US 2018/0124881 A1 · BRIGHTNESS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DECORATIVE LIGHT STRINGS

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to providing a constant-brightness lighting power to one or more interconnected light strings. A light string power controller draws operating power from a power source that has a variable voltage. The light string power controller supplies constant-brightness lighting power to the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The power controller can send a load-query signal the one or more interconnected light strings connected thereto. The connected light strings respond to the query with a load-response signal, which is indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the one or more interconnected light strings. The load-response signal can be indicative of a total number of lighting elements of the one or more interconnected light strings, for example. Similarly, the load-response signal can be indicative of a desired power level for a predetermined illumination level of the one or more interconnected light strings.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for providing constant-brightness to light elements of one or more connected decorative light strings, the system comprising:

a light-string load detector configured to:
provide, via an electrically-conductive path, a load-query signal to the one or more connected light strings;
and
detect, via the electrically-conductive path, a load-response signal from the one or more connected decorative light strings, the load-response signal being indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the one or more connected decorative light strings;
and
a power converter configured to:
draw operating power from a power source;
and
provide, via the electrically-conductive path, power to the one or more connected decorative light strings, the power being provided at the power level indicated by the detected load-response signal.

6 more elements

A decorative light string configured for use with a modular constant-brightness lighting system, the decorative light string comprising:

a first electrical connector located at a first end of the decorative light string, the first electrical connector having first and second contacts, wherein the first electrical connector is configured to receive power via the first and second contacts of the first electrical connector;
a second electrical connector at a second end of the decorative light string, the second electrical connector having first and second contacts, wherein the second electrical connector is configured to provide power via the first and second contacts of the second electrical connector;
a first conductor electrically coupled to and extending between the first contact of the first electrical connector and the first contact of the second electrical connector;
a second conductor electrically coupled to and extending between the second contact of the first electrical connector and the second contact of the second electrical connector;
a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string and configured to receive operating power via the first and second conductors;
and
a load-query responder electrically connected between the first and second conductors, the load-query responder configured to receive a load-query signal and to provide a load-response signal in response to the received load-query signal, the load-response signal being indicative of a power level corresponding to an illumination value of the plurality of lighting elements.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Brightness control system for decorative light strings

Life of this patent

Brightness control system for decorative light strings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20