inductor and the light emitting diode; and a control circuit connected to the switch, the light emitting diode and a resistor, for ensuring constant current flows through the light emitting diode. ### Claim 36 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: a power source; a switch, connected to the power source and connected in series with an inductor and the light emitting diode; and a control circuit connected to the switch, the light emitting diode and a resistor, for ensuring constant current flows through the light emitting diode. ### Claim 37 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: a power source; a light emitting diode connected to the power source; a transistor connected in series to the light emitting diode; and an amplifier, having an output connected to a first resistor and the transistor in series, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the amplifier and connected to a second resistor, for sensing a current of the light emitting diode, connected to ground; and a reference voltage connected to a positive terminal of the amplifier. ### Claim 38 A linear amplifier power supply for driving light emitting diodes, comprising: a power source; a light emitting diode connected to the power source; a transistor connected in series to the light emitting diode; and an amplifier, having an output connected to a first resistor and the transistor in series, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the amplifier and connected to a second resistor, for sensing a current of the light emitting diode, connected to ground; and a reference voltage connected to a positive terminal of the amplifier. ### Claim 39 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: a power source; one or more light emitting diodes connected in series with the power source, wherein each light emitting diode has a switch connected in parallel with the light emitting diode; and a light emitting diode driver connected in series with the light emitting diodes and the power source for driving the light emitting diodes. ### Claim 40 A single drive circuit for driving light emitting diodes, comprising: a power source; one or more light emitting diodes connected in series with the power source, wherein each light emitting diode has a switch connected in parallel with the light emitting diode; and a light emitting diode driver connected in series with the light emitting diodes and the power source for driving the light emitting diodes. ### Claim 41 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode: and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: an operational amplifier; an electronic component, providing a voltage value to a Zener diode, connected to a positive input of the operational amplifier; an adjustable linear voltage regulator receiving a power input and having an output connected to an anode of the light emitting diode; and a transistor, connected to an output of the operational amplifier, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the operational amplifier and wherein the transistor shunts a portion of the adjustable linear voltage regulator bias current. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 41, wherein the electronic component includes a temperature sensor. ### Claim 43 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: an operational amplifier; an electronic component, providing a voltage value to a Zener diode, connected to a positive input of the operational amplifier; an adjustable linear voltage regulator receiving a power input and having an output connected to an anode of the light emitting diode; and a transistor, connected to an output of the operational amplifier, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the operational amplifier and wherein the transistor shunts a portion of the adjustable linear voltage regulator bias current. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The circuit, as claimed in claim 43, wherein the electronic component includes a temperature sensor. ### Claim 45 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: a power source; a first transistor, connected to a first resistor connected in series to a positive terminal of the power source, the first transistor connected to a reference voltage connected to a negative terminal of the power source; a second transistor, connected to the first transistor at a node, the node having a second resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a third resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a fourth resistor connected in series to ground; and a third transistor, connected to the second transistor, connected to the light emitting diode, wherein the light emitting diode is connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the third transistor connected to the fourth resistor connected in series to ground. ### Claim 46 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: a power source; a first transistor, connected to a first resistor connected in series to a positive terminal of the power source, the first transistor connected to a reference voltage connected to a negative terminal of the power source; a second transistor, connected to the first transistor at a node, the node having a second resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a third resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a fourth resistor connected in series to ground; and a third transistor, connected to the second transistor, connected to the light emitting diode, wherein the light emitting diode is connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the third transistor connected to the fourth resistor connected in series to ground. ### Claim 47 A light emitting diode lamp, comprising one or more light emitting diodes connected to a substrate, wherein the light emitting diodes arc independently controllable. ### Claim 48 (canceled) ### Claim 49 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: an electronic control module, having a switch; and a continuity signal and a wake-up signal as inputs to the electronic control module. ### Claim 50 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: an electronic control module, having a switch; and a continuity signal and a wake-up signal as inputs to the electronic control module. ### Claim 51 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: alight emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: a power source; a first transistor, connected to a first resistor connected in series to a positive terminal of the power source, the first transistor connected to a reference voltage connected to a negative terminal of the power source; a second transistor, connected to the first transistor at a node, the node having a second resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a third resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a fourth resistor connected in series to ground; and a third transistor, connected to the second transistor, connected to the light emitting diode, wherein the light emitting diode is connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the third transistor connected to the fourth resistor connected in series to ground. ### Claim 52 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: a power source; a first transistor, connected to a first resistor connected in series to a positive terminal of the power source, the first transistor connected to a reference voltage connected to a negative terminal of the power source; a second transistor, connected to the first transistor at a node, the node having a second resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a third resistor connected in series to the positive terminal of the power source, the second transistor connected to a fourth resistor connected in series to ground; and a third transistor, connected to the second transistor, connected to the light emitting diode, wherein the light emitting diode is connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the third transistor connected to the fourth resistor connected in series to ground. ### Claim 53 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and control circuitry for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry comprises: an operational amplifier; a voltage value connected to a positive input of the operational amplifier; an adjustable linear voltage regulator receiving a power input and having an output connected to an anode of the light emitting diode; and a transistor, connected to an output of the operational amplifier, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the operational amplifier and wherein the transistor shunts a portion of the adjustable linear voltage regulator bias current. ### Claim 54 A circuit for driving a light emitting diode, comprising: an operational amplifier; a voltage value connected to a positive input of the operational amplifier; an adjustable linear voltage regulator receiving a power input and having an output connected to an anode of the light emitting diode; and a transistor, connected to an output of the operational amplifier, wherein the output is fed back to a negative terminal of the operational amplifier and wherein the transistor shunts a portion of the adjustable linear voltage regulator bias current. ### Claim 55 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; and a processor configured to control the light emitting diode and at least one other electrical component of the vehicle. ### Claim 56 A method of forming a lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: obtaining data about a light emitting diode for the lighting device; manipulating the data with software to create control information for the light emitting diode; and loading the control information into a processor that will control the light emitting diode.