Apparatus, method and system for providing AC line power to lighting devices

An apparatus for providing power to a plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to receive an AC voltage, the plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes each comprising a light emitting diode, the apparatus couplable to a current sensor, the apparatus comprising:

• a first current regulator coupled to a first segment of light emitting diodes of the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes;
• a second current regulator coupled to a second segment of light emitting diodes of the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first and second current regulators and couplable to the current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
• monitor a current level through a series light emitting diode current path;
• provide for the first segment of light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a first predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the first predetermined current level;
• and
• provide for the second segment of light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a second predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the second predetermined current level.

An apparatus couplable to receive an AC voltage, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled in series, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes form a segment of light emitting diodes;
• a first current regulator coupled at a light emitting diode cathode of the segment of light emitting diodes;
• a second current regulator coupled at a light emitting diode anode of the segment of light emitting diodes;
• a current sensor;
• a voltage regulator configured to provide a voltage or a current sufficient for a light emitting diode to be on and conducting;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first and second current regulators and to the current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
• monitor a current level through the segment of light emitting diodes;
• turn on the second current regulator, wherein the second current regulator provides current through the segment of light emitting diodes, and wherein the second current regulator charges the voltage regulator;
• and
• turn on the first current regulator, wherein the first current regulator provides current through the segment of light emitting diodes, and wherein the first current regulator discharges the voltage regulator.

A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to:

• monitor and regulate a current level through a series light emitting diode current path;
• provide for a first segment of one or more light emitting diodes from a plurality of segments of series coupled light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a first predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the first predetermined current level;
• and
• provide for a second segment of one or more light emitting diodes from the plurality of segments of series coupled light emitting diodes to be switched in or out of the series light emitting diode current path in response to the monitored current level at about a second predetermined current level or until the monitored current level has reached about the second predetermined current level.