Controlled lighting methods and apparatus
AssigneeColor Kinetics Incorporated
InventorsFrederick M. Morgan, Kevin J. Dowling, Ihor A. Lys, Brian Roberge, Brian Chemel, Jeff Hyer, Michael K. Blackwell, John Warwick
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Abstract
Described herein are lighting units of a variety of types and configurations, including linear lighting units suitable for lighting large spaces, such as building exteriors and interiors. Also provided herein are methods and systems for powering lighting units, controlling lighting units, authoring displays for lighting units, and addressing control data for lighting units.
Claims72
A method of providing a lighting system including at least first and second units, comprising:
- providing a substantially linear circuit board in each unit;
- disposing a plurality of light sources along the circuit board;
- disposing the circuit board and the light sources in a substantially linear housing of each unit;
- providing a light transmissive cover for the housing;
- providing a connection facility of the housing;
- and
- arranging the system such that the first unit of the lighting system is disposed end to end with the second unit of the lighting system without a gap in light emission between the housings;
- wherein the processor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC);
- wherein the ASIC is configured to receive and transmit a data stream;
- and
- wherein the ASIC responds to data addressed to it, modifies at least one bit of the data stream, and transmits the modified data stream.
A method of providing a lighting system including at least first and second units, comprising:
- providing a substantially linear circuit board in each unit;
- disposing a plurality of light sources along the circuit board;
- disposing the circuit board and the light sources in a substantially linear housing of each unit;
- providing a light-transmissive cover for the housing;
- providing a connection facility of the housing;
- arranging the system such that the first unit of the lighting system is disposed end to end with the second unit of the lighting system without a gap in light emission between the housings;
- and
- disposing a plurality of lighting systems in a serial configuration and controlling all of them by a stream of data to respective ASICs of each of them, wherein each lighting system responds to the first unmodified bit of data in the stream, modifies that bit of data, and transmits the stream to the next ASIC.
A lighting system including at least first and second units, comprising:
- a substantially linear circuit board in each unit;
- a plurality of light sources along the circuit board, wherein the circuit board and the light sources are disposed in a substantially linear housing of each unit;
- a light-transmissive cover for the housing;
- a connection facility of the housing, wherein the lighting system is arranged such that the first unit of the lighting system is disposed end to end with the second unit of the lighting system without a gap in light emission between the housings;
- and
- a processor, wherein the processor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC);
- and
- wherein the ASIC responds to a data stream addressed to it, modifies at least one bit of the data stream, and transmits the modified data stream.
A lighting system including at least first and second units, comprising:
- a substantially linear circuit board in each unit;
- a plurality of light sources along the circuit board, wherein the circuit board and the light sources are disposed in a substantially linear housing of each unit;
- a light-transmissive cover for the housing;
- a connection facility of the housing, wherein the lighting system is arranged such that the first unit of the lighting system is disposed end to end with the second unit of the lighting system without a gap in light emission between the housings;
- and
- a plurality of lighting systems in a serial configuration that are controlled by a stream of data to respective ASICs of each of them, wherein each lighting system responds to the first unmodified bit of data in the stream, modifies that bit of data, and transmits the stream to the next ASIC.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.