Dimmable LED-based MR16 lighting apparatus and methods
AssigneePhilips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
InventorsIhor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing controllable power via an A.C. power source to LED-based lighting devices having an MR16 configuration. In one example, LED-based MR16 lighting devices may be coupled to A.C. power circuits that are controlled by conventional dimmers (i.e, “A.C. dimmer circuits”). In yet other aspects, one or more parameters relating to the light generated by LED-based light sources (e.g., intensity, color, color temperature, temporal characteristics, etc.) may be conveniently controlled via operation of a conventional A.C. dimmer and/or other signals present on the A.C. power circuit.
Claims67
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one LED;
- a housing in which the at least one LED is disposed, the housing including at least one connection to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional MR16 socket;
- and
- at least one controller coupled to the housing and the at least one LED and configured to receive first power from an alternating current (A.C.) dimmer circuit, the A.C. dimmer circuit being controlled by a user interface to vary the first power, the at least one controller further configured to provide second power to the at least one LED based on the first power.
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one LED;
- a housing in which the at least one LED is disposed, the housing including at least one connection to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional MR16 socket;
- and
- at least one controller coupled to the housing and the at least one LED and configured to receive a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) power source that provides signals other than a standard A.C. line voltage, the at least one controller further configured to provide power to the at least one LED based on the power-related signal,
- wherein the power-related signal includes information that is provided according to an X10 communication standard protocol, and wherein the at least one controller is configured to provide the power to the at least one LED based on the information.
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one LED;
- a housing in which the at least one LED is disposed, the housing including at least one connection to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional MR16 socket;
- and
- at least one controller coupled to the housing and the at least one LED and configured to receive a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) power source that provides signals other than a standard A.C. line voltage, the at least one controller further configured to provide power to the at least one LED based on the power-related signal,
- wherein the A.C. power source is an (A.C.) dimmer circuit.
A method, comprising an act of:
- A) providing power via a conventional MR16 socket to at least one LED, based on a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) power source that provides signals other than a standard A.C. line voltage,
- wherein the power-related signal includes information that is provided according to an X10 conununication standard protocol, and wherein the power is provided based on the information.
A method, comprising an act of:
- A) providing power via a conventional MR16 socket to at least one LED, based on a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) power source that provides signals other than a standard A.C. line voltage,
- wherein the act A) includes an act of:
- providing power to the at least one LED based on a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) dimmer circuit.
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one LED adapted to generate an essentially white light;
- a housing in which the at least one LED is disposed, the housing including at least one connection to engage mechanically and electrically with a conventional MR16 socket;
- and
- at least one controller coupled to the at least one LED and configured to receive a power-related signal from an alternating current (A.C.) dimmer circuit and provide power to the at least one LED based on the power-related signal,
- wherein:
- the A.C. dimmer circuit is controlled by a user interface to vary the power-related signal;
- and
- the at least one controller is configured to variably control at least one parameter of the essentially white light in response to operation of the user interface so as to approximate light generation characteristics of an incandescent light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.